travel to Ireland via UK

[dc51]

Hi all.

I'm considering buying a dutch barge in Holland and taking it home to Ireland by sea, via the UK. So, We need to know the obstacles, both physical and bureaucratic ? The length and beam are 50" x 12"

What's the best route to take? Can we enter the UK via the Thames? Is the beam too wide? If I can exit via the Bristol Channel, I can cross to Rosslare and enter the river system through Waterford. What about tidal conditions along the channel?

On the other hand, if the route takes us northwest, we could exit at Liverpool, Hug the coast and then the dash across to Dublin.

All advice welcome

DC

[RLWP]

What draft has this boat got?

 

Richard

[Leisure boater]

Depending on water and air draft suiting.

Dunkirk to Ramsgate then round to the Thames, K&A canal to Bristol, then hug the Welsh coast to Pembroke and nip across the Irish Sea to Waterford and the Barrow Navigation.

[dc51]

Forgot about that. 800mm and air 2.5m

[Steilsteven]

There's an article in Waterways World this month describing taking a ( new build ) barge across the Irish Sea, I'd get it put on a truck if I were you!

 

Keith

Forgot about that. 800mm and air 2.5m

That, I believe, is too tall to get under Thatcham Bridge on the K&A, possibly one at Hungerford too.

 

Keith

[Leisure boater]

Forgot about that. 800mm and air 2.5m

Forget the K&A then unless you can reduce the height.

Your now going around the South coast and bristol channel to Pembroke and depending on air draft on the Barrow (I cannot remember) you might have to head either North to Dublin or East to get on the Shannon.

The alternative is a truck but 12' bean I thing is past notification and has to be planned and escorted, one of the truck drivers will be along to give the true gen on that. The last price I heard for boat haulage from Holland was €1.5 per km + ferries X 2 as you pay for the truck to return.

[dc51]

Okay!! So your bridges are too low. Pity, the trip across the UK would have made it far more interesting. Whereas a coastal journey sound like more stress then leisure. Is there no rout further north?

If it has to go on a truck, perhaps it can be picked up and dropped off close to the port?

[RLWP]

Okay!! So your bridges are too low. Pity, the trip across the UK would have made it far more interesting. Whereas a coastal journey sound like more stress then leisure. Is there no rout further north?

If it has to go on a truck, perhaps it can be picked up and dropped off close to the port?

 

Caledonian canal? https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/canals/caledonian-canal/

 

Richard

[Leisure boater]

 

Caledonian canal? https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/canals/caledonian-canal/

 

Richard

I don't think you will save anything, long channel crossing or a run up the East coast and a short Irish sea crossing and a long run down the East coast of Ireland. I have not measured it but comming out of Den Haag is a long run in open water. I would go South coast at least if things go pair shaped there are plenty of ports to nip in.

[Alan de Enfield]

Another (possible) reason for using a truck is the paperwork.

 

You will need your Skippers ICC qualification to depart Den Haag (I was asked for it last time)

You will need international (Northern European Waters ) insurance normally " All Coastal and Inland waters contained within the area not North of 62 degress North, not South of 35 degrees North, not West of 12 Degress West andEast of 30 degress East"

Ensure you have your VAT paid certificate.

 

The Channel is allegedly the busiest waterway in the world and you need to know what you are doing (ensuring you stay in the correct traffic separation lane) if you are not confident about 'lumpy water' sailing engage a delivery skipper for a couple of weeks and not only will he ensure you arrive alive but you will learn a lot on the way.

 

Maybe you already have all of these, in which case it should be a great trip - along the South coast, up the West coast and a quick 'pop' over to Ireland.

[Sea Dog]

We've had a "dash", a "nip" now a "quick pop" across the Irish Sea. Am I alone in wondering how those can even be considered in the same sentence as anything to do with a sea voyage in a Dutch barge? I'd say it's a "plod" at best and you'll need to pick your weather very carefully. The Irish Sea can be quite a harsh environment.

[David Mack]

The length and beam are 50" x 12"

 

The airline desks at most international airports will allow you put check that in as hold baggage.

[David Mack]

 

Caledonian canal? https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/canals/caledonian-canal/

 

Richard

Leeds and Liverpool or Rochdale Canals are further south. Might be a bit tight on the dimensions but perhaps worth a look.

