Largs to Loch Linnhe-rounding Mull of Kintyre

[wully1]

I’ve been round east about in October in shorts, west about in a flat calm until meeting the ‘egg boxes’ that chucked us about a bit. Seriously weird bit of water with on one occasion breaking waves out of nowhere rolling us so the 2 reefing slabs were catching in the water. It was pretty windy that day though.

If you have the luxury of time a good forecast and tides will give you a lovely sail from Campbelltown to Gigha or Islay. Allegedly staying close in to the shore gives smoother water but I prefer to be farther out.

 

[HamishMc]

Staying outside the 50m contour or about 2.5 miles off the MOK will keep you out of worst of the overfalls. There can be confusion over the time the tide turns at the MOK between CCC Pilots, Oban and Greenock HW. For this reason I refer to the Admiralty Tidal Atlas and Dover for the tides in that area.

All the best.

Thanks for advice much appreciated.

 

[HamishMc]

I’ve been round east about in October in shorts, west about in a flat calm until meeting the ‘egg boxes’ that chucked us about a bit. Seriously weird bit of water with on one occasion breaking waves out of nowhere rolling us so the 2 reefing slabs were catching in the water. It was pretty windy that day though.

If you have the luxury of time a good forecast and tides will give you a lovely sail from Campbelltown to Gigha or Islay. Allegedly staying close in to the shore gives smoother water but I prefer to be farther out.

Oooooft thanks for the advice........I think

 

[HamishMc]

A mooring at Tarbert Harbour is pretty cheap relatively inexpensive for a couple of weeks at £230 (331/month).

Thanks for advice, logistics coming from Highlands can be a nightmare but may well look into it. Thanks again

 

[HamishMc]

This is link is a good guide to the tidal gate times at the top of the Sound of Jura: Claymore’s Definitive Tidal Gate Chart

Superb, many thanks

 

[dunedin]

Thanks Dunedin, appreciated. We are not on a Winter mooring we took over an annual mooring and i dont want to renew, so not sure they would discount us for a few weeks but can ask. I am far from retired but have put annual leave aside, one week but could maybe stretch to two weeks at short notice weather dependant . Campbelltown to Gigha is my main concern as yet, more to come i suppose once i start the planning. I know weather dependant and other factors at play but what is average sailing hours from Campbelltown to Gigha?

Then as time constrained I would suggest plan on waiting for the Canal, as pretty much doable in all weathers. If a miracle occurs and both tides and weather aligns with your week off then buy a lottery ticket and head round the Mull.
Using a long weekend to head up to Tarbert before the Canal reopens might be worth considering, Or perhaps chat to the Canal office as they may be able to give you a temporary berth inside the Ardrishaig end of the Canal at the start of April, before the West end opens to through traffic.

 

[HamishMc]

Hi,

Some random questions.

Is this single handed?

Can you pick your weather?

Setting two weeks aside, leisurely heading to Campbell Town while building confidence in the boat and then going round in perfect weather, is one thing. Taking three days off work and hoping those three days will coincide with decent weather is another.

Are you confident enough in your engine that, if required, you can motor hours on end the whole way?

Are you massively enthusiastic about a 45 mile sail in the cold, wet and (likely) dark?

Can you do a few winter test sails around the Clyde to establish to yourself how up for it you are?

Personally, if I had a fortnight spare and I was confident the boat/engine were in good order and there was a crew to provide moral support and periods below with a mug of coffee I'd have thought it would be a breeze. If one or more of those factors is missing it might be progressively more of a challenge.

(I've never been around the MofK but I've sailed a fair bit both sides of it in March/April. I've got a photo of myself sailing south of Mull in April wearing a T-Shirt, so it might not even be that cold.)

Jerry's final thought: You can always turn back. Leave Campbelltown with the right weather window and head round. If after two or three hours you're making good time and loving it and likely to make Gigha or Port Ellen in daylight then carry on. If you hate it turn back with a few good stories to tell.

Hi, it will be myself and partner. I can take two weeks off work when required at short notice, weather watching of course to determine when to leave. The engine has full service history and is only a four years old. I spend most of my time outdoors so weather does not hinder me however i have no experience sailing in the dark and i dont think I want to learn the hard way as yet on this voyage so thats not an option.

 

[KAM]

We took our Shipman round the Mull many times. We got rolled cross trees in the water once trying to get round in a strong north Wester. You won't have any problems seaworthiness wise. I would however caution against going early season in a new to you boat unless you've already got all the bugs out, thouroghly checked you can reef easily and everything is working well. You probably already realise it can take years to get all the bugs out. The Shipman was our first boat. We learnt to sail as we went along using a book and cruised Kip to Harris via the canal, in our first season. We had a few epics but survived.
.

