PhilipStapleton
New member
Any advice on route, weather etc for Solent to Troon in February (38 footer)? There seems to be a severe lack of boltholes if storms kick up in the Irish Sea.
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South Coast to W Scotland in Feb
- Thread starter PhilipStapleton
- Start date
Ohdrat
New member
I have heard that the best bolt holes are on the East coast of Ireland .. at least after N Wales.. and up to Islay...
What I would watch out for are semi submersed containers.. I know of one yacht that sank and the place (Irish Sea) has a reputation for these Nav hazards!
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What I would watch out for are semi submersed containers.. I know of one yacht that sank and the place (Irish Sea) has a reputation for these Nav hazards!
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longjohnsadler
New member
You're stuck with a bit of open sea between Lands End and SE Ireland, but I would suggest going up the E coast (N and E Coast Ireland pilot - several places to stop), then possibly crossing to Portpatrick and up.
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nordic_ranger
Active member
On the back of an articulated lorry. Best of luck with that voyage.
Jim
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Jim
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longjohnsadler
New member
I've only done it in spring/summer, but surely not that bad if you pick your forecast?
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nordic_ranger
Active member
John,
The problem is picking the forecast. How quickly it can change!
Jim
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The problem is picking the forecast. How quickly it can change!
Jim
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longjohnsadler
New member
Yes, true - and it does! Even in 'summer'.
But in a 38 footer, with an experienced crew and a relatively stable weather system...
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But in a 38 footer, with an experienced crew and a relatively stable weather system...
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freebird
New member
a few questions, what type of boat ,what sails do you have , how many crew ,how long have you to do the trip ,etc etc i did the same trip a few years ago , the weather went bad and because of time we made some risky moves, we got wind over tide 45kts, but we came up the welsh side , it was ok in the end ,well after a new boom and some sail repairs ,it was a good test for my new boat .
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oldsalt
New member
From Land's End to the St George's channel there is not much if any shelter until Milford Haven. If over at the Irish side, Dunmore East is OK. St Georges Channel upwards to the North Channel, most shelter is in small Irish ports, but some can have tricky enterances and there's a fair sprinkling of rocks off the Irish coast.
Once round the corner into the Clyde, Portpatrick is possible but I would not like to approach it in strong winds. Girvan possible at HW, but you'd have to be pretty desperate. Troon can be difficult to identify at night, but is an easy entrance.
Probably your biggest problem would be trying to fight Northerly winds in the St G's channel. Strong tides and a short sharp chop can make this slow and uncomfortable.
With recent mild winters, there is no reason why you cannot do this in safety as long as you are prepared to sit out a few days in port if necessary
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Once round the corner into the Clyde, Portpatrick is possible but I would not like to approach it in strong winds. Girvan possible at HW, but you'd have to be pretty desperate. Troon can be difficult to identify at night, but is an easy entrance.
Probably your biggest problem would be trying to fight Northerly winds in the St G's channel. Strong tides and a short sharp chop can make this slow and uncomfortable.
With recent mild winters, there is no reason why you cannot do this in safety as long as you are prepared to sit out a few days in port if necessary
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extravert
New member
You are right, there is a lack of all-weather all-tide deep-water bolt holes in the Irish Sea. For entry in any conditions you are really limited to
Milford Haven
Fishguard
Holyhead
Workington
Stranraer
Rosslare (except strong N to E)
Arklow (not in strong NE to E)
Dublin area
Belfast Lough
There are plenty of places where you can get complete shelter and stay afloat, but the problem may be getting in if the weather is a bit grim or the tide is wrong.
Any strong weather is more likely to come from the West, which means you are likely to have more shelter going up the Irish coast. The disadvantage is it will be more difficult to get home if you have to abandon the boat somewhere if you get a prolonged spell of bad weather.
I would do this route. From Land's End you have to do a long passage as there is nowhere really safe to go nearby. It is about the same distance to Milford Haven as it is to Southern Ireland, but Milford Haven has the advantage of entrance in any condition, good facilities if you have to leave the boat, and still on the mainland.
From there I would cross the Irish Sea, as it is not too far across here, and aim somewhere just North of Rosslare. If you get bad weather from the North, get shelter along the South Coast of Ireland and into Kilmore Quay. If you get bad weather from W or S, wait in Rosslare. If you get bad weather from the East on this section, you are in more difficulty. You don't want to get embayed near the Arklow banks. Probably best to run off down the Southern Irish coast. If the weather is OK, continue to Arklow, there are good facilities there.
From Arklow it should be fairly easy up the Irish Coast. You can stop in Wicklow, Dublin area, Carlingford, Ardglass, until you get to Carrickfergus near Belfast.
From here you can wait for the weather to cross back to the UK. It's not far, but can be a bit bumpy in the Northern Channel in winter. You have Stranraer if it gets too bad from the E,S or W, and the Galloway coast if it gets bad from the North. You don't want to rely on an entrance into Portpatrick in a strong Westerly. Trying to get in there in a W gale in the dark for the first time could be a bit tricky.
Once you are out of the Northen Channel, you are nearly there and there is plenty of shelter to be found.
