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.

SUMMER 2008 PLANS

Since many cruising sailors like to accompany organised races we thought this would be a good kicking-off point for planning cruises in company. The following table shows the pre-arranged offshore trophy cruiser races as organised by Skerries Sailing Club for the coming season. Starting times are race start times. The contact names provided are from the Cruising Section and these members have offered to be co-ordinating contact people for the crusing boats - not for those participating in the races. Obviously it is important that those cruising should not interfere with race activities. (We also made a little informal rule that those cruising boats that started at the same time as racing cruisers and make the full course under sail should not get to the line ahead of the racers. :) Another is that any cruising boat caught using a spinnaker will be forgiven.)

DATETRIPTIMECONTACT
Sat 3 MaySkerries to Carlingford10:00Katy Corbett
Fri 30 MaySkerries to Isle of Man20:00Garry Owens
Sat 14 JuneSkerries-Lambay-Rockabill-Balbriggan22:00
Sat 19 JulyHowth to Skerries10:00
Sat 2 AugSkerries to Wicklow08:00Garry Owens
Sat 13 SeptSkerries to Poolbeg08:00

We would hope to make other cruising plans this summer. The above is merely a start!

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"?

CRUISING SECTION MEETINGS

The very first meeting of the cruising section was held in the sailing club on the 4th March 2008 with a turn-out of about 30 people.  Brian Lennon welcomed everyone to the newly restored bar area and thanked the SSC committee for its support in this new development.  Suggestions about themes for the cruising section included: cruising in company, buying and selling boats (especially the legal aspects), inland waterways, crew.  It was also agreed that we could aim at meeting roughly once a month over the winter and further plans can emerge from these.  All those interested in joining the Cruising Section provided basic details about themselves and their boats on a short form and this information will be made available to all the Cruising Section members.

The meeting concluded with a very fine presentation by Garry Owens on his recent cruise around the Western Islands of Scotland.   Garry has the knack of  giving both the human and the technical sides of a cruise in a way that holds an audience.


THINKING OF CRUISING TO SKERRIES?

To get information about distances and approaches see our WAYPOINTS page.

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 Crusing 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

Cruising Section Email

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.

 NAUTICAL HUMOUR

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"