Transporting a boat between England and Ireland

[lpdsn]

+1 for looking at bringing it home on the trailer. There's the Pembroke-Rosslare ferry and I think that one to Cork is still running despite predictions of bankruptcy.

The problem with a delivery trip like this is that the long leg is unavoidable. Even the suggested circuitous coast hops are long and just add hundred of miles to your journey. So you'd need to put the effort into finding suitable crew for a longer sail, which isn't always easy when you clash mates's work commitments and the need to wait for a good weather window and with your own stated lack of experience you could end up stuck if a key crew member has to head home.

Plus things always go wrong when you get a new boat - it'll have been neglected for a few months at least and you won't yet know the boat well enough to manage its foibles. Coast hopping as far as Land's End will help, but then it's the long leg (whichever way you go).

At least if you get the boat home then when you suffer glitches you'll have local contacts to help you.

 

[simonfraser]

Trailer will likely need new bearings for such a long trip.

 

[pandos]

Hi. What budget and what type of boat are you after, many many boats available here that would be probably cheaper and better if you factor in the effort in finding one in the uk and transporting it back, better to pick up something cheap and nasty, bond with it and get familiar prior to going to sea in it.

have a look at appolloduck adverts or donedeal

 

[dgadee]

It is possible to go across Ireland from Dublin and exit onto the Shannon. Depends on keel depth, of course.

 

[JumbleDuck]

It is possible to go across Ireland from Dublin and exit onto the Shannon. Depends on keel depth, of course.

<cough>

For the east of Ireland delivery by road to Milford Haven / Anglesey / SW Scotland and then sailing across could be a useful compromise, but unless she'll fit through the Grand Canal (not much more than a metre in Dublin) you haven't really saved yourself much effort going to the west coast.

 

[dgadee]

I bought a boat in Athlone area with 1.2m depth. What stopped me going home via Dublin was a low non opening bridge just at the entrance to the Liffey. I believe that has now been replaced. OP mentioned 26 foot boat but not keel depth. Trip across is relatively easy. I ended up having to put boat on a lorry and take it north rather than just sail up the easy east coast.

 

[lpdsn]

I bought a boat in Athlone area with 1.2m depth. What stopped me going home via Dublin was a low non opening bridge just at the entrance to the Liffey. I believe that has now been replaced. OP mentioned 26 foot boat but not keel depth. Trip across is relatively easy. I ended up having to put boat on a lorry and take it north rather than just sail up the easy east coast.

According to the Waterway's Ireland website the Royal Canal has its lowest air draught of 2.1m at the Sheriff St bridge and a depth of 1m otherwise. All they say for the Grand Canal is that the rail bridge at Ringsend is the lowest. It's been there since the original line to Kingstown was built in the 1830s so I guess someone has measured it by now. They also quote a depth of 1.0m in Dublin. From what I've seen of the Grand Canal through Dublin it could be less.

 

[dgadee]

No expert but I emailed whoever it was who was responsible (probably still have the emails) and the only problem I was told I would have would be at the final step into the Liffey. He doubted a crane would be able to lift me over the blocking bridge. It was an interesting enough trip for the distance I did - in October - with flooding all over the place. The entry to the Grand Canal was simply a sign post sticking out of the expanse of water.

 

[dgadee]

Found email from Leuitenant Commander Shane Andrews:

"I have contacted the relevant engineer for the Royal Canal. Draft wise you would be okay to travel the length of the Royal Canal. However, you will not be able to exit at Spencer’s Dock. At this time there are no arrangements with Irish Rail for the lifting of the Newcomen rail bridge. In addition there is an air draft restriction at Sherrif St. bridge of 1.2 meters (ESB cable across the canal)."

 

[dgadee]

Ps. Should haved added his next paragraph:

"It is hoped to have these issues resolved for next year when a schedule for opening Newcomen Bridge will be notified to all concerned and ESB move the low cable."

 

[JumbleDuck]

Found email from Leuitenant Commander Shane Andrews:

"I have contacted the relevant engineer for the Royal Canal. Draft wise you would be okay to travel the length of the Royal Canal. However, you will not be able to exit at Spencer’s Dock. At this time there are no arrangements with Irish Rail for the lifting of the Newcomen rail bridge. In addition there is an air draft restriction at Sherrif St. bridge of 1.2 meters (ESB cable across the canal)."

There is a note on the Irish Waterways Association website about issues with getting into the Royal Canal, but they link to a non-existing page on the Waterways Ireland website. However, I have found a schedule of lift dates for the Newcomen Bridge this year: https://www.waterwaysireland.org/news-centre/marine-notices/737/newcomen-bridge-lift-dates-2018. Two hours every month.

 

[dgadee]

There is a note on the Irish Waterways Association website about issues with getting into the Royal Canal, but they link to a non-existing page on the Waterways Ireland website. However, I have found a schedule of lift dates for the Newcomen Bridge this year: https://www.waterwaysireland.org/news-centre/marine-notices/737/newcomen-bridge-lift-dates-2018. Two hours every month.

Maybe. But if I was seriously thinking of doing it I would contact the man in charge rather than relying upon a rarely updated web site.

 

[pandos]

Does the draft of 1m allow for shopping trollies and washing machines? hitting these in a steel barge may be one thing but any kind of a yacht might have more interesting effects

 

[dgadee]

Well the Ltnt Cmmndr said I would be ok with 1.2m draft and twin keels. He was the expert not me.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Maybe. But if I was seriously thinking of doing it I would contact the man in charge rather than relying upon a rarely updated web site.

Sounds like a good idea. I was just trying to point out that since your experience - which I guess was some years ago - the Newcomen Bridge seems to be back in (occasional) timetabled lifting operation.

There is a nice sequence of pictures of a lift at https://irishwaterwayshistory.com/tag/newcomen-bridge/

I believe that Barmouth Bridge in Wales should still be opened on request to permit navigation, but that Network Rail have put continuous signalling cables over it so that it can no longer be swung.

 

[dgadee]

I live in the North and didn't really know much about the waterway system in Ireland before buying down south. It is extensive and extremely quiet. Unfortunately, a connection to Lough Neagh doesn't exist. it is not possible to go from the south up to the north coast.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I live in the North and didn't really know much about the waterway system in Ireland before buying down south. It is extensive and extremely quiet. Unfortunately, a connection to Lough Neagh doesn't exist. it is not possible to go from the south up to the north coast.

I gather that the Ulster Canal is in principle to be restored, but whether it ever happens is another matter ...