Best idiot proof passage past Luing

garvellachs said:
Are those soundings in feet? Or fathoms?
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Good question. Let me check ...

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It's in the NLS: https://maps.nls.uk/view/74401020
 
wully1 said:
I do so hope this is your current chart..
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Not yet, but I am seriously tempted to order a copy. NLS will do a full size one for about a tenner. I normally go through using the chartlet in my 1991 CCC guide. For the north entry to the Sound of Ulva I prefer the 1936 edition.
 
As I’ve already said, Cuan Sound is a highlight of the west coast and not to be missed.

I kept a boat in Craobh Haven for some years and Cuan was the normal exit and entry passage most of the time. Many people in Craobh would also routinely use it. I know one guy who, when wind was right, would sail through, single handed. I was following him once, west to east, and he took the inside passage past the hidden rock, under sail. I was motoring (as is sensible there) and chickened out of following him.

The critical thing is to get the timing right, but you do have a large window. Just after the tide turns is simplest but later is ok. I did once get my tides wrong and went through, east to west, against the tide. I was doing ok until I was just before the pylons, and then I seemed to stand still forever. I reckon I had about 4 knots against me and did manage to crawl out.

However, I was once going east with the tide and after getting past Cleat rock saw another yacht coming towards me. I was well clear of him but a boat about 200 yards behind me and also heading east was set to meet the errant yacht right at the turn for Cleat rock. As they approached each other, and almost due north of Cleat, the boat going the wrong way suddenly pirouetted to port. I couldn’t see what happened after but certainly looked close and scary.

Getting the tides, and weather, right in Scotland is the key. Even the Corryvrecken is a doddle if you time it right. Half hour of slack water at neaps. I once even took an LM27 through the Black Dog (although I probably wouldn’t repeat that - it had been a boring day, no wind, low cloud, flat sea and I was in the right place at the right time).
 
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I sailed in through Cuan singlehanded on my last sail of last season. Wind and tide were perfect but I did have the engine running (but not in gear) just in case. On other occasions things have been different. My teapot lid is broken since the teapot flew across the cabin some years ago when leaving Cuan against a westerly swell.
 
oldgitofthewest said:
On other occasions things have been different. My teapot lid is broken since the teapot flew across the cabin some years ago when leaving Cuan against a westerly swell.
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That bit between Luing, Seil and Easdale is one of the nastiest around. Even on apparently nice days it always seems to have a wicked chop to it.
 
Went through Cuan single-handed and backwards on the Round Shuna feeder race. Nae probs, the water tends to flow round rocks and shoots you out the other end. Mind you, I did bounce off the rock south of Eich Donna a wee while after.
 
I haven't been through Cuan in many years.
I used to enjoy it, they say you can see the slope or difference in the water. Not sure if its true. It sounds nice any way.

One of these days I have to get myself a boat in the area.:)
 
As others have mentioned, it is not just the strong currents you have to watch, it how they interact with the wind and waves that can be more significant. I found Ken Endeans's book "Coastal Turmoil" a really useful book to explain why sometimes the waters at the north end of Luing Sound or near Lady Rock are so smooth you wonder what the fuss is all about and then another time, you find out why there are some little squiggles on the chart. Forewarned is forearmed.
 
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