Isle of Mann crossing

[Brendaldo1]

Could any one explain if they think that crossing over to the Isle of Mann from Liverpool in a 19 foot Maxum .4.3 lt 175 hp mercruiser inboard engine speedboat would be foolhardy, and if not any tips on going about such a trip ?
Is there a more suitable location to launch the crossing from ?

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[tcm]

In the right conditions, this could be ok. Not got a chart with me, it must be 65 milesish.

You need enought fuel plus 25 % as a minimum, plus vhf, flares, lifejackets, charts small handheld gps etc and i wd get/rent a small liferaft.

The weather is the key thing for small boats. Crap weather, crap day out. Really crap weather, it is dangerous not just crap. So get forecast and be honest in looking at them rather than reading them in the best possible light. "Moderate" sea is bloody rough for a 20 footer. You need smooth or slight, and to set off early in the morning when seas are usually smoother and the day is long, giving you lots of options such as going somewhere else, going back, or going very slowly but still be in the daylight.

Best thing wd be to investigate ferries etc before u go. Lots of people leave the boat and come back later, and if the weather turns agin you on the way back, leave it and come back later.

Finally you should be fairly sure in your own mind that you can do the trip. By making the post, i am not sure if you are? If not, take someone along who has done it. If you can't find anyone who has done it, do a longish (but mebbe not this long) trip up the coaast where you can stop easily.




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[Tomsk]

Set off from Fleetwood, approx 50 miles, but watch the weather. A good chance of arranging a crossing in company with other vessels from Fleetwood.

<hr width=100% size=1>Tomsk -

What the hell... it's only money!

 

[Davy_S]

I have done it three times in a 16ft boat with 60hp engine, as Tom says 50nm to Douglas. You realy need to go in company with another boat. Pick neap tides and flat calm, go crack of dawn before the afternoon westerly sea breeze sets in and be prepered for stopover if weather changes. Should take you two and a half hours to get there.

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[Brendaldo1]

Many Thanks for ur invaluable advice, this gives me a much better perspective on the trip.

Davy_S, did you have to stay over or did u plan with return weather in mind ?

Once again thanks to all for your input.

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[hlb]

I'll stick my neck out and say dont attempt it. Far to few back up systems. And yes I have sailed to IOM, Ireland and Scotland on many occasions. If you have to, try Holly Head. About 35 miles if I remember right and you will miss out the overfalls on the corners. Sorry it's about eight years since I was round that neck of the woods.

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Haydn

 

[Davy_S]

No did not have to stay, If you pick neaps and good established high pressure you usualy have an afternoon westerly, but in the early evening it turns easterly. This offshore wind only extends about 2 miles out, flat after that. I used to go and fish the wreck of the Montreal out near the rigs and it would be flat out there all the time. Still think its a bit better if you can go in company with another boat though. On small boats like this if one breaks down you can transfer gear and peeps and make quite a good speed towing the other. Its a short trip at 2-3 hours but its a long tow if you break down!

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[Davy_S]

Haydn you are spending to much time with southerners /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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