Corryvreckan last week

[Clarky]

Well curiosity has got the better of me.
While flogging up the Firth of Lorne last week I heard this message from the coastguard about a yacht aground on the rocks in Corryvreckan.
I listened to most of the tale on the radio and it seemed it was eventually pulled off by another vessel closeby.
So I was wondering how did this happen ?Being a not very experienced person,I thought how the f---- can you do something as daft as that ?
Does anybody know the full (fool) tale ,just so I can avoid a similar mishap myself......

 

[halcyon]

With a yacht, and the tides around and in the Corryvreckan, easly if you are not very careful.
Check the pilotage for that area, the Corryvreckan can be evil, only place I've motored up hill on a smooth sea.


Brian

 

[Norman_E]

A TV program recently had a very good piece on Coryvreckan. It showed how a pinnacle on the sea bed causes the notorious whirlpool. They even sent divers down at slack tide to film it, and they had to come up sharpish when the tide began to run, as they were beginning to feel the downward suction as the sea swirls round. Seems very easy to get in to trouble there if you miss the right time to go through.

 

[philmayfield]

We went through the gulf last week with a certain amount of trepidation being aware of the potential dangers but were much relieved when we saw two canoeists paddling towards us!

 

[Thrall]

Best to get down on ones knees before attempting the Gulf and also study tide tables well. Little Corryvreckan or the Grey Dogs I reckon more exciting as the land fairly whizzes past!

Thrall

 

[Sadlermike]

Further to philmayfield's comment, kayaks are more seaworthy vessels than yachts. I go through Corryvreckan in my kayak in conditions I wouldn't dream of sailing through.

 

[Peppermint]

Re: Corryvreckan is a must do experience

We got there an hour late but it was a nice calm and clear day. Went in at six knots. GPS claimed 14.7 as a peak speed. Certainly pinned your hair back. A quite muscular look to the water and a nice big standing wave.

 

[halcyon]

A mate took his Sealine 195 through Grey Dogs, had 23 knots on the log, and the land stationary.
It was the one place I would not go with him.

Brian

 

[Thrall]

Some comfort that it was a steel hull we were in! Would probably have appreciated belts and air bags had we touched anything. Mobo accident here near Reykjavík last week - large fast boat on a rock at speed in the dark; two killed and the survivors with limbs all broken.

Thrall