[Alan de Enfield]

We've had a "dash", a "nip" now a "quick pop" across the Irish Sea. Am I alone in wondering how those can even be considered in the same sentence as anything to do with a sea voyage in a Dutch barge? I'd say it's a "plod" at best and you'll need to pick your weather very carefully. The Irish Sea can be quite a harsh environment.

 

Very true - fog and shallow waters make it an interesting crossing.

Our boat was based at Holyhead, Ireland and the Isle of Man were regular Friday night trips ( for the weekend away), both were only just under 3 hours away)

The fog makes it interesting and gives a very strange perception of time and distance, I even got to thinking that "if I miss Ireland, next stop USA".

Even following the ferry I would be hesitant to cross without Radar - we once almost hit a semi-submerged 40 foot container.

Diesel at 27p-30p per litre - those were the days.

[Leisure boater]

We've had a "dash", a "nip" now a "quick pop" across the Irish Sea. Am I alone in wondering how those can even be considered in the same sentence as anything to do with a sea voyage in a Dutch barge? I'd say it's a "plod" at best and you'll need to pick your weather very carefully. The Irish Sea can be quite a harsh environment.

Sailed in that for many years the most horrible bit of water you can imagine especially when things are going wrong you don't have long before your on the 'beach'.

[dc51]

Thanks for all the tips so far quys. I'm checking again on the air draft, as 2.5 meters seems high having visited it. There's a bracket upper deck that could be for a mast that is counted.

Can anyone tell me what the air draft is at the Thatcham Bridge? is it a busy road? If it's the only problem bridge, what about craning it over?

[David Mack]

Judge for yourself:

 

 

http://canalplan.eu/gazetteer/46co

[Iain_S]

 

Caledonian canal? https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/canals/caledonian-canal/

 

Richard

 

Or Forth & Clyde Max. dimensions L 19.2m (63ft) ,B 6m (19'8"), Draught 1.83m (6ft), Air draught 3m (9'10")

Figures from Skippers' Guide.

[Alan de Enfield]

 

Or Forth & Clyde Max. dimensions L 19.2m (63ft) ,B 6m (19'8"), Draught 1.83m (6ft), Air draught 3m (9'10")

Figures from Skippers' Guide.

 

Not disputing your source but I was informed by C&RT BW Scotland that at 3 metres air-draft I wouldn't get thru.

 

I'd be interested in confirmation that I could.

I was looking at Hull to Inverness (Caledonian canal) then down the Irish sea to get back to Holyhead for a few weeks, if I could do the F&C it would save some time.

 

Length 36 fet

Beam 14 feet

Draft 4 feet

Ait draft 9' 10" (3 metres) with fairly full tanks and everything folded down.

[GUMPY]

My view is unless ypu are a very expreienced sea going skipper, the boat is specially prepared for long sea passages and you are prepared to lose it all when it goes wrong, take it by road. I have 45 years plus of sailing and boating experience under my belt and wouldn't consider the voyage round the coast in what is essentially an inland vessel.

[Alan de Enfield]

My view is unless ypu are a very expreienced sea going skipper, the boat is specially prepared for long sea passages and you are prepared to lose it all when it goes wrong, take it by road. I have 45 years plus of sailing and boating experience under my belt and wouldn't consider the voyage round the coast in what is essentially an inland vessel.

 

Seconded.

And, in addition, following an engine electrical fire resulting in the loss of one engine I now only go to see in twin-engine boats with a FULL suite of spares

[dc51]

Judge for yourself:

 

 

http://canalplan.eu/gazetteer/46co

Himmm! if onlyI could count the bricks!!

[dc51]

 

Seconded.

And, in addition, following an engine electrical fire resulting in the loss of one engine I now only go to see in twin-engine boats with a FULL suite of spares

Thanks Guys, but it's adventure we're looking for not a holiday home.

[GUMPY]

Its not adventure it's being stupid, when you get into trouble in bad weather you will also be putting the lives of the RNLI at risk when they come to rescue you.

 

Do you have any experience at all or is it your first boat?

[dc51]

Its not adventure it's being stupid, when you get into trouble in bad weather you will also be putting the lives of the RNLI at risk when they come to rescue you.

 

Do you have any experience at all or is it your first boat?

Yes I do have experience and plan to have other more experienced crew and take several necessary precautions