North Channel

[Contest1]

Glad you made it across safely.
If South of Belfast Ardglass is a good marina.
Carlingford is not to be missed, easy enterance on the flood except in heavy winds.
The town harbour is free, keep to the Eastern wall to dry out. Sailing club on this pier very hospitable. The marina is safe but badly run and a good walk into town.
Exit on the last of the ebb gives a good run down to Skerries anchorage, usualy a free mooring available and a club launch at busy times.
Further south Malahide, not easy, and Howth are good marina stopovers.
Then its into Dublin and a great marina in the city centre.
Not sure why some suggest its not worth the effort, its better sailing the further South you go.
Have a look on Inyourfootsteps for all the passage planning info needed.

 

[wully1]

Glad
Not sure why some suggest its not worth the effort, its better sailing the further South you go.
.

Should read ' the farther South, then west, then north you go' !

 

[lpdsn]

It's worth taking the time to have a sail around Strangford Lough. Bit of a tidal gate at the entrance, but get the conditions and timing right and it's fine. Other than that it's just like the Solent, but with few other boats and maybe a few more rocks. Ok, maybe a few tens of thousands more, but they're harmless if you avoid them.

Carlingford Lough and Carlingford village both well worth a visit. Wouldn't recommend the marina but you might want to go there just for the 'experience'. It's not cheap either.

I wouldn't say Malahide was as difficult as implied above. Allow a good margin on tidal heights on a first visit and beware there could be a fair bit of tidal flow through the pontoons. Marinas around Dublin certainly aren't cheap.

 

[Relax]

I've actually staggered as far south as Arklow - via Carrick(fergus), Ardglass and Howth. Now intending to head back north via (probably) Greystones and Poolbeg to pick up SWMBO in Dublin on 12th. Its Howth's club regatta next weekend so I can't get in early - the forecast looks horrendous at the moment.

Arklow's a nice place - a bit of a stretch calling it a marina though.

Current intent is to head north into the Clyde - never been there.

Findiing a lot of the information in my pilot books is out of date - have been making a lot of passage plans on the move.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Findiing a lot of the information in my pilot books is out of date

If you pick up or download a copy of Welcome Anchorages 2014 it will have up to date information on the stuff that changes. The tides, rocks and weather never seem to change or get any better.

 

[lpdsn]

I've actually staggered as far south as Arklow - via Carrick(fergus), Ardglass and Howth. Now intending to head back north via (probably) Greystones and Poolbeg to pick up SWMBO in Dublin on 12th. Its Howth's club regatta next weekend so I can't get in early - the forecast looks horrendous at the moment.

Loadsa space in Greystones. Not cheap, but neither are the others around Dublin. There's a bit of a surge going through the entrance even in benign conditions, so take extra care if significant onshore waves/swell.

Greystones/DL/Howth & Malahide are all very close to DART stations. Poolbeg isn't but if you walk over the E Link Bridge to the Point there's a Luas (tram) line into town. It will either be deserted or full of thousands of teenagers/middle aged women depends on whether there's a concert on. Regular buses from Ringsend/Irishtown too.