Strangford Lough exit

[down...2 greens]

Hoping for a bit of local knowledge on this one. I'm looking at a departure from Strangford Lough (sailing yacht) and trying to figure out the ideal timing - slack water or early ebb seems to the way to go, but it looks like HW at the Narrows (Strangford/Portaferry) is 1.5 - 2 hours later than at the overfalls off Killard Point. So is the trick to hit Portaferry at high water and carry the ebb through the Narrows, or aim for Killard at HW to dodge the worst of the bumps? Or something else entirely?

Tried a search here but the answer didn't seem all that clear, so advice gratefully received!

 

[rotrax]

On the two occaisions I have left Strangford Lough I left Strangford just before high water-the stream was already slackening off-and arrived at the entrance just after slack water on a mild ebb. No overfalls worth the mention were encountered. At springs it is quite lively according to my mate Mac who has a 20 foot angling boat.

Be carefull..................

 

[duncan99210]

Visit my harbour gives the tidal stream in theNarrows as: Ingoing stream starts HW Belfast -0330, outgoing stream starts HW Belfast +0230. 15 min slack period. As in many constrained straits, the actual state of the tide does not always match the flow of the tidal streams. So, if you're going to be exiting the Narrows, you need to be approaching Portaferry about 2 hrs 30 mins after HW Belfast. That way you'll get the benefit of the slack period followed by a somewhat less frenetic ride through the Narrows that if you were to enter the Narrows during the full part of the outgoing stream. Note that the water level may actually still be rising as the outgoing stream starts. It's confusing but at least the Narrow is fairly short. The Menai Straits are a nightmare when you're first coming to grips with the streams, with slack water moving through the Strait with seemingly little regard for the actual height of the tide.

 

[earlybird]

Long time since I visited, but I think that I'd consider leaving the Portaferry area say 1.5 to 2 hrs. before the ingoing stream starts. This gives plenty of time to get to the entrance with the ebb, and the worst of the overfalls will have died down. If you're late, you'll find yourself back at Portaferry!
The overfalls can be quite alarming even in light conditions, but the ebb takes you through very quickly. However, a fresh easterly breeze, and esp. at springs could give you a real battering.
There are no overfalls on the ingoing stream of course.

 

[Sybarite]

Hoping for a bit of local knowledge on this one. I'm looking at a departure from Strangford Lough (sailing yacht) and trying to figure out the ideal timing - slack water or early ebb seems to the way to go, but it looks like HW at the Narrows (Strangford/Portaferry) is 1.5 - 2 hours later than at the overfalls off Killard Point. So is the trick to hit Portaferry at high water and carry the ebb through the Narrows, or aim for Killard at HW to dodge the worst of the bumps? Or something else entirely?

Tried a search here but the answer didn't seem all that clear, so advice gratefully received!

If leaving on an ebb tide keep an eye out for the Routen Wheel which is an impressive whirlpool closer to the port side of the narrows a mile or two below Portaferry.

"The Routen Wheel is a series of whirlpools, boils and swirling waters, which is caused by pinnacles of rock on the seabed. This area should be treated with the utmost caution."

 

[lpdsn]

HW Strangford is about when it starts to empty out. The Lough continues filling for roughly two hours after HW outside.

If you time the start of your departure for HW the ebb will be running quite strongly by the time you get to the entrance. Slack water doesn't last long. Also worth noting that the main ebb outside will have been heading north for a couple of hours before the ebb gets going out of the Lough and they meet nearly head on. Obviously worse if there are any seas from the S or SW.

Better to try to get out on the last of the flood.

Or the last of the ebb when the flood down the coast has already started.

 

[down...2 greens]

Thanks for the advice everyone, it seems like there are a few ways to skin this cat. Any other thoughts or tips appreciated!

 

[Minchsailor]

I did this 3 or so years ago on a delivery trip Plymouth - Oban.

I see we were of Portaferry at Belfast HW + 2 hours (neaps). The ebb was already well under way; it was quite worrying getting out through the channel with seas breaking over the reefs (it was a fresh southerly). I retrospect I should have left at least 30 mins, maybe 45 mins earlier.