Trailer sailing in Scotland

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petrel

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Hello,

Does anyone in the forum trailer sail in Scotland? I am looking for like minded people to share thoughts and advice on launch sites and interesting places to visit in shallow draft boats or if anyone is looking to cruise in company.
I have trailer sailed around the Clyde a few times in the past and I am planning a 5 day trip in april launching at Largs.
Later in the season when the weather is more predictable I would like to sail some of the inner Hebrides.
Any advice is welcome.

Thanks John.
 
I have just started to trail sail having given up larger boats. I have some experience of the Moray Firth harbours and am planning to go to Loch Carron and possibly Klylesku this summer. This is a good website, also available as a paid App. http://www.boatlaunch.co.uk/
Cheers.
 
I sold my lune pilot last year, but will probably get something small and shallow again at some point.

My favourite spot is South of Oban, around the slate isles. Masses of fairly sheltered waters, interesting tidal navigation, and the ability to explore some channels and places that the big boats just cannot get to. For there I launch on the Isle of Seil, but Croabh Haven or Kinlochmelfort would be an equally good starting point.

Have also enjoyed holidays based out of Baddacro, Portsoy, and Ardfern. Having a not entirely committed family we generally stay ashore in a cottage, and family members can choose to join me or do something more land based.
 
I took my 20'er to Loch Sween which is probably a bit far South for most of the sheltered stuff within a day or so of Oban.

Another TSA member launched his First 217 at Ardfern and found it a good slip. I think they went as far as Ardnamuchan but it may have been further.

The TSA usually have a Clyde Cruise at Spring Bank but there were no takers last year, it will probably be proposed as a possible cruise this year too. Sometimes the TSA go out West instead of the Clyde for a change.

I was quite happy cruising in the 20'er using the CCC Kintyre to Ardnamurchan book and would venture to the far side of Jura/Mull if the weather looked OK for few days.
There is loads to do and see between Tobermory, Fort William, Oban and Crinan all in sheltered water.
 
Plockton-you can either float off the gravel beach or off gently sloping access ramp at high tide-I take my car down so no problem.
Skye Boat Centre,Strollamus have a ramp but they will charge something for launching.
Arisaig Marine have a ramp but might be occupied by boats they are working on.
Old ferry ramps at Kyle and Kyleakin are also possibilities.
There are loads of places where you can just access the beach and wait for the tide.
 
I have been tempted to downsize and trailer sail but I always worry about the trailer being nicked when I am away sailing for a day or two. Am I being over concerned?
 
Google Drascombe Association - they have a launch site guide, rallies organised this year for Scotland, articles, write ups etc on private excursions aorund the coast and islands etc... Don't need to be member to join the forum...
 
Thanks for the replies,
I had thought about Croabh as a good starting point then heading north. I have sailed through this area before on a delivery and the tides were interesting, but with some good passage planning can be very helpful, I have always liked the idea of going under the Clachan bridge to miss the worst of the tides.
The other area I have been researching is the east coast of Skye and Raasay area, although this is a longer drive it does look like there would be plenty of places to explore. I will also look into the places mentioned in the above posts, We really are spoiled for choice with the west coast of Scotland.
I have noticed the TSA do not have a website anymore, does the association still exist?

John.
 
First "big boat" as opposed to a dinghy was a 19ft Hunter Medina. That was based at Loch Creran, about 10 miles north of Oban. Good slip with adjacent campsite and also secure storage for trailers.

We sailed that all over the Inner Hebrides, as far South as Crinan, all round Mull, as far west as Coll & Tiree and north to Skye & the Small Isles as well as the coastal lochs such as Loch Linnhe as far north as Fort William & into Loch Leven & up to Glencoe. Superb sailing area with lots of sheltered anchorages and some interesting passages.

Enjoy
 
petrel said:
T...... I have always liked the idea of going under the Clachan bridge to miss the worst of the tides.
Click to expand...

I have sailed round Seil twice now. A great challenge for which you need the right boat, and a pencil and paper to plan your various tidal gates/ draft and air draft!

R
 
I would be going under the bridge in a Swift 18, She floats in 9 inches with the keel up and the mast is easy enough to take down singlehanded.
I recently spent a week on Seil with my family on holiday and would like to go back to Easdale and moor in the wee inlet in the village and have a pint in the puffer, maybe I could stop in on my way back if the weather and tides allow.
 
Great video Ru88ell, of our local "back yard". You really chose your weather well for the sunshine !

As a lateral thought, we were in the Outer Hebrides this year. This would probably be a great place to cruise with a shallow keel boat (or with a deep keel like ours), with loads of sheltered places to explore - once you get there.
If you could find a ferry fare that is within pain threshold launching in the outer isles could make a really great cruise destination accessible
 
There are quite a few Cape Cutter 19's in that part of the World, and others who trail to get there. I sold mine last year and bought a Cornish Yawl, so won't get there again anytime soon. I'm really glad I went when I had the chance.
 
