Strangford to Whitehaven

[LittleShip]

Leaving Strangford is the difficult part of this trip.

Ideally, HW outside Strangford would be best as the Ebb tide runs North from there. Heading over to the IOM would push you North and the closer you get to the IOM the weaker the tide would be. Arriving at the top IOM approx 6 hours would allow passing the North close to LW after which the flood will push you on towards Whitehaven.

You won't be doing 6 knots along with the flood for the next 30 miles. as stated above neaps would be best depending on type of vessel.

The waters around the IOM can be challenging even in calm weather.

Tom.

 

[lpdsn]

Leaving Strangford is the difficult part of this trip.

Ideally, HW outside Strangford would be best as the Ebb tide runs North from there.

However, the flood continues to run into the Lough for nearly two hours after the HW off the entrance. Not impossible to exit the Narrows under those circumstances - I've done it a few times as it's often one of the calmest periods - but the OP will have to allow for punching tide to get out. He was using 6Kts for passage planning.

 

[JumbleDuck]

It's the closest port to the rhumb line between Strangford entrance and Whitehaven. I was pretty certain about that to start with, but have just checked on the chart to make sure.

Kirkcudbright is roughly ten miles further away (if you include the trip up the channel).

I stand corrected. Serves me right for using a very small/large/whichever-the-hell-it-is map of the Irish Sea. I still think he should consider the Solway Coast, though ... unless he has a good way of sailing through the Isle of Man!

 

[LittleShip]

However, the flood continues to run into the Lough for nearly two hours after the HW off the entrance. Not impossible to exit the Narrows under those circumstances - I've done it a few times as it's often one of the calmest periods - but the OP will have to allow for punching tide to get out. He was using 6Kts for passage planning.

Which is why I stated Leaving Strangford is the difficult part of the trip

6knts is what I plan on with Little Ship on long journeys although she will do more. As already stated neaps would be a better passage plan and that would allow easier passage out of Strangford.

Tom.

 

[lpdsn]

I stand corrected. Serves me right for using a very small/large/whichever-the-hell-it-is map of the Irish Sea. I still think he should consider the Solway Coast, though ... unless he has a good way of sailing through the Isle of Man!

Would make an interesting diversion.

 

[TSB240]

Which is why I stated Leaving Strangford is the difficult part of the trip

6knts is what I plan on with Little Ship on long journeys although she will do more.

Tom.

Bloody hell Tom that is only because you would run out of coal if you did more than 6knots all the way!:disgust:

 

[LittleShip]

:eagerness:

Bloody hell Tom that is only because you would run out of coal if you did more than 6knots all the way!:disgust:

More worried about running out of fun box stuff.

:encouragement::encouragement::encouragement:

Tom.

 

[Hostage]

The original question states that the OP intends "motoring" as opposed to sailing the journey. From this I take it that the vessel is not a
sailing vessel.
If that is the case I see the issues as more complex and others are better placed to advise. But then I am more confident with canvas aloft and a keel beneath me.
For what its worth I would suggest leaving LW Belfast + 2hours which should be slack at the bar mouth. If things dont look good
he can come back in on the flood.
As has already been said, the waters off IOM can be bouncy even in calm weather so a 5 hour day to Peel may be enough for a first leg.

to go any further on day 1 will involve considerably more mileage. Depends how happy he feels in the prevailing conditions. I would then be thinking how close I could get to Whitehaven to await safe conditions to enter.
As he says, time is not pressing so the trip can be leasurely and stress minimised. Pick a decent forecast and Enjoy!

