Caledonian Canal

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mick

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Whenever I (reluctantly) use the Crinan Canal I hire a helper (the redoubtable Hugh Kirk, multiple bypass and all). I plan to go through the Caledonian Canal in the near future and would like to know if there are helpers for hire there. I know the locks are manned but apparently you need someone ashore to take lines, and in my case that's not possible (myself and wife aboard).
 
In Inverness this afternoon just after coming through from Corpach, no need to get ashore if you are not able to, the normal thing is to put one crew ashore to walk the lines from lock to lock at the staircases at Banavie, Ft. Agustus and Muirtown, but if that is not possible you need to let the canal know and they will provide assistance or will probably arrange for you to tie alongside another yacht. The big locks in the Caley are much less turbulent than on the Crinan but you do need plenty of fat fenders as you often share with a host of hire cruisers. Late season when things are quieter it is likely to be even easier. Canal staff seem particularly helpful this year and unlike Crinan they have plenty of water. (after pouring thousands of tonnes of water over the locks every night for the last few months the Crinan has run out and is going on to short time working.)
To discuss telephone numbers are Canal Office 01463 725500, Corpach sea lock 01397 772249, the Scottish Canals website is also available.
Sealock at Corpach usually restricted to 4hrs. either side of high water
 
The caledonian lock keepers are very friendly, the skippers handbook says dont go single handed, but my partner, just recovering from broken ankle, and I went through the muirtown locks easily. Seen a few single handed sailors going through. You should have no problems

The locks are huge as well. Just radio them on 74 as you are coming up. The swing bridges are the real pains, with the times of opening conflicting with when you want to pass.
 
My wife and I took our 40 foot yacht North-South through the Caledonian Canal last year and it was much easier than going through the Crinan. The lock keepers were very helpful taking our lines and walking them forward or putting them round bollards as needed. All we had to do was throw lines or pass lines to the lock keepers. We will be going South to North in late August and are looking forward to another very pleasant trip, much less stressful than when we've gone the Cape Wrath route to get to the East Coast.
 
As a regular on the CC I quite agree the staff are extremley helpfull but sometimes, particularly at peak times they are bit pushed to walk lines through. It all depende on which direction you are travelling. West to East you will be going up at "Neptunes" but if you notify the staff (ch74) I am sure they will be only too happy to help. The next flight at Ft Augustus is down so much easier to handle from "on board" but again there may be a few "hire boats" particularly if they are returning to Caley Cruisers for a Friday check in. If you get really pushed then as I am based at Caley Marina I may be able to help at Fort Augustus but definately at Muirtown Flight. Depends on your travel dates so if you have some idea on plans let me know and I'll see what I can do. ( Sorry, my help is FREE except for Tea and Biscuits !!!!) Anyone else needing help just let me know. Just a quick remark about the swing bridges they may be a pain somtimes when closed to water traffic but just remember the bridges (apart from Moy) are all carrying the A82 which is a Major route from Inverness to Glasgow and also let people get to work hence the reason for road traffic priorities
 
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mick said:
Whenever I (reluctantly) use the Crinan Canal I hire a helper (the redoubtable Hugh Kirk, multiple bypass and all). I plan to go through the Caledonian Canal in the near future and would like to know if there are helpers for hire there. I know the locks are manned but apparently you need someone ashore to take lines, and in my case that's not possible (myself and wife aboard).
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My wife and self (no longer young!) took our 36ft by 22ft beam trimaran through in 2008. Ask for help, they are a grand bunch
 
mick said:
Whenever I (reluctantly) use the Crinan Canal I hire a helper (the redoubtable Hugh Kirk, multiple bypass and all). I plan to go through the Caledonian Canal in the near future and would like to know if there are helpers for hire there. I know the locks are manned but apparently you need someone ashore to take lines, and in my case that's not possible (myself and wife aboard).
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HI, you do not need to go ashore to take lines in the Caledonian. let the lock keepers know an dthey will take the the liner and pass it back to you to make fast onboard. all in all much simpler and easier than the Carin.
 
