Page 1 of 1
Crinan Canal
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2016 4:19 pm
by Rick_A
Hello folks.
My holidays is fast approaching, and I want to take the boat through the canal next weekend and leave her in Oban for a week before picking her up for my holidays.
I have only been through the canal as crew on a friends boat, so, do I need to book to go through? Or can I just show up at the sea lock?
Once in Oban on Sunday night, what options are there for mooring a boat for a week. And is there likely on a sunday to be visitor moorings available at the sailing club?
Re: Crinan Canal
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2016 4:44 pm
by wully
Dunno if you need to book a canal passage but if I was you I'd book a pilot- it's so much easier- just call the canal office and ask. I think you'd be fine just turning up.
You can leave a boat on the visitor moorings beside the sailing club but I think it's first come, first served and they are sometimes very busy.I don't know who manages them now.
Re: Crinan Canal
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2016 5:04 pm
by Rick_A
wully wrote:Dunno if you need to book a canal passage but if I was you I'd book a pilot- it's so much easier- just call the canal office and ask. I think you'd be fine just turning up.
You can leave a boat on the visitor moorings beside the sailing club but I think it's first come, first served and they are sometimes very busy.I don't know who manages them now.
Thanks Wully. Ive been trying the canal office the last couple days but just keeps going to answer machine.
I'm not wanting a pilot, I've been through often enough, just never asked if you needed to book a place.
Re: Crinan Canal
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2016 5:46 pm
by cpedw
The canal is turn up and go (when they are ready).
The visitor moorings by the sailing club are handy but can get full. If so, Oban Marina on Kerrera should be able to fit you in. Less convenient as the ferry isn't so frequent as it used to be.
Derek
Re: Crinan Canal
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2016 7:56 pm
by mm5aho
There's no booking the canal, just turn up and (if necessary) join the queue.
Assited passage is now arranged through Yot Spot, not the canal people.
See the canal website.
Don't bother trying to call them on ch 74 as they advertise, as they have no radio at Ardrishaig, and can't hear it at Crinan.
The Yotspot helpers are keen but inexperienced.
The canal staff are becoming disenchanted or something.
Allow about 8 hours to get through in total.
Service is deteriorating, so go soon before it grinds to a halt.