Any tips for the Caledonian Canal?

[Jeremy_W]

I'm chartering in the Caledonian Canal in a week's time. Has anyone any tips for places to see, navigational hazards (apart from anything flying a Blakes burgee or Union Jack, obviously) etc? I've already heard that the British Waterways guide is very good.

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[Shanty]

I live near the NE end of the canal, & its my regular road to the West Coast. some pointers:

1. Don't rush - a lot of charter folk seem to have difficulty in adjusting from driving up to Inverness at 70mph to cruising at 5 knots

2. Very few static navigational hazards, and they are all well marked - follow the buoyage & you will find it difficult to go wrong. Watch out going through Loch Oich, as most of the loch is shallow - stick to the buoyed channel & you will be OK

3. The major mobile navigational hazard is other charter boats - particularly the motor cruisers. Many of them will be driven by folk who have never helmed any sort of boat before - give them plenty of room & expect the unexpected.

4. Places to see - apart from the stretch around Inverness, just about all of the canal is scenically stunning

5. Get hold of the Skipper's Guide. It is excellent - the only navaid you will need, and it gives useful pointers to places to eat / places to visit ashore. You can download a copy from <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk>http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk</A>

Who are you chartering from / what are you chartering?

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[Jeremy_W]

Thanks for that. I had booked a YCA29 from West Highland Sailing (Blakes) at Laggan Locks, but they rang on Tuesday to give me a free upgrade to a Sigma 33C.
I'm certainly in no mood to rush as the trip's really just initial crew training for some more ambitious chartering next year.

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[claymore]

That sounds a good upgrade and ideal in that you'll have more of a chance of outrunning Nessie should the noble beast appear

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Claymore
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[Ohdrat]

The wind.. it usually blows up or down the canal so you are either beating or running.. when running beware wind shifts coming from the glens that join the great glen.. If running do not hug the shore as it gives you more room should you need to jibe..

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[claymore]

The jibes are here - he'll be there so those will be Gybes. Claymore - Man of Letters and Degree covering English. All round good egg and smart arse, paricularly on Sundays when locked in study attempting to prepare for forthcoming intake of students and wondering where the summer went

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Claymore
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[david_e]

Re: Claymore

Is he also a man of many miles? Was it you my friends spotted in Malahide this summer?

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[Ohdrat]

ooops I got jet lag ..i'd just flown in from Brighton.. don't ask one of those family things.. OK I admit it my spelling is lousey.. AND I have relatives in Brighton!.. that's my cred scuppered!

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[Strathglass]

Remember that this is the midgie season up here. If you can try to get some Avon 'skin so soft' it really works.

The only place you have to pay to berth is a Drumnadrochit. Even the electricity there is on top of the berthing fees.

Try and avoid the small harbour at the Clansman Motel on the north side on Loch Ness in heavy weather. I have had to dig out hired craft from there then repair them more than once.

If you are near the North end of Loch Ness and the wind is blowing the usual south west it is safer to go into the canal at Lochend and moor at one of the jettys on the north bank between the weir and Dochgarroch locks.
Don't set your heart on covering the whole of Loch Ness in one week, it can be done but the weather will dictate what you do.

From Laggan you will presumabely head North towards Inverness. There is a shop at Seven Sisters and several at Fort Augustus. Also, at Inverness just past Calley Marina, before the locks to the Muirton basin (which is as far at you are allowed to go) you will be within 5 mins walking distance from a COOP supermarket and a B&Q.

The Sigma 33 at Laggan is one of the masthead rigged cruising versions. It is much less lively than the more normal racing one.

The lock keepers are all very friendly and helpful.

I am sure you won't, but, when you come to a bridge behind one of the smaller cruisers remember you have a mast and wait for it to open. In the past some people have forgotten.

The briefing at Laggan will fill you in with most of the details.

It is a most relaxing experience.

ps. I live about 12 miles due west from Drumnadrochit

Enjoy yourself

Iain

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[claymore]

Re: Claymore

No - not me - twas the usurper, but I laid him low in the Kyles of Bute and put a stop to his wee game. Drinking what was rightfully mine - the rascal.

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Claymore
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[claymore]

Skin so Soft

At the risk of being taken to the cleaners by Avon - 'skin so soft' is a terribly toxic brew. I know it works and is probably responsible for turning a lot of big hairy foresters a bit the other way - but you'd be far better off with Moziguard or Eureka which are based on natural oils rather than a petro-chemical bi-product.
There thats my bit - see you in Court!!

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Claymore
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[Strathglass]

Re: Skin so Soft

You'r probably right but I presume thet Avon are gloryifyin in the publicity.
Skin so soft doesn't work for everyone, I used to use Autan but can't find it locally and all the concoptions sold by the village shop don't work on me. I'm afraid I must stick to the Avon stuff just now.

cheers

Iain

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[Twister_Ken]

Boat name

Anyone got a tender or a RIB called Avon Lady?

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[Twister_Ken]

Semantics

>All round good egg and smart arse<

Smart arse does not, presumably, convey the same meaning as smartarse?

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[claymore]

Re: Semantics

Semantics indeed
Knock Knock -
Whose there..
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Avon - Your Bell's knackered.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[Jeremy_W]

Thanks for all the advice.

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