We had intended that 2020 would in part be spent exploring the sea's and the Hebridean Islands off the West coast of Scotland, but of course no one could have foreseen the circumstances in which we now find ourselves, this dreadful Covid-19 virus has robbed us all of our hopes and plans for the foreseeable future. It was with great disappointment that after all the hours of work spent building the boat over the past few years plus the growing expectations of enjoying the fruits of my labour, I was unable to fulfil those aspirations. However, as the year has progress and following the gradual easing of the restrictions, we have managed to achieve some time and enjoyment sailing the boat as and when the opportunities presented themselves.
The Lake District
During the latter part of July we spent a few days on Lake Windermere. Despite the inclement weather we did manage to sail the boat in a variety of conditions, this coupled with sleeping on board at various anchorages, gave me a valuable insight into how she might eventually handle, but also coincidentally created a list of items that would require attention or adjustment. Most notably, a bow fender as protection against the anchor chain chaffing the hull, a line to hold the tiller fast whilst moored, a shackle to shorten the anchor chain, a steel plate to reinforce the motor clamp point (cracking noticed) plus many more other minor items that will improve our experience whilst on board.
After tacking south for several miles, a dead run back up the lake gave me the opportunity of trying out the new Jib Pole that I had recently manufactured.
I have reinforced the motor clamping point with 5 mm thick marine grade
stainless steel plate, bolted through the previously beefed up detail of the
motor well. The pad locks attach a steel wire motor security lanyard.
North West Scotland
An opportunity for a single handed voyage presented itself during August, my wife and sister in-law booked a remote cottage in North West Scotland by the shores of Loch Teacuise. I decided to pay them a visit by sea, moor the boat in the Loch then spend a night or two on shore before sailing back.
So on the 29th August I launched Bunty B at Dunstaffnage Marina just a few miles north of Oban, and spent the night on board in a pontoon berth. Understandably I felt quite nervous at the prospect of a single handed voyage at sea at such an early stage in the use of the boat, but my determination that this would be a test of both myself and the vessel, would prove to be very valuable. The following day I had to resort to motoring the 26 nautical miles North West up the Sound of Mull, the wind was right on the nose and I needed to be in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull before the tide turned against me. The next day the wind was on my beam so I was able to sail across the Sound and up into Loch's Sunart and Teacuis. The entrances into both the outer and inner Loch Teacuis is narrow and tricky, littered with rocks, reef's, shallows and strong tidal streams. The local gamekeeper of the Rahoy Estate had kindly furnished me with navigational advice on how to safely negotiate these hazards, this along with my own passage planning using paper charts and the electronic chart plotter, meant that I safely entered the inner Loch within my planned time slot but in a strong headwind which, against the tide produced a choppy ride through the final narrows.
For the remainder of the week the weather turned against me with winds of up to 40 knots which, basically pinned me down. The can do anything friendly gamekeeper Bill, offered to recover Bunty B from the Loch using the estate tractor to pull her up the stony beach, an offer which I gladly accepted, however I first had to travel back to Dunstaffnage Marina to recover the trailer, a journey that took most of the day including two crossings of the Corran Ferry. It proved to be a difficult manoeuvre getting the boat to line up with the trailer in the high winds, but after several attempts all ended well.
Moored at Tobermory Isle of Mull
Entering outer Loch Teacuis under motor to maintain steerage
whilst navigating the hazards and strong tidal streams
Sailing on Loch Sunart
Inner Loch Teacuis with Bunty B moored in the left of the photograph
The single handed voyage provide me with many insights into the possibilities of making improvements. The two most notable improvements I have carried out as a result are:
When reefing the mainsail the boom drops down and sits on the transom, this I found really problematical with the sail filling the boat and spilling everywhere when trying to tie in the reef. I have therefore devised and constructed a system of lazy jacks suspended from a harness slung from the upper mast hound, this also serves as a topping lift. Two lines passing over two Tufnol cheek blocks mounted either side of the boom just forward of the reefing comb, provide adjustable support, when the boom is at an acceptable level you can simply secure the lines on the boom cleats.
The direction of pull from the jib furler proved to be unacceptable, slicing across the top of the coach roof when pulled. To solve this problem I have fitted a 16 mm Harken Anti Capsize block to the toe rail at a strategic position to provide a more directional pull. I have also replaced the furling line with 5 mm Marlow Excel Pro, I found that the smaller diameter rope was cutting into my hand when furling the sail and that this new line is much kinder on the hands.
I also had issues with the position of the furling line cleat mounted on the starboard side coaming. It's a stretch for me to keeping one hand on the tiller whilst cleating the line or reversing the process, I have therefore resolved to fit an additional cleat at a more convenient location at some point in the future.
The 16mm Harken Anti Capsize Block provides an excellent
solution to improve the directional pull to the jib furler.
A Return to Scotland
Following a last minute decision due in part to a reasonable weather forecast, Monday 21st September dawned with us again undertaking the six hour drive back north to Scotlands West Coast's Dunstaffnage Marina, we had a potential nine days at our disposal for yet another voyage. Following the launch we berthed for the night at the pontoon. The forecast the following day was poor with continuous heavy rain, nonetheless we decided on a local day visit destination and ventured out for about two or three miles before turning back, we were soaked by the incessant rain and seas breaking over the bows. Thereafter the weather radically improved and we experienced glorious weather for several days, we cruised south down the Argyll coast calling in at Craobh Haven Marina (twice) and at Ardfern Yacht Centre. I had planned our passage to take us through Cuan sound which proved to be an exciting ride, we were accelerated by up to 10 knots by the tide racing through the narrow passage between the islands of Seil and Luing. Bound for Ardfern we also passed through Dorus Mor, another notable strong tidal stream, where once again we were accelerated through the eddies and whirl pools by the racing tide.
We experienced an amazing cruise visiting friends, restaurants and pubs along the way, in spite of all the Covid-19 restrictions we still had a great time. We cruised a total of 75+ nautical miles, a mixture of sailing and motoring through beautiful scenery further enhanced by the interesting wild life, pods of porpoise jumping, rolling and playing were a common site, and all manner of sea birds diving for fish, on our port bow an otter popped his head out above the water as we left Craobh, checking us out before diving back beneath the surface, I even managed to catch some mackerel on my fishing rod.
So this has been a very brief season as the days grow shorter and the autumn weather begins to bite, and is more than likely our last trip to sea this year, although at least we did manage to get out and get something done. Is it too much to hope that there may still even be a chance of a few days on Lake Windermere before the onset of winter!
Bunty B moored at Craobh Haven Marina
A friend took this long shot as we sailed south past their house
Moored in Ardfern Yacht Centre
