Month: July 2018

Day 2

Monday 30 July. Class 5

Race 1

Once again it was another dry departure from Craobh with the champagne sailing southerly winds reaching 24kts at times. Lots of boats made the decision to add a few reefing lines to their mains and number 2’s.

With a lively and gusty start the class 5 boats were off on a very splashy 3 mile beat with lots of serious hiking involved! 

Heading round the Isle of Shuna we had a 17 mile spinnaker run toward Oban which thankfully stayed dry for the whole stretch.

During this time Warrior from class 1 had a rather exciting turn of events when their kite breached and knocked their jib into the water which they didn’t realise until quite some time later.

On board Leaky Roof 2, there were no repeats of yesterday’s head smashing and again using the Tunnocks kit for inspiration. 

Name: Rachel

Age: 15

Boat Name: Leaky Roof 2

Class: 5

Craobh to Oban Passage Race- Class 6

Today I went sailing with Mummy on Granny and Grandad’s boat. I woke up nice and early to prepare for a serious day of racing, but I was too excited and peaked early so had to be put down for nap as we left the dock.

I’m told that the start was nice and windy without too much drama, and that the windward leg went off without a hitch. I decided to join the rest of the crew about half way down the Sound of Luing, at which point a delicious lunch was served. I remember eating a particularly tasty bit of cheese as the first of the Class 1 boats started to overtake us. Their sails have lots of pretty colours.

I chewed on ropes for a bit and had a good play with a winch then daddy sailed past in his boat Satisfaction and I got to wave at all my friends.

I got to see a pretty boat called Chico with lots of flags when we finished the race. Mummy said I had to wave nicely at the race committee because they work very hard to let us go sailing. Then Mummy tried to make me have another nap… but I decided I didn’t want one.

   By Emily Marshall, Celerity (7 months, 3 weeks)

Regatta Regalia Last Stocks

The regatta clothing is being seen on many of those attending WHYW. There are still a few items available and these can be purchased/collected at the prize giving tonight from 8pm at the Argyllshire Gathering Halls in Oban. 

If you would like to reserve please let us know item and boat and we can put it aside.

This was the first time that I’ve taken part in West Highland Yachting Week. We did not race on Sunday from Craobh so instead we went snorkelling just outside the Marina. My Brother and I saw lots of fish , sea urchin and starfish but the water remained very cold. During the feeder race from Gigha to Craobh there was every different type of wind possible- (I have never seen so many sails being put up and taken down in three hours as we did then.) As we got closer to Craobh the wind picked up and I got the boats best top speed- 15Knots- just as we passed Corryvreckan. This was good preparation for today’s Craobh to Oban Race.

I was steering today and at the start all of the boats were like huge elephants charging at our tiny boat as we crossed the line of the 20 mile race to Oban- we were close to being over but just on the right side so that might be beginners luck!

 As we got closer to the windward mark all of the spinnakers were like a giant rainbow filling the horizon with colour. As we passed through the sound of Luing we some some violent whirlpools but passed without incident. It then became windy during the race to Oban and we broached four or five times- but after the first one who’s counting!

 The closer and closer we got to Oban the more we could make out and we started to see the castles appearing from the green and hilly sourroundings.

When the big white and brown committee boat came into view we were welcomed by three porpoises to celebrate our success and guide us across the finish line. Throughout my time so far we have seen plenty of porpoises and last night saw an otter in the Marina so far I have had a great time and am sure it will get even better in Tobermory

Kelly Paterson

Wildwood

Class 3

On Monday 30th, Oban Marina is also running a shuttle between Oban Sailing Club (the community pontoon) and Kerrera at the following times:
Kerrera to Community Pontoons 1830, 1930, 2030, 2230
Community Pontoons to Kerrera as above +10 mins (i.e. 1840, 1940, 2040 and 2240)

Oban to Craobh passage race as seen from Shadowfax (First 31.7).

West highland yachting week 2018 started in Oban today on a warm grey (very early) morning. With very little wind in Oban bay the race team took the fleet down the sound of Kerrera for a start just south of cutter rock.

WIth the breeze filling from the south east, the race team got us away without to much delay.

At the pin end of the line Prime cut and Murray MacDonalds Autism on water battled it out with Shadowfax just to leeward. As the gun went the fleet were away with no recalls. On Shadowfax the spinnaker was set early and pulled us out to an early lead soon to be overhauled by the quicker boats of Taz, Warrior and Moonstruck 2.

The race progressed through the inside of Insh island with not much place changing and all the spinnakers set.

As the big boats rounded Easdale island the breeze built for a short period to Fladda where it became to tight to continue with spinnakers, and the fleet changed onto headsails. We were then duly reminded it was West highland yachting week as the heavens opened, and rain, yes rain like you have never seen before killed the breeze and morale! It was still warm though. 

A short beat in light breeze took us to the orange turning mark where kites were once again set and a gentle run up to the finish line off Craobh rounded off a fine days sailing. With the tide under the keels all the way the fleet was quite close right throughout the finishing order.

Results just in and Marisca took a fine win in just under a minute on corrected from James Hardies Taz , with Shadowfax a close third. Warrior was fourth and rounding out the top five was Murray MacDonald’s Autism on water. A fine achievement for his first West Highland yachting week with the 707.

Thanks to all the organiser and sponsors and roll on tomorrow when the serious business starts for the points series.

Sunday Race- Argyll Fleet.

 

6 hours of snakes and ladders even drove the skipper to a performance of American pie behind the wheel. There was many stops and starts resulting in the fleet bunching together, raising tensions getting the skipper all agitated that we were being passed left, right and centre. The lack of wind made getting a lead very difficult and we had hoped the last beat to the finish would be enough to pull away from the fleet, however today we were not so lucky.

To our delight, the chocolate box appeared on deck and Max, the youngest of the crew age 12, lost his tooth to a curly wurly during the run down the sound of Shuna.

The wind strength and direction was, for the most part, nothing from no where.

However, it was predominantly south and finished in the west. When the rain came on, the steak pies and special hot chocolates fortified everyone’s spirits.

At the end of the day, it’s the taking part that counts and the real prize is the memories made.

 

-Storm Chalmers, sunrise

Don’t forget your Rock’n’Roll outfits for Tuesday night at the Argyllshire Gathering Hall – think Elvis, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis!

Please note new arrangements for the ferry between Oban Marina and North Pier. Places are limited and should be booked with the Marina reception on 01631 565333 or visit their website for online booking system, including water taxi. https://www.obanmarina.com/ferry/