Clyde-Ullapool advice

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Adrian_Morgan

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Could any of you West Coast cruising folk advise me on an ideal itinerary for Clyde to Ullapool cruise in early May. I have just over a week, maybe ten days to get her up and would welcome suggestions on where to stop, depending on weather. She's a 25-footer so can't expect to average more than 4-5 knots. The main thing is, I wouldn't want to miss anything on route (except rocks).

The Clyde bit is sorted and we certainly plan to start by going through Crinan Canal (unless there's a better alternative). After that it's all open.

Many thanks.
 
Hi Adrian, It should be a nice trip! But it won't be exactly leisurely! Are you intending to stop overnight in hops or passage make with watches etc? Get into the canal as it opens, 7 or 8am depending when you go. That way you should be out by 1500hrs same day and that is a big help.

With your size of boat you might want to consider the inshore passages, Sounds of Mull, Sleat, which then presents you with a couple of tidal gates that you need to plan for.

There is so much to see that you never get it all in!

Recommend Puilldobhrain, Coll, Canna, Arisaig, Inverie, Plockton, L. Torridon. But there will be loads of other recommendations!

Have a great trip!

KCA
 
Thanks. What say Seil Sound first night (assuming leave Crinan by 1500)? Then Puilldobhrain for lunch then Loch Aline for night? I say this just to get an idea of distances and times. Will probably make one long passage to get some miles beneath us later in the trip, depending on time. Or maybe we should head from Crinan straight for Kerrera, say, on first day. Decisions, decisions. After that it'll take its own momentum.
 
Hi
Dorus Mor is your first tidal gate so aim to get out of Crinan in order to catch the tide through there and up the sound beyond Pladda. Thats all sheltered stuff up there so Puilldobrahn is fine or yes even Kerrera.
I'd be tempted to go up the sound of Mull rather than round the Ross to Coll. If you are out late from the canal and miss the tide go to Ardfern - if its breezy go inside to Croabh or Melfort and then through Cuan in the morning.
If you really want to get your skates on go from Crinan to Loch Aline. If Tobermory fitted the plan then Leg it up to Loch Nevis in one and again right through to Plockton. I always like to get some miles in early on if possible and do some shorter legs later on in the trip.
The exposed part is by Ardnamurchan so that needs a bit of settled weather - beyond that there's plenty of bolt-holes
regards
John S

What care we - tho' white the Minch is,
What care we boys, for wind or weather?
 
Last summer going round UK we went from the Clyde to near Ullapool. From the Crinan canal the legs we did were

Crinan to Kerrera, not a long day but you have to go with the tide, and do it in daylight as navigation gets a bit tight in places with unlit reefs. We were accompanied by a folkboat, who also found it an easy day.

Kerrera to Tobermorey, a simple trip in sheltered water. Mooring space in Tobermorey was limited but should be better in May.

Tobermorey to Loch Nevis, you start off by going round Ardnamurchan point, which is not sheltered at all, and you need good weather. Mallaig is not yacht friendly. It's worth the extra few miles down Loch Nevis to Inverie where the scenery is stunning and the moorings are free.

Loch Nevis to Kyleakin. An easy sheltered day, but go with the tide. Free pontoons in Kyleakin and Kyle of Lochalshe.

Kyleakin to Lochinver, (further north but about the same distance to Ullapool as you will have to turn in and go down Loch Broom a bit), this was a long day for us at 8 to 10 knots, so you will probably split this up.

I think you will be lucky to do it in a week, as the canal takes a day, and you will probably need 5 to 6 days sailing time. A lot of it would be difficult in the dark. Also you can expect to lose a third of the time waiting for the weather. Also think of places you could leave the boat if you had to if the weather was too poor to complete in time. Kerrera and Kyleakin are possibilities.

There's more at www.xrayted.freeserve.co.uk
 
I've tried planning this in the past. I just isn't on - whether you intend to do this in a week or 10 days there and back.

With a southerly blowing you up the way and then relying on a n'ly to get you back, you really are weather dependant.

Coming out of Crinan and you miss the tidal gate at Craignish Pt your stuffed for a whole day. Ardfern, Croabh and Kilmelford are all ruled out.

Realistically for a small boat you need eight hours of tide to get any futher than Kerrera.

Last time I tried a week on the West Coast was in a Viggen - we got round Mull and back to the Clyde, which was pretty good going.

You will miss a lot if you decide to dash. Ullapool will still be there.......

Donald
 
I wonder why you would miss Ardfern Donald? There's not enough tide inside Dorus Mor to prevent you easing across to Loch Craignish from Crinan and wandering up the near shore surely?
With a fair tide running at 5 knots from Dorus Mor you can be up to Pladda in 2 hours comfortably then 2 more to Oban or go outside Kerrera and be up to Loch Aline in another 2 - 3 against the tide in the Sound by then but not too much of it.
Regards
John S
The fairytale ends here<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by claymore on Fri Apr 19 13:55:06 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
John
I've heard of boats holding in close to Craignish and sliding past, but depends either on a fair wind or a hefty engine to get you through. But getting through to Ardfern doesn't get you that much further on.

I must admit my experience is waiting at Crinan for a fair tide to push me as far as I can get in the 8 hours available. Tobermory is a possibility in a day. Not something I would contemplate however unless I was racing. Bearing in mind I have no idea what the tides are like for May when this trip is planned and that coming through the canal is the most favoured route, if you dont get though the Dorus Mor, you still have to wait for the next tide.

But rest assured, we will be back up the west coast this year........cant wait in fact.

Agree also that Inverie is the most magical of places.
 
Yes
I first mentioned Ardfern just as somewhere to go if they got out of the Crinan late on in the afternoon and didn't feel like going much further - they could even use Crinan boatyard as an option of course.
As I said in my original response - I'm keen on getting some long days under the belt at the start of a cruise - even then its so easy to not make the original itinerary because of the odd lost day. Where will you be in the summer and when?
regards
John S

The fairytale ends here
 
Thanks and what about Crinan?

Sounds like we should just go with the flow. Many thanks for all the advice. Maybe see you somewhere on route. Povisionally leaving Clyde 29/30th and through Crinan a day or two later.

One last thing. Crinan. Is it feasible with two on board (handling lines etc). We traversed Forth Clyde last year, but the locks were all opened for us.
 
Re: Thanks and what about Crinan?

Yes,it is possible,wife and I do it every year(the canal) you have to rig the bow line to the cockpit in order that you can handle bow and stern lines.all locks have ladders in them so u can go ashore and give a hand with gates
 
Re: Thanks and what about Crinan?

Just So
A block onto the toe rail and the bow line led back to a cockpit winch is perfect. Its common to find another boat there anyway so you may well end up sharing the work and the BWB guys are really helpful up the first flight from Ardrishaig - they'll advise you about how much to wind up the locks and which one first etc. Just make sure you have decent lines and plenty of fenders
regards
John S

The fairytale ends here
 
Plans for this year are a week early July where we either go round the Mull to Gigha - or if the wind is blowing the other way we hope this year to get to Bangor.

Then we'll do WHYW (badly) then were off round Mull for our second week with friends.
 
Yes Ballycastle is a possibility - new marina there now?
Something to look ahead to whilst I dry out from the weekends soaking.......

Donald
 
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