Shannon cruising - First time

[clivejpk]

Hi all
Looking for advice hope you can help

I'm taking my man and dad on the Shannon for a week from carrick (return) Using a hire boat
My dad always wanted to do it but could never afford it (not sure I can at 1750)
They are in their 80's and not that great on their feet
Anyway was just looking for some advice as to how to make the trip as memorable as possible and as least costly for me
For example I've heard that filling up diesel at the launch yard is very expensive and even if you fill your boat they always manage to put another 60 in on top - any tips hints
I also don't fancy rafting as they are not that great on their legs any hints/tips
Lastly anything we should bring with us to make it as memorable as possible - it's a once in a lifetime experience for them both

Thanks a lot

Clivejpk

 

[PEJ]

Clive,

Search for OceanFroggie on here and ask him, if he does not chip in any time soon.

I have only been once but OF practically lives on the shannon! And he is a lovely bloke.

Rafting is probably a certainty, the public marinas get very busy. I forget the location now but I was rafted 4 or 5 boats out with a 10 year old and he struggled to get on and off but we could lift him necessary. However most of the time I managed to get on the pontoon.

Bring a rain coat and umbrella and a "sure it'll be grand" attitude.

 

[clivejpk]

Thanks a lot PEJ
Don't fancy getting my Dad onshore from 4 boats out but hey let's see

Clivejpk

 

[SP2]

Great choice for a holiday. We did it from Carrick 4 years ago and had a great week heading south.

Assuming you have a single diesel engine I'd be surprised if you used that much fuel and from memory there were not that many places other than the hire years to fuel up (may have changed) but the costs were not significant given the overall cost of the holiday.

The lasting memory was the number of small harbours and moorings where it was easy to moor with easy access to pubs where the food was great value. You might need to plan to arrive early afternoon to secure an alongside mooring but you'll soon get the idea whether it is busy or not on the waterway. Given how friendly everyone was, I wouldn't worry about asking people if you can moor shoreside and for them to raft if necessary.

Take a sense of humour and a big dose of chill with you and you'll have a great time.

 

[clivejpk]

Thanks a lot Mike much appreciated

 

[Ferris]

Hi all
Looking for advice hope you can help

I'm taking my man and dad on the Shannon for a week from carrick (return) Using a hire boat
My dad always wanted to do it but could never afford it (not sure I can at 1750)
They are in their 80's and not that great on their feet
Anyway was just looking for some advice as to how to make the trip as memorable as possible and as least costly for me
For example I've heard that filling up diesel at the launch yard is very expensive and even if you fill your boat they always manage to put another 60 in on top - any tips hints
I also don't fancy rafting as they are not that great on their legs any hints/tips
Lastly anything we should bring with us to make it as memorable as possible - it's a once in a lifetime experience for them both

Thanks a lot

Clivejpk

Heading up to Carrick on Sunday myself. Which hire company are you going to use? I don't ever remember hearing of them topping up fuel and charging over the odds, I have filled up at the hire bases in carrick in the past. People still use agri-diesel on the Shannon.

From Carrick, and for a week you can do quite a lot.

South is Dromad for lunch and overnight in Termonbarry or further still Lanesboro. The Camlin River is a tributary that is stunning. South of that is Lough Ree which is lovely but check the weather forecast as it can get rough which could be tough on your parents. However the inner lakes on Lough Ree are great. Hodson Bay or Athlone are good places to overnight. South of Athlone is Clonmacnoise which is a Monastic settlement if that's your thing.

North of Carrick is the Shannon Erne which is recommended if you have longer, but there are a lot of locks and I don't think its suitable for your parents. Leitrim Village is nice and good for trad. music and is 1.5hrs from Carrick. Lough Key has great walks and a gentle tree level walk and stunning views from a tower (with a lift), however not much happens at night as its in the middle of a park. There is a canal to Acres Lake / Drumshambo and onwards to Lough Allen which is very nice but its a trip into Durmshambo from the moorings and Lough Allen can be rough if there is wind.

Mooring wise, if you are stuck with public moorings then look for private and offer to pay, its rarely expensive, usually 10-15eur a night. My mother in law has restricted movement and that's what I do. Carrick on Shannon can be busy but you can moor at the hire base. There are good moorings in Lough Key.

 

[clivejpk]

Hi Ferris
using Carrick I think - I didn't book it to be honest
Thanks for all the tips

 

[PEJ]

Clive,

Not the same area but to give you the feel of it here is my trip report: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?369621

 

[clivejpk]

I think it's Carrick craft
I didn't book it myself
Thanks for your reply

 

[clivejpk]

Thanks a lot PEJ

 

[rustybarge]

Hi all
Looking for advice hope you can help

I'm taking my man and dad on the Shannon for a week from carrick (return) Using a hire boat
My dad always wanted to do it but could never afford it (not sure I can at 1750)
They are in their 80's and not that great on their feet
Anyway was just looking for some advice as to how to make the trip as memorable as possible and as least costly for me
For example I've heard that filling up diesel at the launch yard is very expensive and even if you fill your boat they always manage to put another 60 in on top - any tips hints
I also don't fancy rafting as they are not that great on their legs any hints/tips
Lastly anything we should bring with us to make it as memorable as possible - it's a once in a lifetime experience for them both

Thanks a lot

Clivejpk

I can recommend Athlone as an excellent base for gentle day trips for your parents. The town has free moorings at the lock within a few minutes stroll to a good choice of restaurants including Thai, Lebanese, Indian, Italian etc, plus two big shopping centres and multiplex cinema; not forgetting the famous Sean's Bar the oldest pub in Ireland.