<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.
Milford Haven
Fishguard
Holyhead
Workington
Stranraer
Rosslare (except strong N to E)
Arklow (not in strong NE to E)
Dublin area
Belfast Lough
There are plenty of places where you can get complete shelter and stay afloat, but the problem may be getting in if the weather is a bit grim or the tide is wrong.
Any strong weather is more likely to come from the West, which means you are likely to have more shelter going up the Irish coast. The disadvantage is it will be more difficult to get home if you have to abandon the boat somewhere if you get a prolonged spell of bad weather.
I would do this route. From Land's End you have to do a long passage as there is nowhere really safe to go nearby. It is about the same distance to Milford Haven as it is to Southern Ireland, but Milford Haven has the advantage of entrance in any condition, good facilities if you have to leave the boat, and still on the mainland.
From there I would cross the Irish Sea, as it is not too far across here, and aim somewhere just North of Rosslare. If you get bad weather from the North, get shelter along the South Coast of Ireland and into Kilmore Quay. If you get bad weather from W or S, wait in Rosslare. If you get bad weather from the East on this section, you are in more difficulty. You don't want to get embayed near the Arklow banks. Probably best to run off down the Southern Irish coast. If the weather is OK, continue to Arklow, there are good facilities there.
From Arklow it should be fairly easy up the Irish Coast. You can stop in Wicklow, Dublin area, Carlingford, Ardglass, until you get to Carrickfergus near Belfast.
From here you can wait for the weather to cross back to the UK. It's not far, but can be a bit bumpy in the Northern Channel in winter. You have Stranraer if it gets too bad from the E,S or W, and the Galloway coast if it gets bad from the North. You don't want to rely on an entrance into Portpatrick in a strong Westerly. Trying to get in there in a W gale in the dark for the first time could be a bit tricky.
Once you are out of the Northen Channel, you are nearly there and there is plenty of shelter to be found.
<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.
BrendanChandler
Member
Irish Sea in Winter
The most exposed section is from Landsend to Milford Haven.
From there I would sail towards Dublin and the all weather harbours of DunLaoire and Howth (a great place). This leaves you with the option of Holyhead if you have to run East. At Holyhead, take great care to avoid the overfalls at the South and North Stacks.
From Howth I would aim for Bangor (N.I.).
The advantage of this route is that the prevaling wind will be off shore and if necessary, you can run down to Holyhead or Milford Haven.
I would strongly advise against entering Port Patrick in westerly gales. It is dangerous.
Fair Winds
Brendan
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The most exposed section is from Landsend to Milford Haven.
From there I would sail towards Dublin and the all weather harbours of DunLaoire and Howth (a great place). This leaves you with the option of Holyhead if you have to run East. At Holyhead, take great care to avoid the overfalls at the South and North Stacks.
From Howth I would aim for Bangor (N.I.).
The advantage of this route is that the prevaling wind will be off shore and if necessary, you can run down to Holyhead or Milford Haven.
I would strongly advise against entering Port Patrick in westerly gales. It is dangerous.
Fair Winds
Brendan
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Juggler7823
Member
I agree with most of what Extravert says except a) from Milford Haven (or Fishguard) I would cross to Arklow or Wicklow. I hear very mixed reports about the welcomes in Rosslare Harbour. b)After Belfast Loch I would stay on the Irsih coast and go into Glenarm (near Carnlogh) particularly not Portpatrick if the wind is strong from the West. You could also visit Bally castle near Rathlin. Its an easy crossing from Glenarm or Ballycastle into the Clyde or further North with plenty of shelter
<hr width=100% size=1>LOM
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extravert
New member
I would agree not to make Rosslare an intended destination, but just to head in that general direction as a nearly all-weather refuge until it is OK to turn North to Arklow. You cannot head straight to Arklow anyway, you need to go North or South of it to get round the Arklow banks. Going over the banks in winter is not advised, especially as there is a lot of construction going on there at the moment for the new wind farm.
I have overnighted once in Rosslare, in a SW 7 when we were going between Waterford and Dublin. We were wet and tired after turning Carnsore Point and preferred not to continue, although we could have done. We radioed Rosslare harbour and asked if they would mind if we stayed the night. They had no problem with that, and were helpful in guiding us in to the appropriate part of the harbour to stay. There are no facilities for yachts, but as long as you call them before you arrive and fit in with their busy shipping movements, they don't seem to have a problem with occasional visits when it's a bit grim out. Maybe it depends on who is on duty at the time.
<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.
I have overnighted once in Rosslare, in a SW 7 when we were going between Waterford and Dublin. We were wet and tired after turning Carnsore Point and preferred not to continue, although we could have done. We radioed Rosslare harbour and asked if they would mind if we stayed the night. They had no problem with that, and were helpful in guiding us in to the appropriate part of the harbour to stay. There are no facilities for yachts, but as long as you call them before you arrive and fit in with their busy shipping movements, they don't seem to have a problem with occasional visits when it's a bit grim out. Maybe it depends on who is on duty at the time.
