Tidal speed under Kessock Bridge

[ProDave]

Planning a trip out of the Calley canal, which due to the short days now might not be able to do at the optimum timing.

I am trying to find a tidal speed chart that relates the the speed of flow under the Kessock bridge to tide height/ time but can't find one.

 

[Sgeir]

Not the detail you're after, but according to BA Chart 1078, there is up to 6kts running between Craigton Point and Longman Point, ie the Kessock Bridge.

Also up to 3.5kts between Chanonry Point and Fort George.

 

[ProDave]

Not the detail you're after, but according to BA Chart 1078, there is up to 6kts running between Craigton Point and Longman Point, ie the Kessock Bridge.

Also up to 3.5kts between Chanonry Point and Fort George.

There must be a chart / graph somewhere of the tidal flow Vs height of tide.

Let me simplify the question. If we get to the bridge 1 hour before HW will the last of the flood be too much for a 4 knot boat to motor against?

 

[ctva]

The CCC Pilot book for the N&E should have it. My copy is on the boat so can't check. The other tideal bit is off Chanonry Point which goes at 3.5kn on the ebb but 2.5kn on the flood at springs.

 

[ctva]

There must be a chart / graph somewhere of the tidal flow Vs height of tide.

Let me simplify the question. If we get to the bridge 1 hour before HW will the last of the flood be too much for a 4 knot boat to motor against?

In theory that should be less than 1.5kn at an hour before the turn if it is 6kn at full flow. I think...

Not sure about Kessock but there are usually back eddies on bits like that which local knowledge could assist with.

 

[dunedin]

The closest tidal flow information I could find on Navionics is near the Riff Bank, a bit further out. But this did seem to suggest that at that point the tidal flow turns around about the same time as high and low water.
With the effect of river flow, it is likely that if anything the outward flow near the bridge should start earlier/last longer. Hence heading outbound an hour before high water should be fine I would have thought.

(We have ignored the tide and come successfully inwards against the ebb, keeping outside the main channel as long as possible using the back eddies, without any problems - but we perhaps have a bigger engine to push through the narrows, which were the only faster bits)

 

[JVL]

The answer is no , you will get through! If you arrive early you can still get through at full tide go hard against the timber protection port side to heading towards the Ness . Jump across as the firth widens out

John

 

[ProDave]

Thanks for the advice. I have always avoided going the "wrong way" but timing this time means that might not work so it's good to know if we are a bit early at the bridge it will be okay.

Now I just want that weather forecast to firm up a bit.

 

[jamie N]

You'll be fine Dave; trust me, I'm from Fortrose.....!

 

[Minchsailor]

From the CCC pilot:

"In-going stream +0535 Aberdeen (-0430 Dover)
Out-going stream -0050 Aberdeen (+0130 Dover)
Maximum spring rates: in-going 4kn, out-going up to 6kn."

Example of the flood in full spate:

 

[JVL]

I know that cardinal wellhttp://www.ybw.com/forums/images/icons/icon6.png

I laid it !

John

 

[ProDave]

Just so say we did this passage today. As it happened with the timings we left the sea loch a 2:30, 1 1/2 hours before HW. The sea loch keeper said it would be fine and it was, we made 3 knots under the bridge against the tide but the earlier departure was handy for our arrival.

Also worth saying we went through on a 1 day canal licence. They don't even include the 1 day licence in their schedule of fees but it is available if you ask and significantly cheaper than a standard transit licence that is valid for 7 days.

 

[A1Sailor]

So do you keep the boat on Loch Ness "free" but get charged if you transit part of the canal?

 

[ProDave]

So do you keep the boat on Loch Ness "free" but get charged if you transit part of the canal?

Yes.

The boat in quesion had been on a mooring on Loch Dochfour for 4 years and sailed on Loch Dochfour and Loch Ness. As long as you don't enter the canal, there is no licence to pay.

But we needed the 1 day licence to transit from Loch Dochfour to the Moray Firth.

 

[jamie N]

Did you happen to see a wooden Folkboat where you're at Dave?

 

[ProDave]

Did you happen to see a wooden Folkboat where you're at Dave?

Yes, there is a wooden Folk Boat, very much like yours, on one of the moorings on Loch Dochfour

 

[jamie N]

That's good to hear; she's my 'old boat' and is soon going to be up for sale I hear, due to pressure from the 'other half'!

 

[NorthRising]

It is good fun going out or in against the full flood or ebb, just make sure there is no commercial traffic movements and don't get pinned against the bridge piers.

I only manged not to go where where I wanted once in four years of berthing at the marina, that was with a 6hp outboard on the back of a 7m Sonata.

 

[ProDave]

I guess an advantage of not going under at slack high water, is that is when the big commercial stuff will be entering or exiting the harbour.

We did try calling the harbour on the VHF to ask if any traffic was expected but they did not answer.

 

[ffiill]

Which boat on Loch Dochfour-on the A82 side or the other.
When I had my boat on Lochness I recall sneaking down the canal to Caley Marina and back without paying once or twice.
Mind you in those days the lockkeeper at Dochgarroch was pretty laid back and the Tomnahurich Bridge seemed uninterested.