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Displaying items by tag: St George's Channel

A family in Waterford got a big surprise at the weekend when they learned a football they’d lost in the water was found on the Welsh coast.

As the Irish Examiner reports, Aline Denton was walking on the shore near her Llanrhystud home when she spotted the ball bearing the distinctive GAA logo and the name Aoife Ní Niocaill.

After posting the discovery on her Facebook page, it took on a life of its own — and within hours Aoife’s father has spotted the image and got in touch.

He informed her how the ball had been lost as the tide turned off Woodstown beach on Sunday 10 January.

In the days since, it turns out it had been carried across St George’s Channel and the Irish Sea to the shores of Cardigan Bay.

The Irish Examiner has more on the story HERE.

Published in News Update

#Kayaking - Four friends are currently padding across St George’s Channel by kayak in an effort to turn the tide on suicide.

According to Independent.ie, the group comprising hotelier Liam Griffin and Defence Force members Stephan Happe, Araon Kearney and David Feehan was scheduled to leave Wexford this morning (Saturday 23 June) for the crossing to St David’s Head in South Wales.

The 100km route is expected to take over 13 hours to complete by this evening — a challenge and a half but one the foursome, who have trained with solo kayak record-breaker Mick O’Meara, are more than capable of handling.

Independent.ie has more on the story HERE.

Published in Kayaking
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About Electric outboard engines

The direct-drive component in electric outboard engines means that the electric motors are incredibly efficient compared to conventional marine combustion motors, operating with considerably higher torque whilst using less power.

Without any need for gears, cooling systems and moving parts the motors are maintenance free, highly efficient and economic to run.

As a result, electric boat engines are becoming more popular on Irish waters as the world transitions from fossil fuels to green energy.

To date, popular electric engine sizes have been trolling engines typically used by fishermen on lakes.

These marine engines are available in models that can be used in fresh water and sea water, for your boat or kayak.

Electric motors are Ideal for fishermen because they are quiet and create little in the way of disturbance 

Popular electric trolling models range from 30lb thrust to 55lb thrust in a range of shaft lengths.

But use is becoming broader now in 2021 and electric outboard engines are being used on small runabouts and RIBS where electric outboard engine sizes are getting bigger.

Outboard electric engines are economical and environmentally friendly. Battery technology is also improving at a rapid rate meaning they are becoming smaller and lighter and run for longer.

Built in hydro-generation provides alternative recharging options whilst under sail are also options meaning the electric outboard now has a home on the stern on small yachts and dayboats too.

As far back as 2014, Torqeedo owner Jack O'Keefe from Cork Harbour told Afloat readers of his sailing adventures in a Drascombe Coaster dinghy and how after swapping from a petrol version the rewards from his new electric outboard engine are less noise, no smells, more stowage, better sailing performance and a motor that can be started by a small child. But it's still not silent, there's a whine he says here 

Popular brands in Ireland are Torqeedo, ePropulsion, Pulsar and Minn Kota but there are more arriving all the time as the technology advances