Scotland from 1st April

[Paul Beaurain]

Sunday was bright and Sunny but with a very strong SW ie Headwind
Image 1 Loch Ness
image 2 on the waiting pontoon at Fort Augusta locks
Brilliant facilities on the canal, great toilets and showers washing machines tumble drier etc.- I can recommend it.
image 3 awaiting the locking down so we could lock up the flight of 5 locks, this Lifeboat was on 'light duties' apparently.
image 4 locking up

[Paul Beaurain]

The sea lock would'nt be open until 2pm - so we spent the morning just sitting about and taking in the 'Ben Nevis views'.
Image 1 Ben Nevis
Image 2 Corpach Basin - awaiting sea lock
Image 3 loch Linnhe Corran Point

[Mollers]

Superb photos and what a great trip for the lad.

[Paul Beaurain]

We had avoided big winds so far but had to keep moving and had cut out our lay days... The problem now was a servere low off Ireland giving strong s or SW winds forecast today for 6-7.
We had an invitation to visit Gigha Island and meet the owner of Achamore House - A splendid B&B/county Hotel we had planned to stop the night here as the owner has a near indentical 8,4m Redbay for Gigha Seatours. Thusday forecast was even worse so stopping over would add to getting back difficulty.
With extreme frustration I got the lady at Croabh Haven Marina (itself a very nice place) to eventually allow me to see here computer screen so I could get an upto date forecast. She only wanted to point me to a 3 day old forecast printed and stuck on the wall. A letter of complaint is on its way to them. The result was possibility that winds would ease for 3 hours from 15.00 to 19.00 before becoming even stronger with gale force 8 forecast overnight.

We made our way south hiding behind every small island, however getting to Gigha was proving hard work. When conditions were particulaly uncomfortable we stopped in a small ancorage on Eileen Mor (off loch Sween) the ancorage faced North and we dropped the hook at 11am and sat it out rested and eat while listening to the winds ripping at the canopy and veering the boat on its anchor cable. by 3 pm the winds eased so we poked our nose out and succesfully made the 15Nm to gigha. Whilst on the Island within the beautifull 50 acres of ornimental gardens we climbed to a view point. Northern Ireland and the sea/weather conditions could be seen and were currently OK.
So a very short visit (sorry Don) and we hoped to make Ballycastle on or about dusk.
Just as we left gigha the coastgaurd issued an immenent gale warning for Irish Sea and Malin Gale 8!. We got 3/4 across and then the squalls and high winds came in - but all OK we had got far enough that the last 10Nm at 10 knots was OK

Image 1 Achamore House Gigha
Image 2 Squall coming at us from Rathin Island/Northern Island we are have just crossed the TSS at this point.

[Paul Beaurain]

The winds overnight had been very strong. Yacht halyards frapped and the boat needed extra springs. Wednsday was forecast W7. Well after breakfast and a walk around the marina (6 other Redbays at this one - plus Hot Lemon 3) we headed out. With only one headland to round and then shelter from the land the last leg was really perfect conditions.
We hauled the boat out - flushed the engine, cleaned her up and put bags of dry unused clothing in to Redbays store room. Fuelled her up and said our goodbyes. What next?
image 1 Ballycastle Marina at dawn

I will post a final mileage/fuel used statistics type post - one bonus is that with sleep aboard our accomodation costs had been zero. The 8.4 Expedition had served us well and the Yamaha Diesel had'nt missed a beat. Thanks Eiberspacher for keeping us warm. and to Halfords for a £59 fridge that is now 3 seasons old and gets a salt water dunking every other day and always works.

[Siochair]

Sounds like some adventure. What kind of speed do you get on the 8.4 for flat out/cruising. That's assuming good weather and calm conditions of course . It does seem like a good boat for the conditions on the west coast.

Glad to hear you have caught up on your sleep too!

[wavelength]

Hi Paul
good narrative as always and some great pics. Timely thread for us as Jean and myself have just been asked this morning to bring a 13m "pseudo" rib (its really a hard boat with big fenders )back from NE Scotland to the west coast of England thru the caledonian canal in the latter half of next week. So we will be pm'ing you for some tips.

[jwalker]

Nice thread Paul. A welcome addition to ribnet and an adventure you'll not forget, I'm sure.

[Paul Beaurain]

Hi again (final info)

Having now reviewed the trip the following is the info

Engine Yamaha ME432 (low output) 6 cylinder 24 valve rated 285Hp
Hours run in total 39. of which 6.5 were in the canal.
Total mileage, 650Nm. Fuel used 847 ltrs. Giving fuel usage of 21.7 ltrs hr.
Average speed through canal was 9.2kts. and the Offshore balance was 18.2 kts.
The boat performed very well, as did Raymarine plotter/radar/AIS
No damage, no specific boat failures - no extra work upon getting back
The only failure was on the 'Anchorman gypsy windlass' - a brass componant failed.
Engine flushed fuel topped up and boat washed down.
Ready for the next trip.......

Thanks to those of you for posts and PM's and phone calls etc
Paul

[Bigmuz7]

Excellent Paul I look forward to your next cruise and report avidly

[Paul Beaurain]

Hi
Attached is the route map.
(note we always use philips Road Atlas for those important navigation!)
and the traditional 'cut and paste'
cheers Paul

[willk]

I see that Redbay are offering a decent bottle of Whisky (no E) for the best (Redbay) cruise Log of the season. Worth a shot!

[Bigmuz7]

Yea .. why not Paul .. my Dad won it last year for the Clyde Cruising Club when he sailed to Brest in France and back to Inverkip in his Malo 39 yacht.. and he just submitted his log without even knowing a competition existed in the first pace .. mind you.. thats my dad! he has a habit of doing something like that stupendously well .. which I dont know how I'll ever live up to ..

[willk]

Originally Posted by willk

I see that Redbay are offering a decent bottle of Whisky (no E) for the best (Redbay) cruise Log of the season. Worth a shot!

http://www.redbayboats.com/news/Stor...s%20Cruise.htm

[marksails]

Dear Paul , Thank you for those pictures.
They really impressed me ...
Thanks cause you gave me the chance to see those places and to read about that!
My compliments!
Marco.