Largs to Loch Linnhe-rounding Mull of Kintyre

[Minerva]

I would like to thank everyone one of you super people , you have all responded with valuable information which is much appreciated . I will have to ponder a while and make a decision , my problem is , I think I have more balls than brains to I will also have to take
that into consideration

Ach, it’s unlikely to kill you; worst case is you’ll develop a 1000yd stare of a man that’s seen fear and have a tale to tell in the pub after!

Keep the washboards and hatches shut though.

 

[dunedin]

Yes you can; be brave! 16m clearance above MHWS. MHWS is 4.4m at Corran so with your air draft of 18.8m and a safety margin of 1m you can get through with a low tide of 0.6m or lower. There's a minimum of 2.9m water depth in the approach which won't be a problem. I've got 0.7m more air draft so I'd only have 0.3m clearance which might twang the VHF aerial. You can go first

When I had the mast out I re measured, and the manufacturers figures were without any of the lights, wind instruments and VHF aerial on top. And we would be without them if we did try even at LWS. So after you ……

 

[AntarcticPilot]

When I had the mast out I re measured, and the manufacturers figures were without any of the lights, wind instruments and VHF aerial on top. And we would be without them if we did try even at LWS. So after you ……

No matter how carefully you do the sums, all bridges look too low when you're approaching them in a tidal stream that is too fast for you to turn around. And when you see a platform hanging beneath the bridge deck just after you've passed the point of no return.... I actually had plenty of clearance, but I really don't like passing under bridges!

 

[[2574]]

No matter how carefully you do the sums, all bridges look too low when you're approaching them in a tidal stream that is too fast for you to turn around. And when you see a platform hanging beneath the bridge deck just after you've passed the point of no return.... I actually had plenty of clearance, but I really don't like passing under bridges!

Me neither - I extend the distaste to 400kv cables too!

 

[Alicatt]

hey its not just those boats with pointy sticks standing on deck that have a dislike of bridges

 

[Quandary]

Just to add to a very long thread, Crinan Canal- (I live in Ardrishaig) If the contractors finish on time or close to it it will be the first time they have achieved that, they were put under pressure by locals and responded to it with the earlier date.
However, in the harbour here just outside the sea lock there is a long pontoon owned by the canal, there is no charge or time limit for its use if you are a customer or intending to be one. Best tied up to the North side of the pontoon where the wind can not reach you. It is secured by a gate on the ramp but I have the access code, my windows overlook this pontoon so I can offer to keep a general eye on the boat for you if you give me details at the time. The canal discourages single handed transits because they delay everyone but there is help available here if you need it.
The alternative of going round the Mull is not as scary as long as you respect the tides and choose the weather, I kept my boat in Ardrishaig in winter and in Crinan in summer and always enjoyed the wee 3-4 day delivery cruise via Tarbert, Campbeltown and sometimes Ballycastle or Rathlin.