Visit IOM during TT week

[CO113]

I'm planning on combining this years summer cruise to include a visit to the IOM during TT week. The intention is to set off from Milford Haven with a stopover on Anglesey before heading over to IOM, spend 3 days watching the races then make our way back via Southern Ireland with enough slack to allow for weather etc. Has anyone any experiences of visiting the IOM during TT week? I'd imagine its very busy in the marinas, so finding a safe anchorage may have to be an option?

 

[Uricanejack]

I'm planning on combining this years summer cruise to include a visit to the IOM during TT week. The intention is to set off from Milford Haven with a stopover on Anglesey before heading over to IOM, spend 3 days watching the races then make our way back via Southern Ireland with enough slack to allow for weather etc. Has anyone any experiences of visiting the IOM during TT week? I'd imagine its very busy in the marinas, so finding a safe anchorage may have to be an option?

Don't know the area at all. I would call a marina and try and reserve a berth ahead of time for the three days.

 

[colvic987]

marina berths would be at douglas or peel, and first come first served at all the other harbours. never been during tt week, but I do know many boats do make a voyage on the main week. if your on your hols then maybe you can get there before the tt starts, any time before the 25 may, then you should get a good spot against the wall then getting rafted up to for the remaining two weeks.........

only douglas and peel have a cill.

http://www.gov.im/transport/harbours/

 

[2copplane]

I've been most years for the last six in a 36' then 40' fin keel and always managed to find a berth in Douglas (one year got the wrong week) though mostly rafted against a wall in the marina! Which we actually prefer. Peel marina is also a nice spot with a multitude of options, a few swinging moorings, breakwater wall, Marina wall, and pontoon berths all deep water.
I don't think you can reserve berths on the island but seem to recall the harbourmaster saying they have always squeezed everyone.
Most years we have had fantastic weather as well.

 

[tyce]

Been a few times during tt to Douglas. If you can get there practice week then they are quieter but if its tt week they will be busy but the marina will always get you in but you will be rafted and not on a pontoon, but it's not an issue and sometimes preferred as you are a shorter walk.
Forget per booking they will not do it.
It is a great week and well worth the visit, I love it there.

 

[ukmctc]

I'm planning on combining this years summer cruise to include a visit to the IOM during TT week. The intention is to set off from Milford Haven with a stopover on Anglesey before heading over to IOM, spend 3 days watching the races then make our way back via Southern Ireland with enough slack to allow for weather etc. Has anyone any experiences of visiting the IOM during TT week? I'd imagine its very busy in the marinas, so finding a safe anchorage may have to be an option?

I did it last year, great time, only problem is everyone and their dog is there, the marina Douglas was so full you could walk across from one side to the other on boats.
If you arrive at the start you will be wedged in until the end of the TT, best to arrive the last day or so. However the place was rocking, great times. Its quietened down the week after, but still the same atosphere.

 

[2copplane]

Been a few times during tt to Douglas. If you can get there practice week then they are quieter but if its tt week they will be busy but the marina will always get you in but you will be rafted and not on a pontoon, but it's not an issue and sometimes preferred as you are a shorter walk.
Forget per booking they will not do it.
It is a great week and well worth the visit, I love it there.

+1

 

[geem]

Did it last year. The marina gets completely rammed. Not great if you get an easterly when the tide is up lots of swell in marina and tightly packed boats can be interesting!
Toilet facilities are insufficient for 100 visiting boats. Although I enjoyed it last year I might try Peel or alongside the wall at PSM next time.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

We berthed in Port St Mary, Port Erin and Peel last summer.

Port St Mary safe in Westerlys, Northerlys but only a handful of visitors buoys and against the wall in Springs is not safe overnight imho. Inner harbour dries so if a bilge/twin keel then a strong possibility.

Port Erin (our favourite) is safe in all but strong Westerlys but there were only 2 visitors buoys last summer. Has a small guage railway to take you East.

Peel is very safe inside 'lockable' marina. Very still, no swell. Not so good on harbour wall outside especially in springs, northerlys and easterlys and was reasonably full even last 'grotty' summer.

Only went to Dougals by train and it looked full even though it wasn't TT week.

good luck
S.

 

[CO113]

Thanks everyone, some very useful information. I've spoken to marina office at Douglas who has confirmed that there is no advance booking, but also that they have never turned a boat away yet. Really looking forward to it now, should be a great sail and fantastic to see the TT action up close instead of on TV. Thanks again.