Chowder Run

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Occasionally there is no better way to spend a day than to sail across the bay to Ballyvaughan for a bowl of chowder in Monk’s Pub. Particularly with good company on the trip. The distance is just under 12 NM and makes a lovely day trip. It is a straightforward sail until west of Finavarra Point. From there on, the course needs to be treated with care as there is a fairly narrow winding channel leading to the pier and you need to find the channel so as to avoid the shoals on either side. Green Island and Gall Island (often covered) are hazards to be left to port on the way in. John Preisler’s pilotage notes give a good guide to aim for the prominent tower of Merlin Park Hospital on the return leg which will bring you right on to Cockle rock cardinal mark from Ballyv.

Best access to Ballyvaughan Bay is two hours either side of HW. Both piers dry.