RECOMMENDED BY Sarah Brown
The Tay is the largest volume river in the UK with some 5000 sq km of catchment draining much of the southern highlands and Perthshire, and so the estuary and river are impressive for their scenery, wildlife, tides and shifting sands. Navigable with care all the way up to Perth (shipping goes this far too so keep an eye out behind you), there are plenty of warnings about fluctuating river levels and floating debris to watch out for, but the challenge of the sail is rewarding and Perth itself is filled with history, good food and cultural opportunities aplenty at the outstanding
Perth Theatre.
The Tay and Earn
Trust (www. tayandearntrust. org) have pontoons at Perth but if you decide to stay in the outer estuary then
Tayport provides good shelter in the drying harbour in soft mud, although the top of the harbour dries early on an ebb.
There is a strong tidal entrance where you should expect stronger ebb flows after heavy rain inland. From the south, route well offshore to avoid the Abertay Sands before following the buoyed channel. There is less obstruction when approaching from the north. The Forth and Tay Navigation Service (www. forthports.co.uk) covers the river up to just past the railway bridge (VHF Channel 71). Also listen out for Dundee
NHarbour radio on VHF Channel 12 for any potential ship movements. Imray C23, Admiralty SC5617 Welcome Anchorages 2021, free, available at www.welcome-anchorages.co.uk riverbank where a triple barrier of the Grade 1 listed Stephenson tubular railway bridge, the Telford suspension bridge, and a modern road bridge halt further upstream passage. The town is a maze of streets packed with pubs, shops, and restaurants; yachts can berth at the town quay, floating pontoons, or in one of the marinas. Boats that cannot take the ground need to secure a marina berth; the Conwy River is best navigated with at least half a flood tide under the keel. Pilotage on the river is dependent on conditions and the tide. Channel buoys mark the shifting estuary channel out to the fairway buoy.
The approach from the north rounds Great Orme’s Head into the shallower water of Conwy Bay; don’t follow the coast round, instead head 215°T for 3 miles to locate the fairway buoy. From the south and the Menai Strait, although clear water can be seen, the direct route is blocked by Dutchman Bank and Lavan Sands. Detour round Puffin Island before taking a course of 115°T for 3.5 miles to the fairway buoy. 15 channel markers lead up to the town. A rising tide a few hours before HW in calm conditions is sensible for a first visit.
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