Can't work miracles, but chucking some water over it will make it look shiny for a while
Probably long enough to get some artistic blurred action shots!!
Can't work miracles, but chucking some water over it will make it look shiny for a while
Probably long enough to get some artistic blurred action shots!!
Tide range Sat 30th April/1st May is approximately 2.0m. This is a mid range tide. Earlier this week the range was 4.0m. Both the Grey Dogs and the Corryvreckan 'work' every day. The 'whirlpools and currents on the flood and ebb tides are totally different. We will be happy to work out tides for the weekend.
We are happy to share our experiences of how to approach the whirlpools and go through the Grey Dogs. Both can be impressive to the RIBster but it is also worth remembering that people do swim the Corryvreckan
Anyone fancying this google swimtrek Corryvreckan
For those wishing to see the Corryvreckan and Grey Dogs from a RIB Youtube has a number of versions including some of Seafari's promotional material
of Whirlpool Specials - tide range for these is arounf the 3.5 to 4.0m
Please appreciate our RIBs are 10m LOA, 3.3m beam, large diameter tubes, twin 250HP engines and decks above the waterline
Tide slackens approximately 2 hours before High or Low Water Oban.
The time the tide is strongest we would suggest is around 2.5 hours after High Water and lasts for around 45 mins, From Low water this is slightly earlier as the tide builds more quickly then 'hangs at a steady rate.
Neap tides, action is delayed about 30 mins. Wind and air pressure also affect
Sun 1st May Low Water Oban 1150 at 1.1m
Arrive there say 1230 and 'watch it build
Tide will be heading west. Our advice will be
Do not get involved in the leading standing waves as they build from underneath you and are very steep and the distance between the waves very little.
Stick to the south shore of Scarba within around 50m of shoreline. There is an obvious bay near the whirlpool area which is totally safe and you can rest up here. If you must go out and see the actual action then from the bay head west till you are past the second line of obvious caves before turning south. Our advice would be to find a plate and sit on the top to gather thoughts.
The tide will be taking you west so just move against the tide heading east but no further than that second line of caves.
If there is a strong westerly wind watch out behind for The Great race - about 1km away, Its waves can be extremely large and breaking.
Those using the above advice - please note at your own risk.
Is the bay to which you refer marked "Camas nam Bairneach" on the chart (or the bay to the West of whatever that is)?
If it gets rough can you go west a bit then cross south to the middle of the gulf and then head east through the deep water to the Sound of Jura or is is rough right across the gulf?
Tide slackens approximately 2 hours before High or Low Water Oban.
The time the tide is strongest we would suggest is around 2.5 hours after High Water and lasts for around 45 mins, From Low water this is slightly earlier as the tide builds more quickly then 'hangs at a steady rate.
Neap tides, action is delayed about 30 mins. Wind and air pressure also affect
Tony, just for clarity, where you say tide is strongest around 2.5hours after High water, I am assuming you mean high water at Corrievreckan and NOT high water Oban. IE 2.5 hours into the ebb tide. Or might even be clearer if you give maximum ebb and flood times in relation to Oban times. So if Oban HW is say 12.00 when are you saying maximum flood and ebb are?
As my post says work from Oban HW?LW times
So if you wish to see the Whirlpool heading east - ebb tide you leave Easdale 15 mins after HW Oban and you will arrive at the Corry about 15/30 mins before the tide gets underway fully. Neap tides its a bit later
Seafari Whirlpool Specials - depart Easdale 15 mins after HW - run direct to Grey Dogs, Play there for 10 mins, on to the Corry, tide is getting underway and builds. We depart the Corry - best of the whirlpools over around 90 mins/100 mins after HW Oban
Working tides for Fri 29 April if you want the east going tide
Estimation allowing for tide range of only 1.8m
HW Oban 1640
Tide will be building but best viewing time circa 1745 - 1830 or so
...and thought of all you lucky gits going to Easdale. Where is the get-together? Is it on the wee bitty island thing or on the "mainland"? Where do you keep the boats at night?
Thanks 'w' that was amazing!! Really enjoyed the whole experience. The ribs will be in the harbour on Easdale island thats the wee thing off the 'mainland' as you say which happens to be 9 as I think you well know) another island Seil.
Stop faffing about man and come join us you know you want to
B
__________________
jambo
'Carpe Diem'
Member of the ebay Blue RIB cover club Member of SABS ( Scottish West Division)
Thanks for the youtube link. I am fortunate to both live and work here and spend quite a lot of my day out on the water.
Jambo is correct, Easdale Island is the bit that sticks off the end. Look for the pilot (if that's what you call him) putting on his gloves and Easdale Island is the bit on the end - about 200m from what we term the Mainland. Again Jambo is correct, our mainland is really the Isle of Seil but you reach Seil by crossing the Bridge over the Atlantic, a later shot in video.
To try and quickly sum up and try to avoid confusion.
The whole area at the end of the road is called Easdale. All road signs are Easdale. Technically Easdale is made up of two distincy areas - the island known as Easdale Island and the mainland opposite known as Ellenabeich (sometimes spelt on road maps Ellanbeich)
The harbour for mooring is on Easdale Island - The ferry is very frequent and takes about 3 minutes. You will not find yourself marooned on Easdale Island.
There are ample moorings inside the harbour. For anyone bringing something 'huge' there are a numkber of moorings in Easdale Sound between the mainland and the island.
If the weather is rough I have mentioned that there is always somewhere around here to go 'boating' A flotila of RIBs under the Bridge over the Atlantic may make a good shot
Weather is warming up, seas don't quite seem to have the winter sharpness about them on a daily basis. Spring must be coming
Weather is warming up, seas don't quite seem to have the winter sharpness about them on a daily basis. Spring must be coming
Metcheck says it's going to SNOW in Oban on Friday and Saturday!! So much for spring!
We were planning to camp, but I've now booked a chalet at Collogin from the 23rd to the 1st May.
Tony,
One of the things I'd like to do whilst we're up there is go looking for Nessie.
Are there any launch sites at the Fort William end of Loch Ness?
Do you mean the Fort William end of the Caledonian Canal or Loch Ness itself? There is a slip or sorts at the SW end near Fort Augustus (not used it myself but a mate launched his 5.8 there OK). I use the concrete slip at Dores at the NE end, quarter of the way down the East side.
Do you mean the Fort William end of the Caledonian Canal or Loch Ness itself? There is a slip or sorts at the SW end near Fort Augustus (not used it myself but a mate launched his 5.8 there OK). I use the concrete slip at Dores at the NE end, quarter of the way down the East side.
Richard
Thanks Richard,
I was going to try to keep out of the canal due to the horific charges and launch straight into Loch Ness.
I was looking at the Fort Augustus option but read that it's a very shallow slip and I may have to get the landcruiser wet!
It'll be a good test for the new rollercoaster trailer though and if do go wading with the car at least it'll be fresh(ish) water!
Breawatch
, but I've now booked a chalet at Collogin from the 23rd to the 1st May.