<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.
snowleopard
Active member
i found the most comfortable route was M27, M3, M25 M1, M6, M74
if you really must do it the hard way:
good ports:
poole
torquay/brixham
dartmouth
plymouth
falmouth
kinsale
dun laoghaire
milford haven
carrickfergus
douglas
bad ports:
lyme regis
salcombe
padstow
caernarvon
(for the benefit of those who are attached to those places i'm talking about safe entry in bad weather)
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if you really must do it the hard way:
good ports:
poole
torquay/brixham
dartmouth
plymouth
falmouth
kinsale
dun laoghaire
milford haven
carrickfergus
douglas
bad ports:
lyme regis
salcombe
padstow
caernarvon
(for the benefit of those who are attached to those places i'm talking about safe entry in bad weather)
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mikesharp
New member
If you get a forecast showing the usual queue of depressions across the Atlantic why not go East instead and through the Cally Canal?
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Deep_6
New member
How about the Forth & Clyde canal - depending on draft
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PeteMcK
New member
F&C Canal
Unless I'd John Wayne riding shotgun through Drummy and Maryhill, I'd rather take all the hoolies the Irish Sea could throw at me. Might be ok in the winter with the urchins incarcerated in what Glasgow City Council try to pass off as schools, and the neds looking for somewhere warmer and drier than a canal bank to imbibe their Bucky and supermarket cider.
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Unless I'd John Wayne riding shotgun through Drummy and Maryhill, I'd rather take all the hoolies the Irish Sea could throw at me. Might be ok in the winter with the urchins incarcerated in what Glasgow City Council try to pass off as schools, and the neds looking for somewhere warmer and drier than a canal bank to imbibe their Bucky and supermarket cider.
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PeteMcK
New member
Portpatrick
Not a bolt-hole for a stranger. Anyway, all you need is decent conditions for half a day to get from Belfast Lough to Troon. If you're caught, the only refuge I'd use on the Galloway - Ayrshire side would be Loch Ryan (Stranraer). Entering Troon in poor visibility or darkness can be difficult - lots of confusing shore lights and quite a few hard things to hit.
If you come up the Firth late and you need shelter until morning, you can always find at least one corner of Lamlash Bay ok for just about any conditions; lots of heavy visitors moorings too but these are exposed to easterlies. And both entrances to the bay are well lit and pretty clean.
In the unlikely event (assuming you're hopping from Bangor or Carrickfergus) that you get caught out very badly by the weather and have, for whatever reason, a pressing need to get into a marina, beware that Ardrossan is only marginally easier than Troon (both horrible in everything from NW back to S): I'd sail on up to Largs which is so sheltered it's quite safe to enter in very severe conditions.
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Not a bolt-hole for a stranger. Anyway, all you need is decent conditions for half a day to get from Belfast Lough to Troon. If you're caught, the only refuge I'd use on the Galloway - Ayrshire side would be Loch Ryan (Stranraer). Entering Troon in poor visibility or darkness can be difficult - lots of confusing shore lights and quite a few hard things to hit.
If you come up the Firth late and you need shelter until morning, you can always find at least one corner of Lamlash Bay ok for just about any conditions; lots of heavy visitors moorings too but these are exposed to easterlies. And both entrances to the bay are well lit and pretty clean.
In the unlikely event (assuming you're hopping from Bangor or Carrickfergus) that you get caught out very badly by the weather and have, for whatever reason, a pressing need to get into a marina, beware that Ardrossan is only marginally easier than Troon (both horrible in everything from NW back to S): I'd sail on up to Largs which is so sheltered it's quite safe to enter in very severe conditions.
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SteveA
Active member
Re: Portpatrick
Due to the prevailing winds I would agree that the E.coast of Ireland is probably the best option.
I haven't a clue where someone thinks that the Irish Sea has a 'ruputation' for underwater hazards - our club members and the rest in the Morecambe Bay Sailing Association, sail this area and I know of none who have had any encounter.
There are some 'bolt holes' on the West coast of England the biggest being Walney Channel, accessable at all states of the tide and at this time of year there are plenty of available moorings to borrow.
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Due to the prevailing winds I would agree that the E.coast of Ireland is probably the best option.
I haven't a clue where someone thinks that the Irish Sea has a 'ruputation' for underwater hazards - our club members and the rest in the Morecambe Bay Sailing Association, sail this area and I know of none who have had any encounter.
There are some 'bolt holes' on the West coast of England the biggest being Walney Channel, accessable at all states of the tide and at this time of year there are plenty of available moorings to borrow.
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Jools_of_Top_Cat
New member
Re: Portpatrick
Don't forget Liverpool as a viable shelter.
Oh and I would avoid Wexford SI in any E winds above F4, it is a nasty entrance with a very shallow bar.
Do keep a permanent watch around Rosslare, very busy harbour indeed !
<hr width=100% size=1>Julian
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Don't forget Liverpool as a viable shelter.
Oh and I would avoid Wexford SI in any E winds above F4, it is a nasty entrance with a very shallow bar.
Do keep a permanent watch around Rosslare, very busy harbour indeed !
<hr width=100% size=1>Julian
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