Mull of Kintyre - outer passage

[Rosa74]

Hi all, current wind and ride combinations for going E-W round the Mull (my first time) mean a night passage would be best at the moment. For safety I am planning to go round the outside (to avoid dealing with narrow passage and overalls on the dark etc.). But while there's lots of posts about the inner passage, hardly any mention taking the offshore route. Any reason why people don't go that way? Any advice also welcome!

 

[Supertramp]

Without getting into details I would want to be offshore in the dark and out of the reach of rocks and pots. Especially given the strong tides. But it would depend on where you expect to be in the dark, and the wind/sea conditions. Its a lot further offshore. If settled and light winds you shouldn't have a problem staying close in.

 

[dunedin]

By offshore does that include going E and S of Sanda. Check the chart in terms of the rocks and keep well outside them.

If headed for Bangor the outside route is the obvious one and keeps well away from the problem areas. If headed for Rathlin it is a bit further - a bit slower for a sailing boat doing 5-6 knots through the water, but not much of an issue in a fast powerboat.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I usually use the outside passage, going from Pladda to, from MoK. Stay 2miles off, no less, and 50m LAT, while rounding. If caught in unacceptable overfalls, increase offing. Keep this offing as you round onto a northwards passage and MoK Lt Hs is abeam. If coming from Campbeltown take the passage through Sanda Sound and keeping to the Sanda side of the sound. Steer about 260T when clear of Sanda and aim to be 2miles south of Sron Uamba, (that’s about half way along the cliffs if you can see them). The MoK lt Hs is still obscured at this point.

Easy passage, the mistake when doing the outer passage is being too close in, when thinking your far enough off the coast.

 

[Rosa74]

Without getting into details I would want to be offshore in the dark and out of the reach of rocks and pots. Especially given the strong tides. But it would depend on where you expect to be in the dark, and the wind/sea conditions. Its a lot further offshore. If settled and light winds you shouldn't have a problem staying close in.

Thanks supertramp!

 

[Kylora]

I usually take the inside passage, but this season I wanted to try the outer.
I overnighted at anchor at Sanda.
I marked a couple of waypoints which would keep 2 nm offshore, with a third at the bottom corner of the TSS.
I was heading to Port Ellen rather than Ghia.
I think that the longer distance is more than compansated by the higher SoG.
Probably a bit more time spent across the swell when gaining westing ( with a bit of south ) but nothing bad, and didn't see any breaking waves.
We only round in good conditions, and only with HW Campbeltown in morning.
Ash

 

[Rosa74]

Many thanks all. Yes, was planning to go S and E of Sanda (heading up to gigha). Definitely more miles, but seems like less stress in the conditions

 

[noelex]

I have only been around half a dozen times, but it has always been the outside passage.