Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
And the Waverly, a couple of times a year.
The Gulf of Corryvreckan
- Thread starter ianj99
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And the Waverly, a couple of times a year.
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Grey Dogs Information
The chap who runs Oban Sea School had taken his first school yacht through. The yacht was a small Colvic sloop at about 29'. Not a powerful vessel but very capable as is the chap who runs the sailing school. If I remember correctly he said that at slack water it wasn't very slack. It was a good few years ago and I recollect that may have checked it out from above on the land first. Obviously he had anchored somewhere to do this and I cant remember if it was East or West side. It was an overnight anchorage. So local knowledge in your area.
http://www.obanseaschool.co.uk/index.html
The chap who runs Oban Sea School had taken his first school yacht through. The yacht was a small Colvic sloop at about 29'. Not a powerful vessel but very capable as is the chap who runs the sailing school. If I remember correctly he said that at slack water it wasn't very slack. It was a good few years ago and I recollect that may have checked it out from above on the land first. Obviously he had anchored somewhere to do this and I cant remember if it was East or West side. It was an overnight anchorage. So local knowledge in your area.
http://www.obanseaschool.co.uk/index.html
ianj99
Well-Known Member
Settled weather, neap tide and slack water for my first venture through me thinks.
Thanks to all for the links.
Ian
Quandary
Well-Known Member
Grey dogs (note, not the Corryvreckan)
Yes there is shelter out of the tide in the Sound of Luing NW of the pier in the bay at the NE corner of Scarba, this is the traditional landing for Scarba. Used quite a lot in summer and only a couple of hundred metres from the E end of the Grey Dogs. The big ribs from Easdale seem to like to play on the standing wave at the north side of the passage.
Yes there is shelter out of the tide in the Sound of Luing NW of the pier in the bay at the NE corner of Scarba, this is the traditional landing for Scarba. Used quite a lot in summer and only a couple of hundred metres from the E end of the Grey Dogs. The big ribs from Easdale seem to like to play on the standing wave at the north side of the passage.
agurney
Well-Known Member
I've intended to go through on several occasions, but each time I've chickened out at the last minute. I've never been convinced about the standing wave on the east end, it gives the impression that there's a a submerged rock holding the flow up rather than just being where it meets the Sound.
Alisdair
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
Me Too!
We were going to do it last time we were up their.... but instead went to Cuan Sound on the West going... and came back North of Scarba .... (Whats that called again?? ) which is scary enought thanks very much....
Cuan was excellent... With swmbo pointing out seals whilst I was bricking it!
oldharry
Well-Known Member
As a regular veteran of Ramsey, Bardsey, Portland and others, I had heard about Corryvreckan, and was glad to make my first attempt on it in CalMacs 'Lord of the Isles' a couple of years ago:
Dunno what all the fuss is about
.... I do really! The first time I rounded Portland it was like that too. Not the next time
Dunno what all the fuss is about
.... I do really! The first time I rounded Portland it was like that too. Not the next time
Last edited:
Krusty
Well-Known Member
Grey Dogs Channel
If you are seeking a bit of a thrill in there, but without the danger of the mid-channel rock, you can approach from the West, close to the southern shore, during the Springs flood stream.
No, I have not got that wrong!
The flood IS west-going: but it creates a relatively quiet east-going eddy close to the southern cliff, which can be followed right to the white-water spillway coming through the gap; then a twitch of the helm to cross the eddy boundary and you go rocketing out westward on the main stream.
The yacht should be reliably manoevrable of course.
We had a firm westerly breeze, and completed the escapade under sail; but with engine running, just in case...
If you are seeking a bit of a thrill in there, but without the danger of the mid-channel rock, you can approach from the West, close to the southern shore, during the Springs flood stream.
No, I have not got that wrong!
The flood IS west-going: but it creates a relatively quiet east-going eddy close to the southern cliff, which can be followed right to the white-water spillway coming through the gap; then a twitch of the helm to cross the eddy boundary and you go rocketing out westward on the main stream.
The yacht should be reliably manoevrable of course.
We had a firm westerly breeze, and completed the escapade under sail; but with engine running, just in case...
agurney
Well-Known Member
To the east is Fladda, to the west are the Black Isles.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/agurney/art/1617715-1-vic-32-at-fladda
Alisdair
spuddog
Well-Known Member
the gulf of corrievreckan
Robert Kincaid who runs the Oban sea school took us through a couple of years ago,it was gorgeous (at the right time)Thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip.I have only been sailing for a couple of years but i love being on the water and think Robert was instrumental in helping me along in my sailing efforts.That man can sail!!