temptress said:
HI, you do not need to go ashore to take lines in the Caledonian. let the lock keepers know an dthey will take the the liner and pass it back to you to make fast onboard. all in all much simpler and easier than the Carin.
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You do not need to go ashore in the Crinan these days either, and poor old Hugh has been dealing only with a few faithful regulars. When you lock in, you request free assisted passage and are presented with a flag to display (the yellow flag of shame complete with a Nike swoosh) in theory it is restricted to single handers or crews of two but the lock keepers have been told they should give a flag to anyone who demands one, and it is not unusual to see a slip of a lock keeper opening and closing all the gates watched by three or four chubby young men pretending to be busy holding one end of a rope. The suspicion is that it may not be a free service once they have put the redoubtable Hugh out of business but he is still there for those who appreciate a dedicated personal service.
In the Caley you do not need to put crew ashore at single or paired locks but you do at the staircases, however yesterday we had a single hander tied alongside, he was ashore with my crew tending one of our lines while I started and stopped the engine and steered a bit. In previous years at busy periods when there are up to a dozen boats in the lock and they are three deep, the middle boats are normally tied alongside the inside ones with one crew from each boat ashore and the boat next the wall manned and using its engine to assist the walk through. I brought an engineless small boat up Fort Augustus and down Banavie that way last year. So for the OP, if it is quiet, two lock keepers may walk his lines but it is more likely that he will be brought through beside a larger boat. Going down is much easier than the ascent, particularly the big staircase at Banavie. The keepers do not like both lines going up in each lock of a staircase, the back part of the wall is nearly 20' above the water and if things do not go to plan getting lines ashore, there is a risk of hitting the boat in front. You get to make friends on the Caley!
 
I have single handed it on various occasions-Lock keeper takes the boat through with forward rope whilst you steer into next Lock.
Its possible if necessary to work both for and aft lines from deck as either you rise or fall.
As others have send a bow and stern big round fender bouy as boat can swing into wall bow or stern as current hits it from when they let the water in.
Beware of going in with one of the barges-most of them have a very pronounced counter stern and I and a friend once spent some worrying minutes fending my boat of the barges counter.
 
ffiill said:
I have single handed it on various occasions-Lock keeper takes the boat through with forward rope whilst you steer into next Lock.
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I've taken a boat through a few locks on the Crinan Canal on my own and in my much younger days. It's fairly hard work, particularly going up: tie to waiting jetty, open lock gate, return to boat, drive in, tie to ladder, climb up with shore lines, attach shore lines, close lower gate, crack open sluice, climb up and down ladder repeatedly adjusting sluice and shore lines in turn, finally open gate and drive out. Rinse, lather, repeat. It would be even worse if you had to open two gates to get in and out.

Assisted passages are great. I had the flag both ways this summer. In practice that meant that we did everything ourselves when there was another boat with us but got help when they stopped and we needed it.
 
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Crinan last year with one crew we were given free assistance the whole way.

Caledonian we had an extra crew and the big suggestion I offer to give you complete confidence is that you have plenty of fenders.... + a

big 'ball' fender on each corner, and two very long bow and stern lines 15m+.... even better a long line on each corner.
 
Further to my previous reply please note that at "flights" you are advised to walk your lines through if physically able to do so.... only on singles will you get away with passing a rolling line to be "hooked on". However be aware that it is NOT advisable to blame the staff if you do not walk your lines through when advised. It required a recent "know it all" to replace a nav light . (Yes sir you know who you are !!!) Before anyone wishes to make comments I should advise that I do have over 18 years of the CC from a canoe to a 100 tonne barge
 
Similar to Digger, if you catch me on a Saturday and i'm free, i'm happy to walk lines up the Muirtown Lock flight as I live a 2minute walk from them. If i've got a lazy day, may even be happy to travel down and lend a hand here and there, also for the famed Tea & Biscuits! :)

P/M me if you want my contact details.
 
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