Can I wave a wee flag for the Solway Coast? Lots of interesting places, lovely beaches, a few islands, one usable (if short) canal and the possibility of trips to Cumbria or the Isle of Man. Good launching facilities at Kippford, Kirkcudbright (via the sailing club) and, I think, Isle of Whithorn. Or come and join my wee Hunter on fresh water at Loch Ken, which is almost as long as Windermere.
 
JumbleDuck said:
Can I wave a wee flag for the Solway Coast? Lots of interesting places, lovely beaches, a few islands, one usable (if short) canal and the possibility of trips to Cumbria or the Isle of Man. Good launching facilities at Kippford, Kirkcudbright (via the sailing club) and, I think, Isle of Whithorn. Or come and join my wee Hunter on fresh water at Loch Ken, which is almost as long as Windermere.
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Garlieston also has a good slipway and is more spacious than the Isle of Whithorn.
 
Great video Ru88ell, fingers crossed the weather will be as good when I head up this april, I sailed up the clyde last april from Stranraer in a Hurley 22 a week after the big snow fall, it was freezing! it took me 2 days to thaw out after getting home!
Hello again Jumbleduck, I think we have spoken before on the phone when you where thinking of selling your Hunter 490? I am based in Luce bay so have sailed to most of the places you mention, I am looking for new places to explore that's the reason for going back to trailer sailing.
Where is the canal?

John.
 
JumbleDuck said:
Can I wave a wee flag for the Solway Coast? Lots of interesting places, lovely beaches, a few islands, one usable (if short) canal and the possibility of trips to Cumbria or the Isle of Man. Good launching facilities at Kippford, Kirkcudbright (via the sailing club) and, I think, Isle of Whithorn. Or come and join my wee Hunter on fresh water at Loch Ken, which is almost as long as Windermere.
Click to expand...


Please tell where the canal is in SW Scotland? Although I sail there just can't think of it at the moment!

Also must say that if I was going to trail a small boat for my holidays I would take it much further north to more interesting and much more sheltered places where I would have a much better chance of sailing and not sheltering from the prevailing SW winds on a coast that is exposed to such winds with little shelter from them. Perhaps I have it wrong but I sail a boat that is quite a bit larger than a trailer sailer and always manage more from sailing the Clyde or west coast proper when I go north.

Not saying that the Solway Firth/ North Irish Sea doesn't have its merits but could not suggest it over the Clyde or West coast to someone trailer sailing who still has to explore further north.
 
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Solwaycruiser said:
Please tell where the canal is in SW Scotland? Although I sail there just can't think of it at the moment!
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Gatehouse of Fleet. The River Fleet was canalised (which involved digging it an almost wholly new route) from the sea to Boat Green at Gatehouse. Later a small wharf was added at Port McAdam.

canmore_image_dp_08_DP084588.jpg​

It's still navigable, but the A75 (Gatehouse bypass) bridge is rather low and would require a mast lowering in most things. I look forward to seeing Dylan Winter there in Katie L in due course ...

Just for completeness, there were two other canals nearby, both now derelict but visible. One ran from Carlingwark Loch in Castle Douglas to the Dee near Threave Castle and the other bypassed Glenlochar rapids on the Dee with a couple of locks. The former is now called Carlingwark Lane and the latter is clearly visible to the east of the river and south for the bridge at Glenlochar, particularly when the river is high. Together they allowed a flourishing barge trade between New Galloway, Crossmichael (the harbour is still there) and Castle Douglas.


Also must say that if I was going to trail a small boat for my holidays I would take it much further north to more interesting and much more sheltered places where I would have a much better chance of sailing and not sheltering from the prevailing SW winds on a coast that is exposed to such winds with little shelter from them. Perhaps I have it wrong but I sail a boat that is quite a bit larger than a trailer sailer and always manage more from sailing the Clyde or west coast proper when I go north.

Not saying that the Solway Firth/ North Irish Sea doesn't have its merits but could not suggest it over the Clyde or West coast to someone trailer sailing who still has to explore further north.
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I agree. No need to convince me of the merits of the Clyde - that's where I keep my bigger boat, having given up a ridiculously cheap berth at Kirkcudbright marina. However, I do think there is fun to be had on the Solway, particularly with a smaller boat which can nose into interesting places. As I expect you know, the whole of SW Scotland tends to get ignored by visitors who drive past on the M74, heading north. Long may it continue so, as we like our peace and quiet here, but in the right weather it could easily give a week or two of fun, and it's a damn sight nearer England than the West Highlands.
 
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