Hafren Round Britain

[Snifter]

Two Thornbury SC sailors are attempting to beat the Round Britain record for a Wayfarer of 76 days. They left Weymouth on 31st May, did a first leg of 250 miles to Dale in 67 hours, and are currently heading up the North Channel after leaving Peel Harbour this morning.
You can track progress under the Mapping heading on www.xtremedinghycruising.com

 

[europe172]

any idea why they have been going round incircles for the last three hours?

 

[Snifter]

Yes, the wind died and they've been fighting the tide. It'll change again in an hour or so, and they should start drifting on up towards the Mull of Kintyre. It'll be a long night, but not the first!

 

[europe172]

well i wish them the best of luck, that is a tough challange they have set

 

[Snifter]

After pirouetting around going nowhere in the early part of the night, Hafren has taken advantage of the next following tide to creep up the Irish Coast, and has just gone past Glenarm Bay at 4kts and is aiming for Red Bay. It's not clear if they'll rest there or keep going. The wind should pick up a little in the next 3 hours.
As you rightly say, europe172, a tough challenge from many points of view. Fascinating to watch progress, and they need to get well up into Scotland by tomorrow evening when the southerlies go.

 

[Snifter]

They sailed through the night closing with the NI mainland, anchoring for a couple of hours after creeping against the tide round the headland into Red Bay. Then off again across the North Channel to the Mull of Kintyre, making the most of great conditions. Next waypoint is Gigha, then Crinan and Tobermory.

 

[Allan]

They seem to be doing well, please continue to keep us posted. It is really compelling.
Allan

 

[Snifter]

Thanks, Allan. Delighted to update you, and I agree - but I am biased! - it is quite addictive.
They left Red Bay after a couple of hours anchored, and made great progress under spinnaker with a light wind and a fair tide across the North Channel to the Mull of Kintyre. As the evening came the wind died and they landed in an 'idyllic cove' on the NW side of Gigha island to wait for the next tide to try and get to Crinan.
Idyllic till the midges arrived! They spent most of the night drifting and paddling on the next tide in drizzle, and are now ashore waiting for either wind or tide to take them on to Crinan, and hopefully Tobermory before the wind goes into the north tonight. The next few days are going to be a challenge!

 

[Snifter]

A slog at present, drifting slowly to Crinan with paddles followed by two seals. My co-router, Ken Falcon, drove up overnight to Crinan to welcome them in, and then went down the Coast till he found the boat anchored. They had a toast in the morning rain. Progress is going to be slow over the next week as they ratchet up towards Cape Wrath on the fair tides, and rest on the foul. There is a high over Scotland which is going to dominate weather for a while. Still, the crew is happy, and pleased with progress so far.
Further details can be found on www.xtremedinghycruising.com, and there are feeds to the tracker under the Mapping heading. Photos can be found on the Twitter and Facebook feeds on the right hand side of the website header.

 

[Harbourlight]

We are watching them with great interest at the moment, as we know the area well. When do they ever sleep........?

 

[Temujin]

Thanks Snifter, keep the updates coming. Let's hope the midgies give them an easy ride!

 

[Snifter]

They sleep in the boat in turns. They removed the central thwart and replaced it with a carbon beam, and placed 2 layers of foam matting on the cockpit floor, and they sleep on that! I know, mad!
However, on arrival in Crinan tonight after 12 miles of paddling on the tide, they sounded remarkably chipper. They intend to catch up on sleep tonight, and leave for Tobermory tomorrow on the tide at about midday....but what wind there is will be right on the nose.
It's going to be tough getting up to Cape Wrath.

 

[Snifter]

They had a great night at the Crinan Hotel last night, the first real bed for two weeks, and scallops and crab risotto, and lots of drinks from other sailors. They left this morning on the leg to Tobermory, and are currently making good progress.
(Updates may be a bit sporadic till Monday, as I am without broadband at present, and posting on 3G - intermittently - when there is a signal).

 

[Snifter]

Text from Hafren timed at 1512, just received - "Dorus Mor - as we beat into Dorus Mor in bright sunshine in a F3, the tide grabbed us and shook all wind from the sails and a whirlpool 10ft across and maybe 2.5ft deep grabbed us and whirled us round twice on the spot then spat us into a back eddy going back the way we came. So we were back at the start for another go and sailed , and we sailed round the whirlpool and exited DM at 9kts over the ground. Later through the Sound of Luing lots more over falls. This is a new experience, to have a 720 penalty turn imposed upon us; so that is one in the bank!"
They are just about to enter the Sound of Mull.

 

[Snifter]

Spoke to the crew a couple of hours ago, and they are planning to sail on towards Skye tonight. Currently at Loch Aline in the Sound of Mull, and very positive. Not much tide against, and forecast good.
I told them RNLI are looking out for them at Tobermory, but it is unlikely to be before midnight when they get there, and possibly much later as only doing 2kts at present. They will sail in close and see of there is anyone around, and may do a brief stop, but want to go on again quickly.

 

[Snifter]

Hafren passed Tobermory in the night, and left the Sound of Mull. They have now picked up some wind and are making good progress towards Mallaig and the Isle of Skye.

 

[Snifter]

Hafren is sailing up the Sound of Sleat, and not far now from the Kyle of Lochalsh. Still making good progress after another 26 hours at sea.

 

[Snifter]

Hafren is just approaching the bridge across to Skye in the Kyle of Lochalsh. Still going strong, and pleased to be past their last major tidal gate on the west coast. Voicemail half an hour ago said they were still feeling good, so perhaps aim for Gairloch tonight. Wind looks light from the west tomorrow, so hopefully get some more miles in after a rest.

 

[Snifter]

Hafren rested at the north end of Applecross Bay last night, but they are now on their way again towards Gairloch.

 

[Snifter]

Progress is slow but steady this morning, but the night was very cold under the tarp over the boat. The crew is now in need of some comfort, and washing the mildew off their clothes is a priority! A hotel room has been booked in Gairloch, so all they have to do is get there.
They sound amazingly cheerful considering their voyage so far, but the comforts of the Crinan Hotel are clearly still fresh in their minds, so the Myrtle in Gairloch is very enticing!