Am I too inexperienced to take my boat round mull of kintyre ?

[Robert Wilson]

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
but
He who hesitates is lost.

Sums up the dilemma for the OPs - but they made the decision (based on all the advice of above 100+ posts and assessing his n her experiences, capabilities and confidences)
They live to sail another day, have stoked the fire of determination for their first attempt but haven't scared themselves - or worse.

A great outcome - would that all partakers of adventure sports and pass-times were as wise and fortunate.
:encouragement:

 

[ctva]

Despite having a decent weather window we have taken the canal. There was even northerly winds which i understand to be ideal. But we didn't fancy it in the end, just wimped out I suppose, which is fine. Maybe next year.
On our way back to sandpoint. Thanks for all the help.

No wimping, just a seamanship like decision.

Are you in Sandpoint yet?

 

[A1Sailor]

Big foaming breakers would give me the shakers...

 

[steve350]

To quote Eric Hiscock:

"The anxiety, from which I have suffered, does a lot to spoil the pleasure of a cruise, and fortunate is he who early in his sailing career encounters and successfully weathers a hard blow. No one who has done so can honestly say that he has enjoyed it, nor would he seek to repeat the experience, but in no other way can he gain confidence in his ability as a seaman".

 

[Robert Wilson]

Very profound.:encouragement:

And from my own experiences along the never ending path of learning "sailing", I concur.
And to come through alive, safe and sailing onward is an amazing feeling of success, survival and personal triumph - to be reflected upon, appreciated and stored away to help in future situations.

Avoiding the danger in the first place is wise, but without experience we can't fully learn.

 

[steve350]

Here's another quote, again from Eric Hiscock's book "Cruising Under Sail". This time Eric is himself quoting R L Stevenson:

"It is commonplace that we cannot answer for ourselves until we have been tried. It is surely consoling that we usually find ourselves a great deal braver and better than we thought. I wish sincerely, for it would have saved me much trouble, there had been someone to tell me how dangers are more portentous on a distant sight, and how the good in a man's spirit will not suffer itself to be overlaid and rarely or never deserts him in the hour of need".

NB. I see the OP decided against the trip on this occasion. A seaman like decision.

 

[Crinan12]

Hi all
Thanks for all the encouragement.

Just broke down in the clyde on the way home !
Cue another post coming shortly !
Thanks

 

[scottie]

Hi all
Thanks for all the encouragement.

Just broke down in the clyde on the way home !
Cue another post coming shortly !
Thanks

Are you still out on the river?

 

[Crinan12]

Hi sorry no should have said.
We are in the pub having a drink.
Thanks

 

[Saguday]

Hi sorry no should have said.
We are in the pub having a drink.
Thanks

Another seamanlike decision �� ��

 

[A1Sailor]

Hi sorry no should have said.
We are in the pub having a drink.
Thanks

I do hope it wasn't a nervous breakdown you had in the Clyde. Drowning your sorrows in the pub might not be beneficial.

 

[Crinan12]

 

[ctva]

Need full details or should we all try to guess which pub? One shot each, I’ll go for Kames Hotel?

 

[A1Sailor]

Chartroom at Kip. Not really a pub but an inexperienced Skipper might be fooled - until he gets the drinks bill.

 

[Crinan12]

We made it to holy loch guys. Back at boat now - not sure what pub was called actually!

 

[ctva]

...not sure what pub was called actually!

The sign of a good night!:encouragement: