Sanda/Mull of Kintyre/Gigha

cindersailor

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Got a week to play on the boat and the Clyde is my oyster! In fact if the weather this weekend turns out as is currenty forcast I may even be tempted to pop around the Mull to Gigha, preceeded by a night at Sanda and a visit to the Byron Darnton. This is all new to me having only moved to the Clyde this season. Any advise/tips/recommendations from the Clyde/west coast regulars? Or anyone with similar plans this weekend?
 

starboard

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Sanda well worth a visit, the anchorage is good with good holding on clean sand, not ideal in a strong northerly but that should not be a problem. If the tides are right and the weather Ok Gigha well worth a visit, but if its your first time around the Mull make sure the weather is settled and dont even contemplait if wind against tide!! I always stay very close inshore 25meters, this way you will miss the worst of the overfalls off Deas point. Just read all the pilot books and take heed of what you read.

Dont let me put you off as I always prefer a good passage around the Mull rather than the canal....too many potential problems with other boats there!!

If this all sounds too scary just stay in the Clyde, I have sailed its waters for the last 28 years and still love it!!

Good luck and enjoy it.

Paul.
 

SQUIRRELS

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As Starboard says, if you do go round the mull, be sure to check the tides. Popular options for departure seem to be Campbeltown or Lamlash. As well as a passage close to shore, I've also gone several miles out to avoid the race and it was fine. Gigha is lovely, but do watch for anything much blowing with 'east' in it if you go into Ardminish.

If you don't end up going out of the Clyde, consider heading to upper Loch Fyne. Many nice places to stop and some good options if you want to eat ashore. Let me know if you want some specific suggestions.

Fingers crossed the weather stays fine.
 

rhumlady

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A number of years ago I got talking to some of the Campbeltown lifeboat crew and asked them how close was close inshore at the Mull. The answer was that I would chicken out before getting as close as they would go. I probobly did as well but the wind and tide were with me so it was ok.
 

cerro

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Sanda is a good place to drop the hook then I give my self about two hours to get down to just round the corner of the mull at about HW and I wait for the Bore to pass then I motor sail about a stones throw from shore once passed the Lighthouse you can relax hope this helps Cerro
 

starboard

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No you need to be closer than that........of course not if the wind is fresh onshore!!! in that case turn around and go back to Sanda and enjoy the company of Richard in the pub....Oh by the way if you do go to Sanda, buy some eggs, last time I was their Princess Anne was in with Blue Doublet and she reckons they are the best eggs money can buy.....now if that is not Royal approval I dont know what is!!!

Paul.
 
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