Passage plan suggestions please

[phanakapan]

I'm in the process of buying a boat, a Moody 33 mk 2. It's currently in Coleraine, N.Ireland. I'm in Brighton, and want her back here before the end of the summer. She won't go back into the water until at least Easter; whatever time I get then will be spent in antifouling etc and local trips to get used to her; I'm not anticipating that the weather will be suitable for a long distance delivery in an unknown boat at that time.
So the next available time will be approx 4-6 weeks during July and August. My partner and I want to do at least one pretty long leg entirely at sea (3 or more days) by our selves; we also want to give our various teenagers a holiday,not too near to Brighton, with mostly short day sails and interesting stops.
OK, I know it's a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question,but what, in your opinion, what are the 'must see and do' stops between Northern Ireland and, say, Weymouth, and which bit would you not bother stopping at?
(we 'did' the Scilly Isles and a bit of southern ireland last year; I wouldn't mind going back but my partner's not fussed)
Cheers folks

 

[npf1]

Helford and Fowey worth a look at.

 

[Woodlouse]

Avoid the Bristol Channel. If you must stop somewhere before you get to the south coast make it Padstow. From there it's a long day sail to the Scillies which in turn are a long day sail to Falmouth or Helford.

 

[michael_w]

If you've got the time why not come down the west coast of Ireland? SWMBO and I did a road trip over there, after Christmas, to look at a boat and thought, Coo! Brilliant cruising ground, though the boat needs to be well found.

Alas, the Oyster we went to see, was not in very good shape. Had lots of fun and certainly better than visiting the Mother in Law (aka The Führer ).

 

[Dyflin]

A Moody 32 should have no problems going down the west coast of Ireland. It would be worth considering. Have a read here: http://www.bluemoment.com/ireland/6.html

Otherwise consider Strangford Lough and Carlingford Lough for the scenery and craic. Dun Laoghaire for a bit of entertainment and culture (they brew Guiness up the road!). Then down to Kilmore Quay and off to Falmouth on a direct route. Have a look for Ocean Froggies blog/passage with some of the ports and sights mentioned.

 

[Sans Bateau]

I'll second Carlingford Lough, having said that, as I have now since visited Cork, I recon anywhere in Ireland will bring a smile to your face with a feeling of welcoming warmth.

No connection, just a happy customer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[snowleopard]

One possible route is-

IOM
Menai Straights
Milford haven
Padstow
Scillies
Penzance

Another is-

Dun Laoghaire
Waterford
Scillies
Etc.
Which would give you a good offshore passage.

Once past Penzance there are lots of nice harbours where you can stay afloat, e.g.

Helford
Falmouth
Mevagissey
Fowey
Plymouth
Salcombe
Dartmouth
Brixham
Torquay
Exmouth
Weymouth
Poole
Christchurch

 

[Bergman]

You might

Enjoy cruising around the West of Scotland

Then do the Caledonian Canal

And have your long cruise together down the East Coast

Thats 2/3 of a circumnavigation.

 

[MoodySabre]

I sailed my Moody 31 back to Essex from Plymouth last May. Salcombe and Dartmouth are musts but I regret not having gone west to Helford and Falmouth whilst I was down that way. It's a long back!

 

[gjbentley]

The River Yealm is the Jewel in the Crown for the South West, and cheap.

"Interesting" pilotage is rewarded with an escape from the modern world.

 

[duncanmack]

Have you considered te 5/- challenge??

 

[Woodlouse]

Course if I was go to from Ireland to the Caledonian Canal I'd make my next stop Norway cause the sailing there is a darn sight better than the east coast. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Birdseye]

Even in a Moody 33 (not the fastest of boats) a 3 day spell at sea will make a very big dent in the journey and leave you pottering around with very short hops for the remaining 4/6 weeks.

So here's an altenative:

Coleraine to Bristol up the ASvon gorge under Brunels bridge and into the historic harbour. Coulple of days there inc a theatre visit. Maybe a quick trip across to see the WNO. Anyway this trip gives you a longish run.

Then Bristol across to Cardiff bay, back across to Watchet or Porlock if you can take to the ground, then Ilfracombe, then Padstow, Scillies, Penzance (Mousehole if you can take to the ground).

After that you can potter along the south coast fleshpots, but it all gets more commercial and more crowded. Recommend Newton Ferrars and up the Tamar. Avoid Salcombe and Darmouth - rip off central. Personally, given your time limit, I would go from Penzance across to L'Aberwrac and then mooch along the French coast until forced to cross to Weymouth.

 

[Bergman]

Well theres a lot to be said for that.

But if the ultimate destination is Brighton it would seem to be somewhat indirect to go via Norway.

 

[phanakapan]

Lots of interesting suggestions- thanks all.
The 4-6 weeks time frame is actually more like 4 weeks or less, as we'll probably only be able to swing 2 weeks escape from the kids and our ex's, and 2 weeks with the kids. I'd like to end up somewhere that they can travel to cheaply and easily- so flights Gatwick to Cork are a possibility.
Like MoodySailor (hey- I'll be a MoodySailor too!) I want to make sure I don't skip too much of Ireland- or even possibly Scotland, Wales etc- as who knows when or if we'll get back there again.
Anybody know if Rathlin Island is worth a stop at- I understand there's puffins there- always wanted to see puffins...