Passing Corryvreckan on Tuesday

[andythefiddler]

Hi,

I am looking at passing by Corryvreckan on Tuesday in a Hanse 350 (20hp engine).

Tides are 5 days after neaps 3 days before springs.

Local knowledge and advice much appreciate.

Andy

 

[dunedin]

Passing by or transiting through? And if transiting, East/inbound or West/outbound?
Inbound with the tide is generally safest - as rarely any waves from the east to give waves against tide.
Outbound can easily be taken by surprise by shelter East of Jura/Scarba and suddenly realise windier, and wavier on the West - only a tiny swell from the West can suddenly get nasty if meeting 6-8 knot outgoing tide, and very difficult to change mind and head back East.

 

[andythefiddler]

Passing by or transiting through? And if transiting, East/inbound or West/outbound?
Inbound with the tide is generally safest - as rarely any waves from the east to give waves against tide.
Outbound can easily be taken by surprise by shelter East of Jura/Scarba and suddenly realise windier, and wavier on the West - only a tiny swell from the West can suddenly get nasty if meeting 6-8 knot outgoing tide, and very difficult to change mind and head back East.

We are definitely heading north passed it from CriNan to Kilmelford.

Excuse spelling the machine thinks we are going from Crimea!

 

[zoidberg]

We are definitely heading north passed it from CriNan to Kilmelford.

Excuse spelling the machine thinks we are going from Crimea!

Must be your Ukrainian software!

Seriously, you should have no good reason to venture west of the median line ( see below ) and so should have no issues. There are lots of 'swirlies' in places thereabouts, but they're mostly benign.

Corrievreckan itself is NOT a pussycat! The first time I went thataway, in the 1960s with a climbing club autumn meet on Scarba, one could hear the 'Vreckan roaring from the far NE side of the hill.

 

[dunedin]

Yes, if just passing North up the Sound of Luing then just a matter of not sailing ridiculously close on an outgoing flood tide.
( Recently watched from Craignish peninsula a 50 footer go to look at the Corry, when it was clearly extremely wild at the west end. They only went into the edge then turned NE to try to come back in but spent a very long time close to the Scarba shore doing under 1kt SOG before finally broke clear. But this was clear numpty behaviours in a very wrong conditions)

 

[Robih]

Yes, if just passing North up the Sound of Luing then just a matter of not sailing ridiculously close on an outgoing flood tide.
( Recently watched from Craignish peninsula a 50 footer go to look at the Corry, when it was clearly extremely wild at the west end. They only went into the edge then turned NE to try to come back in but spent a very long time close to the Scarba shore doing under 1kt SOG before finally broke clear. But this was clear numpty behaviours in a very wrong conditions)

Not a moment to have some gunk block the fuel line.....

 

[bikedaft]

fine at slack... 45mins neaps, 15mins springs

 

[Aja]

Did @claymore of this parish not produce the definitive tidal chart for this area?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

The Admir

Did @claymore of this parish not produce the definitive tidal chart for this area?

The Admiralty one is fine for planning. Providing you plan the tides carefully, going through Corryvreckan isn't a big deal.

 

[dunedin]

The Admir

The Admiralty one is fine for planning. Providing you plan the tides carefully, going through Corryvreckan isn't a big deal.

Mmmmmm. That depends on what is coming the other way - going out with the flood into even a slight swell from the West can be VERY challenging. Inbound is generally a pussycat - albeit sometimes a high speed one.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Mmmmmm. That depends on what is coming the other way - going out with the flood into even a slight swell from the West can be VERY challenging. Inbound is generally a pussycat - albeit sometimes a high speed one.

Actually, I planned to pass through at slack water!

 

[dunedin]

Actually, I planned to pass through at slack water!

The trouble with Scottish tides is that they often seem to fail to read the official tide tables (and even the high tech app with advanced tide models). So sometimes Corry decides to randomly vary its brief slack water.

 

[awol]

From Crinan your first obstacle is the Dorus Mhor (Big Door), best taken with the flood though there is an eddy close to Craignish Point, then flood all the way to Kilmelfort. I tend to try and avoid the various unmarked rocks that are scattered around.

 

[zoidberg]

The trouble with Scottish tides is that they often seem to fail to read the official tide tables (and even the high tech app with advanced tide models). So sometimes Corry decides to randomly vary its brief slack water.

Aye, that!

The much-respected Antares Charts people sprinkle the following 'heads up' around for those who read the small and large print:

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Came through W to E for the first time this year. Must have done my tidal calcs right as it was as flat as flat can be and only a 1/2 knot lift.
As for passing the entrance going N on the flood, give it as wide a berth as you possibly can. Going S on the ebb, not a problem, just enjoy the sleigh ride to Gigha or Islay.

P.S. You might find it better to hand steer as the swirls and eddies make it very hard work for an autopilot.

 

[pmagowan]

Generally if you are going North from Crinan at optimum time then the tide will be fine near the Vrekan. It is not that big a deal unless you get stupidly close as the tide is running out it. I went through and anchored in the Bay of pigs on the other side. Nice spot. The Dorris Mhor tends to be more problematic if sailing as you will often be swirled around and must be prepared to let the sails go to prevent being gybed or flattened depending on angle of sail. Motor on is a good idea. Lovely area though and some interesting coastline.

 

[webcraft]

The Corryvreckan Whirlpool – Scotland's maelstrom

 

[andythefiddler]

Thanks all.

We got delayed in the Crinan - just don’t ask!

So went out late on flat seas with little wind.

Kept nicely to the east and it was easy.

Actually Holyhead race at night was ‘scarier’