Rhu to South Coast - Any one done the trip before? Which stops?

[KompetentKrew]

One more question: When you are planning trips, do you have like a go-to website for pilotage? Or do you just use the chartplotter and google for the rest?

Don't know many of those ports, and I don't know what it's like navigating around most of those, Bristol Channel is supposed to be very, very strongly tidal, for example.

Your local library might have some of these available: Irish Sea Cruising Guides & Pilot Books

If you have the budget then Imray are making all their books available in the Imray Explore subscription service.

 

[steve yates]

Worth considering that, let me plan two routes and then I will discuss with my crew which one they will like better.

I am looking at a better starting point before sailing over the Irish Sea to Belfast. There is a disused jetty in Loch Ryan, called Cairnryan Jetty. Is that still good or dangerous? I know there is an anchorage near it, which would work as an alternative. But I think I'd sleep better if I would be tied up somewhere without having to fear the anchor won't hold :S You all know what I mean.

You would be better off in campbeltown, its an easy sail to belfast from there. But yes, the anchorage in red bay in loch ryan would work, or there is a marina in stranraer if you want a pub. Leslie the harbourmaster there is great, very helpful.

 

[dgadee]

Belfast if you need civilization, otherwise weather permitting you can drop anchor south of Copeland Island: Navionics ChartViewer
Next stop IoM, Peel or Port Erin, then Cemaes Bay, if you plan passing Anglesey on the west, Moelfre in case you go down the Menai strait. The strait is nice and provides you a storm shelter in Abermenai. Time the tides well and you fly 10kts!

Not south of Copeland Island. In large bay on west side is the anchorage. But stop off in real civilization (Donahgadee) and get the world's best ice cream at The Cabin.

Arklow to Newlyn was my usual track, but it does involve an overnight.

 

[DangerousPirate]

the world's best ice cream at The Cabin

How can I say no?

 

[Major Tom]

Did this trip in reverse a couple of weeks ago, single handed (Weymouth to Malahide Dublin, and starting of in Chatham a couple of months before). Very doable, only stressful bit was going around lands end. The long leg I did was Falmouth to Milford haven, then Milford to Dun Laoghaire, but if I wasnt in a rush, I'd choose Padstow to Kilmore or Arklow which is just about a day sail, and do the stops along the Irish coast. It's a friendly and easy sailing arena, and though I was spooked to sail in the dark by warnings of crab pots, when I saw it in day light, it's was nowhere near as bad as the Purbeck coast, and the natural deep water channels avoid this risk. Very pleasant trip.