MM5AHO
Well-known member
The Grey Dogs gap north of Scarba: what size / depth of boat can fit through there.
I've never attempted it. Should I?
I've never attempted it. Should I?
What size boat can fit through the Grey Dogs?
- Thread starter MM5AHO
- Start date
garvellachs
Member
I once took a little Fletcher Arrow speed boat through - very strong tide and rocks to dodge I seem to recall but it was a long time ago. I can't imagine why one would want to take a sailing boat through?
halcyon
Well-known member
bikedaft
Well-known member
Its fine
We went round the wee island in the middle, and back "downhill"
Went from W to E at end of flood, ie against the flow. 1.9m is what we draw.
First time we motored right in against the current, but were getting pushed one way then the other, worried we would get pushed onto scarba before i could react, so drifted down tide and retried 20mins later when current less strong
Not sure we have pics, it was dawn ish in jan
We went round the wee island in the middle, and back "downhill"
Went from W to E at end of flood, ie against the flow. 1.9m is what we draw.
First time we motored right in against the current, but were getting pushed one way then the other, worried we would get pushed onto scarba before i could react, so drifted down tide and retried 20mins later when current less strong
Not sure we have pics, it was dawn ish in jan
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
I am pretty sure that the last (larger format) hardback edition of the CCC directions contained detailed directions for the Grey Dogs, but I can't find a copy at the moment. It also, I think, mentioned the passage north of Lunga, but only to say "If you try this you will die" or words to that effect.
rbmatthews
Member
We took our 5.4 m Shetland F4 through last summer, then back through the Corryvreckan - it's like driving on ice in places, but otherwise no problems at all. Yachts were following us through. Just get it as near to slack water as you can.
Bilgediver
Well-known member
More fun out of slack water....Used to be able to experience it with Duncan from Croibh in his Mitchell 32
bikedaft
Well-known member
its looks OK on google earth... after you? seriously tho, have been meaning to take a look in there too
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
Maybe the lads with the fast ribs operating from Easdale would take you? I'm thinking of doing Coirebhreacan with them some time ... looks fun to be there at full flow.
bikedaft
Well-known member
sorry I meant the "passage" N of Lunga - looks a bit tortuous and shallow. but doing it in a rib would be cheating, surely? dinghy 1st at LW
rbmatthews
Member
We met a chap at Craobh Haven who had just swum across the Coirebhreacan that day. Not something I would do.
I learnt the other day that Coirebhreacan is actually a buttress coming out from Scarba, not a pinnacle as is commonly believed.
I learnt the other day that Coirebhreacan is actually a buttress coming out from Scarba, not a pinnacle as is commonly believed.
NormanS
Well-known member
I took a 60ft MFV through the Grey Dogs.
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
That's what I meant too .. they do Coirebhreacan trips daily so maybe would divert through the Little Grey Dogs. I'm told the water is fairly steeply sloping there when the tide's running ...
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
Romeo
Well-known member
Went through Grey Dogs with this chap last year: http://www.sealife-adventures.com/
An entertaining ride.
An entertaining ride.
rbmatthews
Member
It's interesting - this chap was a researcher at SAMS (Scottish Association of Marine Science) in Dunstaffnage, and he showed me high resolution bathimetry images that showed that the pinnacle was in fact a buttress, i.e. it was joined for most of its height to the Scarba side. No doubt that it was there, but not a pinnacle in the traditional sense like a needle. I was trying to work out on your third image where it was.
On your second image, it looks quite stylised - I wonder if the pinnacle shown is real data, or computer-generated somehow?
Apologies for the thread drift.
EDIT: Sorry, looking at the third image the wrong way round - presumably that is it in the LH bottom corner?
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richardsn9
Member
I have shot the Grey Dogs in a 29 sailing yacht, it was great and would do it again, although I lost concentration as I came out the other side and the boat spun through 360 degrees 
CFarr
Member
I've been through on a Redbay Rib, it was nice to have twin 5 litres Yamahas under us.
We got very wet and it killed the phone in my oillies pocket, the different water levels were quite amazing.
The skipper said he'd been though in his sailing yacht - once.
The current caught his keel, span him around and laid his mast nearly flat on the sea before spitting him out 't other side!
Don't think I'll be going through just yet.
We got very wet and it killed the phone in my oillies pocket, the different water levels were quite amazing.
The skipper said he'd been though in his sailing yacht - once.
The current caught his keel, span him around and laid his mast nearly flat on the sea before spitting him out 't other side!
Don't think I'll be going through just yet.
DaveS
Well-known member
I've been through a couple of times in my 30 footer and I'd be happy to take a much bigger boat through. On the 1:25,000 chart the 10m lines are about 2mm apart at the narrowest point, making the deep channel about 50m wide if the chart's accurate (the survey is dated 1951 - 1962).
MM5AHO
Well-known member
When you say thre passage north of Lunga, do you mean immediately north, ie south of Fiola Meadhonach? Or do you mean north of Rubha Fiola?
I've been north of Rubha Fiola (between there and Ormsa) plenty of times.
I anchored north of Eilean Mhic Chiarain this year, to wait for the tide to change. Nice little spot to stop there with a rip roaring current both easy and west of it, but sheltered just there. Room for 2 yachts.