North Channel

[Relax]

I'm going to be transiting the North Channel from Islay, Jura or Gigha to Northern Ireland in a couple of weeks. I have read quite a lot about this stretch of water and have a few reservations.

I've had a troll through both my pilot books and previous posts and can't really find any info specific to this passage - most seem to concentrate on rounding the Mull (of K) or going in the opposite direction.

I will NOT be making this passage in anything other than reasonable conditions and my current inclination is to leave Craighouse (Jura) towards the end of the north going ebb and make for the west end of Rathlin Island (with suitable offset for the tidal vector - though this does appear very variable) - if progress is slow or I need an emergency Guinness I can stop at Rathlin and if good and supplies are holding out I can carry on to the south of Rathlin and make for Glenarm?

I am not in a hurry and can wait for decent weather if required.

Does this appear sensible?

 

[Spyro]

I did this last year in what I thought was a suitable day. left Jura in beautiful sunshine and flat seas. 3 or 4 hours later I wish I stayed in Jura or at least stopped at Islay. I was very surprised at the size of the swell out there coupled with a good 15 knots more than the forecast said. I had planned on getting west of Rathlin and into Ballycastle but with the tides pushing me east. I had 2 reefs in the main and a good few turns on the jib I didn't fancy battling upwind so I had to settle for going down the east side of Rathlin. Your plans sound good. The tides around Rathlin are all over the place so no matter what time you get there you will have some of it against you.

 

[Quandary]

The easiest route from Craighouse is straight to Glenarm on the ebb for the first hour or two then using the flood in the Channel. However, Ballycastle is a nicer town with better pubs and shops so you can decide on the day depending on conditions. Rathlin has interesting lighthouses with sea birds, there are two pubs, the Manor House is a tad pretentious while the 'local' is quite the opposite. Tides are much stronger around Rathlin and in the Sound until you get well south off Torr Head and in a southerly wind it is more comfortable out in the channel than close to the Antrim headlands. Sloughnamore, the race SW of Rue point is best avoided between Dover +1 and +3 especially at springs. Allow for about 3 knots of tidal assistance out in the channel so progress should be quick. There is a traffic separation (with very few ships, lucky if you see one) between Kintyre and Rathlin which in poor visibility you are recommended to cross at right angles which would make the Rathlin route less of a diversion. If you want more information on tides in the Sound, they are in ICC sailing Directions. (I can post a summary if you do not have it.)

 

[lpdsn]

I'm going to be transiting the North Channel from Islay, Jura or Gigha to Northern Ireland in a couple of weeks. I have read quite a lot about this stretch of water and have a few reservations.

I've had a troll through both my pilot books and previous posts and can't really find any info specific to this passage - most seem to concentrate on rounding the Mull (of K) or going in the opposite direction.

I will NOT be making this passage in anything other than reasonable conditions and my current inclination is to leave Craighouse (Jura) towards the end of the north going ebb and make for the west end of Rathlin Island (with suitable offset for the tidal vector - though this does appear very variable) - if progress is slow or I need an emergency Guinness I can stop at Rathlin and if good and supplies are holding out I can carry on to the south of Rathlin and make for Glenarm?

I am not in a hurry and can wait for decent weather if required.

Does this appear sensible?

Depends how quick your boat is, but I would favour making for the MoK, passing just E of the TSS then heading for Glenarm. You can get the tidal flows well enough from the almanac. Main risk for an uncomfortable passage is Atlantic swells encountering the tides off MoK

You've really got to get your tides right around Rathlin & Torr Head. Worth visiting Rathlin if you want to put that effort in.

Generally if the tide is against you progress is slow in the North Channel. You do get overfalls & eddies caused by the underwater topography, but they're well marked on the charts.

At Glenarm avoid the fish farm in middle of bay. They put mooring buoys out in peak season. Also unmarked pot buoys.

Glenarm is friendly enough although unlikely to be granted city status anytime soon. The pubs sell beer. The second one just up from the mini roundabout sometimes does stew and will provide plates & cutlery if you order a Chinese takeaway from Carnlough. Menu behind bar.

When leaving Glenarm to head south beware there are local effects in the wind, especially SW. You might find it stronger in the marina than outside. There is often a back eddy in the wind off Park Head so watch out for crash gybes. And beware if it appears too gentle it might come back with a vengeance as you head south - watch the water for gusts.

 

[Relax]

All I'm looking for is the quickest easiest passage south - I don't really see how traversing the channel to the Mull and then back to Glanarm can be quicker?

I have the ICC Pilot book and the relevant tidal atlas and can see that whilst planning for the tides is important there might need to be a fair bit of planning on the move.

Thanks for the advice - fish farms and the like have a tendancy to move around - does not sound like a good place to arrive in the dark!

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I did Port Ellen on Islay to Ballycastle inside Rathlin last summer, all in daylight on a breezy but fine day. No problems, no drama, not difficult.

 

[Pleiades]

If at all apprehensive - which is reasonable if you don't know this particular bit of coast - then I would not recommend an arrival port of Rathlin because you will be arriving where the strongest tides have to be contended with. A passage from Islay to Portrush on the other hand is entirely straightforward - the tides are much weaker West of the Giants Causeway. Come in between the Storks and the Skerries off Portrush East Strand and come to anchor in Skerries Sound - or you could go into the Harbour at Portrush if pontoon not too busy. (Phone ahead to the HM ((my namesake)) and he will give you the heads up. Could then exploit West to the Bann and beyond after some rest. If going east about then you can work the tides for a drama free passage through Rathlin Sound then drift past the Glens of Antrim - very pleasant scenery. Red Bay is a better anchorage than that off Glenarm. The marina at Glenarm is safe for adverse weather of course. You can take advantage of the tide so as to get to Brown's Bay on one hop from Portrush - or maybe even to Bangor if conditions are ideal. A rest there is always advisable rather than go agin the tide through Copelands Sound and rounding the Ards Penninsula against a foul tide.

Fair winds and tides.

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5

 

[Searush]

I love reading the local knowledge on these forums. Thanks.

 

[shaunksb]

All I'm looking for is the quickest easiest passage south - I don't really see how traversing the channel to the Mull and then back to Glanarm can be quicker?

I think he means just aiming to the east of the TSS if you are leaving from Gigha. I did this a few years ago in around a F5/6 and it can work very well.

See the second half of the video in my signiture link below.


___________________________

 

[JumbleDuck]

All I'm looking for is the quickest easiest passage south - I don't really see how traversing the channel to the Mull and then back to Glanarm can be quicker?

I think they mean Mull of Kintyre, not Mull of Galloway.

In general, though, it all depends where you want to go in Northern Ireland. There is quite a lot of it to aim at. When I was based in Crinan I went down the North Channel a few times and it was never very tricky: skim past the Mull of Kintyre and head south. There are odd bits of tide here and there, but nothing rough to worry about if you're a reasonable distance off.
As others have said, the Atlantic swell coming in can be fun ... I've been off the Mull of Kintyre in nice conditions with a 40 footer close enough to shout to which was regularly disappearing. If you're coming from Islay just head down the middle of all the gaps.

It's a bit faster if the tide is filling up the Irish Sea. From memory it's rather faster south, because you can catch the ebb down the sound of Jura and then the flood through the North Channel. The timings don't work nearly as well the other way. A tidal stream atlas is your friend.

The first time I did it we went into Carnlough. Apparently this is a Very Bad thing to do, as the locals are savages who will tear you limb from limb, but we didn't know that and, perhaps as a result, found them perfectly friendly.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I think he means just aiming to the east of the TSS if you are leaving from Gigha.

The TSS is strange one. I don't think I have ever seen anything in it.

 

[rjp]

Did Port Ellen to Glenarm last September, taking care to cross the tss off Rathlin according to the regs. Didn't see another vessel all the way. Talking to a local in Glenarm later I got the impression nobody is too concerned about the tss!

Made my passage around springs and was impressed by the currents. Made sure I stayed outside the charted overfalls and reckoned I picked up about 6 knots of tide down much of the coast to Glenarm. Calm day so motored all the way. Just less than 8 hours than that day. Then got a northerly gale, but was snug in the marina so no problem.

 

[Quandary]

The TSS has been there a long time but only applies to boats from Scotland and particularly from England, Irish boats take the view that since there are no ships in it and it is not enforced by anyone, then in reality it does not exist. However there are a few occassions, though very seldom, when visibility can be bad in the Channel (remember the Helicopter that hit the Mull near the lighthouse, it was thick off Torr head that day and the next) so a good look out is advised in those conditions. but this applies everywhere down the N. Channel, the ships are going all the way to Belfast or Liverpool. My experience is that you are much more likely to have a close encounter as you pass between Belfast Lough and Loch Ryan.

 

[snooks]

If you look on the chart, find Rathlin, north east corner you'll see Macdonnell's race. Avoid it.

I thought I'd avoid the worst of it by cutting across a narrow section whatamistakeatomakea!

 

[JumbleDuck]

If you look on the chart, find Rathlin, north east corner you'll see Macdonnell's race. Avoid it.

I'd suggest a small alteration

If you look on the chart, find Rathlin. Avoid it.

I've only been there once, but that was enough. A nasty wee council scheme on a godforsaken windswept island. Yeugh.

 

[Relax]

Thanks for all the advice - gives me a better picture of what to expect.

Moving out of Inverness into the canal tomorrow and on south - slowly.

 

[dansaskip]

I'd suggest a small alteration



I've only been there once, but that was enough. A nasty wee council scheme on a godforsaken windswept island. Yeugh.

There must be something wrong with me.....! I've been to Rathlin Island 3 times now and love staying there. You never know you might spot some of the golden blue eyed hares.

 

[Relax]

Made it with no real drama at all - predictable really - its always the ones you don't foresee that get you!

Went from Port Ellen down the west side of the TSS but keeping a good couple of miles out away from the overfalls. Allmost no wind on the day and had to motor all the way. the sea state was actually much worse from Glenarm south to Carrickfergus - there was no wind and the sea state was very confused and uncomfortable but not dangerous - suppose it was just the tides?

Moving slowly south to Dublin'ish - don't think I'll go much further without a crew - its hard work!

 

[SAMYL]

Pay a visit to Strangford and Carlingford but I wouldn't go much further south unless you had to.
The trip down to Dublin must be the most boring ever though Malahide and Howth are pleasant if you get there.
The IoM is worth a visit, go into Peel or Douglas marinas. Castletown is my favourite where you dry out against the wall next to the pub.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

The IoM is worth a visit, go into Peel or Douglas marinas.

Plenty of government moorings in the IoM which even if you can find the HM he will often not take payment - Peel, Port Erin, Port St Mary, Castletown, Garwick Bay, Laxey, Ramsey. On the rare occasion that I found the HM in his office at Port Erin he told me to came back later to discuss payment when he wouldn't be there.