Ireland to Scotland Dinghy Cruise Sail. Day 1/3 Expedition/pilgrimage from Ireland to Iona

Day 1/3 This video is about our mission to cross the sea from Ireland to Scotland in a hand stitched boat under oar and sail in the spirit of st Columba.
An open boat exposed to the Atlantic carries a number of real risks. In recent years, very few people have done it. Even though we're laughing and joking, we didn't take it lightly. Hundreds of hours of training, thousands of pounds, and seven years of preparation went into making this expedition pilgrimage possible.
Let me set the scene.
Let me introduce you to the crew. It is the crew that makes the difference. Here are Tim and Reuben, the boat crew. Jo and Paul are the land crew. It was because of their mindset that they were invited. Their minds are as tough as nails. No matter what problem you throw at them, they'll figure out a way to solve it. Each knows the sea and can sail. They are grafters and do things others shrink back from. As an example, I know Tim and Reuben would row 22 miles across the Irish channel. They would rib me for it, but they are the tye of people who get a job done.
We each have our style. In my mind, I think of them like the old show the ‘A team’. Reuben is like our “Mad Murdoch”, Tim is our , quit your jibber jabber “BA Barcus”, Jo is our ‘Face’ the fixer with Paul, assisting and I suppose I’m an inadequate version of Hannibal ‘The planner’. I don’t even have a cigar.
Then there’s our silent partner, the boat. Phoenix is a 40 year old 16 foot mirror dinghy made from hand stitched 4 mm plywood. She’s like a giant kayak. With a top speed of 7.5 knots weighing in at 120kg carrying, 150kg of kit and 200kg of people.
The sea.
We will have to contend with the sea. She is both a beautiful and uncompromisingly brutal. In Pheonix you are only ever 5 inches away from the full force of sea.
We had the sea between us and our goal: The island of Iona.
And since this is a pilgrimage inwardly I tried to did this with Christ as my companion and guide.
We each had a pilgrimage expedition to travel.
Here is our story.
Day 2 video • Ireland to Iona Day 2/...

[@roxyknight4909]

What a cool adventure ... sailing with friends ... happy banter ... so lovely

[@kon6545]

My friend has a 27 foot sailing yacht based at Belfast Lough, he's scared to sail to Isle of Man...I will have to show him.this video. Very impressive and loved the video! 👍

[@hamrite]

Geez, you really got to have faith getting that patch fixed and getting ready for the next run !!!!

[@stevegordenier2104]

Fantastic trip. I really envy you. I sail a 15 foot Mutineer dinghy in the Pacific Northwest. Have often thought about something like this. Maybe it will inspire me to do something similar. Well done!

[@robingraham6820]

Very impressive that such a small ship has such a well stocked galley. Fresh lemons to compliment the catch of the day, that will be hard to beat.

[@DariusNmN]

They laughed at me for bringing the lemon when I mentioned it when we packed. I thought it was frivolous. But it was a winner

[@hughmichael2920]

Great adventure and nicely made video. Looking forward to more!

[@CaptainOdark30]

well done gentlemen... well done.

[@canyonhaverfield2201]

Thank you..terrific fun, and Im looking forward to more frim you blokes🎈

[@boomaroo22]

Wonderful great video Simplicity at its best

[@fargarden]

Well done gentlemen. A fine adventure. Looking forward to the next episode

[@DariusNmN]

Thanks.

[@sandracarrigan5796]

Congratulations, Darius and everyone. Well done intrepid adventures !!! :) :)

[@DariusNmN]

Thanks Sandra

[@charliehitchen5263]

Excellent. Thoroughly enjoyable. A great adventure.

[@DariusNmN]

Thank you. I’ve enjoyed watching your trips too

[@jacobthemodelfarm2018]

An outstanding video. Great team👍 Brilliant videography. Nice commentary. Will defo recommend this one.

[@rodneyjordan6745]

Well done. Gods not dead. Fantastic trip. Great group.

