Rathlin Approach

[Tex]

If making for Rathlin from the east what is considered the best arrival time in terms of tides ?

 

[Quandary]

Quote -- ICC directions Rathlin Sound
'If going West best to pass through on the second half of the west going tide.
Sloughnamore off Rue Point is dangerous from Dover +1.00 until +3.00'
Tide times are similar to Belfast,(same as Dover) rate up to 6kts. springs
Like any tidal passage wind strength and direction makes a considerable difference but it can kick up quite a bit even in light conditions.
Problem is that Rathlin harbour is shallow, less than 6' in the approach to the pontoon at LWS last year, so you may not be able to wait for low water, however the period that you are in the disturbance is relatively short.
Probably about Dover +4 but the circular eddy which goes round the bay clockwise will be against you at that time.
Nice spot though but very noisy metal pontoon deck.

 

[earlybird]

Using Belfast times, (v.close to Dover ), HW +4 or 5 will allow you to take the W. going tide and allow passing Rue Point and avoiding the worst In Rathlin Sound. If you're late however, you'll find yourself back down the Irish coast. Note, HW Rathlin is hours different from Belfast, and the range is tiny.

 

[fmoran]

If coming from the Clyde its an ideal opportunity to drop into Sanda and wait a few hours to get the back end off the ebb at Rathlin Sound.

 

[Ubergeekian]

If making for Rathlin from the east what is considered the best arrival time in terms of tides ?

Based on one trip there, I'd suggest using the fastest possible tidal stream to get you past the place as fast as possible. It's a grotty council estate (they'd need to clean it up to film Shameless) on an unprepossessing lump of rock. Yeugh.

Yr's bahhumbugly

 

[Pete7]

Don't cut the corner on the way in, there is most of an Evinrude prop down there somewhere. We used to use the high street as the transit from a good mile out to avoid the rocks to the South of the harbour.

Take the fishing rods, lots of big congers around the island.

Pete

 

[Quandary]

Based on one trip there, I'd suggest using the fastest possible tidal stream to get you past the place as fast as possible. It's a grotty council estate (they'd need to clean it up to film Shameless) on an unprepossessing lump of rock. Yeugh.

Yr's bahhumbugly

This is from a guy that recommends Carnlough?

Clean sandy beaches, sheltered harbour, clean sand bottom, big roomy visitors pontoon, a few admittedly working class islanders homes which like most islands can be a bit scruffy, home cooked local food and quiet bar in the Manor House plus busy local pub also perhaps a bit working class for some yachties, fantastic cliff walking and wild life plus most of the population of Ballycastle every Sunday afternoon. The harbourmaster is friendly but he could make a bit more effort when he goes to clean the showers. Rathlin does not have a feudal laird like many Scottish islands to make the populace toe the line but it is definitely worth a visit if the sun is out.

 

[Ubergeekian]

This is from a guy that recommends Carnlough?

Carnlough really wasn't too bad, but I was there midweek with a Scottish ensign ... I understand now that weekends with a UK ensign can be a rather different experience.

Rathlin does not have a feudal laird like many Scottish islands to make the populace toe the line but it is definitely worth a visit if the sun is out.

I did admit that it was one the basis of one visit. Perhaps I should have mentioned that it was cold, grey and drizzly throughout. OK, you've convinced me - I'll give it another go. The reported lack of poshness appeals.

 

[earlybird]

On one of my few visits, it was very noticeable that on the second day, there was a distinct reduction in the number of motor vehicles to be seen, to the extent that we commented on this in the pub. The reply was that the policeman from Ballycastle had sent notice, as was his custom, that he was to visit the Island that day, and the inhabitants did not want him to be embarrassed by the sight of so many untaxed vehicles.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Carnlough really wasn't too bad, but I was there midweek with a Scottish ensign ... I understand now that weekends with a UK ensign can be a rather different experience.



I did admit that it was one the basis of one visit. Perhaps I should have mentioned that it was cold, grey and drizzly throughout. OK, you've convinced me - I'll give it another go. The reported lack of poshness appeals.

I went there out of the main visitor season, and the place was as dead as a doornail. It seems to shut up shop sometime in September. Pretty scenery - we walked over to the lighthouse at the NE corner - but I get the impression it is run as a tourist operation.

Even at a good state of the tide, watch out for eddies as you turn north to head for Church Bay, as you pass from the main tidal stream into shelter of the land. Suddenly finding that the tiller has little effect on the direction you're heading is very disconcerting!

I didn't find it as scary as the pilot manuals tend to make out. Of course, the tidal streams are strong, so you have to get the times right - you'll end up going backwards otherwise - but provided you look at the tidal atlas and avoid the times when overfalls are noted, it is OK. I'd say the tidal atlas is vital in those waters. We were certainly very glad of it, as it gives a good graphic picture of what's going on round you.

Carrying the tide from there south to Bangor was great - 12 knots over the ground, on about 5.5 knots through the water!

 

[Quandary]

Carrying the tide from there south to Bangor was great - 12 knots over the ground, on about 5.5 knots through the water!

