Rathlin Island

Pete Cooper · Post by **Pete Cooper** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:51 am

Please can somebody tell me where to moor here? Is there anywhere I can tie up and walk ashore, or is it an anchor and row ashore place? I am hoping to visit for the first time in September.

Telo · Post by **Telo** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:25 am

There has been a pontoon in the outer harbour area (ie outside the inner harbour but within the breakwater) for a few years. Not sure if water or leccy is connected.

Haven't been there for a couple of years, but when we have visited, we continued to use the inner harbour.

Great place to visit - good social life at McCuaig's, specially if you have a guitar/banjo etc on board...

Clyde_Wanderer · Post by **Clyde_Wanderer** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:40 pm

Pete, I dont have my guides at home but I have the N&E coasts of NI sailing guide which you are welcome to borrow for the trip.
Tried the net for info but couldent find much, but nice pic on this site, might give an indication of what to expect when going in.
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/ ... uctID=8209

Telo · Post by **Telo** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:52 pm

Have fun with Slogh na Mara; it's tricky to get the timing right (we have, perhaps once or twice).

If you get it wrong (ahem, not difficult), you'll perhaps find two standing waves of about a metre high. You might wish to have the washboards in position. Once through the first standing wave (south of Rue Point iirc), resist the temptation to turn to starboard and battle against the tide, north to the harbour. You'll be better continuing well west (through the second standing wave) before turning north (ie towards west end of the island). You'll pick up a favourable current that'll take you to Church Bay. Exciting but not dangerous imho.

magdar · Post by **magdar** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:57 pm

The pontoon in outer basin has very little water alongside the first leg from the gangway/harbour wall. The rest has good depth. I grounded
just off the pontoon at the gangway(draft 1.5m) looked over the side to see limestone boulders!
Tidal range is only a couple of feet so if there is enough water when you come in it should stay that way.
Hope you enjoy the craic

ljs · Post by **ljs** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:27 pm

Usually plenty of room on the pontoon in the outer harbour - and ok depth especially on the west side (er left as you go in). Think there's water and elec too IIRC. Plenty of tide in Rathlin Sound but it's not as scary as some make out.
Once went there to meet a poster hereabouts but he pretended his gearbox or something had broken..

Telo · Post by **Telo** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:50 pm

ljs wrote:he pretended his gearbox or something had broken..