[@MrRugbylane]

Beautiful Boat - Super Adventure. Wonderful

[@wayfarerchris.4116]

That was great Darius well done to you guys 👍. All that planning and preparation definitely paid off. Looking forward to the next bit, thanks for sharing 👍.

[@DariusNmN]

Thank you

[@jumpyair6705]

My father and I recently did Guernsey to St Malo ( stopping at islands in-between )In a Wayfarer, then headed down to Nantes... we had an engine and used it plenty, so I have so much respect and admiration for all of you who did this all without engine power now my challenge is making the video on my other channel Sailing Thingy.

[@DariusNmN]

A very similar crossing!

[@jumpyair6705]

@@DariusNmN Indeed!

[@voornaam3191]

Engine? You are repeating history. No more sailing boats, because that engine is so reliable and fast. Watch out, I could get angry at you. Buy a speedboat, please, and unsubscribe from the open boat sailing club. Yuck! Do you understand? Sure sometimes safety is at risk without an engine. Maybe you should not go there.

[@afloatinawoodenboat]

Incredible adventurers! And catching tea as well! Thanks so much for making this film. Looking forwards to part 2.

[@DariusNmN]

Thank you. I loved your video about going to see snake island with the author. That’s like sailing around the Lake District with Arthur Ransom!

[@afloatinawoodenboat]

@@DariusNmN it really was! Thanks for watching that one :) it was a great day.

[@neilparks2651]

Love the tone of the video and the camera work - bravo!!

[@normanfawley7379]

Great stuff !

[@certifiednutter]

Great story, but I have take exception to just of your statements. My Dad and I built a Mirror 16 in 1967. We sailed it mainly in N Wales and off the Gower in S Wales. On many occasion we had her up on the plane at "well over 12 knots" according to the safety boat escorting the race. Maybe your gear holds to back to only 7 knots, but unloaded she will fly.

[@knucker4931]

Well done! You made it look easy. All the planning and preparation no doubt.

[@DariusNmN]

I was a bit like a neurotic nervous first time parent with their first baby. A lot of preparation. Checking re checking and precautions.

[@knucker4931]

@@DariusNmN well, it definitely payed off. I'm looking forward to the next part!

[@AlanFreestone]

What a fantastic adventure.

[@infomax2008]

Very good video love it! I have a simular plan for my own retirement! The dinghy is in the garage. Modification and training need to start. 🙂

[@jakedonnely4094]

Great voyage.

[@steverich7671]

My dad built a mirror 16 dinghy 55 years ago. We did sail her once from Neyland on the Milford Haven waterway to Tenby. It gave me quite a stir seeing the boat again. I wish I could remember what her sail number was.

[@unegrandechaine]

Génial ! Hello from France !

[@DariusNmN]

Thx. Hello from Scotland.

[@frederickmulder280]

I didn’t know there was a Mirror 16 until just now. Mirrors of any kind are relatively rare in the U.S.

[@voornaam3191]

You Yankies... No idea the UK even exists, huh?

[@DinghyCruisingKingfisher]

Well done Darius and crew. Bit of a worry that leak! Great sailing though…

[@DariusNmN]

I think we sorted the leak

[@secretsquirrel6308]

Christ is King. Well done, men. The singing was lovely.

[@DonaldGregg-xu1bp]

I sailed a mirror 16 when I was a kid with my dad. Fast boat but a bit tender. Using this boat for this trip would be exciting.

[@ushoys]

I did too. We had a Mirror 16 in 1970-71.

[@DariusNmN]

“A bit tender” is a perfect description of her hull!

[@SailingSula]

very good gents 😊

[@bigjoebob]

Brilliant

[@ZarzyckiRoSSY]

Great! Well done :‐) I really enjoyed your video. Sail safe! Greetings from Poland

[@DariusNmN]

Thanks. Good luck with your boat build

[@ZarzyckiRoSSY]

@@DariusNmN Thank you :-)

[@jvkanufan8115]

Seems like Mirrors can do anything!

