NormanS
Well-Known Member
Just in case there are some genuinely confused sassenachs on here, there are Tarberts or Tarbets all over the West Coast. They are narrow necks of land, so they generally have sea lochs on each side.
Best route for a charter week sailing cruise to Islay?
- Thread starter Pickletillum
- Start date
Just in case there are some genuinely confused sassenachs on here, there are Tarberts or Tarbets all over the West Coast. They are narrow necks of land, so they generally have sea lochs on each side.
Ravi
Well-Known Member
It is. And it is also on Jura!!!! (A different one) Those Vikings had no imagination!
The proliferation of Loch Tarberts is because 'tarbet' is the name that the Vikings gave to any a piece of land that they hauled their boats across to avoid sailing the 'long way round'. When you are spending all your time looting and plundering, I suppose you don't have much time for canal building.
In response to the OP.
We did a similar one week trip setting off from Craobh. It gives you an option of staying 'inside', in more sheltered waters or on the outside of the various (Corrievrechan, Cuan, etc.) sounds according to the conditions. From there, you would be able to get down to Islay and back in a week.
But, if wind and tide doesn't favour that particular passage, there is an abundance of interesting and beautiful alternatives.
As you probably know, the tides can be quite fun (especially in the sounds) so, unless a bucking roller coaster ride through the Corrievrechan is your idea of fun, you may want to book your trip for neaps.
Pickletillum
New Member
Well a massive thanks for all the replies. This has been a brilliant first post experience. No doubt I will have many more questions closer to the date. I really appreciate the feedback on tides etc. My partner and I just did the first two days of our dayskip practical last weekend in Force 9 / 10. Big waves all the way to Yarmouth against the tide, surfing back, I loved it, so exhilotrating, but a few tears from my partner that evening. And this trip is panned with lesser experienced crew who I want to have a great time so they will do it again next year, and next, and - cannea wait!
Solwaycruiser
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't start from the Clyde. It would mean hoping for good weather to do the MoK (twice) or spend the money and time to do the Crinan.
Much easier and better for your chosen destination to start from Craobh/ Ardfern/ Crinan area. Also would stay away from the beginning or end of season. Days too short and too much chance of cold wet weather.
Great cruising area and hopefully a suitable boat for you is available to charter.
Much easier and better for your chosen destination to start from Craobh/ Ardfern/ Crinan area. Also would stay away from the beginning or end of season. Days too short and too much chance of cold wet weather.
Great cruising area and hopefully a suitable boat for you is available to charter.
NormanS
Well-Known Member
If you set off with a fixed destination, and then, due to weather conditions, you can't get there, you're disappointed. I am often on the west side of Harris, and often meet yachtsmen, who although they are in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, are going about with their chins tripping them, because they want to go to St Kilda, and the weather isn't suitable. It's not seamanlike to say you are going "to" somewhere. It upsets the Weather Gods. I'm sure you know all that already
claymore
Well-Known Member
Well, I doubt whether Wully believes in Weather Gods.
[70521]
Well-Known Member
Personally, May or June would be months of choice.
wully1
Well-Known Member
OK, " I'm not going to the pub tonight, I'm going towards the pub". Under my own steam , not on a ferry. Maybe on skis the way it's snowing here.
A1Sailor
...
I think you mean Canna wait - another potential destination for the future!
I'm not sure Loch Tarbert on Jura is ever referred to as "West Loch Tarbert" although it is, of course, on the west side of Jura. I would second it as one of the lovely places you might add to your itinerary. You'll most certainly end up anchored between a rock and a hard place there.
claymore
Well-Known Member
I think its ok to say you are going to the pub. Probably, once done, its more seamanlike to say 'I'm going towards home'
Trop Cher
Well-Known Member
Or you could just forget the Islay thing all together...train to Mallaig, ferry to Armadale and charter a yacht from there. Then you could head round to Canna, visit Talisker distillery and then head on up to Loch Tarbet (Harris style) and then continue down the other side of Skye. 
You won't regret it!
You won't regret it!
CFarr
Well-Known Member
As others have said, don't predetermine your destination. Last year we really wanted to go south from Craobh to do Islay, Gigha, the loch on the west of Jura etc but, the wind and tides said no.
We ended up on Barra!
It can be tricky anywhere the first time you sail as skip and I was glad I'd sailed in the area a few times with pro's first so I knew of places where I could run to anchor if necessary, and it was!
Definitely charter from Ardfern, Craobh or Oban if you want to sail in the Sound.
Good luck.
We ended up on Barra!
It can be tricky anywhere the first time you sail as skip and I was glad I'd sailed in the area a few times with pro's first so I knew of places where I could run to anchor if necessary, and it was!
Definitely charter from Ardfern, Craobh or Oban if you want to sail in the Sound.
Good luck.
Ravi
Well-Known Member
The best adventures in life are unplanned!
