2018

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/

Please note the further restrictions as a result of the shortage of water.

Sharing Locks and Water Conservation on the Crinan Canal

With the first deadline for entries passing we are delighted to see that over 80 boats will be on the start line.  (There is still time for late entries to apply) So for that reasons we have adjusted the class splits to firstly insure competitive racing and secondly to balance the starts.

Johnnie Readman -the Principal Race Officer- highlighted that West Highland Yachting Week is a “big” event and it is described as a Premium event. Therefore he wanted  to give the racing a “big” event feel, by which he believes there should be more boats on the start line than the humdrum weekend/evening race starts.

So we have balanced the classes to over 10 boats on each start which should make it both interesting and challenging.

In accordance with NoR 3.6 and SI6, the following is the list of class splits:

Class        Handicap Band                                                                        

1               IRC rated to a minimum TCC of 0.850 and a minimum SSS of 10

3               CYCA handicaps 12.75 minutes and below                                    

4               Restricted Sail class for CYCA handicaps below 12.65 minutes    

5               CYCA handicaps 13.00 to 15.25 minutes                                       

6               Restricted Sail class for CYCA handicaps over 13.75 to 16.75 minutes  

7               CYCA handicaps over 15.25 minutes to below 18.75 minutes       

8               CYCA handicaps 18.75 to 28.0 minutes

9               Restricted Sail class for CYCA handicaps over 16.75 to 28.0 minutes

For a full list of class yachts and entries please click this link