 

[awol]

I have stopped off at Sanda more often than I've gone via Campbeltown. I aim for the ebb from Pladda, a rest at anchor at Staffa for 6 hours or so then take the flood up to Gigha or Craighouse - sometimes it actually works. With equal day and night just choose your tide times and then hope for the weather, south easterlies being my favourite.

 

[Mark-1]

I have stopped off at Staffa more often than I've gone via Campbeltown. I aim for the ebb from Pladda, a rest at anchor at Staffa for 6 hours or so then take the flood up to Gigha or Craighouse -

Staffa?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Staffa?

The Staffa, Belfast, Millport route from the West Coast. A lot easier on the mind and soul.

 

[IanCC]

If you don't already have them, the Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions, are a great source of information.

Pretty sure ccc directions are incorrect on this matter and a correction had to be issued.
The campletown sauling/yacht club website has very detailed instructions, they should know.

 

[awol]

Staffa?

Oops! Sanda is what I meant. I certainly don't recommend Staffa as an anchorage.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I've been from the Clyde to points north by both routes, Crinan Canal and the MoK, in my Moody 31. The first thing I'd say is that the MoK's reputation is because it can be exceedingly nasty in bad weather. But it's straightforward and probably as quick if not quicker than the Crinan Canal in decent weather. So, watch the weather forecast and plan the tides and the MoK isn't really particularly challenging. Stay either VERY close inshore under the headland or well offshore, though. Personally, I rate places like the Sound of Luing, the Dorus Mor and the Ballachulish Narrows as much more challenging.

On a decent day, the sea off the MoK is no worse than the nasty chop you get off Ardlamont Point in a southerly!

The Crinan Canal is pleasant, but you can't RELY on a quick passage. It can be done in a few hours, but the same passage can take 2 days if you're unlucky. It all depends on traffic and on the operations of the canal. No movement is allowed outside working hours which end ridiculously early in the summer. The canal will challenge your boat-handling skills far more than the MoK will, and you will need crew or hire a pilot to make the passage.. Two people is feasible, 3 makes it fairly simple, especially if one is willing to walk ahead to operate locks.

Time-wise, there's nothing to choose between them from Largs; you'll get to Oban in about the same length of time unless you're VERY lucky with the timing on the canal. Cost-wise, there's no competition! My main grumble about the Crinan Canal is that the charges are silly for what you get; the authorities market it as a destination, not a short-cut.

 

[Mark-1]

Oops! Sanda is what I meant. I certainly don't recommend Staffa as an anchorage.

I'm not going to admit how long I spent searching the chart for a place around Arran/MoK called Staffa.

For the OP, here's a recent thread on Sanda:
Sanda Island

Obvs too many variable to decide if it will be useful on the day, but could potentially resolve the "not sailing at night" limitation.

I like the suggestion above - plan for the Canal but go round MoK if the Weather looks right.

 

[dunedin]

I've been from the Clyde to points north by both routes, Crinan Canal and the MoK, in my Moody 31. The first thing I'd say is that the MoK's reputation is because it can be exceedingly nasty in bad weather. But it's straightforward and probably as quick if not quicker than the Crinan Canal in decent weather. So, watch the weather forecast and plan the tides and the MoK isn't really particularly challenging. Stay either VERY close inshore under the headland or well offshore, though. Personally, I rate places like the Sound of Luing, the Dorus Mor and the Ballachulish Narrows as much more challenging.

On a decent day, the sea off the MoK is no worse than the nasty chop you get off Ardlamont Point in a southerly!
….

Each will have different experience. And I would agree that if wait for suitable tide and weather then on most occasional the Mull of Kintyre is a pleasant route - with just a short period of boisterous waves and possibly wind in the last mile to the lighthouse.
But as Robih says, even with perfect forecasts it can give a huge and unexpected “wallop”.

Just checked and the August day when we got ”walloped” going outbound last year (see post #11 above) with breaking waves that twice went right over the sprayhood in a high freeboard 38 foot boat, the forecast for Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan was Variable 3 or less and sea state Smooth to Slight. Couldn’t get a better forecast than that. And tried to get inside the line of standing waves but couldn’t. Spoke to a couple of other boats at Gigha, one a big motorsailer, and they had also had a surprise walloping.
(As noted, worse than anything in 18k miles on the boat, including Biscay and northern North Sea twice).