Also, to the OP..... You probably have one already but, if not, the Clyde Cruising Club pilot (Kintyre to Ardnamurchan) wil provide you with plenty of pleasurable hours sussing out the various options while you await your trip.
pagoda
Well-Known Member
Very true - and the entrance into WLT on the west side of Jura concentrates the mind on the way in- or out. Could be scary in much of a westerly. having said that, once inside- it feels remote and tranquil. I think the best thing to remember is to not spend ALL your time getting somewhere, just to have to turn round and retreat. Starting west of Kintyre is not a bad idea at all
Graeme
A1Sailor
...
Very true - and the entrance into WLT on the west side of Jura concentrates the mind on the way in- or out. Could be scary in much of a westerly. having said that, once inside- it feels remote and tranquil. I think the best thing to remember is to not spend ALL your time getting somewhere, just to have to turn round and retreat. Starting west of Kintyre is not a bad idea at all
Graeme
+1. It took about an hour of very careful rock dodging to get to the top of Loch Tarbert, Jura; and an hour to get out again having seen what it was like when the water went away!
Last edited:
paulrae
Well-Known Member
OK, Ayrshire myopia acknowledged. I was thinking of ease of transport before and after the charter. As is usually the case, others have provided better advice. If you're set on Islay, charter from Ardfern. Shorter sailing distances and more flexibility in the schedule to accommodate bad weather. I'd also recommend a week on the Clyde if you can be persuaded away from the Islay quest. Wholeheartedly endorse the suggestion to procure the CCC Cruising Guide.
Enjoy the trip.
Enjoy the trip.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
That is exactly the reason why you are better choosing a starting base - and then cruising gently around from there wherever the weather and tides suit. Loads of fantastic places within short hops in the Clyde or West Coast, depending on preference.
If the tides and winds favour Islay that's a bonus. If not its a different bonus. Certainly avoid arranging to meet people at a fixed location and date if you want your crew to come again. Softly softly and tick off the locations over 10 years of repeat trips. IMHO
stevepick
...
You would be better basing yourself on the west coast to cruise to Islay. From Oban or Ardfern you could have a great weeks sailing in the firth of lorn and sound of jura area.I know the people who run Alba sailing in dunstaffnage. They are good. I would get on the phone sooner rather than later , the boats will already be getting booked up, and you may not meet the experience levels they require ( you usually need coastal skipper plus "mate" on board who can take over if needed). Sorry if that puts a damper on your plans, most of the charter companies can set you up with skipper to enable your trip , and that can be a valuable learning experience in itself.
Ravi
Well-Known Member
May I refer the OP to a wonderful forum called www.bluemoment.com.
Like this forum, it is populated by wise, witty and caring folk but, for some reason, that particular forum seems to have been taken siege by the finest Scottish sailors on the West Coast. (When, I say "finest", I mean the most entertaining and knowledgeable. They may well be duffers on board for all I know.)
Anyway, every time I have made passages up the West or East Coast of Scotland, I have benefited from the considerable local knowledge on that forum. And now, even when my sailing is in sunnier climes, I find myself going back there. It is a quite unique sailing forum in that it is always friendly and humorous and the camaraderie on there is great fun, even if you are just lurking.
So, as well as the advice on here, you could do worse than make a visit to that site and see what you think. I think that you will find some very useful and friendly local knowledge.
Like this forum, it is populated by wise, witty and caring folk but, for some reason, that particular forum seems to have been taken siege by the finest Scottish sailors on the West Coast. (When, I say "finest", I mean the most entertaining and knowledgeable. They may well be duffers on board for all I know.)
Anyway, every time I have made passages up the West or East Coast of Scotland, I have benefited from the considerable local knowledge on that forum. And now, even when my sailing is in sunnier climes, I find myself going back there. It is a quite unique sailing forum in that it is always friendly and humorous and the camaraderie on there is great fun, even if you are just lurking.
So, as well as the advice on here, you could do worse than make a visit to that site and see what you think. I think that you will find some very useful and friendly local knowledge.
aquaplane
Well-Known Member
For a first cruise in Scottish waters chartering from the Clyde and spending a week round there should do you good. especially with new crew that you want to encourage back.
If you really have to go to Jura, the ferry is a good idea, but I would look at chartering from south of Cuan/Flada ie. Croabh, Ardfern or Crinan.
I must say that booking a week at Springbank/Whitsuntide is probably the best time and going where the wind and tide takes you is the best plan.
The tides will tell you whether to go North or South if you are west of Kintyre.
If you really have to go to Jura, the ferry is a good idea, but I would look at chartering from south of Cuan/Flada ie. Croabh, Ardfern or Crinan.
I must say that booking a week at Springbank/Whitsuntide is probably the best time and going where the wind and tide takes you is the best plan.
The tides will tell you whether to go North or South if you are west of Kintyre.