Morecambe to Barrow crossing

[searider12]

Hi all, pondering adventures with my Aerotec for this autumn; we're staying in Preston for a few days and I'm wondering about crossing from Morecambe to Barrow? Anyone know whether it's a nice crossing? Any particular features to beware? Looks about 4k straight across which could be ideal. We're got an 4.2 aerotec with a 25HP on the back.

Thanks!

[GuyC]

I think you might be out by a factor of few on your distance. I think it is more like 16km rather than 4km.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by GuyC

I think you might be out by a factor of few on your distance. I think it is more like 16km rather than 4km.

Yup! Even in a (non-navigable) straight line it’s 12Nm. Closer to 17Nm if you take a sensible route.

[searider12]

Ah yes...my quick google maps distance gauge was a bit off! May be a bit far unless butter flat water. Still, anyone know that bay at all? Any interesting adventures worth trying? I can't find evidence of much sibbing round there!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by searider12

Ah yes...my quick google maps distance gauge was a bit off! May be a bit far unless butter flat water. Still, anyone know that bay at all? Any interesting adventures worth trying? I can't find evidence of much sibbing round there!

There’s some good Bass fishing in the bay around Barrow, look for the underwater sand dunes on the approach to BiF.

[Tommy c]

If you venture out into the bay itself just be mindful of the ferries running from Heysham to Ireland and Isle of Man. There used to be a high speed catamaran that gave off a wash like a tsunami. I don't know if that one still runs but it caught me out once when I had my Shetland suntrip before the pandemic

[M.Thornton]

We cross the bay regularly in our 4.7 Seariders from Fleetwood to Piel / Barrow /Ulverston
The bay is fairly straightforward,but as stated there are a lot of sandbanks and a chart plotter is , in my opinion , essential.
The tiderun and cross currents can get strong off the Barrow approaches and there is a fair bit of wind farm Fast cat traffic
Coming from Morecambe a good alternative is Ulverston,great pub and very pretty but it shallows out to nothing very quickly
I would always feel safer doing the Bay in company,stay safe.

[benhben]

I live in Morecambe and do a lot of fishing in the bay both low and high tide. There is no way on earth I would try crossing the bay in a SIB. It is one of the most dangerous bits of water in the country if not Europe. Massive tide range, ever shifting sand banks and gullies. If you get there ok, you would probably have to wait for the tides to be able to get back. Id advise a lot of caution, especially if you don't know the area.

Id personally drive up to barrow and launch off Walney island to see the Seal colony or just stay around fleetwood at high tide.

[searider12]

Thanks all - helpful comments