Moving a yacht from Newcastle to Milford, which way?

[bitbaltic]

I'm afraid it didn't do to well in the survey, it could be done but wouldn't be ready for this season, also it was cedar strip plank not ply.

Sounds like it will be part ply at least pretty soon then

Pity though.

 

[Tzu]

From experience.. I did Hartlepool to North Wales via the Forth & Clyde canal in April 2015 (and it was written up for a feature in Yachting Monly April 2016 edition, signed copied available).. and I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Westerly Longbow, 2 'dayskipper' crew, no overnights, only 2 bits of grotty sea in all the journey and we could have avoided those. Enforced stops (weather delay and return to work) at Peel IOM and Holyhead.

I reckon we could have done it in 3 weeks if I'd booked the holiday from work and still not gone out in more than F4.

Route was: Hartlepool - Amble - Eyemouth - Port Edgar - mast down at Grangemouth - F&C - Mast up at Bowling - Largs - Stranraer - Peel - Holyhead - Porthmadog

Too many highlights to list them and I learned more about handling the boat through the canal than i have in any sailing course.

I know I enjoyed it and I think its worth considering

Tzu

 

[Whiterose]

I keep my boat in Milford Haven.I often sail from Hartlepool and have done trip Southwards several times. This is a looooonnnnggg trip through some VERY busy waters. However IMHO there are far more bolt holes going South than North and you can find many services and spares etc that you will inevitably require further South.The Bristol Channel is not as bad as people seem to think.Get the tides right!Falmouth Padstow or even Falmouth -Scillies then hop across maybe stop at Lundy.Anyway have a great trip ... this is not a trip for the faint hearted though.would offer to crew but hopefully leaving Hartlepool end of month crewing to the Med.
Best wishes and when you arrive in Milford look out for Discus White Rose
Fair winds and calm seas
Rich

 

[steve yates]

Do those who say take it by road ever go sailing?
The man has a boat, he has time, he has inclination.
What's the point of NOT Sailing her? If needs must he can drop the sails and motor her if things get tricky, he already said he has plenty experience on motor boats.
I've never sailed on the east coast but north about would be my choice, by miles. Stunning scenery, lots and lots of options.
Just take your time, pick your weather and enjoy your holiday. It won't be hard if you are not running to a timetable.

 

[Uricanejack]

I agree with Steve.

One of the best and most memorable trips I have had was delivering my own boat home. I would enjoy it goin ether way.
The Caledonian and Forth and Clyde have been mentioned as possible routes.
My recollection of the Forth and Clyde. I am surprised a sailboat can get through. It must have received a real clean up. It would be a nice trip some time.
Just wondering. Is it possible for a moderate draft sailboat with the mast down. To transit across England? The Tyne, Tees Humber, Mersey, Thames are all connected by Canals.

 

[macd]

Is it possible for a moderate draft sailboat with the mast down. To transit across England? The Tyne, Tees Humber, Mersey, Thames are all connected by Canals.

Don't see why not in some cases. Draught's obviously the main issue, four feet, sometimes less, being a widespread limit. There's never been a canal system associated with the Tyne (although it is navigable for 20 miles or so), and only a tiny one on the Tees. The only points of coastal entry to the wider canal system are the Humber, Wash and Thames on the east coast, Severn and Mersey/Dee on the west. Last I heard the Lancaster canal wasn't navigable throughout, but it only goes pretty much due south, anyway.

Many years ago I helped deliver a Thames sailing barge from Leeds to central London, which wasn't actually coast-to-coast but was definitely...er, interesting. The Trent in near-darkness was particularly hairy.

I'd sail, anti-clockwise.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I've only had a few weeks sailing experience
I have done a fair bit of boating with fishing and diving in my past
a two week sailing course in greece this month leading to day skipper
... tides .... had to deal with and plan for them many times while organising dive trips.
... it's sailing I have to learn and that won't happen in two weeks I know.
... Westerly Corsair and crew will be the Mrs with even less experience than me
.... friends may join us from time to time.

It's a tricky one to be honest. Tides and sailing usually are more awkward than tides and motor boating, so be careful in your assumption that you understand tides and current because of some past dive planning experience - did you actually skipper and compensate for set and rate? Both directions take you through areas where tidal set and rate must be allowed for if under sail.

South has the advantage of more safe ports and better access for friends, it really is grim up North (from a travelling convenience perspective) and getting to and from Aberdeen northwards, is a bit of a haul, and expensive, for this reason I would go south, if friends crewing is critical (which I suggest it is). Going south also brings you into areas that have a greater concentration of boaty support, should you need it. Northwards it all gets a bit more scarce and a new boat may have issues that will only show up on a long passage. If I lived in England, this would be important to me, as a broken down boat is a hassle and I would not want that exacerbated by remoteness.

Southerly winds to take you up to the NE are likely to be more prevalent, but it is along slog from Peterhead to the Moray Firth and the canal. All my miserable sailing experiences have been up the Aberdeen coast and across this bit of water. By the time you get to Peterhead, say with the wind behind you, you are likely to be tired, so that slog westwards can be depressing. Don't forget that crew travelling to/from any of these ports is awkward. Agree that the sail south, via the inner passages is a good one, as is heading over to Ireland side.

I would hedge towards going south.

 

[Halo]

I have done this trip both ways and agree the North route is easier. I also took my Westerly 25 coast to coast through the Rufforth branch of the Leeds Liverpool (River Ribble) and the Aire and Caulder to Goole ( River Humber) . The latter is great fun but you need to check current depths against your draft and be prepared for 128 manual locks with the mast on the coach roof. The Forth and Clyde is a quicker option and takes days rather than weeks.
I could ramble on for ages but would mirror what others have said - nurture the wife's interest, get mates to crew the long passages , and enjoy the trip. When you get to Milford you will be a sailor.
I will be in Hartlepool on Thursday and Friday mornings - look for me on Auburn Dreamer or pm me if you want to talk options through.

 

[Major_Clanger]

I've done both several times and would opt for south-about without question. I'd suggest taking an experienced crew member with you though; if nothing else it'll help you to relax and enjoy the passage.

Let us know how you get on.....

 

[Big Andy]

Well the plan is developing, I'm still leaning towards the Northern route and through the Caledonian canal. But I have taken onboard some of the advice given here, and will now include an RYA instructor aboard for the first bit of the trip, up to Inverness then tackle the canal with a friend aboard who has a lot of sailing experience. I'll probably do the Southerly section with just the two of us aboard although other guests are still possible.
The boat itself seems well up to the trip, it's in top condition and the only note on the survey was one seacock didn't turn and thats been sorted, every thing else passed with flying colours. Looking forward to the end of the month now .

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Great, make the decision, plan it and do it. Fair winds.