No connection,just a very satisfied customer
Robert Kincaid who runs the Oban sea school took us through a couple of years ago,it was gorgeous (at the right time)Thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip.I have only been sailing for a couple of years but i love being on the water and think Robert was instrumental in helping me along in my sailing efforts.That man can sail!!
No connection,just a very satisfied customer
spuddog
Well-Known Member
the gulf of corrievreckan
reply to "Blowing old boots"
Oban sea school (Robert Kincaid) Now has a 36 foot steel yacht (built by himself)called "Aquila" and it is the dogs "B******s.Just for info.
reply to "Blowing old boots"
Oban sea school (Robert Kincaid) Now has a 36 foot steel yacht (built by himself)called "Aquila" and it is the dogs "B******s.Just for info.
kimhollamby
Well-Known Member
Duncan Phillips
We were lucky enough to time our visit to that area in 1999 during light winds and so were able to make a full circumnavigation of Jura, including nosing our way well into Loch Tarbert and spending time allowing our boat to be sung in circles by the whirlpools of Corryvreckan. We also nosed downhill into the Bay of Pigs but alas had to leave again after a short stay, such was the schedule. On the day in question it could have been a deserted bay in the Mediterranean - although we didn't dip a toe to spoil the illusion.
What made this all possible with ease for first timers was welcoming aboard for the day local boatman Duncan Phillips, whose knowledge of the waters certainly spurred us to do things that would otherwise have stayed on the 'perhaps not' list or even passed us by.
I don't know if Duncan is still up at Craobh but I will be forever in his debt for what was a real red letter day.
BTW this all got written up in Motor Boats Monthly (sorry - I was on a motorboat as you might have guessed) and I later received a letter from George Orwell's son, who said that he and his dad were lucky to survive the overturning of their dinghy in that area many years back.
We were lucky enough to time our visit to that area in 1999 during light winds and so were able to make a full circumnavigation of Jura, including nosing our way well into Loch Tarbert and spending time allowing our boat to be sung in circles by the whirlpools of Corryvreckan. We also nosed downhill into the Bay of Pigs but alas had to leave again after a short stay, such was the schedule. On the day in question it could have been a deserted bay in the Mediterranean - although we didn't dip a toe to spoil the illusion.
What made this all possible with ease for first timers was welcoming aboard for the day local boatman Duncan Phillips, whose knowledge of the waters certainly spurred us to do things that would otherwise have stayed on the 'perhaps not' list or even passed us by.
I don't know if Duncan is still up at Craobh but I will be forever in his debt for what was a real red letter day.
BTW this all got written up in Motor Boats Monthly (sorry - I was on a motorboat as you might have guessed) and I later received a letter from George Orwell's son, who said that he and his dad were lucky to survive the overturning of their dinghy in that area many years back.
agurney
Well-Known Member
BobnLesley
Well-Known Member
Weather, weather, weather - oh, and tides
We sailed that way in 2003 and heading north up the east side of Jura - strong SW winds and spring tides - we were glad of the advice we'd been given the night before: Don't try going through and don't even get close! We steered toward the eastern shoreline as we approached and still (2+ miles away) could feel the 'suck' from the tide and hear what sounded like a continuos roll of thunder coming from the waters within the passage.
A few weeks later, we approached from the NW on a glass-flat day and motored through the sound without a qualm. Actually having timed the tides just right, we motored back and forth and played around inside the sound itself. If you're fortunate enough to get there on such a benign day as that, then get yourself lined up, then switch over to the autohelm; as we hit the various eddys and whirlpools, poor Arthur didn't know whether he was coming or going!
As a final thought, having passed through Cuan & Luingto the north of Corryvreckan too, if I were ever to get caught on the outside in deteriorating weather and looking to run for shelter inside the islands, I would be tempted to use Corryvreckan for the passage; I've no doubt it would be seriously unpleasant, but at least it's a straight run and a fair tide should spit you out in one (albeit badly shaken) piece, rather than have to fight cross-tides to steer around the twists, turns and hard-bits of the other two.
We sailed that way in 2003 and heading north up the east side of Jura - strong SW winds and spring tides - we were glad of the advice we'd been given the night before: Don't try going through and don't even get close! We steered toward the eastern shoreline as we approached and still (2+ miles away) could feel the 'suck' from the tide and hear what sounded like a continuos roll of thunder coming from the waters within the passage.
