Strangford Lough entry

[PabloPicasso]

Im Intending to sail into strangford lough tomorrow. Should entry be at the turn of the tide (ie enter at low water)?

It's my first time there so is there anything else I should know that isn't noted on the Chart?

Many thanks

 

[Quandary]

Yes, you want to take the flood in, the earlier you are the less exciting it will be so for first entry just after LW. is fine.
Coming out again is more of problem if you meet strong wind against tide.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

don't go right to the end in daylight and then attempt to come out again on the spring ebb at night!

 

[CaptainBob]

We got stuck in there for three weeks! Easy to enter. Hard to leave. Thats why there's so many boats in there

The tide generator is awesome!

 

[pmagowan]

As others have said, just at the turn of low is best. You can get in at any time during the flood but you would prefer it for a first time at the turn. You have no real choice during the ebb as the force will be too strong and there will be overalls at the mouth. Be aware that the tide is delayed inside and will run out for a little after slack outside. If you arrive too soon you will just waste diesel going nowhere. Getting out is fine but a little lumpy at the mouth unless you have impeccable timeing. The turbine is very visible and not normally a problem. The channel is well marked including a rock slightly NE of the entrance.
Once in you can stay at Strangford but will then be exposed to the tidal stream or you can go right inside where you can mess around without really worrying about the tide.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

The tide generator is awesome!

And if you tie up to the small pontoon just outside Strangford village and sleep there, you can clearly hear

the generator whilst in your bunk.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Although filmed in HD this short video of the entrance to Strangford Lough hasn't come out too clearly I'm afraid.....

http://s725.photobucket.com/user/johnscottorn/media/SANY0088.mp4.html

 

[claymore]

Portaferry is my preferred place if stopping in the Narrows. Ferry glide out of the tide in plenty of time!