There are some lovely day trips on the boat of less than an hour; Hudson's bay has a nice hotel for lunch, and the Coosan lakes are beautiful with a posh restaraunt and nice pub just up the road with very good lunch menu in Glassan.

A day trip to Galway by train or bus is a interesting day outing (1 hour), or to Dublin 2 hours by train or 1 hour by bus.

Hope you get the weather.

 

[clivejpk]

Thanks a lot for the reply and tips

 

[Dino]

If you want to head south and good itinary might be..
Day 1. Dromod or Rooskey both have good moorings. Rooskey has a pretty high quay to climb up onto if you are on a low boat. Dromod has a nice harbour and a five minute walk to the village.
Day 2. Leecarrow off Lough Ree. It's down a canal off the main lake. Lovely harbour and a restaurant, shop and two pubs nearby. Coffey's is a great bar.
Day3. Lunch in Wineport (high end restaurant/hotel) and tour the Inner Lakes then into Athlone and stay in the Marine €8-10 per night and it's in the middle of town. Definitely visit Sean's Bar if you are there but weekends are very busy.
Day 4. Tarmonbarry. Great food in Keenan's or the Purple Onion. Lovely moorings between the bridge and the lock.
Day 5. Explore the Carnadoe Waters and stay in Grange or on up to Drumsna.
Day 6. Lough Key.
This will involve a fair amount of travelling but you'll get to see a lot.

 

[Mike k]

Thanks a lot for the reply and tips

As said Clive, send Oceanfroggie a pm- he will be very helpful I am sure.

 

[clivejpk]

Thanks a lot for all the he tips

 

[oceanfroggie]

Hi all
Looking for advice hope you can help

I'm taking my man and dad on the Shannon for a week from carrick (return) Using a hire boat
My dad always wanted to do it but could never afford it (not sure I can at 1750)
They are in their 80's and not that great on their feet
Anyway was just looking for some advice as to how to make the trip as memorable as possible and as least costly for me
For example I've heard that filling up diesel at the launch yard is very expensive and even if you fill your boat they always manage to put another 60 in on top - any tips hints
I also don't fancy rafting as they are not that great on their legs any hints/tips
Lastly anything we should bring with us to make it as memorable as possible - it's a once in a lifetime experience for them both

Thanks a lot

Clivejpk

Hi Clive. Hope you have a nice trip. Carrick is a great place to start a weeks cruising. If the weather gets a bit breezy then cruise the river, otherwise you and your parents may enjoy Lough Ree or Lough Key if the weather is settled.

My main advice to you is to get a decent mooring spot you need to arrive in most harbours earlier in the day, preferably before midday. After 3pm in high season you will be rafting unless you can get a finger jetty in a floating pontoon. Some times getting on an off at harbour walls is easier for folk than stepping up and down to floating jetties which are lower. If you get a mooring against a harbour wall than you may end up with one or two boats moored outside you, but at least your parents won't have to clamber over other boats.

If you arrive at a full harbour don't be embarrassed about rafting off another similar height vessel. Charter companies often don't explain rafting to their clients, and so many times if seen a charter boat arrive at a full harbour thinking there is no space, and head back out on the water unnecessarily. As its high season, don't bank on having access to shore power every night. You can get electricity cards from Carrick craft before you set out. I

On boat handling, if you are new to boating a few tips. Be gentle on the throttle, remember the boat can only steer when moving forwards through the water. Think of a boat as being like a car that has the turning wheels on the back axel instead of the front. So when you steer the back of the boats swings out in the opposite direction to what you are steering (i.e. allow for stern swing so you don't hit anything and look behind you when manoeuvring). Don't forget to make use of ropes when mooring, you don't have to drive boat to its exact stopping point. Often stop near and rope boat in. With elderly parents I recommend trying to pass lines ashore to folk who may take them for you rather than folk trying to get off the boat, or jumping down onto jetties. This time of year there will be loads of folk about ashore. Don't forget to take photos in locks and scenic places for memories. Locks are straight forward and lock keeper will tell you what to do. Remember boats can take a knock or scratch, but you or your parents can't, so always protect the crew if something goes wrong and not the boat. Avoid using boat hooks, folks often impale themselves, and never use feet or arms to fend of a boat. Let the fenders take any unplanned impacts.

Lough Key is absolutely beautiful and a few nights stay on the floating marina at Lough Key forest park is well worth the short trip up from Carrick. You can moor in public harbours and marinas, but also other hire bases which can have moorings free during high season. There are some lovely isolated spots in Killglass and Grange loughs if you are happy to eat on board. Coothall on the way up to Lough Key is also a nice spot. There is a nice restaurant with moorings called "the moorings" on lough key. Need to book at weekends.

Have a great trip.

 

[clivejpk]

Thanks a lot ocean frog give for all the advice

 

[Driftwood Boat Blog]

I know this is an old thread but for anyone else planning a similar holiday on the Shannon with elderly crew OF's advise is spot on. IE get into port early in order to get a mooring against a quay wall.

There is no point arriving into a busy port like Dromod or Carrick at 8pm and expect to find a suitable mooring waiting for you.

As for rafting (or boat spooning as I heard it called recently) most folk will be happy to swop over the boats to all ow any one tie onto the jetty when mobility is an issue. I know I have done so for people on two occasion so far this season and I'm sure most boaters would be happy to oblige.