What am I going to DO with this thing...?

Dan Gurney · 08 November 2012, 12:37

While still on the lookout for a RIB my mind has turned to how I'm going to use it.

I'm based in Bingley, W.Yorks so not really anywhere near the sea, and I'm looking for peeps in 'the north' regarding possible interesting day trips. I need to be able to trailer to it, launch, and get back home in a day.

So far I can see that a trip out from Glasson Dock to Piel Island would be do-able (paying careful attention to the tides and probably skirting round all the drying bits just to be on the safe side). And I could prolly launch on the Humber at the slip under the bridge though I don't know what there is of interest to look at round there. Then there's Ullswater or Windermere as long as you don't mind going slow. Does anyone have any other ideas? I should think North Wales would require a weekend trip?

AJ. · 08 November 2012, 12:46

Understand your dilemma having done a boating trip up your neck of the woods you don't get far when passing the five rise locks!

Unfortunately when you are land locked like me too its early starts and checking out Boatlaunch.co.uk Home Page

Ribochet · 08 November 2012, 14:02

Enter Mick

9D280 · 08 November 2012, 14:08

Bingley isn't too far form the Irish sea coast - I would guess 1.5 hrs to Blackpool -ish.

To put that in perspective, that's the kind of time it takes me to get to Largs. Longer if Rangers are playing & the M8 becomes a car park!

You get used to it.

m chappelow · 08 November 2012, 14:29

I now only live a few miles from down the canal from you near Apperleybridge & Rodley,
I use the private club & slipway at southgare near Redcar for the last 30 years but there is a couple of free slips on the sea front at Redcar itself if the sea conditions allow .with the trailer on the back I can do it in a couple of hours but now I only have the sib I stick it in the back of the car and inflate it when I get there with about a 90 min drive house to slipway if the roads not busy .

I know of a guy that's into diving that lives in Cottingley & another guy that into fishing who lives at Wilsden both within a couple of miles of Bingley both trail there boats to Anglesey or the North Wales areas

kwil · 08 November 2012, 14:46

Glasson Dock is pretty much a non starter for a day trip to Piel Island, although the chart shows water at in the channel it is almost dry from about half tide. Also the only slip at Glasson is the yacht club one and you would have to be a member. If you want to go to Piel then the best option is the slip at Knott End, there is a charge 7 or 8 pounds I think and it is useable most of the tide.

Keith

wavelength · 08 November 2012, 15:28

as Keith said......Glasson is a non starter, Knott End is the only real choice-but avoid High water (and lo water on springs). Needs a bit of practise to get it right!
Stanah country park up the R Wyre is free but only usable for an hour or so either side of high water on springs and needs an awful lot of looking at first. Winding unmarked minor creek into the main river and the obvious exit isnt the exit!!! So Knott End it is! No doubt you will see us there.

Dan Gurney · 08 November 2012, 15:45

Boat launch show two slips at Glasson, one in the canal basin and one at the yacht club. I can believe the lack of water though, though the chart shows it as not drying the google maps overhead view seems to show the outer lock gate as being well above the waterline.

"Needs a bit of practise to get it right!" - in what sense?

Everywhere I turn there seem to be dire warnings about the West Coast and launching restrictions on the East! Maybe I should stick to golf....

mick · 08 November 2012, 15:53

1 st year with my rib been round Anglesey twice round mull across to Dublin down the Humber that's a bit tricky and lake Garda plus other bits and bobs just look for the trips coming up and get a big enough rib
Wales can be done in a day Ty Calch is about 3 hours

kwil · 08 November 2012, 15:59

Quote:

"Needs a bit of practise to get it right!" - in what sense?

The ramp slope is not constant over the full length and there is a drop off the end so it is best used when the tide is between 2.4mtr and 7.4mtr rise. Also there is a break water to the right part way down just as that covers or just before it uncovers a strong current sets across the slip to spoil your day.

But as Dave says watch others first or we may see you down there.

Keith

Dan Gurney · 08 November 2012, 16:01

"down the Humber that's a bit tricky" - so the Humber's out as a potential day trip?

mick · 08 November 2012, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clamchowder

"down the Humber that's a bit tricky" - so the Humber's out as a potential day trip?

You have to stick to the channels lots of sand banks and strong tides

Pikey Dave · 08 November 2012, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clamchowder

"down the Humber that's a bit tricky" - so the Humber's out as a potential day trip?

I'd forget the Humber unless you are prepared to get very wet & suffer possible boat damage. Launched there twice now & come a cropper both times, never again.
Whitby is our launch of choice on the east coast, easy safe launch, plenty of parking, visitors pontoon, toilets, showers etc, but you pay for it. About 20quid including parking.

mick · 08 November 2012, 16:31

Not done Whitby yet will have a go next year.

paddlers · 08 November 2012, 16:33

I'm near Ripon so have the same problem. Used Ullswater then Windermere until the speed limits came on years ago.
Did a beach launch at Redcar last year but found the rocks/ crab pots/ windfarm construction a bit busy for any inshore fun.
Went up to Largs marina for a weekend, great facilities & fantastic location.
Go for two weeks on the Mull of Kintyre & it's fantastic.
I've found the East coast to not be a boaters paradise for the inshore stuff so if you find anywhere decent let me know ???
Good luck.

RMS · 08 November 2012, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I'd forget the Humber unless you are prepared to get very wet & suffer possible boat damage. Launched there twice now & come a cropper both times, never again.
Whitby is our launch of choice on the east coast, easy safe launch, plenty of parking, visitors pontoon, toilets, showers etc, but you pay for it. About 20quid including parking.

Whitby x2. Can launch at almost all tides at great coast and bays to explore. From Pudsey about 1 1/2 hrs if traffic not too bad on A64.

wavelength · 08 November 2012, 23:50

Irish Sea n Morecambe Bay, the Solway etc have big tidal ranges that deserve respect. The phrase describing the tide as coming in faster than a horse can gallop was coined with good reason. It aint Windermere but can be much more rewarding - the tides needs some thought though. Haven't looked on boatlaunch for a long while but some of the slipway descriptions for around here are a bit of a joke.
Yep golf is easier - pitch 'n' putt with social climbing.
Knott End launching on a calm day lo water:-