Are you sure? That is stronger than Rathlin Sound itself. I have never had much more than 3.5 kts on the passage through the North Channel and it lessens as you go south except for the rips close off Torr, Garron and Muck Island where you can get 4.5 kts at most at springs but very rough water if wind against tide. I recommend forgoing the extra knot around the heads and staying about a mile or so offshore for greater comfort.
When planning an optimum North channel passage to or from Belfast Lough to Rathlin or the Mull, we always factor in an average 2.5 kts of tidal assist, so timing certainly does make a big difference to passage times.

 

[Quandary]

I did admit that it was one the basis of one visit. Perhaps I should have mentioned that it was cold, grey and drizzly throughout. OK, you've convinced me - I'll give it another go. The reported lack of poshness appeals.

Uberg. I hope when you get back it is not too rowdy, it is a bit of a local tourist destination and changes with the weather but it is beautiful island when it is sunny, particularly popular with twitchers. A good alternative passage for you to try again rather than the usual Canal transit is Sanda, Rathlin, Port Ellen (or Lagavulin etc.) Craighouse, Crinan. Best part of a week rather than a day from Ardrishaig to Crinan but a lot more sailing and very quick passages with the right timing and weather.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Are you sure? That is stronger than Rathlin Sound itself. I have never had much more than 3.5 kts on the passage through the North Channel and it lessens as you go south except for the rips close off Torr, Garron and Muck Island where you can get 4.5 kts at most at springs but very rough water if wind against tide. I recommend forgoing the extra knot around the heads and staying about a mile or so offshore for greater comfort.
When planning an optimum North channel passage to or from Belfast Lough to Rathlin or the Mull, we always factor in an average 2.5 kts of tidal assist, so timing certainly does make a big difference to passage times.

Well, I can't document it, as I haven't kept the track-log from the Chart-plotter. But we were certainly showing 12 knots OTG as we passed Fair Head, and we were under engine - on my Moody 31, that means 5.5 knots at sensible revs. There was little wind - hence the engine - and of course we didn't get that much tidal assistance for the whole journey, just for the northernmost part of it. Your 2.5 knots over the whole journey sounds about right. The OTG speed was from two independent chart-plotters - my own and a hand-held one that a crew member was using.

I don't have the tidal atlas to hand - I'm in Cambridge and the atlas is in Scotland - but we weren't surprised by the lift we were getting; we were a bit surprised we carried as far south as we did.

 

[Pete7]

Even at a good state of the tide, watch out for eddies as you turn north to head for Church Bay, as you pass from the main tidal stream into shelter of the land. Suddenly finding that the tiller has little effect on the direction you're heading is very disconcerting! I didn't find it as scary as the pilot manuals tend to make out.

The majority of the Antrim Coast is rock with big kelp beds and sandy bays like the Ballycastle and Rathlin. That is apart from Fairhead were even the kelp has problems getting a hold and the underwater geography resembles a moon scape, swept clean by the tides. Great dive though flying along underwater in the current

Tidal Atlas was interesting but we could never predict the tides accurately so needed to arrive on the dive site early just incase the tide turned. The Ballycastle Bay currents are facinating and provided the wind isn't strong quite fun to cruise around. Watched the paddle steamer Waverley tie up on the end of Rathlin harbour one afternoon, that blocked the harbour a bit.

Wreck of the 14000t WW1 Cruiser HMS Drake lies in Rathlin Bay marked by a South cardinal, which could have been placed closer to the wreck.

Pete

 

[SAMYL]

Carrying the tide from there south to Bangor was great - 12 knots over the ground, on about 5.5 knots through the water![/QUOTE]

I'll second that. 12kn OTG not unusual off Fairhead in springs

 

[Quandary]

Carrying the tide from there south to Bangor was great - 12 knots over the ground, on about 5.5 knots through the water!

I'll second that. 12kn OTG not unusual off Fairhead in springs [/QUOTE]

Sorry for the mis information, I bow to your combined experience, I must have been timing it wrong all these years.
Worth your while letting the Hydrographic Office know so that they can correct their charts?

 

[Quandary]

A wee story about North Channel Tides
About 35 years ago we had an Achilles 24, though associated with Cushendall, we kept it on a mooring in Larne Lough where we could race at E.A.B.C. Every year the Cushendall club had a reciprical challenge with Campbeltown and since they also had an Achilles in their club we made sure to go. With only two of us available, we asked around work for a third and one of the QSs who had never sailed was wagered by his mates so had to go. Everything went Ok until the race on the Sat. when we could not get either the kite down or the pole off rounding the Iron Ledges. During the panic the new crew had to steer as we slightly more experienced pair panicked loudly. When we got back in to Campbeltown we were entertained by the Club and then turned in. We had to be through Sanda Sound by 10.00 to get the full tide South but when we got up at 07.30 no sign of Gerry. Enquiries around the harbour revealed that he had gone to Church saying there was no way he was going back to sea with us without first attending Mass. Campbeltown unlike in Co. Antrim does not say Mass from very early so it was around 11.00 before he returned to face the passage back. Being proper sailors in those days we only carried one tank of petrol for our 8hp. Yamaha, enough for berthing and an hour or two of motoring. We set off and got through Sanda Sound ok but then spent over another ten hours getting to Larne against the tide. A passage that normally took 6-7 hours in that wee boat took over 13 hours. Being before either GPS or Decca and with only RDF we did not realize that nearly half the passage time was spent going North.

 

[Tex]

Thanks to all who have answered, guess its eta Dover +5 and watch for the showers.