Clyde to Southern Norway

[KAM]

Currently ashore Clyde. Three options. Round the top. Through the canals. (Not enough depth in the Fourth and Clyde) Overland to the east coast. Given the cost of the canals, overland looks like a reasonable option. Anyone done this. Any reccomendations for a place to unload and restep the mast.

 

[Minerva]

I think the plan was for the new sealock in Grangemouth was to include a mast crane. Providing the Sealock basin was deep enough to accomodate you and the mast crane was actually built, that could be a good shout.

Other than that, you'll be looking at Port Edgar but I suspect you'd be unloading into their travel hoist so would would be stung for launch as well as mast stepping...

 

[Sandy]

Is this a delivery trip or next summers trip?

Personally, I'd go round the top as a first choice. Through the Caledonian Canal as a second choice and overland last.

 

[dunedin]

Is this a delivery trip or next summers trip?

Personally, I'd go round the top as a first choice. Through the Caledonian Canal as a second choice and overland last.

Somewhat depends on size of boat, experience of skipper / crew - and what the plan for the summer is.

But yes with a decent sized boat, unless already ashore and mast down, I would not consider an overland route.
When we did this route we went Canal (Largs to Inverness in 4 days) as wanted to be positioned on East coast by mid April, and round the top was a bit too ambitious weather wise and short days at that time of year.
If no hurry to get to Norway, a round the top would be fine in the right boat and weather.

 

[ctva]

If you are going to Norway, the 24hr trip from Largs round the MoK and to Corpach would be a good warmup. The Cally is nice in its own right. From there the choice of Wick and across or direct gives options.

 

[cherod]

Since you mention costs. The cost of mast stepping and slip will outweigh the cost of the canal which for average size boat will be 200+ ish and is an easy trip

 

[KAM]

It's a visit to relatives as change from west coast and maybe over winter there.

 

[cherod]

It's a visit to relatives as change from west coast and maybe over winter there.

Seems all the rage ?

 

[CLP]

I've done round the top and Caly Canal, each way, but not the road option. Round the top was more enjoyable for us although the canal has attractions too. Depending on how much rush you are in, with the right weather times are similar. On our last trip heading north, we'd planned on going round the top but with the prospect of some iffy weather and maybe having to wait to round Cape Wrath, we decided near Mull on the canal. On another trip strong winds stopped all headway in Loch Ness and we had to retreat out of the Loch.

 

[KAM]

The other question is do the rigs have AIS base stations or commercial mobile phone repeaters.

 

[cherod]

The other question is do the rigs have AIS base stations or commercial mobile phone repeaters.

They are visible from miles away , day and night , best give wide berth

 

[KAM]

Yes I know that. I was wondering if they have a base station connected to web services so my wife may be able to see me from time to time.

 

[cherod]

Yes I know that. I was wondering if they have a base station connected to web services so my wife may be able to see me from time to time.

Long time since i was off shore but friends working off shore dont seem to have any prob communicating ( dont know if that is any help )

 

[ctva]

Yes I know that. I was wondering if they have a base station connected to web services so my wife may be able to see me from time to time.

Roaming in the North Sea (tampnet.com)

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I've done the Caledonian Canal, and it's a really easy passage. All the locks are attended, and the lock-keepers will help with lines. Last year there was a thread that suggested they won't accept single-handed passages, but otherwise, it's very straightforward.

I'd be amazed if the oil platforms provided any services not directly required for their operations and certainly wouldn't expect any public services. AIS receivers as used by the free version of the various AIS apps and services are run by enthusiastic amateurs; it's hard to imagine them being possible on an oil platform whose personnel are on a rotation system. Of course, the satellite-based AIS services are available world-wide, but require a (fairly large) subscription to use them.

 

[dunedin]

Yes I know that. I was wondering if they have a base station connected to web services so my wife may be able to see me from time to time.

We were not visible on Marine Traffic for most of the crossing, but that was 4 years ago. Always better to tell folks at home to expect not to see you on web based AIS trackers.

On the other hand, if you did have issues will be somebody in VHF range for almost all of the time

 

[Fascadale]

Rigs are quite handy for getting an up to date forecast

We disappeared from MarineTraffic mid North Sea.

I once picked up a phone signal from a rig in the Norwegian sector

As for which route you take, all have their advantages but I would go over the top every time unless the forecast was very bad. An awful lot of moving parts to be arranged if going by road.

 

[KAM]

Reason I was asking about mobile phone reception is that Windy has some very useful reported wind data right across the north sea. Handy to see at home but even handier if the data was accessible at sea. Can't really justify satellite comms.

 

[cherod]

( i suppose that you already know ) if you go up and over from shetland you can have internet almost all the way .

 

[boomerangben]

Some of the Norwegian platforms have mobile base stations