Required tidal range for drying out + work time.

aquaplane

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 Sep 2006
Messages
2,679
Location
West Yorkshire
www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk
If I have a bilge keel MAB with 3' draught, how much tidal range do I want to be looking for to scrub the bottom?

Where the mooring is the range is 1m at best so it's a non starter.

I see that Oban has a range of about 2.5 to 3.5 meters on the days I looked at about the beginning of March, I'm thinking that would be enough.

Carsaig Bay would be convenient but I don't think there is much tide in the Sound of Jura, about 2 meters at the moment ferinstance.

Where is a good place for a novice to dry out a boat between Kintyre and Ardnamurchan?
 
Ha ha, that's when a range of 13m can be quite handy!

Couple of points - you don't need to expose all the keels, you can still scrape with a hoe below the water line. But getting in between the keels can be an issue as lying on your back in 12" of water makes it hard to breathe. But the point is that you only need 10-30 mins of dry sand to be able to complete between the keels & everything else can be done as the tide falls & rises. 1.5mtrs will allow you to dry out (as long as you don't let yourself get neaped) do one side as the tide recedes (you will have 2-3 hours to do that and can start as soon as she's aground) then do underneath when she's dry & you have another 3 hours to finish the other side.

An old garden hoe is a great tool for scraping off plus maybe a stiff yard brush for long weed. You can also turn a yard brush over to use the flat wooden edge to knock barnacles off too. The advantage of still having water around when you start is that the barnacles fall in the sea & wash away to be eaten elsewhere rather than sitting in a smelly heap where you need to lie on your back underneath to get between the keels.

Enjoy.
 
Thanks for the info on how to do it Searush, that confirms what I was planning to do.

I'll see about the scrubbing grid at Kilmelford.

Now I have the CCC book infront of me it looks like I need to be the other side of Fladda to get more range.

I was hoping that Crinan Ferry would be suitable or Puilladobhrain, is there any reason not to have a go in either of those places?
 
Top