Falmouth to Oban recommendations?

Seven Spades

Seven Spades

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I am considering entering the Classic Malts in 2011. What pilot books are recommended to get from Falmouth to Oban and I would like to hear suggested routes. I am expecting the trip to take about a week is this optimistic?
 
I've done this trip 4 out of the last 5 years - sometimes with a stop at Troon.

I've not used any pilots other than the port pages from Reeds until arriving in Scottish waters, where I've used those from Martin Lawrence, see http://www.bookharbour.com/epages/B...bjectPath=/Shops/BookHarbour/Products/PIL0605 for instance.

I don't think pilots for the Irish sea will be useful. The only real question is inside or outside the Irish banks: I like inside simply for the navigational interest: if features come up fast it gives a cheering impression of progress. But you need lots of charts.

5 days is about right: We try not to stop until in the firth of Clyde, although Arklow has proved a welcome respite on one occasion. Last June we left Falmouth on Thursday mid morning, and were in the sound of Mull at midnight on Sunday having stopped for 12 hours to let off one crew member to catch a flight at Macrahanish (northerlies all the way of course). In September we left Oban (Dunstaffnage) on Tuesday morning and were in Falmouth on Friday evening (southerlies all the way to Land's end and strong easterlies from there until the Lizard - I've come to expect this pattern!).

On the way up, Troon is v. convenient if you want to change crew since it's so close to Prestwick airport.

PS: Different strokes for different folks of course, but I can't stick the Classic Malts type thing - to me the beauties of Scotland are the space, solitude, scenery and a real sense of exploring. So it seems curious to arrange it so that every port you visit is as crowded as the solent. At least let me encourage you to stay on a few weeks afterwards and explore on your own!
 
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Classic Malts? Get crew to sail boat to Oban, catch plane to Glasgow then seaplane to Oban - less than a day!

The Irish West Coast leisure folio SC 5621 takes you past the banks, 5612 does NI, and 5611 takes you as far as Ardnamurchan (there is nothing beyond there, you will just fall off the edge if you try). Martin Lawrence pilot books will fill in the gaps, though be warned, he is sometimes pessimistic about anchorages and the like. The route depends entirely on your preferences but Lizard, Land's End, St George's Channel, Irish Sea, Mull of Kintyre, Sound of Luing etc. all benefit from getting the tide right - there is a nice bit in the middle of the Irish Sea with no tide but it doesn't last long! Parking spots I have used include Newlyn (much maligned but I thought it was ok), Kilmore Quay (ended up almost at right angles to the leading line just to stem the tide on the way in), Rosslare (just to anchor), Arklow (easiest if you don't go in the marina but use the river bank pontoons), Ardglass, Bangor, Glenarm, Sanda, Port Ellen (but beware you may find yourself on your personal malts cruise if you start tasting and the brewery is good too), Gigha (Ardminish Bay - not in an easterly), Craighouse (test your anchoring skills!). A week should be enough even if you park overnight.
 
Malts

The "Classic" Malts is no more, WCC however are going to organise an alternative which i understand will be limited to 50 boats. Launch at the London boat show I believe.
 
If you become a "friend of classic malts" available on line (from Malts.com) or from any diagio distillery, you get free entry to Diagio's distilleries.

It might not be the cruise in company, but it will save you enough for a drink or two.

If you do decide to do your own classic malts cruise, phone up the distilleries before hand, and ask about a tasting tour which costs more, but is worth every penny (in Lagavulin at least)

For the OP you can read how we went from Falmouth to Oban (via Orkney) in our blog.... Link below
 
•The Malts Cruise will start in Kerrera Marina, Oban where registration will be open from Friday 08 July 2011 ready for a skippers briefing in the afternoon of Saturday 09 July, and the first cruise party that evening.
•Yachts will depart after the parade of sail in Oban Bay on Sunday 10 July
•The Malts Cruise will finish with a function in Port Ellen, Islay, on Thursday 21 July
•Rendezvous will include Tobermory, Loch Tarbert, Jura and Port Ellen (additional rendezvous will be confirmed subject to weather)
•Free cruising between rendezvous


Please note the absence of "Classic" and Talisker!
 
Bat21 said:
Please note the absence of "Classic" and Talisker!
Click to expand...

Go to the website, tell me the logo you see at the top right, then look at the right hand side, what are the three distilleries listed?

Please note the presence of the Classic Malts Logo and Talisker notes

Then go to event info, then distilleries, no mention of Jura, actually there is no mention of visiting any distilleries on that cruise at all. Except on the right where it says:
"The Classic Malts Distilleries

Discover the distilleries that the Cruise visits"

The Classic Malts branding, and the list of distilleries down the right hand edge and it could be easily argued that they are giving the impression they are going to those distilleries, when infact they don't seem to be going around any distilleries at all, only the bays where they may be distilleries.
 
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Seven Spades said:
I am considering entering the Classic Malts in 2011. What pilot books are recommended to get from Falmouth to Oban and I would like to hear suggested routes. I am expecting the trip to take about a week is this optimistic?
Click to expand...

Did exactly that trip two up in a 39 footer for the same reason a couple of years ago. Went from Falmouth to Peel and then direct to Oban. Less sure of the time but it was a lot less than a week - memory suggests 60 / 70 hours at sea. Didnt use a pilot book.

If you want to take it easier I would suggest Falmouth to Penzance to Milford to Peel and then maybe Portpatrick and Oban. Going to Penzance makes it easier to time Lands End. Milford is all weather. There really isnt anywhere worthwhile going up the Welsh coast ans Peel is very welcoming. Avoids messing around with passports and euros too.
 
Oh dear this sounds like a mess.

Bat21, can you explain what has gone wrong?

Do you know what was the original itenery and how it differs to what is on offer today?

Thanks.
 
wotayottie said:
Going to Penzance makes it easier to time Lands End.
Click to expand...

IIRC it's best to leave Newlyn around LW -1 (I think) to get the start of the west going tide, then the north going tide past Lands End.

Newlyn might no be the prettiest place, but it does have 24 hours entry AND exit :) and if you are lucky enough to arrive there when Dave is working, he'll make sure you're looked after from when you arrive until when you leave
 
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