Corinth Canal - can we avoid a 3 hour wait on the dodgy quay?

B

brownsox

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 Jul 2004
Messages
377
Location
London
Visit site
We are anchored in the anchorage close to the eastern end - Isthmia. Does anyone know if there's a way to predict what time there will be an east west convoy? We've read about the dodgy quay and know we have to go and pay first but would rather stay safely at anchor than spend too long over there ... There are 2 larger yachts also anchored. If they are the 6am type will we sluggards miss the first opportunity to get going? Or are the times entirely dictated by any large vessels that turn up? Strong NWs by the way, now and forecast. :-(
 
We arrived at the entrance on Saturday lunchtime, radioed in at 5 miles then again at 0.5 as requested. We had to wait 10 mins before being called through, only boat going east and nobody at the eastern end waiting for transit west.
 
Thanks, interesting. We will try radioing in the morning. Heikel didn't mention doing that, although I did see something on the canal website - which was mostly aimed at large boats.
 
brownsox said:
We are anchored in the anchorage close to the eastern end - Isthmia. Does anyone know if there's a way to predict what time there will be an east west convoy? We've read about the dodgy quay and know we have to go and pay first but would rather stay safely at anchor than spend too long over there ... There are 2 larger yachts also anchored. If they are the 6am type will we sluggards miss the first opportunity to get going? Or are the times entirely dictated by any large vessels that turn up? Strong NWs by the way, now and forecast. :-(
Click to expand...

A strong north westerly in the eastern part of the Gulf will leave you with a nasty beat. We did this a few years back, with the wind increasing to about 40 knots over the deck! Our plan A was for Tresoni island, quickly discarded for plan B - Galaxidi followed by plan C -Kolpos Andikiron, followed by plan C - Ormos Serandi, further and further off the beat. Everything was white with salt when we finally put the hook down. In short, you really have little option once committed but to punch your way out. Karinthos is not a very good option as there was space for about 2 visitors last time. Perhaps you should wait for a better forecast.
 
The quay is not really all that bad. Yes, it's not designed with yachts in mind but it's not that nasty, just somewhat higher than normal, this a step up rather than down. If you're well fendered it shouldn't cause a problem. IIRC the problem is that there's a timber lip sticking out on the rim of the quay: if your fenders don't hold you far enough out it might be possible to get you toe rail/stanchions caught under this in the wash from an east going boat. We used a couple of large spherical fenders to hold us off and had no problems. You'll need to stop there anyway to pay. The folks who take your money will give you an indication of when they'll call you forward for the transit. However, they said they'd call us on the VHF but actually resorted to leaning out of the window and shouting at us to 'go now, go fast'.
 
We anchored off, just like the OP. The next morning went via tender and paid our fee. Then back to the yacht. They called us on the radio to tell us to be prepared to transit in 15 minutes. Raised anchor milled about for 10 mins then went through. Simple!. But DO NOT unless you have to go through with a strong NW on the other side it's evil.
 
WE have transited W-E twice. First time we waited in breezy chop for about an hour. Second time we went straight through, no wait at all. I think the answer is that it's the luck of the draw whether you wait or not.
 
Thanks to all. Here's how it was. We happened to wake early, phoned the canal office (number in Heikell) and were told come now, gate will be opened in 45mins. The quay was fine, reasonable fendering, no lip or black tyres. Paying was easy although eye watering amount - 10 metres, 126.41 euros ...
So no problem until the gulf. A bit windy on the nose from the start, and increased to 5,6,7. Even saw 8 briefly, fortunately where sea was flatter in entrance to kolpos Andikiron. Not enjoyable at all, 8 hours of it, so lucky at least that we'd started early. Anchored now off Andikiron and it's still blowing quite enthusiastically. We have a deadline and the canal is shut on Tuesdays, but the advice to wait for better weather is certainly good if you can. We had an engine problem too ... May post about that too.
 
brownsox said:
Thanks to all. Here's how it was. We happened to wake early, phoned the canal office (number in Heikell) and were told come now, gate will be opened in 45mins. The quay was fine, reasonable fendering, no lip or black tyres. Paying was easy although eye watering amount - 10 metres, 126.41 euros ...
So no problem until the gulf. A bit windy on the nose from the start, and increased to 5,6,7. Even saw 8 briefly, fortunately where sea was flatter in entrance to kolpos Andikiron. Not enjoyable at all, 8 hours of it, so lucky at least that we'd started early. Anchored now off Andikiron and it's still blowing quite enthusiastically. We have a deadline and the canal is shut on Tuesdays, but the advice to wait for better weather is certainly good if you can. We had an engine problem too ... May post about that too.
Click to expand...

Glad you made it OK, always good looking back!

Post about the engine problems when you have had a good sleep - probably shit in fuel having a good stir in the tank?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top