corinth canal

[baggypipes]

has anyone recently travelled the corinth canal? any advice & costing appreciated for 9mtr many thanks

 

[LadyJessie]

I think I paid about €140 for a 12 metre boat last year. It is one of the most expensive canals in the world by mileage. You pay at the canal office on the east end.

You call up canal control on VHF when you arrive and be prepared to wait. They usually collect several boats and run you through in a convoy. They will shout at you if you do less than 5 knots during transit. Not very friendly staff, but the scenery is spectacular.

 

[r_h]

I paid 80 euros for a 9m boat in 2006. Make sure you're well fendered and securely moored when you tie up to pay - you might only be there 20 minutes, but there's a hell of a surge if a bigish ship goes past.

 

[richardwatson]

There can often be very strong winds blowing off the hills to the north of the canal entrance in the Saronic Gulf. If you decide to shelter in Corinth Yacht Harbour be aware of the swell that can build up in the entrance in such conditions, and there is a lot of ballast awaiting the unwary.
Once in the canal it is beautifully calm, and stunning, however you need to be able to motor at 5 kts or you might find a freighter up your jacksee.
When you get out the Aegean side there is a lovely calm anchorage, even when the Meltemi is blowing. Just as well as you will probably not be allowed to remain on the dockmasters wall all night. Its a once in a lifetime experience. Fair winds.

 

[scarlett]

Same experience as R-h cost wise. Worth 80 Es for the experience.

I recommend don't tie up but drop someone off and 'hover'.

And be the last boat in the convoy and then they don't hassle you.

 

[Appleyard]

Here's a piccy to put you in the mood

we paid 130 euros for an 11 m boat last September. Staff were very civil that day!! Beware of the bungee jumpers on the bridge!!

 

[BobnLesley]

We paid about E70 for a Vega (8.23m) last May.

Biggest difficulty is mooring up at eastern end to pay fees; quay is very high and a couple of passing tourists had to help us fend-off to ensure we didn't go underneath.

We had a problem with speed (about 4 knots flat out) due to a strong adverse current; staff had no problem about this and were very friendly/helpful, but an impatient following tug-boat overtook us through the canal - No fun whatsoever: Though watching him pay his E600 fine for the manouvre whilst paying our own transit fee eased the pain.

 

[Tranona]

Went through East West in April 2006. Only yacht behind 2 smallish ferries. Agree with other posts great experience. Had the Gulf o Corinth/Patra all to ourselves. Must go back and explore a bit more as we had a schedule to keep that trip.

 

[Polux]

As somebody crossed recently? How about prices. I went to their page but that is in Greek.

 

[charles_reed]

There can often be very strong winds blowing off the hills to the north of the canal entrance in the Saronic Gulf. If you decide to shelter in Corinth Yacht Harbour be aware of the swell that can build up in the entrance in such conditions, and there is a lot of ballast awaiting the unwary.
Once in the canal it is beautifully calm, and stunning, however you need to be able to motor at 5 kts or you might find a freighter up your jacksee.
When you get out the Aegean side there is a lovely calm anchorage, even when the Meltemi is blowing. Just as well as you will probably not be allowed to remain on the dockmasters wall all night. Its a once in a lifetime experience. Fair winds.

Now I've found the winds have been entirely the opposite on the 3 times I've been there and therefore the Aegean has not been a pleasant place.
However, I would agree about the underwater obstructions in Corinth Yacht Harbour.

 

[skipklaus]

As somebody crossed recently? How about prices. I went to their page but that is in Greek.

The english site: http://www.aedik.gr/frontend/articles.php?cid=60&scid=70 On top of the page you can switch to english language

 

[macd]

The quay at the E end (where you pay and fill in forms in the office at the foot of the control tower) is a concrete slab on stilts. The overhang is such that smaller boats' freeboard will not reach it. Fenders thus need to be very high, and even then it's a bit touch and go if passing boats cause wash.

Coming from E to W, it is possible to anchor in the bay just to the N (Ormos Kalamaki), then go ashore by tender to the office and thus avoid an extended stay on the quay. Holding is fine. There are a few shops in Kalamaki for provisions.

When I was last there three years ago, the fuel bowser on the quay was the cheapest diesel for miles around.

The canal office's VHF call sign is Isthmia Control...pronounced (confusingly) "Izmir".

As others have said, it's expensive but spectacular.

