Best route Largs to Oban

[Alrob]

I need some advise please, I intend to do a leisurely cruise up to Oban next year via Crinan canal, I could do with some advice on a passage plan. Boat is 36 foot trawler yacht with cruising speed of a mighty 8 Knts !!
Is via Cuan sound a good idea?

anyone got waypoints ??

 

[hlb]

We did it years ago from Wales to Tobermory via Crinan. Stopped off at Crohb? haven and Oban if it helps. Not sure it really matters which way you go.

 

[Alrob]

thanks

just looking for everyones input to build up a picture in my mind

 

[kashurst]

I did this trip last year.
went from largs to portavedie via the kyles of bute. Then on to ardrishaig to enter the Crinan canal. Through the crinan with an overnight at the Cairn barn hotel (nice restaurant). You can stay at the end of the canal at Crinan. Next day went to Croabh (croove). - another nice pub. Then from Croabh to Oban via Kerrera sound. All very pretty and easy to navigate and quite sheltered from the atlantic. I was a bit worried about the Gulf of Correyvechan but there is no need to go near it. Oban marina is on an island and they have a little boat to run you to the mainland.

make sure you take good waterproofs to go through the canal, because when it rains it buckets down!

 

[Divemaster1]

Crinan Canal and straigh to Creignish point and on to Croabh (very expensive fuel)...but if you want to avoid marina's, you can continue up and anchor up south of Cuan sound in sheltered anchorage.
Inside of Shuna and on to through Cuan Sound ... on high tide slide between Easdale and Seil.
Then on to Kerrera Sound..

Simple and a great journey ...did most of it ourself this year, so feel free to ask for more details..

Part of the journey described here..

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210151

 

[Alrob]

thanks divemaster - that link to your post is very interesting

ta

 

[Divemaster1]

More from same area:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132172

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170885

 

[Gwylan]

Largs, E Loch Tarbert, Ardrishaig - wait to enter canal -if they answer radio, try mobile phone, Crinan, Craobh, Cuan Sound, Kerrera to Oban - moorings at .
Work the tides especially for Cuan and the rest is plain sailing.
Watch out for the shallower bits of the Crinan canal and the midges. Got eaten alive at Lochghilpead.

Fees for Crinan only mean you can use the Canal - but you might think you have bought it. Does allow you 3 nights in the Canal - second prize is 4 nights!
No real facilities at Crinan, Crinan Hotel uses random number generator to fix the price of beer - always large number.
Cairnbaarn is a nice place to stop
Would be good to leave canal at Crinan early in the morning - but the lock keepers work 'office hours'. Therefore you may need to lurk and wait for tide around Craignish.
Similar tactic up to the north of Cuan to wait for tide window.
Then loads of places to anchor in 5m or less and be alone.
Hope to go back again this year!

 

[Bilgediver]

I need some advise please, I intend to do a leisurely cruise up to Oban next year via Crinan canal, I could do with some advice on a passage plan. Boat is 36 foot trawler yacht with cruising speed of a mighty 8 Knts !!
Is via Cuan sound a good idea?

anyone got waypoints ??

Make sure you pop into the chandlers at LArgs and ask the girls for the Martin LAwrence Pilot book which covers this. It is full of good advice.

 

[awol]

Crinan Canal can be hard work - needs 3 or 4 reasonably fit people. Round the MoK can be much easier (and cheaper) if the weather is playing your way. Second the Martin Lawrence Pilot, or the CCC yin, and follow the tidal advice. Cuan Sound or Sound of Luing end up with the same bit of sea before you reach Kerrera Sound - Sound of Luing is easier IMHO, just aim for the lighthouse.
What anchor do you intend to use?

 

[Alrob]

what anchor do you advise I have a danforth & plough on board

cheers

 

[Alrob]

Largs, E Loch Tarbert, Ardrishaig - wait to enter canal -if they answer radio, try mobile phone, Crinan, Craobh, Cuan Sound, Kerrera to Oban - moorings at .
Work the tides especially for Cuan and the rest is plain sailing.
Watch out for the shallower bits of the Crinan canal and the midges. Got eaten alive at Lochghilpead.

Fees for Crinan only mean you can use the Canal - but you might think you have bought it. Does allow you 3 nights in the Canal - second prize is 4 nights!
No real facilities at Crinan, Crinan Hotel uses random number generator to fix the price of beer - always large number.
Cairnbaarn is a nice place to stop
Would be good to leave canal at Crinan early in the morning - but the lock keepers work 'office hours'. Therefore you may need to lurk and wait for tide around Craignish.
Similar tactic up to the north of Cuan to wait for tide window.
Then loads of places to anchor in 5m or less and be alone.
Hope to go back again this year!

Is that 3 nights each way if its a return ticket ???