Loch Spelve

machurley22

machurley22

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Planning the weekend cruise (just me and 14yo daughter) and am considering anchoring overnight in Loch Spelve. I've got the chart, pilot etc. but I've never even been in - does anyone have any experience to share?

Thanks,

Dave

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Yes it's a good anchorage.. there are fish farms tho' but when we went in there were no other boats anchored so not crowded.. not much else apart from the scenery but a nice quiet stop..

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Don't suppose you remember which part you anchored in and what the wind direction was, etc? The pilot is slightly alarming about fierce gusts in westerlies at the north end!

Dave

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Spent a very long night 2 years ago at anchor in a west F4. Not in the normal spot i.e. turning to starboard after entering the Loch as to me that looked infested with fish farms. I dropped the hook just off a little cottage on the west side of the loch just about opposite the entrance. We spent a very pleasant evening at anchor in a westerly breeze.However during the night the wind increased to a steady 20 kts but every 5mins the gusts off the high ground reached 40-50kts at times laying the yacht on her beam. Eventually by morning the squalls abated. The one good thing however I struggled to break out my Delta anchor as it had taken such a good grip in the perfect holding sand. A glorious place but yes be preparred for those fierce gusts!!!

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We've anchored in the northwestern arm, in fact on our first trip in Allegro, last spring. The entrance was fine, although my memory is that the marks were not terribly easy to make out. But at slack water, following more or less the right course and keeping an eye on the echosounder got us in (and out!) with no problems.

The pilot book does mention gusts in the northwestern arm, but we had a lightish southerly when we were there and were well sheltered by the trees on the hummock to the south of the bay. I suspect it might be windy in a northwesterly, when it could funnel down the valley you can see in the photo below (the one from the boat looks roughly northwest, the one from the shore roughly north).

spelve2.jpg
spelve1.jpg


Its a lovely, remote spot. We followed a track from just west of the ruined pier in the bay to the unclassified road, and also just wandered along the shore a bit. If it was blowy from the northwest, I'd be tempted to try the bay south of the hummock (Camus an-t seilisdeir on the OS map, chart's on the boat). Next time we're there I fancy trying the southern end of it and walking to Moy Castle - anyone else seen "I know where I'm going"?!

Nice boat, by the way - we're just opposite you at Dunstaffnage!

Cheers
Patrick

<hr width=100% size=1>Sailing a Victoire 25 on the Scottish West Coast
 
A pleasant enough spot - we've only been in when the weather was settled. The CCC pilot says it all - do you have that or the Lawrence one?

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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I've got both pilots although the CCC is a 1985 version with amendments to 1991! So is there really a log-jam at the mouth of the River Lussa?!

Dave

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Patrick,

Thanks for the info, pics and kind comments about the good ship Silkie! Say hello next time you're in Dunstaffnage.

Dave

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Well, like all good pilots - they strive to keep places quiet by making things sound complicated.
I heard it was raining up there today - is it this coming weekend that you are up?

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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You're both very lucky to be in one piece - Jimi chartered a boat from Dunstaffnage the other week

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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...and now speaks very highly of the Sadler 29 I believe. Mind you, in comparison with his current boat... Only kidding Jimi if you read this!

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Aye and excellent it was too .. highlight of picking the boat up was the guy explaining that the current was always anti clockwise at Dunstaffnage .. "That right" I said spitting into the water .."Do'nt look like it to me!" .. "Erm ... never seen it do that before" said the handeroverer whilst Para collapsed quietly giggling to himself in the corner.
Seriously though, Alba Sailing is the best charter company I have ever chartered from!

<hr width=100% size=1>I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha
 
Bogaff ... saw your boat .. Silkie is I believe another word for a mermaid? The Beneteau is a cracking boat as well but I've always loved the Contessa 32 and the Sadlers

<hr width=100% size=1>I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha
 
Nice folk too. Don't think I've ever bought anything from their chandlery without being given an unrequested discount. And if that doesn't get me an extra 10% I'm taking my business elsewhere!

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mermaid or seal...

...but I was only referring to your much publicized rudder problem. It's only the start of my second season in my first yot and I'm in no position to cast nasturtiums on any other craft.

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Re: mermaid or seal...

I am a man upon the land
I am a silkie on the sea
And when I'm far and far frae land
My hame it is in Sule Skerry

Its a seal - but then again, that's a close as Jimi wid get tae a mermaid

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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