Charter for Irish Sea

Amphitrite · #1 03-11-09, 21:52

Hi,
I am looking for some help, hints etc for a bareboat charter in the Irish Sea. I have chartered twice out of Conwy for a week (which I loved), but I am now thinking about a port of departure further north - does anyone know of a possibility to charter a sailing yacht (35-45 ft) from the East Coast of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Northwest of England (Maryport etc)? An alternative would be somewhere on the Clyde, there seems to be some choice...

Thanks in advance...

Holger

JCP · #2 03-11-09, 22:21

I know of nothing outside N Wales.

There was a charter company in Whitehaven but I believe they stopped when the owner died.

Celtic ventures did try chartering a boat out of Dublin, but I don't know if they still do. They struck me as being very expensive. The Carlingford Sea School also used to charter but I believe they stopped.

I suspect your best bet would be a charter out of the Clyde. You can cross to Northern Ireland relatively easily.

Searush · #3 03-11-09, 23:12

There used to be several on the W coast of Scotland - Ardtalla, plus one out of Dunstaffnage I think. OK, it isn't the Irish sea, but much safer & more interesting cruising.

Nelson said "Anyone who can sail the Irish sea can sail anywhere" with good reason. Tide ranges are huge, harbours dry out, the water is shallow - so waves are short & steep, plus there are relatively few safe havens & lots of dangerous shorelines. The law of averages means it isn't a good place to insure charter boats. It also reduces the potential number of customers willing to take the risk.

Herringchoker · #4 04-11-09, 10:20

Celtic Ventures no longer operate the charter boat as it has been sold on.

Sail Northern Ireland offer skippered charter from Carrickfergus not sure about bareboat though

JimC · #5 04-11-09, 15:38

Most of my sailing is in the Irish sea because I live in Lancashire and my boat is based on the Lancashire coast. To be honest though, if I was chartering for a holiday and could pick and choose my area, this probably wouldn't be my choice.

Amphitrite · #6 04-11-09, 20:59

Thank you very much for the input - I will have a go a Sail Northern Ireland, but probably I will look further north.

However, on two cruises from Conwy I really liked the Irish Sea (round Anglesey and to the IoM) and would be happy to see more - friendly people, empty waters and harbours, interesting tides....

Searush · #7 04-11-09, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amphitrite

Thank you very much for the input - I will have a go a Sail Northern Ireland, but probably I will look further north.

However, on two cruises from Conwy I really liked the Irish Sea (round Anglesey and to the IoM) and would be happy to see more - friendly people, empty waters and harbours, interesting tides....

This is all true - and on the Irish side x2. But the scenery is not so good as you move further north & the harbours get trickier & the water shallower.