Navigation from pwllheli to kilmore quay

[Matata]

Just learning so bear with me!! Sailed to Dublin last year and the tidal stuff worked out, six hours up six hours down, simples!!! Now going a bit further. We're leaving Pwllheli six in the evening and hoping to get to kilmore quay about three the next afternoon. I appreciate there is a very strong flow close to Kilmore ,sort of north bound,say 2 knts. Do I simply do my tidal flows and course to steer and hence travel a rhumb line To kilmore or can I take the flow to my advantage initially southerly and say sail more south towards Fishguard then west towards Kilmore counteracting the northern flow . In other words is there a better way to work the tidal flows? Also any other advice on the trip is very appreciated. Nik

 

[shaunksb]

In other words is there a better way to work the tidal flows? Also any other advice on the trip is very appreciated. Nik

No. bear in mind the tides run stronger on the Welsh side so you will want to time it to get a good sling shot off the llyn Peninsular. With a hundred mile trip it will be more difficult to predict when you arrive at SE Eire so you will just have to take it on the chin.

HOWEVER are you talking about THIS weekend?

Met office predicting F5/7 SW for two days!!

If you plan beating into that in the Irish Sea I think you should reconsider.

It will be VERY lumpy with wind against tide even with neaps. Progress will be Very slow and uncomfortable.

Definately not for the faint hearted.


.

 

[Heckler]

Just learning so bear with me!! Sailed to Dublin last year and the tidal stuff worked out, six hours up six hours down, simples!!! Now going a bit further. We're leaving Pwllheli six in the evening and hoping to get to kilmore quay about three the next afternoon. I appreciate there is a very strong flow close to Kilmore ,sort of north bound,say 2 knts. Do I simply do my tidal flows and course to steer and hence travel a rhumb line To kilmore or can I take the flow to my advantage initially southerly and say sail more south towards Fishguard then west towards Kilmore counteracting the northern flow . In other words is there a better way to work the tidal flows? Also any other advice on the trip is very appreciated. Nik

I came back from KQ a few years ago in Sonsy Lass, a Bene 351. Left at 7.00 in the morning, arrived Pwllheli 10.00 ish at night. It was hi tide at KQ at 7.00, we had the tide with us past Tusker, we went around the outside. There was about 5knts of tide with us up to level with Arklow, then it went awful slow!
My mate who was with us took the inside passage, and beat us home by about 1.5 hrs.
The tides are really serious around the corner, you need to get there to get the push to KQ, BUT with the wind SW it will be wind over tide, BEWARE!
Stu
PS we just pointed at Pwlleli from Tusker. If you leave Pwllheli at hi water (17.37 tonight?) you will get 7 hours push south then it will turn and push you north for 5 hours, with a bit of luck you will be near tusker for the turn of tide and it will then give you the final push to KQ? Very rough estimates by the way!
PPS As the other bloke said, forecast aint nice, beating all the way in to a stiff breeze? Yuk!

 

[Mrnotming]

Kilmore Quay.St Patrick's Bridge.

There are usually marker buoys (two) marking the gap through this reef which is in your way coming from eastwards.Your destination is just on the other side.Worth talking to the harbourmaster at Kilmore if you can spare the time, as local tides to Carnsore can be used to advantage.Irish Cruising Club guide is useful, but not the last word on this subject.
http://www.wexford.ie/kilmore/general.htm

http://www.irishcruisingclub.com/in...=item&id=35:south-and-west-sailing-directions

Skipper Stu has a good handle on the passage. I've only done it loads of times from Arklow.As another poster mentions wind over tide effect at the Tuskar is considerable, and overfalls must be avoided.When SW winds are up it's misery.NW winds make it a doddle except that Rosslare Europort as a refuge is untenable then.But Rosslare is a refuge if you get it all wrong and must retreat in the face of strong SW ly.Done that, and mighty glad to tie up to a rough old quay with dead rats and rusty shopping trolleys.Just the job when options run out!

 

[Mrnotming]

Kilmore Quay.

NP 259 Admiralty Tidal Atlas.

Perhaps I am stating the obvious, but I always use this atlas as my main tide planning tool.

To some perhaps it is a bit simplistic in these tech savvy days, but on a lurching gyrating chart table the hours pencilled in at the top of each page are a comfort especially when one can average out the total tide gained so easily.

At £9.40 on the web it is a god value bit of kit!

 

[Matata]

Thanks for those pearls. We're going weekend of 8th July. Problem is sw winds!!! Bank on the nose.I dont think we'd get there and back in a weekend so our plan b is either fishguard area or arklow. I think i might get the Irish sea sailing guide and read a bit more. Ta Nik

 

[shaunksb]

.

so our plan b is either fishguard area or arklow. I think i might get the Irish sea sailing guide and read a bit more. Ta Nik

Arklow would be a nice trip.


Fair winds

 

[Juggler7823]

Forget the tides off the Lleyn peninsula. The direct course to KQ is well to the east of Bardsey. You have to time your arrival at Carnsore Point such that the tide is with you. Going to Arklow makes it much easier than KQ first. Your only problem then is inside or outside Tuskar Rock. I prefer inside but Stu prefers outside, its personal preference. Then make sure you know where the rocky isles are before the bridge to KQ. FRom the SWM use the leading marks of the charted course to the harbour entrance, its shallow and rocky either side.

If you are a member of the club try to get a copy of Richards Smiths notes about the S Irish sea tides

Good luck

Roy