 

[A1Sailor]

The original question states that the OP intends "motoring" as opposed to sailing the journey. From this I take it that the vessel is not a
sailing vessel.
If that is the case I see the issues as more complex and others are better placed to advise. But then I am more confident with canvas aloft and a keel beneath me.
For what its worth I would suggest leaving LW Belfast + 2hours which should be slack at the bar mouth. If things dont look good
he can come back in on the flood.
As has already been said, the waters off IOM can be bouncy even in calm weather so a 5 hour day to Peel may be enough for a first leg.

to go any further on day 1 will involve considerably more mileage. Depends how happy he feels in the prevailing conditions. I would then be thinking how close I could get to Whitehaven to await safe conditions to enter.
As he says, time is not pressing so the trip can be leasurely and stress minimised. Pick a decent forecast and Enjoy!

I've realised that the other thread I referred to was by the same OP.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?410173-motoring
There, he says it is a 35foot sailboat.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Tto go any further on day 1 will involve considerably more mileage.

Stangford - Whitehaven: 70 miles

Strangford - Peel: 30 miles
Peel - Whitehaven: 50 miles

Strangford - Isle of Whithorn: 45 miles
Isle of Whithorn - Whitehaven: 30 miles

However, I'd do it in one. Leaving LW Belfast +2 as suggested, 12 hours of motoring (70 miles at 6kt), arriving Whitehaven next LW +1 1/2, ish, which is just about right for getting in.

My boat draws 1.7 and I have access to Whitehaven 3 1/2 hrs each side of high water.

Easy enough to slow down a bit if necessary and there's a seven hour window. No messing about with intermediate stops, job done in a day. If I did want a stop I'd probably use Peel in easteries or southerlies, Isle of Whithorn in northerlies and Ramsey in westerlies.

 

[claymore]

If you did stop in Ramsey, you'd be getting to Whitehaven close to, or after the HW+3.5hrs that the OP mentioned, would you not?
Unless it has improved, Ramsey isn't wonderful.

 

[LittleShip]

Last time I went round the bottom of Mull of Galloway I was doing 11.5 knts. Passage planing needs to take in the fast flood and ebb at the top of IOM.

I very much doubt that it will be a 12 hr trip if the tides are used to advantage and a sailboat will have the advantage of free extra propulsion.

Personally the pinch point of this trip is rounding the top of the IOM at or as near as possible to LW slack then the flood can help with the long leg.

Tom.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Last time I went round the bottom of Mull of Galloway I was doing 11.5 knts. Passage planing needs to take in the fast flood and ebb at the top of IOM.

I very much doubt that it will be a 12 hr trip if the tides are used to advantage and a sailboat will have the advantage of free extra propulsion.

Personally the pinch point of this trip is rounding the top of the IOM at or as near as possible to LW slack then the flood can help with the long leg.

I don't have my tidal atlas handy, but I think he should have plenty of time to keep well clear of the Point of Ayre and avoid the worst of the tides.

 

[JumbleDuck]

If you did stop in Ramsey, you'd be getting to Whitehaven close to, or after the HW+3.5hrs that the OP mentioned, would you not?
Unless it has improved, Ramsey isn't wonderful.

I'd anchor off the Queen's Pier, or use the visitor moorings there in the summer. The harbour is indeed a bit of a dump.

 

[JohnGC]

A couple of years ago, the entrance channel to Whitehaven lock was 1.4m above CD (the chart says 1.0, but 1.4 was what the lockkeeper told a competitor in the 3PYR who was denied entry). Of course, whether you want to push it to the limit the way that competitor did is another matter. I presume you're a motor boat with shallow draught.

Be aware of the outer breakwater if approaching Whitehaven after dusk - it doesn't show up well on a dark night. You really need to be sure of your position as you approach. And it can be pretty rough in onshore heavy weather. Beware too of the spit on the stbd side of the entrance...........

+1 on approach.

Some images here.
https://www.dropbox.com/home/Photos/Whitehaven%20Marina

If the weather/sea are at all difficult, the lock keeper will close the outer gates as soon as you (or the last boat) are past. That gives you quite a bit of welcome protection. Fender for port hand to as the lock keeper is on that side and will hand you berthing instructions.

 

[bespoke]

you would be much better getting a local crew,or paying a local skipper to go with you help you enjoy the ride