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Dear all,

Planning for WHYW 2025 started more or less as soon as our 2024 event was complete. At least I have to say that I always come away from the event fired up with ideas for the following year. But firstly, time to reflect and I think it is fair to say that this years event went well …….. I certainly enjoyed it! And I sincerely hope that you did too.

We were delighted with our tally of 97 entries. This exceeded our expectations, and a very big thank you to you all for your support. Perhaps more importantly, I would like to say thank you for your support of the RNLI in this, their 200th anniversary year. Your contributions were extremely generous, and we were pleased to be able to hand over a cheque for £1000 from your donations on the entry form. This total was boosted by a further £615 given by MOWI, this being the takings from their food van. A letter of thanks from RNLI Oban has been posted separately on our website and Facebook.

It is my intention that we send out a questionnaire in the very near future. We try to keep this personal, and relevant. I don’t intend to include a lot of questions about the format of the week, (I think we have got that just about right?), or the social side. On that score, my one fear this year was that we perhaps tried to include too much.

Having alluded to it last year, my one area of concern is the handicapping system. CYCA is what we have got, and what we have worked with for years. Most importantly, is it fair to all? Is it up to date? And is it fit for purpose? If not, can it be improved? Or is there something better out there? – YTC being one example. I do not know the answers to any of the above questions, but it appears that there are rumblings out there. In my view there are too many idiosyncrasies in the system, and as we continue to concentrate on the “inclusiveness” of this event, I would like to see new faces collecting prizes! Perhaps this is a pipe dream, but I don’t think so. Please let me know your thoughts.

And on a less happy note, I was sorry to learn today that Ron Cowan of Yachting Images is currently in hospital, and has been for the last fortnight. This is seriously impacting on his ability to sort through and post photographs, for which he is apologetic. I know however that you will all want to pass on your best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Enjoy the rest of your sailing season!

Gavin.

Chairman WHYW

Yacht Celerity

Apologies, it has come to my attention that the last line of the first amendment was missing. Please find below the complete version

WEST HIGHLAND YACHTING WEEK         2024

SAILING INSTRUCTION AMENDMENTS

1.1

S1 7.1 is replaced by

SI  7.1.2

1.2

SI  12.7  is replaced by

SI  12.7.2  Boats in classes 4, Passage Race Only, shall start in the class start appropriate for their handicap and fly numeral pennant 4 in accordance with SI 7.1.2.

1.3

Appendix 1, Craobh to Oban Passage Race.

In 29.1, the approx. times of the fleet broadcasts are changed to 07.30 and 08.00

Remember folks you have until April 30th to take advantage of the early bird discount for this years event.

We are delighted to announce that entries for WHYW 2024 are now open!

As planning for next year’s event gets into full swing we wanted to ask you what you think we do well or can do better, below is a few areas we have been thinking about, if you would like to give us your opinion and suggest we would be very grateful. If you have any ideas or suggestions for other areas of the event please let us know. 

1.  What do you think of the format of the sailing during the week? 

 We think this works well, and are disinclined to significantly change any aspect of it, unless you have strong feelings to the contrary.  

 In 2024 it looks as if the mid week tides may be suitable for a round Lismore race  but we feel that this is always popular. 

 2.Handicapping system. We use the CYCA handicapping system, we have always used the CYCA system, and most local boats have a CYCA handicap. But we are attracting boats from further afield, and we should perhaps try a more widely used system, such as YTC. Is it time for a change? A national system such as YTC presumably has access to a very much wider database of results.  

 3. Social programme – we tried hard for this years WHYW. Did we get it right? There was a lot of live music at the start of the week – can we have too much live music? 

4. Dinghy races – these appear to be popular with the kids, but this year were not particularly well attended by the majority. Do you want to see more or less of this sort of thing? 

5. Paddleboard race – did you like this new idea? It was not so well supported this year, partly due to the weather, and perhaps by Thursday evening we were all a bit tired!  

6. Venues – we are a little restricted by those marinas which can accommodate a large fleet, but would you like to see us go anywhere else? Comments on Oban, Dunstaffnage and Kerrera? 

Please email your feedback to us at office@whyw.co.uk 

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you all at WHYW 2024 

We know not everyone comes and wants to sail everyday, or those that do sail all week also  bring families and supporters with them. So for all of you who will be shoreside during the week we have created the off the water guide full of lots of fun things to do a see. 

At the last count we have 92 entries – the target is to have 100 boats on the water, and we are so nearly there! Don’t miss out …..In addition to the usual format of races, this year the aim for the regatta is “big event, big classes!” And there will be so much more to look forward to – we have an action packed programme of social and other events, including live bands on at least 3 of the 7 nights, and the Mishnish, and possibly also McGochans are likely to make this up to 5 nights.

In addition there will be the dinghy races in Craobh, as per last year, but there should also be the chance to go dinghy sailing on Tuesday evening in Oban, and new for this year, and in celebration of our anniversary, there will be a paddleboard race in Tobermory – the intention is that this should be an inter boat relay race, so should be as much fun for spectators and competitors alike.

We will again host the baking competition on Sunday evening in Craobh, but lest you feel that it is a bit self indulgent to purchase any of the produce, you will be doing your duty by helping the RNLI. And for those who would like to introduce a bit of culture to their week, we are delighted to have been offered the opportunity to meet with some of the staff from the marine research centre at Dunstaffnage – SAMS. I have not been round the facility, but I am told that it is fantastic. And if you like your culture in liquid format, we have been offered distillery tours in Tobermory – again well worth the visit. Hopefully something for everyone.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking my hard working committee, who are making it all happen, and also, and perhaps more importantly our very generous sponsors – our principle sponsor again is Tunnocks, but ably supported by the Majestic Line, Argyll and Bute Council, Tobermory Harbour Association, Moulin Brewery, Lochnell Boatyard and Treeline. We also very much appreciate the support of Ballachulish Marina, Nerabus Gin, Craobh Marina, Dunstaffnage Marina, Kerrera Marina, Yachting Images, Owen Sails, Harken, Yachting Monthly, RYA Scotland and Scottish Canals.

Finally my thanks to you, the competitors – we very much look forward to seeing you at this renowned family sailing event, and assure you of the warmest of Highland welcomes!

Gavin Marshall.

Chairman, West Highland Yachting Week.