Solo round Ireland

[Neil]

Well, I'm working my way toward convincing myself I can do it.

I have both of the sailing directions from the ICC and will peruse them at length but charts of the west still to buy.

I'd expected, without thinking about it, to go anticlockwise; is there a consensus on the preferred direction?

I have a max of 18 days - is this enough, with the odd rest day and closed in with weather days?

I haven't planned it out yet, but I'm expecting some long day sails..............

 

[macd]

If you have the ICC guides, you'll find a section answering your question about direction, with pros and cons of each. If I remember correctly, they lean towards clockwise so that the likely longest stretch of beating is done in flattish seas in the lee of the Irish east (rather than west) coast. On the other hand, the south coast can be one long, gruelling beat dead into wind and hefty seas.

18 days is certainly doable with a little luck, but you could easily find yourself harbour-bound for quite long periods. I'd urge that you have a contingency plan and don't allow schedules to overrule good sense.

 

[Hypocacculus]

Depends how superstitious you are. Widdershins is the way of the Devil apparently.

 

[Finbar]

I did it two up in a Sadler 32 a few years ago. We went clockwise from Dun Laoghaire which worked well. We took 21 days with no weather delays and a couple of sightseeing days ( Skelligs and the Giants Causeway). The longest legs were up the West coast, where there are no marinas, and diesel had to be picked up wherever possible. If going again I would allow a bit longer, both to linger in some of the nicer spots and to allow for weather. Think in terms of 25 to 28 days for comfort, perhaps as much as 30. enjoy,

 

[dansaskip]

I would have thought that 18 days is not quite enough. When I went around in '04 I was away for just shy of a month with 19 sailing days and logged 1055nm, lost a few days to bad weather and gales. It felt a bit rushed at times and I wish that I had had more time (but had to get back to work) so that could have lingered and explored more. I went clockwise which did mean being hard on the wind (and tacking lots) for most of the south coast but it worked out well on the west and north coasts. Best of luck with your venture.

 

[ronmarson]

Never pass up a chance to top the tanks, both water and fuel, they can both be hard to find.
I am a week into it, and planning to take the rest of the summer (or longer). So much to see, so many wonderful people to talk to, so much Guinness to be drunk.
I am in Westport for a rest this weekend, lots to do here, Achill next.
Enjoy, take your time.
Capt. RoN