S/W Ireland Cruise-An Invitation

[Brian]

An Invitation.
A cruise is planned to the South and West coasts of Ireland commencing in a fortnight’s time.
The cruise is likely to suit “well found” boats with an experienced crew and good navigational skills. The raw beauty and majesty of the coastline is balanced by the (sometimes) Atlantic Ocean style weather and enough rocks and small islands to test the best of navigators. I offer below, therefore, only the outline itinerary, and leave all skippers to make their own best judgement as to detailed passage.
All distances are the MINIMUM we would travel in a day.
I am hoping to be able to meet with some local ribsters, but their presence should not be assumed.
Would those interested please e-mail me and I would be happy to answer any questions or provide such advice and assistance as I can.
I have found the following book VERY useful:
Sailing Directions for the South and West Coasts of Ireland by The Irish Cruising Club
ISBN No.0950171778

Day 1 Saturday 8th Sept.
Get to Kinsale !!! From Plymouth (my base) approx. 240nm.
Meet that evening in say, the bar of the Trident Hotel.

Day 2
Leave Kinsale turning East and along to Crosshaven (Crosshaven Y.C.-the oldest YC in the world)
Coffee
On to Glandore Harbour for lunch.
Then into Baltimore Bay and do a figure of eight circuit of Shirkin Island and Cape Clear Is.
Return to Kinsale
Approx. 133nm

Day 3
Kinsale to Fastnet Rock
Mizzen Head, Three Castle Head, Sheep’s Head.
Then Castletown Bearhaven for lunch
After Crowhead turn sharp to starboard and go between Dursey Island and Coosgorm
Sharp to port and out to Bull Rock (magnificent photo opportunity) and then on to the Skellig Isles
Back inshore to Puffin Isle and then on across to Dingle Harbour and Marina
Approx. 130nm

Day 4
Leave Dingle and go out round Dunmore Head (and Stromboli Rock) and inside of Great Blasket Island
Go to Kerry Head via the Three Sisters Rocks and the Seven Hogs.
Kilrush Harbour for lunch
Go to Inishmore Isle stay in Kilkeany Bay. Stay on Is. if we can.
Approx.122nm

Day 5
Go to the adjacent islands of Inishmaan and Inisheer
Visit Cliffs of Moher (tallest in N Europe?)
Return way down near the Fastnet to Schull for overnight stay.
If weather permits take the “Lighthouse Route” (see charts for obvious l/h links).
Approx. 152nm


Day 6
Leave Schull and go to either St.Marys in the Scillies or return to Plymouth, passing the Fastnet rock as we leave Irelands coast. A direct return to Plymouth would be approx. 244nm.
Others, return to their homeports.

This promises to be a very scenic cruise with lots of photo opportunities but is unlikely to be suitable for either the fainthearted (or teetotalers).
Those who have already expressed an interest, I will e-mail directly anyway.

Brian Elliott

[John Kennett]

I can't make it as I will be in Switzerland that weekend. Sounds like a good cruise though -- make sure to tell us all about it!

John

[Michael]

The Aug issue of Motor Boats Monthly has a good feature on a cruise in this area in a Nelson 40. Some useful pointers.

Mike

[Brian]

Sorry chaps!!
We have looked at the weather situation for the forecastable next few days and are of the opinion that it looks like Force 5/6 and coming predominantly from the West (i.e. right on our nose!).
Now whereas the boat will take it, the humanoids won’t like it.
The professional advice we have received also strongly recommends we do no undertake the crossing from Lands End to Kinsale at the moment.
It is therefore, and with the greatest reluctance, that we have decided not to go across to join our fellow RIBsters in Ireland this weekend.
We are bitterly disappointed but I am sure that you all understand that we do this RIBing for enjoyment and not punishment or endangerment.
Instead we will turn our backs to the wind and head down from Plymouth to the Channel Islands on Saturday morning and spend some days exploring the area.
Obviously, it would be really nice if we were to meet up with some locally based RIBsters as well...................

[Powerboat]

Hi Brian ,

Good and responsible Call !

The hardest but best decisions I have ever had to make at sea have been the
no-go ones .

The plan which was well thought out will still hold for a different time
frame .


Keep us up to date on revised dates . If I have enough notice of new dates ,
I'll try and roll out my Army Boat Squad to join in the exercise .

Best wishes ,

Stuart
www.powerboat.org

[Alan]

I'm damn glad we are not braving the Force 6 in the Irish Sea!
A good call by Brian although a disappointment that we are not going to Ireland. Ah well. next time!

Here's to the Channel Islands then. C U tommorrow Brian!

Alan

[gavin]

Brian when making the trip check the information provided on this link http://www.marine.ie/scientific+serv...buoy/index.htm It features a map of Ireland click on either M1 OR M2 these are electronic databuoys which radio their info to the Marine Instutite,and in turn update I think hourly weather reports of all the various weather variables recorded by the buoys, its a great site for Irish Coastal weather . How far is it from Lands End to Kinsale by the way? cheers gavin

[Brian]

Well thank you VERY VERY much for that info Gavin. Absolutely invaluable.
As th seagull flies, it's about 145nmiles from Land's End to Kinsale.
As I have said on another thread, this trip was originally planned for 2001 but had to be called off due to bad weather.
It is penciled in now for mid-May 2003. I will update the thread nearer the time with some mods to the routing.
I will still be looking for 1 or 2 crew though.

[Scotty]

Originally posted by Powerboat


Keep us up to date on revised dates . If I have enough notice of new dates ,
I'll try and roll out my Army Boat Squad to join in the exercise .

Best wishes ,

Stuart
www.powerboat.org

Hey Stuart,
Dont be so elitist..... forget the army and bring the three donkeys Eithne + lads trained on monday 2/12/02. he he
Were going around the world on 1/01/03 after the great training we got on Lough Ree.

[Daniel]

Brian,

Despite having never met you...

Originally posted by Brian
I will still be looking for 1 or 2 crew though.

...the whole RIBnet thing means i can be cheeky and suggets myself as crew?

I would love to attempt something like this but don't consider myself and myboat combination up-to-the job, and i guess demoting myself to crew will take some doing bit i'll survive.

So what d'ya think?

(I buy beer you know)

Regards

Daniel

[Brian]

Daniel (and others),
This is my current thinking (blue sky (sic) only at this stage though).
The rib.net get together is scheduled for Plymouth on Sat/Sun 10/11 May.
After a good nights sleep, we could set off for Ireland and spend the whole of the next week over there.
We would get back to Plymouth say Sat/Sun 17/18th.
IF, IF, IF, Gavin and Tim come over by boat, this might allow us to escort them back over to Kinsale/Cork.
Just a thought.

Daniel,
Would you please e-mail me with a very brief description of your details.
I did do this last year for the Hebrides Cruise and found, signed-up and got along famously with a smashing bloke called CEEJAY who posts sometimes on this forum, so it does work!
The main thing to do is to ask yourself whether you would want to spend 10 days with this person in a small boat!!
Think carefully before you answer!!

[Brian]

Actually, Daniel, you have no need-just spotted the fact that you have your own website which, I am sure, is going to answer most, if not all, of my questions.
Happy to invite you along if you want to come.

[Daniel]

Good morning Brian,

Thanks very much for the offer. Contact me again if you want to know anything further. The only 'interesting' fact for yourself could be the fact i am (only) 23.

FYI I had intended to bring my own RIB to the plymouth event so prehaps i will consider cruising west a bit and leaving it in a marina for a week. Consider this nearer sunny season i guess!

Daniel