BLUEMOMENT

In TOP someone was asking where to practice parking where the tide runs:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.ph ... outhampton

It got me thinking, the only places I can think of where the tide runs enough to make much difference on the West Coast I wouldn't think of parking, middle of Cuan ferinstance.

Is there somewhere in the CCC Kintyre to Ardnamurchan book where I can practice parking with the tide running? Or even Adrnamurchan to Cape Wrath book?

Silkie will tell you to anchor at Dunstaffnage because it goes round in circles there

Easy! Practice picking up pot markers in Sound of Luing, Cuan, wherever, preferably under sail. I don't mean actually to pick them up, just stop your boat beside them - lots of amusement for the crew when you do it cross-tide.

agree with the comment about Dunstaffnage. We're there now, and it was interesting coming in past the moored boats each facing in a different direction, some being forced against the buoy, trying to figure out which way the flow would be at the actual pontoon. In the end, not a problem on "B" -odd numbered berths. (which has almost continuous concrete floats and is effectively a barrier) If you really want to play, there are moorings in the adjacent bays which are in HUGE currents when the tide is running.

Ooh, yes, definitely Dunstaffnage. Still remember with embarrassment having newly bought Allegro there trying to reverse her out of one of the shallow berths that are on the left hand side just as you come down onto the pontoon. Ended up, due to a combination of propwash and tide, pinned port side to against the end of the finger. Can't remember how I eventually got off but do remember it involved much hurried pushing and shoving from a couple of the marina staff who happened to be nearby. The poor boat bore the scratches until the hull was repainted quite recently!

Can't think of any other pontoon berths so affected, but there are a couple of moorings at the side of the channel at Kyleakin which must be in a fair bit of tide. And, for all you southerners, the bay by the A85 just below Connel Bridge has a good few moorings in which must be in the tide from the Falls of Lora. They all seem to be private moorings, though.

I remember a few years ago coming into Dunstaffnage, singlehanded, tide running in the usual circles and some little breeze.

I'd got the fenders out and tied on coming through the entrance, some ropes ready and laid out, especially a spring from the bow back to the cockpit.

As I came near the pontoons, obviously slowly, and probably quite observably singlehanded, I noted various heads popping up and eyes swivelled my way, clearly intent on having a little entertainment. No-one seemed to be making for a rope-catching position though. (in contrast to other times when I've had crew to make a mess of berthing, and volunteers to catch a rope)

It was a disappointing spectacle as I came in against the tide, dropped the spring loop over a bollard, leaving the engine idling in forward, causing the boat to sit snugly against the pontoon while I attended to bow and stern ropes.
No applause; No acknowledgement; just heads averted back to whatever was occupying them prior.

But it can be very entertaining watching some berthing. Provided someone is offering to take a rope, sitting back and watching is far better than soap operas.

Bull hole; speed meter reading 2 knots when at anchor. Sound of Iona off cathedral, where the boat was held starboard quarter on to a force 4 from north by the flood tide from the south.

The western entrance to Loch Teacuis is quite tidal (definitely advisable to use a kedge).

I have parked at Dunstafnage, it was nothing for a man who has crossed Braydon Water and got to Yarmouth way too early, low water is not slack water, that concentrated the mind.

I suppose I was thinking that different sailing areas have different challenges and require different skills.

Last year I anchored in Tinker's Hole for the first time in 20 years and noticed tidal effect, with boats drifting all over the place at the turn. The curious thing is that I have no memory of tidal stream on previous visits, which were, as I said, over 20 years ago. Could something have changed? Anyone with a long memory care to comment?

Have the opposite experience, first went in same as you, around 20 years ago and kedged on the western side (not very friendly to other boats - sorry !) because the tidal flow was so strong and we realised it would change in the night. As we took in on both anchor warps we were pinned in position. Have only been a few times since and we now always anchor to the south, drop back and run a long line from the stern to the ring in the northeast corner so not affected by tide.

It could be that the tide only runs in the channel on the west side and the main pool is relatively unaffected or just becomes a large circular counter.