The fleet makes a textbook crossing to Ireland and Howth Marina
Position 53° 23.36 N 006° 04.07 W Howth Marina, Ireland
Here we are in Howth, pronounced Hooth (we think), after four and a half hours in the Irish Sea. The weather was fantastic. It wasn’t warm but very little wind meant the crossing to Ireland was made in only slight seas.
The four boats at Conwy all departed on time at 10am, and had to fight against the tide, which was running at about 7 knots. The scenery leaving this part of Wales is stunning – all green fields and dramatic bluffs. Once clear of the channel, we made passage to the northernmost tip of Anglesey, before turning almost due west and into the Irish Sea proper.
After some worry about what kind of conditions we would encounter in the Irish Sea, it was a pleasure to find only the mildest of sea states, meaning all four boats from Conwy could open up and cruise comfortably at just over 20 knots.
Dragonfly was the first to arrive in Howth, after crossing from Milford Haven. Calm Voyager cruised into the marina at just after 3pm, followed closely by the remaining three boats, meaning the entire fleet is assembled for the first time.
The only problem so far has been the marina’s diesel supply running dry, but we’ve been promised a delivery tomorrow, so it shouldn’t delay our move to Carlingford Lough on Wednesday.
So it’s three nights here, and with Dublin so close, it’s a fair bet all crews will be eager to get into the Irish capital as soon as possible to try, amongst other things, the Guinness.
Right now the sky has greyed somewhat, and rain feels likely. But that won’t spoil anyone’s good mood after what can only be described as a perfect crossing of the Irish Sea.
