erich27
Member
I am helping a friend bring his newly purchased 37' Prout catamaran round from near Newcastle (Amble ) round to North Wales, via the Caledonian Canal; and would appreciate input from any members who have done this trip? Thanks .
Thanks for the response Fifer, and just looking for any tips, along the way good places to overnight etc. ? though it does make sense to try and go non-stop until we reach the Caley canal and then take our time, though the leg up to the Moray coast is quite a long one ! We are aiming to complete the trip in 10 days, my gut feeling is that is a bit ambitious?
Or....it's a delivery trip so bat on through and get it done!All I'd say is take your time and enjoy the trip as much as you possibly can and with the variable weather we've been having don't be surprised if/when you have to hole up somewhere for a few days...
Min. 2 days to Inverness, min. 2 days for the Cally, (stop at Fort Augustus or Gairlochy,) a short day to Oban, (or on to Crinan,) 1/2 day to Gigha, 1/2 day to Belfast Lough, another to Howth, Dun Laoghaire etc and another day home, or you can avoid the Republic using the IoM or Portpatrick though likely to be less comfortable and more tedious. (it takes half a day to sail past Ailsa Craig) Tides are important south of Oban, compounded by the timing as they tend to get earlier as you go south, so going north, while you can have 7 hours, coming the other way not much more than 5 sometimes. The half days I mention can be up to about 10-12 hours, Gigha to Bangor for instance is about ten if you time it right with favourable tide all the way, probably less in your cat? At this time of year it could nearly all be done in daylight.
It’s the Caledonian Canal that the OP is going through I believe.Can the Crinan cope with the wide beam and low water?
Hope you can find some time to post some stuff about your progress. ?Hi Forumites,
Thanks so much for all your helpful hints and advice ! I'm looking forward to the trip, starting this Saturday !