[@yossarianmnichols9641]

I have a CLC 17 ft dory stitched by hand. It weighs 54 kg without the mast and has a lug sail with a custom made mast longer the the stock. I only have one reef in the sail as it was stock. I weigh way more than the boat so I am rolling ballast. So far only fresh water but the hunger is growing. Would be a good boat for a viking funeral but that ceremony has to be scheduled and not by poor judgement.

[@DariusNmN]

Sounds like an interesting boat

[@branni6538]

Darius, have you watched the voyage by Tim Severin where he replicates the boat and voyage of st brendan? It's here on youtube. It's fantastic! Thanks for sharing your journeys I've enjoyed watching them!

[@markdwestwood]

Great video! I’ve got a 16’ Mark 2 Wayfarer and I’m hoping to do coastal trips on the west of Scotland in the next couple of years, when I’ve built up some more experience. Love the jokes and banter - you guys should have replaced Clarkson, Hammond and May on Top Gear! 😂

[@DariusNmN]

Hilarious :). Thanks for the complement. Makes me wonder which one is May?

[@johnhalpin1300]

@markdwestwood Did you end up doing any trips? I'm based on the west coast too, with a mkii Wayfarer if you need a cruising buddy!

[@markdwestwood]

@@johnhalpin1300 Hi John, not in the Wayfarer yet. We joined Coniston Sailing Club and have been getting more experience on the water there in different conditions. Hoping to do a couple of expeditions on other Lakes and then get up to Scotland next year for a sail on a Loch or possibly on the Firth of Clyde. I’ve sailed bigger yachts around there so know the area quite well. We’ve also joined the Dinghy Cruising Association and they organise some group expeditions, so will probably join one of those first. Baby steps hey.

[@adventures.with.heather]

Wow what an adventure! Well done 👏

[@DariusNmN]

I looked at your channel and your sailing. Great job. Love the video. Also great editing.

[@adventures.with.heather]

@@DariusNmN it’s always good to get inspiration. I really enjoyed your video. Maybe we will try a trip from Ireland to Scotland on our leader dinghy but I think actually, I will get a bigger boat myself 😊

[@adventures.with.heather]

If you have ever come across the book ‘ocean crossing wayfarer’ it’s reminiscent of those adventures.

[@DariusNmN]

@@adventures.with.heather The advantage the Mirror 16 has over typical dinghy’s is that she has a built in ‘lifeboats worth of buoyancy under the deck so if she’s swamped or holed she will still sail normally. So make sure you get a boat with a lot of sealed bouyancy!

[@DariusNmN]

@@adventures.with.heather yes. Is that the one where he capsized 3 times in a force 8+? I wouldn’t sail in across an ocean or North Sea with Pheonix.

[@gordoncraig8238]

Well done. That's my ambition for the 14' Ilur I built.

[@DariusNmN]

They look beautiful and very practical. Building one must have been a great experience. Where will you sail her?

[@gordoncraig8238]

@@DariusNmN I'm going to join a Strangford sailing club, but they all only accept new members in January. I've been out testing the oars and outboard already. Strangford looks a good place to learn a lugsail. I learned to sail in Scotland and would love to get there again.

[@gordoncraig8238]

@@DariusNmN I joined a sailing club on Strangford Lough. Should be a good place to practice.

[@vindolanda6974]

No capsizes? Well done. I used to sail in Sydney Harbour, that was hard enough, I don't know how people can sail dinghies on the open ocean.

[@DariusNmN]

No capsizes. Tim was a bit disappointed. But I would have sailed defensively and not even entertained the option of capsize. Would have just taken sails down and rowed.

[@andrebauer576]

When exactly did you start? Great adventure. I've got a 7.75m German 20m2 Jollenkreuzer (kind of dinghy cruiser translated with a dinghy hull, iron centreboard and rudder) Planning to build a lighter mast in the winter and then do the German islands and many more destinations all over Europe including some Atlantic waters in Brittany. What's been the wave height this day. It's always very difficult to guess from the video as the movement and the varying size of the boats here on YT make it rather difficult.

[@DariusNmN]

We set off from Balintoy 8am 6th September 2022

[@cwwiss1]

Used to sail an Enterprise which is basically the same boat and just love what you are doing here. It was always my dream to do something similar. At least I got to share your dream thank you. Good Luck and fair winds.