Will be heading back that way again in April. And in at least 25+ roundings (all in good forecasts) only been seriously bumpy 3-4 times. But worth a bit of respect.
I admit we are a bit of a wimp in terms of not going against bad forecasts - and always try to avoid wishful thinking with forecasts. But have done places like Corryvreckan many times, Cape Wrath, Orkney, Pentland Firth and Gulf de Morbihan at peak 114% springs, all fine.

In terms of your examples, again each to their own experience, but to my mind Sound of Luing is fast but not furious. it is sheltered by islands on both sides so flat water. Some swirls but the main issue is just pot buoys underwater at Fladda. Exiting Cuan Sound westbound into any wind or swell is much more “character building”. The Dorus Mor has its moments, and also deserves a bit of respect, but again is a bit more sheltered from swell (other than in SSW gale).
Can’t comment on Ballachullish narrows as we don’t fit under the bridge!

Again MoK is a great route most times. But perhaps not for a first timer with fixed deadlines at end March.

 

[Minerva]

Thanks for advice, logistics coming from Highlands can be a nightmare but may well look into it. Thanks again

As a possibility - moving your boat from Largs to Clyde Marina in Ardrossan for a couple of weeks could be a good option; there is a train station a short walk from the marina for when you do the delivery trip.

I prefer the MoK myself compared to the canal, mostly for the option of visiting Gigha/Port Ellen and West Loch Tarbert (and it feels a bit more intrepid) but, like it seems everyone, I've encountered an unexpected wet roller coaster and got a bit of a pasting on more than one occasion. I'd want to be sure of your engine / fuel condition before making the trip, especially so early in the season!

Overall it's a lovely passage for the most part so enjoy!

 

[dunedin]

Just for amusement, I attach a consolidated version of our most recent trips round Mull of Kintyre - with an arrow on where we got the recent "wallop" in light weather.
There can also be a very occasional more gentle line of standing waves Eastbound near Sanda in Easterlies - shown with amber arrow. More likely to spill your coffee get salt on your t-shirt, than of major risk to a big boat, but again can surprise even in light winds (watched a Fisher 34 bury its bow).

For the OP's info, according to my notes I aim to leave Campbeltown between 4 hours (old CCC, now changed) and 2 hours (CSC) before HW Greenock - perhaps a bit more in a smaller boat.
For an early / late season trip I check Sunrise/Sunset times - for Campbeltown on 31/3/24 they are 06:55 and 19:58. Plenty of light by civil twilight at 05:20.

Then for example, HW Greenock on 31/3/24 is 04:39 and 17:01 - so departure between 00:39 and 02:39 would be in the dark. Fine for experienced mariners but perhaps not less experienced. Departing 13:00 would leave no margin for errors and likely arriving Gigha in the dark. On the other hand 5th April is a perfect departure slot of 06:30-08:30. Hence why only certain dates work for a daylight transit in early / late season.

 

[Minerva]

Just for amusement, I attach a consolidated version of our most recent trips round Mull of Kintyre - with an arrow on where we got the recent "wallop" in light weather.
There can also be a very occasional more gentle line of standing waves Eastbound near Sanda in Easterlies - shown with amber arrow. More likely to spill your coffee get salt on your t-shirt, than of major risk to a big boat, but again can surprise even in light winds (watched a Fisher 34 bury its bow).

For the OP's info, according to my notes I aim to leave Campbeltown between 4 hours (old CCC, now changed) and 2 hours (CSC) before HW Greenock - perhaps a bit more in a smaller boat.
For an early / late season trip I check Sunrise/Sunset times - for Campbeltown on 31/3/24 they are 06:55 and 19:58. Plenty of light by civil twilight at 05:20.

Then for example, HW Greenock on 31/3/24 is 04:39 and 17:01 - so departure between 00:39 and 02:39 would be in the dark. Fine for experienced mariners but perhaps not less experienced. Departing 13:00 would leave no margin for errors and likely arriving Gigha in the dark. On the other hand 5th April is a perfect departure slot of 06:30-08:30. Hence why only certain dates work for a daylight transit in early / late season.

View attachment 170515

What app is that you use to record your GPX tracks?

 

[[193211]]

As someone who sails a wee 23ft boat, this thread is giving me sweaty palms.

I’ve always wanted to sail from the Clyde to Gigha via the MoK but I might save that plan for the next boat.

On the upside, I can present this new information to the “minister of finance” as further supporting evidence for the purchase of a bigger boat.