A few weeks later, we approached from the NW on a glass-flat day and motored through the sound without a qualm. Actually having timed the tides just right, we motored back and forth and played around inside the sound itself. If you're fortunate enough to get there on such a benign day as that, then get yourself lined up, then switch over to the autohelm; as we hit the various eddys and whirlpools, poor Arthur didn't know whether he was coming or going!
As a final thought, having passed through Cuan & Luingto the north of Corryvreckan too, if I were ever to get caught on the outside in deteriorating weather and looking to run for shelter inside the islands, I would be tempted to use Corryvreckan for the passage; I've no doubt it would be seriously unpleasant, but at least it's a straight run and a fair tide should spit you out in one (albeit badly shaken) piece, rather than have to fight cross-tides to steer around the twists, turns and hard-bits of the other two.
Quandary
Well-Known Member
I think perhaps you should do it again a few times in 'deteriorating weather' and post a few more detailed instructions before sending virgins though from west to east in bad weather.
It is not very far north to Pladda with safe passage leading straight to Cuan Sound or the top of the Sound of Luing.
Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
It's that 4 - 8m standing wave in the middle which can be a bit of a pain. Falling off it could spoil your whole day.
agurney
Well-Known Member
NO! I'll take on Cuan and Fladda any day in my Vega, but Corryvreckan's in a different league.
A couple of points:
1. Remember, the difference in sea level between each end of the gulf can be a couple of metres, which is why the currents are so fierce and slack water is so short.
2. There isn't really a "fair tide" in deteriorating conditions for this place - a fair tide implies the start of the ebb, and deteriorating conditions suggests wind from the W or SW, so you'd have to be a little south of the Gulf and pretty lucky to catch it just right .. and the window is very short.
I've cut it fine a couple of times in benign conditions and have a healthy respect for the place.
Alisdair
mattonthesea
Well-Known Member
Corry and Grey Dogs
I would advise building up to these two. Firstly take a spring tide run down the Sound of Jura. As above on autohelm. turn into the Sound of Islay and head up Loch Tarbert. For this blindfold yourself on the helm and get your crew to shout the transit directions at you while playing white noise at full blast on the deck speakers. Then imagine all three experiences together. Having seen both in complete calm and roaring we chickened out and decided we'd do it next time but book a pilot. Discretion, valour etc
Matt
I would advise building up to these two. Firstly take a spring tide run down the Sound of Jura. As above on autohelm. turn into the Sound of Islay and head up Loch Tarbert. For this blindfold yourself on the helm and get your crew to shout the transit directions at you while playing white noise at full blast on the deck speakers. Then imagine all three experiences together. Having seen both in complete calm and roaring we chickened out and decided we'd do it next time but book a pilot. Discretion, valour etc
Matt
Sandyman
Well-Known Member
Does the OP really want to go here ?
I did it a few years back & the skipper got the tide wrong. Right date. Wrong year. Believe it or not.
Most frightening sail Ive ever had, and that's saying something. Will not be going there again.
I did it a few years back & the skipper got the tide wrong. Right date. Wrong year. Believe it or not.
Most frightening sail Ive ever had, and that's saying something. Will not be going there again.
Lady Campanula
N/A
A long, long time ago, around the time of Dr. King's famous 'I have a dream' speech in the autumn of '63, I first visited Scarba - the north side of the Gulf of Corrievreckan - with a Scottish mountain club. We were ferried over by local boat and camped on the NE side of the island.
On the next day, it being Equinoctial Springs, the club members climbed up and over the hill to sit and watch the Gulf in full flow - and I went with.
Long before we got within sight of the place, the ground was vibrating and the 'roar' made conversation all but impossible. We sat on the shoulder of the hill, 1000' feet up, watching the whirlpools and jumping, roaring overfalls.
"Imagine coming through there in an open Viking longboat," I was instructed. "They raided, settled and farmed all around here, for several hundred years."
At that time, the only open boat I'd been near was the hired Cuan Ferry which had brought us over from Luing. It would be over 40 years later before I next went near that evil place in a boat. I can think of gentler ways to die....
!
On the next day, it being Equinoctial Springs, the club members climbed up and over the hill to sit and watch the Gulf in full flow - and I went with.
Long before we got within sight of the place, the ground was vibrating and the 'roar' made conversation all but impossible. We sat on the shoulder of the hill, 1000' feet up, watching the whirlpools and jumping, roaring overfalls.
"Imagine coming through there in an open Viking longboat," I was instructed. "They raided, settled and farmed all around here, for several hundred years."
At that time, the only open boat I'd been near was the hired Cuan Ferry which had brought us over from Luing. It would be over 40 years later before I next went near that evil place in a boat. I can think of gentler ways to die....
!