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WELCOME TO THE CRUISING SECTION We welcome you to this page about SSC's Cruising activities. We hope to use this space to report on the cruising escapades of some of our members. Plans for future cruises will also be welcome as will features that give us new insights into this other aspect of boating. WINTER CRUISING
TALKS in SKERRIES SAILING CLUB
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| An informal session with summary reports on
several trips (both sailing
and motor cruisers) around the Firth of Clyde last summer, a chance to
plan your own trip to this beautiful corner of the world, ideas on
charts, pilot books, where to visit. Includes short video
extracts. This is an ideal session for any sailor considering a trip to the Clyde. Several of the boats involved in this trip went all the way up the Clyde into the heart of Glasgow and can supply useful tips on this surprisingly beautiful area. |
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WEDNESDAY 9th March 2011
THE CRUISING ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND
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A chance to find out about the wide variety of exciting activities
organised by this club without a clubhouse. Find out about
them before they land on a beach near you! Many benefits for
cruising sailors! You will also have a chance to join this
association that links so many of our clubs together. Simon Parker of CAI will provide information and stories about the CAI. (See www.cruising.ie) |
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WEDNESDAY 23rd March 2011
MOTOR-CRUISING HOLLAND TO IRELAND
| Brian & Elaine Skehan give an illustrated talk about bringing
their Elling E3 motor cruiser “Boemerang” from
Holland to Ireland. They will add accounts of recent cruises
as well. A long trip in a motor-cruiser helps highlight problems that sail-boats also encounter at times. The Dutch coast is a part of mainland Europe that few of our members are familiar with. |
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Motoring up
the Newry River - 3rd May 2009
THINKING OF JOINING SKERRIES SAILING CLUB?
Here is an excellent chance to come along and enjoy the informal atmosphere of our cruising talks, to check out the club and see if it's for you. These events also provide an excellent opportunity for skippers to find crew and for crew to find skippers. Find out what people are planning for the summer months. For any query about these talks please use the contact address given below.
Download a Talks Poster for your Club Noticeboard: POSTER
BELFAST HARBOUR WELCOMES LEISURE CRAFT
An exciting new destination has now become possible for leisure
sailors: Belfast, the beautiful capital of Ulster. The
Northern Ireland Tourist Board recently announced the availability of
40 berths right in the heart of the city, alongside the Odyssey
Pavilion. Water, electricity and waste/recycling facilities
are available with toilet access in the Odyssey during opening hours.
The City Centre is a ten-minute walk away.
Check N 54 36.28' W 005 54.87'
For further information contact 048 9055 3014 (or +44 28 90553014) Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00 or 048 9055 3504 (+44 28 9055 3504) at other times.
WHAT IS CRUISING ANYWAY?
Cruising
is essentially lounging around on boats! To the cruising
sailor
the boat becomes a floating home that can be steered from one quaint
port to another or to an isolated anchorage that time and people seem
to have forgotten.The preparation for such studied inactivity can take a long time. The boat itself has to be up to the challenge of long sea voyages. Safety is paramount and everything from flares to flotation devices to sail and engine condtion must be carefully checked.
Skerries is well placed for middle-distance cruising in Ireland and Britain. Two days of sailing will bring you well into Scottish waters or south to the Isles of Scilly. For shorter cruises we have beautiful Carlingford and Strangford Loughs to the north, the Isle of Man to the north-east, North Wales due east and Dublin Bay to the south.
SUITABILITY FOR CRUISING QUESTIONNAIRE
- Can you do nothing for days on end?
- Do you like sleeping in damp bedclothes?
- Did you ever get the urge to sleep under the stairs or other confined space?
- Does the smell of diesel bring a sense of nostalgia?
- When sizing up a new boat do you check the comfort of the bunks first?
- Do you sometimes get lube oil mixed up with sun-tan cream?
- Do you sometimes drive your car at 4 knots?
- Can you have a full body-wash with one cup of cold water?
- When asked about the best way to use a spinnaker do you ask, "What is a spinnaker"?
THINKING OF CRUISING TO SKERRIES?
To get
information about distances and approaches see our WAYPOINTS page.
Mooring in the bay or harbour gives ready access to our club-house as well as an excellent selection of restaurants and bars. The town centre complete with a great range of supermarkets and shops is very close to the harbour. Visit Skerries Mills or nearby Ardgillan Castle. See St. Patrick's footprint and hear the legend of St. Patrick's Goat. Picnic on one of our islands. Say hello to our many seals or view our bird-life on the islands.
CRUISING STORIES
The following links will lead you to stories of cruises done over the years by members of Skerries Sailing Club.
WANTING TO CREW?
If you wish to join the crew roster for the Cruising Section please contact the email address provided below. Similarly, those cruising skippers who are looking for crew should ensure that they indicate this to the Cruising Section.
CONTACTING THE CRUISING SECTION
We welcome your stories, photographs and other contributions for these pages.
We also welcome those who wish to join the Cruising Section and its mailing list.
MAILING LIST
If you wish to be kept informed about activities from the cruising section please contact the following address and request to be put on our list:
Your address will not be used for any other purpose other than informing you of events relating to this section.
Note that some email systems identify group mailing as "spam". We recommend that you check your spam mail-box or spam filtering system from time to time with a view to ensuring that requested mail is not reaching you.
From the dock the woman watched as the salty old sailing captain skillfully docked his boat. She was impressed that such an old man would still be sailing at his age. She decided to wait until the sailing captain disembarked. As he did, she asked him, "Captain, what is your secret to leading such a long and productive life?" "Well," he said. "I would have to say it's because I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day, drink a case of whisky every week, eat a lot of fatty foods and I never exercise." "Wow, that's amazing," the woman said. "exactly how old are you?" He answered, "Thirty-one"