 

[Caladh]

We have been through both ways last year and the year before. I can concur with most of the postings here. We now go into the Canal and Saronic from the west from Kiato (Corinth city and marina are grim). It's a buzzy little town with good shopping and quite sheltered especially if you can find a spot in the innner harbour (bow/stern anchor). Otherwise find somewhere on the long harbour wall. It's then only about an hour to the canal entrance. Call up about 30 mins from the entrance. Going into the canal from this direction (west) can mean hanging about as there is no where to "short stay" and as said it can get very lumpy. We found some yachts anchored near the entrance but over to the Corinth side. Moor up and pay at the eastern end (see below).

Traversing the other way, yes the anchorage at Kalamaki is very good (Heikel rather skims it). We normally come from Korfos - about a 3 hour trip up the gulf and then stop overnight and make an early start in the morning to head west either back to Kiatao or Itea (for Delphi). On both occasions the wind got up to NW F5+ about 5 miles from the entrance and it was a great beat to the anchorage. To carry out all the payment and admin, moor on the harbourmasters long pontoon forward of the office area where there are useful steps to climb up. Take note of others about being well fendered. We paid €138 for 10.3m of yacht both years and credit and debit cards are taken. When you're in the canal you listen on the VHF but don't be hassled by the guys asking "....maximum speed captain, maximum speed" !! Enjoy.

 

[Steve C Cronin]

The tripper boats can be very aggressive when they are up your stern trying to push you over thee speed limit. Just ignore and certainly don't pull over to let them overtake; the turbulence is just too great. If it looks as if the canal attendants are going to put you directly ahead of one, delay your departure or wave the tripper ahead. We had one on our tail in October and had we gotten a fouled prop we wou, d certainly have been run down.

 

[vyv_cox]

We have gone west-to-east twice. The first time was around mid-day and it was an exciting and enjoyable experience, sunlight streaming down to the water, the canal sides bright and attractive, warm and pleasant. Learning from our experience the first time we set off for the second to arrive at about 0800, expecting to have to wait a while. To our surprise we were told to go straight through, without even slowing down. This time the sun was too low to penetrate the high sides, it was cold, dull and nowhere near so enjoyable. Go around 1300 for maximum enjoyment!

 

[Marsupial]

we followed a Turkish freighter though last year west to east anticipated propwash so held back a good 200 mtrs. Still had trouble maintaining steerage way and avoiding propwash, far from maximum speed captain we were doing less than 2 knots and catching him up. Cost 207 euros for 13 mtrs, very friendly staff? would be better employed in the prison service or interrogating terrorists, perhaps they just dont like people we were nt singled out special treatment so they were fair.

 

[Borden]

We turned up on a Tuesday last October expecting the canal to be closed, as noted in the Greek Islands pilot, and were prepared to anchor overnight to await our east bound transit opportunity the next day. We surprised to notice some traffic exiting the canal so called them up to be told that due to demand they weren't closing on that particular Tuesday, so we 'booked' our slot, anchored and awaited their call to move up to position ready to transit. Sure enough 90 minutes later they asked up to up anchor and take up position ready to be called. They give each boat a position in the convoy and we were told to follow a large gullet keping close (but not too). As the last of the west bound traffic exitied the canal our little convoy of three was told to form up in the order given and be ready. Within a few minutes we were told to get going. As for prices an earleir post provided a link to the Web site of the Canal. From memory we paid Euro 213 for a 14m boat. Keep the papers you are given as they help to reduce the form filling when/if you return.

 

[Steve C Cronin]

We turned up on a Tuesday last October expecting the canal to be closed, as noted in the Greek Islands pilot, and were prepared to anchor overnight to await our east bound transit opportunity the next day. We surprised to notice some traffic exiting the canal so called them up to be told that due to demand they weren't closing on that particular Tuesday, so we 'booked' our slot, anchored and awaited their call to move up to position ready to transit. Sure enough 90 minutes later they asked up to up anchor and take up position ready to be called. They give each boat a position in the convoy and we were told to follow a large gullet keping close (but not too). As the last of the west bound traffic exitied the canal our little convoy of three was told to form up in the order given and be ready. Within a few minutes we were told to get going. As for prices an earleir post provided a link to the Web site of the Canal. From memory we paid Euro 213 for a 14m boat. Keep the papers you are given as they help to reduce the form filling when/if you return.

We also got a transit W-E last year on a Tuesday! Good point about retaining the paperwork.