Tarbert to Oban

It is a fairly straight forward passage as long as you check the tides which are well detailed in either of the local pilots. For the Crinan, half a dozen fenders should do. If you are short (by way of fenders rather than stature) the canal office can sometimes provide loan fenders. Allow a full day for the canal as it depends on the speed / competence of those infront of you. But it's lovely so enjoy the slow pace. Once out the outer end you need to get the time right to go through Dorus Mor then you have a choice of the long easy tide push up the Sound of Luing or the short rollercoaster of Cuan Sound. Both are the same distance and to be honest easy despite what the pilot books say. Incase you have an old chart / pilot, watch out for the new cardinals around Bono Rock to the SW of Easdale. Other than that it's straight forward and lovely.
 
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Never done the Crinan, but once you're out of it, Dorus Mor, Sound of Luing, in or out-side of Kerrera, Oban. No major issues. Go for slack water or just after at the Dorus Mor and you won't be pushed around too much, though provided there's not too much wind you can get a handy lift if you wait a bit - 10 knots over the ground is the fastest we've done just there!

I wouldn't go via Cuan Sound if you're making a passage - an unnecessary complication. Only worth it if you're going to stop at the anchorage at Ardinamir, which is lovely. Though if you're wanting to stop somewhere on route, Poll nan Corran on the east side of Lunga is one of my favourite spots (walk up the hill and admire the Grey Dogs), otherwise consider the Black Isles or Garvellachs.

Cheers
Patrick
 
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If you are short-handed for the Crinan (i.e. if there is only one or two of you) then let them know at Ardrishaig and ask if you can have an assisted passage. This is a new thing this year and makes life much easier. There is no charge.

- W
 
Did it last week and if you get a fair tide you can go through the Dorus and then take in the Corryvrekan before going on to Oban.
But... why rush,.... there are great anchorages so that you could easily take a week to complete the short voyage.
 
If you don't get "assisted passage" through the canal and are to tight to pay for a pilot and are therefore knackered after a day swinging lock gates...

Then you'll be to tight to pay for a night in Ardfern - so anchor in the bay between Eilean Macaskin and Eilean Righ and enjoy a relaxing evening.

The Dorus Mor turns about 45 mins before Oban (ish - seems to have a mind of its own some days) and a fair tide will wheech you up to Oban in no time. An adverse tide will get you nowhere. (unless you have plenty horse power,a long waterline and enjoy wasting fuel)
 
Less than two hours from Tarbert to the Ardishaig sea lock, tides in Loch Fyne are less than 1/2 knot so ignore them, waiting pontoon outside, sea lock operates 09-1700 (19-00 at weekends now) keep well away from the pier as you pass the lighthouse coming in, if going through without any other boats go starboard to, then the ladders are just beside the cockpit. The exception is lock 14 at Crinan which is not lined and is like a quarry on that side. (the canal builders had run out of money long before they got that far) Assisted passage is a bit hit and miss and so far generally very slow but depends on who is on duty, if you have four on board put two ashore, one to prepare locks and one to close up after, if you are going through with another yacht share the work. Most crewed sailing yachts put the females ashore which is a bit perverse as the men on deck look as if they might get more benefit from the exercise. Going up, stern rope tight and nearly vertical, can then be left alone, bow rope well forward and manned, tighten as she rises, some people like to motor forward gently against the stern rope, but it NEEDS to be secure. Open the paddle on the side the front boat is on first, the current goes down the opposite side and circulates. Transit takes about 4-5 hours but most people spend longer. Good early morning transport cafe for bacon rolls beside lock 3 in Ardrishaig, good bar at Cairnbaan Hotel, pretentious hotel at Crinan which now does bar food. No diesel in the canal itself and Crinan Boats fuel pontoon can be awkward, you can get road diesel at the filling station you pass just after Oakfield. If you are stopping overnight at Crinan there is more breeze therefore less midges on the stbd. side berths above 14 and You will not get black smuts from the Vic 32 on your deck. Leave Crinan sea lock at the GMT time of HW Dover (low water) and you could be in Tobermory in next to no time, a bit later for Oban as it is only 3-4 hrs away. You will get 12kts. over the ground in the Sound of Luing. Note the shoals in the centre of Kerrera sound and go either side, it is well buoyed. Time to spare? Easdale is interesting and every yacht has to go in to Pulladobhrain at least once. I move my boat between Ardrishaig and Crinan regularly but much prefer the Campbeltown - Rathlin - Port Ellen route or C'town-Gigha if I have less time and it is not easterly, but then I am up and down the canal every day on my bike and I used to be a canal 'pilot'.
 
ctva said:
RUBBISH! :D

We had our kids at 5 years old opening most of them. Technique not braun, use your legs and back not arms.
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There has not been much maintenance done on most of them since you kids were 5 years old though. I have the crushed knee cartilage to prove it. Beware of lock 6, and do not open the top pair fully, chiropracters dream, and 10 is not a lot easier.
 
Three of us did it in a short day; arrived at Ardrishaig before the sea-lock was open, and were through by mid-afternoon. However, one of us was a big bloke, who was happy to trot on ahead to open the locks.

Both I and my wife - I am no heavyweight, and she is tiny - can operate the locks. As others have said, it's technique as much as muscle. Worth remembering as well that it won't move quickly - get the paddle moving and keep it moving, and maybe "rock" it to get it unstuck at the beginning. Wait until the water is level, as well - you can't move it against even an inch or two of difference of level. I find I can feel the point at which to give a big heave if I have gentle pressure on the paddle as the level rises.

I found the canal staff very helpful; they tutored us through the first two locks to show us the technique. And they do seem to communicate along the canal so that the bridge attendants are fore-warned of traffic. Most of the bridge attendants will lend a hand at the lock as well.

Only one thing - the canal shuts down at the time advertised, and not 5 minutes later! And you are required to tie up when they shut down; they will direct you to where to berth. On our return journey, we could have made it through in daylight, but had to stop at 5 pm.
 
Did the opposite way

Late last year. Weather wasn't great.

Wrote about it here:

http://dompkruisertales.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/we-learned-about-sailing-from-that/


Cuan Sound is a beautiful shortcut and as long as you get the tide right there are no issues. Leaves longer for gentle sailing. Having tried and failed the other way due to bad tide planning I would recommend it.

Re Tides - make sure you look at the flow and not just rely on whether it's flood or ebb. We got it wrong! Depending on the wind your last bit to Oban is comparatively exposed to Atlantic swell and wind. Nothing for beardies but you've been warned!

Leave time for dinner or breakfast at the Crinan hotel and a look at the gallery on the top floor.

Have fun!
 
webcraft said:
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If you are short-handed for the Crinan (i.e. if there is only one or two of you) then let them know at Ardrishaig and ask if you can have an assisted passage. This is a new thing this year and makes life much easier. There is no charge.

- W
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Thanks for this webby, I have phoned them and they happy to help us (as we are two)
 
Problem is-I still believe some of the paddles on the top locks can jam-when I was there a few years back delayed for two days because of this-and someone stuck in the lock for 24 hrs!
 
ffiill said:
Problem is-I still believe some of the paddles on the top locks can jam-when I was there a few years back delayed for two days because of this-and someone stuck in the lock for 24 hrs!
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I did have trouble with one first thing in the morning - the top reach was slightly over-full, and water was running over the top of the uphill gate to a slightly lower level; the setup of the lock mean that the level would take a very long time to equalize, and as I said before, even an inch or so difference in level means you can't open the gate. I had to open the sluices a tad to equalize the pressure to allow me to open the gate.
 
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