Rowana
Two steps lower than the ships' cat
Re: F&C Canal
Plus you have to take the stick down.
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Plus you have to take the stick down.
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South Coast to W Scotland in Feb
- Thread starter PhilipStapleton
- Start date
starboard
Well-Known Member
Last time I did this was in reverse in a Waveney class lifeboat during SW F6-8!!! Via Troon, Portpatrick,Port St Mary, Holyhead, Fishguard, Newlyn,Brixham, Poole. This was governed though by the need to stop every night at an RNLI station.
If I was sailing I would probably prefer to come up the east coas of Ireland with good stops at Howth and Bangor N Ireland(in my view the best run and cleanest marina I have visited) From Bangor pick your weather windo for a good passage to Troon,beware the tides in the North Channel can be quite fierce and in the wrong conditions not pleasant. Watch out also as busy ferry traffic between Belfast/ Stranraer and also fast ferry and frieght ferry to Troon.
Only hazard approaching from SW is Lady Isle now better lit than previous and the crab rock off west entrance protected by Stbd hand lt bouy. Troon entrance could be interesting after gale rom the NW but reall no real dangers to talk of. Best approach from NW after leaving Lady isle on starboard side. At night many shore lights can cause confusion but entrance well lit. New perch Red lt. just NW of entrance can be passed either side, this is only marking end of dredged channel for new frieght fery berth. One thing when you arrive in the outer harbour you are in shelterd water to prepare for entering marina.....Here you will be made most welcome...I will make sure of that!!!
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If I was sailing I would probably prefer to come up the east coas of Ireland with good stops at Howth and Bangor N Ireland(in my view the best run and cleanest marina I have visited) From Bangor pick your weather windo for a good passage to Troon,beware the tides in the North Channel can be quite fierce and in the wrong conditions not pleasant. Watch out also as busy ferry traffic between Belfast/ Stranraer and also fast ferry and frieght ferry to Troon.
Only hazard approaching from SW is Lady Isle now better lit than previous and the crab rock off west entrance protected by Stbd hand lt bouy. Troon entrance could be interesting after gale rom the NW but reall no real dangers to talk of. Best approach from NW after leaving Lady isle on starboard side. At night many shore lights can cause confusion but entrance well lit. New perch Red lt. just NW of entrance can be passed either side, this is only marking end of dredged channel for new frieght fery berth. One thing when you arrive in the outer harbour you are in shelterd water to prepare for entering marina.....Here you will be made most welcome...I will make sure of that!!!
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oldsalt
Well-Known Member
Starboard is quite correct about the Troon navigation lights. Last time I was there they seemed to be lit with second hand 25 watt bulbs! The white lighthouse on the breakwater has to be seen to be believed!
Also beware of the ferry movements. They use a non-standard blue flashing light on the pier which is easily missed, together with a paranoid VHF announcement panicing if a yacht is anywhere near the harbour. I think the harbour master should be sent to St Helier or somewhere similar to see real ferry traffic!
Lovely town and very friendly.
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Also beware of the ferry movements. They use a non-standard blue flashing light on the pier which is easily missed, together with a paranoid VHF announcement panicing if a yacht is anywhere near the harbour. I think the harbour master should be sent to St Helier or somewhere similar to see real ferry traffic!
Lovely town and very friendly.
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Benbow
Well-Known Member
Done this between Milford Haven and Troon several times in a much smaller boat (but never in Feb !). In general it is true that refuges are scarce, the real problem is that all the refuges can quickly become the source of the problem ! Holyhead has some lethal tidal races around it. Liverpool, involves a long slog up the Mersey to decent shelter and the approach is evil in W-NW. Also I would stay well clear of the E coast of Ireland if there is any E in the forecast.
But the Isle of Man is a superb refuge, you can find good shelter for any conditions. Peel is lovely if it blows from the E, Douglas is a hole but great shelter (nasty slop if it blows from the E), Port St Mary is lovely unless its from the S. All easy all tide approach.
(I have never hit anything unexpected (except &*!$%^@ lobster pots) nor have I heard of it happening to anyone)
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But the Isle of Man is a superb refuge, you can find good shelter for any conditions. Peel is lovely if it blows from the E, Douglas is a hole but great shelter (nasty slop if it blows from the E), Port St Mary is lovely unless its from the S. All easy all tide approach.
(I have never hit anything unexpected (except &*!$%^@ lobster pots) nor have I heard of it happening to anyone)
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