How far up the Clyde can we go?

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pat_detente

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Sorry if this has already been a subject, but I have been unable to find any links. Am I right in thinking that it is now possible to berth in the centre of Glasgow, at Plantation Quay? I am having trouble working out if there are any bridges that don't lift/open to allow our mast through.

Up until yesterday I had thought that Bowling was as far as we could navigate. Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks in anticipation.
 
Depending on the oa height of your boat/mast you can go as far up as the SECC and Armadillo, with mast up and as far as Rutherglen with mast down, the latter providing you get the tides right and go through the weir at Glasgow green in the right place/part of the weir.
I know someone who keeps his Vega in Rutherglen during the winter.
Perhaps you would be better get some local knowledge before attempting the weir.
If you call in at Rothesay dock, (Just above Clydebank college and the Titan crane above the Erskine bridge) the yard at RD will give you more up to date info.
Enjoy the trip.
Incidently the Ocean youth Trust keep their boats at Breahead pontoon.
I take my boat up to Rothesay dock boat yard every oct.
C_W
 
Not sure about attempting the weir, but the Scottish ytouth trust boats that go up to Braehead are ex BT 72 footers so should be navigable for most pleaseure yachts

If bringing an oil rig with you check the tides underneath the Erskine Bridge (its a long story)
 
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If bringing an oil rig with you check the tides underneath the Erskine Bridge (its a long story)

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I watched that rig getting built , was standing behind the guy that videod it , and had to leave 5 minutes before it got a glasgow kiss /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I watched the brdge being built bit by bit going or returning from weekend leave from Faslane.

If you dont mind taking your mast down going through the forth and clyde canal is a great experience and excellent value for money.
 
I don't think visitors are encouraged above the weir. Nowhere to stop, heavily used by rowing clubs and the tidal weir has some pretty scary currents around it and a fairly small hole to go through. Handy for catching dead bodies though. Rutherglen Boat Club might tell you otherwise.
 
I've seen a yacht moored up by the hotel next to the Armadillo, there's a pontoon there as well although I don't know who owns it.

I believe Bells bridge can open but I have never seen it, so I guess that's the limit.
 
I may well be out of date, but last time I looked you had to have permission from the harbourmaster to go past Bowling. I am pretty sure that's what the charts say. The way it was worded, I gathered that permission might well be refused! However, I stand to be corrected; it wasn't of that much interest to me.
 
You need permission to go past Greenock up to Bowling never mind any further, but that is not unreasonable as the channel is used by shippng and is not always as wide as you might like. When I went up to Bowling I had no problems even though there was a dredger and the SRANAVFORLANT squadron coming down on the tide. I don't think you would be denied entry without good reason.
 
Some interesting info and links. Many thanks one and all.

We have booked a berth at Plantation Quay (had just sent the email when I made the post) and have been informed there is just one bridge we need worry about - looking forward to visiting some of our old student haunts (if they haven't been knocked down!!!) before spending the rest of the cruise in the Firth of Clyde.
 
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I may well be out of date, but last time I looked you had to have permission from the harbourmaster to go past Bowling. I am pretty sure that's what the charts say. The way it was worded, I gathered that permission might well be refused! However, I stand to be corrected; it wasn't of that much interest to me.

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Thats true in a sense Paul, though the chances of been refused are very slim unless there is something going on like a big ship comming down river at the time.
There are specific places marked on the river chart, (one at Victoria dock Greenock, and one at Bowling) in Pink diamonds where anyone intending going up or down must call Clyde port on Ch 12 informing them of your intentions and position, they will advice you if all is clear.
C_W
 
Many many years ago my uncle kept his 'boat' (a ships liferaft with some sort of wooden structure on it) up the Clyde. There was a mast of sorts which could be lowered.

The boat was upriver of the Rutherglen bridge on the Rutherglen side. It had a gangway from the shore which went up and down with the tide. The construction was quite crude and very low cost.

Can't remember very much about it as it was just after the war ftom 1942 onwards and I was quite young at that time.

I stayed in Falkirk but spent school summer holidays at my grandparents house in Rutherglen.

All a bit of a hazy memory now.

Iain
 
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