Month: July 2019

West Highland Yachting Week Experience from Hot Toddy by Calum Warnock

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West Highland Yachting Week Experience from Hot Toddy by Calum Warnock
 

The only way the first day of west highland yachting week could be described was “interesting”. Light winds and a bit of drizzle meant that the racing was very tactical with decisions making or breaking a boats chances of winning depending on weather they found wind or fell into a hole. The start for class 8 Was very close with many boats almost over the line with seconds to spare but the gun went and they were off. As the fleet powered to the Island “Popcorn” steamed ahead finding a pace the rest of her class could not keep up with and the first few spinnakers were being flown on the reach to the island.

 
Rounding the tip of Eilean Gamhna Island the fleet split with the faster boats heading round extra marks to keep the fleet even, that gave us breathing room to see “Popcorn” put more distance between us and we began our slow beat up to Kilchoan Bay. After some of the faster boats began to pass us we rounded the mark and hoisted the rainbow spinnaker and set off for the tip of Shuna. A few more boats passed us and we began to round the tip but not before a few larger boats had muscled their way through and caused some commotion and it was a miracle that no one was rammed.

We gybed the spinnaker just as the rain started and proceeded to make way towards the finish line at an agonising pace. we held our spinnaker for as long as we could but in the end we had to pack it to point upwind toward the finish line. We crossed the line after two and a half hours of sailing and we motored back in to some tea in the cabin. We found out that Popcorn had gone on to claim overall victory on handicaps while we had come 6th in class.

Report from the “tequila (too much)” Sunrise on Sundays Croabh Races

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The day started dry which was great considering the forecast. The race officer made a wise decision to combine the fleets into a passage race because windward leeward would have been hopeless in the absence of wind. A passage race gave us the opportunity to exploit the possibilities of tidal sailing. It was lovely to have the boat converted into race mode, stripping luxuries out such as one of the televisions. However we kept the cupboards full of alcohol. The collie dog, Mia, made a good job of the start tactics, crossing the start line second last.
Sunrise
However, this did provide the benefit of being able to see the holes that the other boats sailed into. The crew managed to rouse themself out of their drunken slumber and sheeted the sails in with fine style. A tight reach from the start line soon turned into a beat after the first mark. Rory called a good shout with a lightening tack up to the shore. From ducking and diving, weaving through some moody 336’s saw us down at the next mark and ready to put the spinnaker up.
 
Storm, Kirsten and Alex made a great job of getting the spinnaker sheeted. Max and Hamish trimmed the main, the point of Shuna was fast approaching. Finn and Nicola executed a perfect jibe, controlled beautifully by the crew. Kim made a star cameo for one day only producing great lunch. The sound of guns ahead welcomed a shortened course – an excellent call from the race officer as the rain started right away. Back to Croabh, boom tent back on and a few small refreshments.
Well done to the Whole crew. 

WHYW Social programme launched

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As we enter the last week before WHYW 2019 its been a hectic and busy time in the office. The last entries are coming in, the race team have finalised the sailing instructions and our social committee have put the finishing touches on the programme ashore for the week ahead.  Last year we surveyed the fleet at the end of the event and hope that whilst we have not been able to enact all suggestions we have been able to include many of them in this years event.

Whilst the general gist of the week remains the same with a couple of nights in Croabh , a couple in Oban and a couple in Tobermory we have tried to address the suggestions of more fleet activities ashore. To this extent the week will kick off with registration at Croabh and a skippers briefing in the WHYW Marquee- adjacent to the Lord of the Isles at 18.45 on Saturday. The briefing will be followed at 19.00 by a new event which will allow all to meet and catch up at the welcoming reception. We are delighted that this reception will be supported by Nerabus Gin.

Nerabus is made by The Islay Gin Company and takes its character from its surroundings.Caressed by the Atlantic winds, Nerabus is a hamlet by the shores of Loch Indaal on the Scottish Hebridean Isle of Islay. Nerabus, often known by the ancient name Nereabolls, is a hamlet in the Rhinns area on the south west side of the Isle of Islay. Nerabus is known for its wild heather and deer. The deer at Nerabus roam wild and are often seen at sunset grazing on the lower grounds. These beautiful creatures were the inspiration for our logo. So why not come along on Saturday and kick the week off in style. After this reception the marquee will become the centrepeice for the “Food from Argyll” food and drink event , Hog Roast and BBQ with music from the Mid Argyll Pipe Band and dancing with the Democrats

Monday sees the  the fleet move north to Oban and on Tuesday we will be holding the 1st midsweek prizegiving at Dunstaffange Marina at 19.30  followed by Big Daves Beach Party in the shed- fancy dress remains optional but with food from Dolce Vita of Oban and a late bar it is sure to be  highlight. Music suggestions and playlist additions can be added through facebook! Then its off to Tobermory on Wednesday and after racing on Thursday we have reintroduceed the Mull prizegiving and have kindly been allowed to use the Tobermory Distillery Courtyard for this  at 18.30- as we have an early strart on Friday back to Oban and in a change to previuos years we will be holding the final prizegiving outside Oban Sailing Club at Gallanach park an hour after the final race allowing all to collect their trophies and head off for the weekend. 

So for more information please click on this link

Social Programme 2019 Social Prog 2