Oban to Port Ellen

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Ian Windsong

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Planning Oban to Port Ellen next week, via Easdale, Carsaig bay and Craighouse. Would like to find the most comfortable route down the Sound of Luing. We have plenty time to get the tides right. Any tips , hints welcome.
Thanks
Ian
 
This link will take you to tidal gate times based on local observations (referenced to HW Dover and Oban), note that for the table headings for the Sound of Luing "West Going" is north, and "East Going" is south: -

Claymore’s Definitive Tidal Gate Chart

It works well and is more accurate than Tidal Atlas hourly pages, which are also good enough but less refined.

The Sound of Luing comfort factor will depend on the wind strength and if it is over tide. Las weekend it was neaps, SE 3 or less and flat as a pancake. A southerly F4 with a southerly tidal flow, would be choppy but still straight forward enough in a well found boat.

Sailing in these waters, through the Sound of Jura, better shelter from waves can be had by being closer to the relevant weather shore if there is any easterly or westerly in the wind, otherwise sail down as best as you can. Optimse for the tide as it does make a difference to good ground speed and faster passage times for sure. Once through the gates you can punch tide under sail and with the motor, as the rates are lower in the deeper water. Around the Ruadh Sgeir Ledges and the other islets northwards, the current can be strong with sudden slaps and shakes of the hull from upwelling water, hence stay clear.

Crossing the entrance to the Sound of Islay can be lumpy, so you just have to be aware of that, there are a lot of eddies around the area.

It is a straightforward passage considering wind, crew ability, boat size and seaworthiness. It can be sailed in one go from Oban, hence your plan to stop over will allow decent short passages that are not too taxing.

I would recommend Antares charts (digital only) as they have greater detail for the areas that you wish to stay. Often Antares charts are used with Memory Maps and the Admiralty Raster charts, both available to download for a fee from Memory Map.

Antares Charts
UK & Ireland Marine Charts – Memory-Map Outdoor Navigation Apps | Ordnance Survey | Hema Maps
 
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Some of the discussion on this recent thread might help - Oban to Craobh

As noted in that, the Sound of Luing is rarely an issue if you get the tide right. But in brisk SW winds can be bumpy from Kerrera to Easdale - and similarly round the bottom of Islay.
Port Ellen itself has less than perfect shelter in strong southerly winds.
 
+1 with Duendin above. You can also avoid the Sound of Luing by going along the NW side of Jura and then through the Sound of Islay. This is quite attractive with safe anchorages in W Loch Tarbert on Jura and inside the Ardmore Islands on Islay.

Cuan sound is nothing like as exposed in Southerlies so could be an option for you also.
 
Craighouse is OK for an overnight stay providing that the wind is not from the East but I have reservations about Easdale and Carsaig bay. I have never spent the night in Easdale as I found it somewhat small and hard to find a spot to anchor. It is also not the prettiest of places. I got away with an overnight tucked away in a corner of Carsaig but the weather was calm and settled. And I anchor in wee corners behind small islands where other people wouldn't go. Including the first mate.
 
Minchsailor said:
I have always found that Lowmansland Bay (North of Craighouses) is a pleasant anchorage, and has better shelter and better holdling - less weed. You can tuck into the SEly corner off the quay in an E'ly.
Click to expand...
Funny as I’ve never had a problem anchoring in Craighouse (although it is noted as poor holding) and Lowlandsman Bay, NE corner, is the only place I did a slow drag in an easterly.

As well as the above advice, get the CCC Pilot book.
 
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