[@DariusNmN]

I’m glad. That’s why I put the video up. Because I knew if I hadn’t done it I would at least like to experience the story.

[@SailingWithDave]

Hi Darius. Very surprised I only just found you and your boat!!! What a great adventure and what a great boat. That hull speed is phenomenal. I still have my Mirror but currently use my Drascombe Lugger for my adventures and have sailed the seas around Anglesey at he moment. This is exactly what i'm aiming for one day though. May I ask a few questions? Do you know what the spec / size / thickness of the aluminium is on your boom. I've found that the Lugger goes so much better with a boom, especially in lighter airs but want to try and replace the wooden one I have with an aluminium one if possible but i'm struggling with the spec I need. Overspeccing is what I normally do but I think it will just be too heavy if I do that! Is the 16ft Mirror stable. Like Wayfarer stable as its only 40KG under the weight of the Wayfarer. However with that added 150KG, you're nearly at Lugger weight. I tend to carry very little kit on mine for trips to keep her light and nimble. Many thanks for the video Dave

[@grahamnewton4409]

Hi loving the story... I bought a Mirror 16 a few years ago and sadly it was not viable so I have all fittings and an aluminium luf furling spa, if you need more original spare please contact me!

[@davidmeijer1645]

How does a Mirror 16 compare to a Wayfarer for speed and stability?

[@juemuri5448]

schönes video...da gehört schon viel mut dazu,,,das boot ist ja nicht selbstaufrichtend...so stelle ich mir segeln vor...

[@hughoneill6555]

I hear its 12miles I'm looking to swim it I live in Ireland and want to know your thoughts how dangerous is the sea. Can you predict it, which way does the current go?

[@DariusNmN]

I think it’s more like 20 miles. I have it in the video on a chart. Swimming it would be similar distance to swimming the channel. The challenge will be tides and swell from the North Sea. We were very fortunate to have an easterly wind that came off the land. Although it was strong there wasn’t a big swell or waves. So I’d bight recommend waiting for and easterly. Tides are predictable with the tidal flow charts. From Balintoy we avoided the worst of the tidal falls that are treacherous around there. Buy tidal flow is a very big factor in the passage. We timed it carefully. I’d probably speak to the folk who swim the channel and see how they would factor this north channel to get more detail.

[@peterrobey1654]

Great spirit you have. "Brexit destroyed the economy"! I sail a 15ft Marshall Catboat in Narragansett Bay and I know what you mean about feeling the swell once you get outside the Bay.

[@SimonLeslieEllis]

No burgee?

[@DariusNmN]

Not necessary

[@seandepagnier]

how many people on that boat?!

[@DariusNmN]

Yes. Three. I’ve done it with four before.

[@alloomis1635]

would have been fun, except you live in a cold climate.

[@normanday5064]

Is the boat not a Miracle rather than a Mirror?

[@DariusNmN]

Same designer. It definitely a Mirror 16. The miracle is 14 ft

[@mitchellsmith4690]

All these anti-religious comments make me wonder what their reactions would have been if the OP had mentioned any other world view--or are they just bigoted against Christians?

[@itsConflan]

as soon as he started thanking god i had to stop, preperation and logic should be all you need and if you rely on god to do all the hard work its already too late for you.

[@mitchellsmith4690]

After speaking of their years of preparation and thinking, showing their chart work, etc, you say this ? A bit of anti-religious bigotry, perhaps.

[@itsConflan]

@@mitchellsmith4690i didnt ask you

[@mitchellsmith4690]

@@itsConflan You put it out in a public comment box, therefor inviting comment. We didn't ask for your6 bigoted remarks.

[@TheRealNeill]

I'm sure I would have enjoyed this but religion turns me right off. I'm out at 2:22

[@greglenoir7674]

Too bad you had to start preaching. 😔

[@mitchellsmith4690]

I watched the whole thing...where, exactly, did he start preaching?

[@sublimesailingnewzealand5653]

Awesome stuff!