Portpatrick

[mikebutler]

Heading to the West coast of Scotland next month from Wales, and Portpatrick looks a nice place to stop off at, however, I have a fin keel and draw about 1.5 meters. Is Portpatrick suitable for me??

 

[Jonny_H]

When we went from Wales we chose the following ports (based on ease of access and draught (we are 1.9 metres):

Largs -> Troon -> Rothesay -> Tarbet -> Campbeltown

Getting there, Bangor to Troon was a good sail - Douglas to Bangor is a good day too, so from N.Wales you could do Holyhead -> Douglas -> Bangor -> Troon.

The Irish coast is very nice too - we did Abersoch -> Arklow -> Howth -> Ardglass -> Bangor, which was a nice way to go with lots of good sailing.

No experience first hand of Portpatrick, but we decided we would have draught issues with 1.9 metres

Jonny

 

[Chubb]

Hello Mike,

Yes Port patrick is definitely worth a stopover. I also have a 1.5m fin keel and it was no problem. We tied up against the wall in the inner harbour.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I went there with a 1.8m keel and had no problem in the harbour. It can get a bit shallow getting in if you arrive at a low low water, but once in you'll be fine.

 

[Jonny_H]

Mike,

My apologies - seems my worries must have been over depth to get in, not depth within the harbour (it was a year ago!). I stand corrected!

Jonny

 

[savageseadog]

Done it with similar draught good place to stop. Hug the rock on the port side going in.

 

[mikebutler]

Thanks everyone /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Looks like I'll be going to Portpatrick!

 

[earlybird]

Avoid Portpatrick if forecast is for SW winds of any strength, go to Loch Ryan instead. When entering, be sure you identify the leading marks, and stay on them in the cross tide. The metal ladders project from the wall and require good fenders, the HM sometimes provides them. When tied up next to the wall, put your sail cover on, the locals out for an evening stroll round the harbour all seem to flick their fag ends over the wall. Don't go on Saturdays when the Irish are there if you want a quiet night's sleep!

 

[PhilipH]

We used to go to Portpatick quite a lot - good pubs and great restaurants. Go well into the harbour to tie up - the corners, including the first on the right don't have as much depth and you would go aground at low water. We went in last summer and will not be going back. Within 15 mins of tying up the boat was covered in crap - dust, dirt, cigarette ends, paper etc all blown off the top of the harbour wall just as you are settling down to your G&T.

 

[Rosa]

Haven't been to Portpatrick for about 7 years, but we used to go often when our boat was in the North West. We draw 1.6 metres and could enter, with care, at low water. There used to be a barrel (blue?) marking the rock on the port side. Have seen a boat aground on firm sand "happily" waiting the rising tide. Coming from the South you don't see the entrance until you're abeam to it. You really do have to follow the pilotage and believe that the leading lights etc. are there. Seemed a very narrow entrance first time, with a surprisingly quick turn to port, (otherwise you end up on the beach!), but easy once you've been before. I can't comment on problems with litter etc as haven't been for some time, but we never had any trouble. It's one of my most favourite harbours-lovely clifftop walks- and I intend to go back.
PS. I like climbing steep harbour ladders!