Concerto
Well-known member
Looking out of the window this morning, there was low cloud and it looked grey and damp. When is that yellow ball in the sky going to appear? I cannot believe it is nearly the end of July and I am still wearing long sleeve shirts, sweatshirt and oils skins to go sailing.
Once I was ready to leave, the ferry decide it was time to leave, so again I had to wait 20 minutes. Once under way at 9.40, and almost clear of the shore, I decided to have a single reef in both sails as the forecast was for 15 to 20 knots. Initially it was fine but as I left the shore the wind eased, so I unfurled the genoa fully. Half an hour later I shook the reef out of the mainsail. The wind angle was for just slightly cracked sheets and I was happy with that. I had planned to go to Mallaig, but this wind meant I could reach Tobermory in one leg. Yes, I know I have missed out places I should be visiting but this year is a personal sailing challenge not a leisurely cruise.
After about 3 hours I saw a pod of dolphins approaching. They were leaping in my direction and several went to port and some went to starboard. Great I thought another display on the bow. No Chance. As soon as they appeared, they were gone. A couple of hours later the wind had backed slightly and increased, so I reefed the main again. Then the rain showers started. The joy of sailing in the rain. Today was not too bad as it was not heavy and there were frequent breaks between showers. It did make the sails damp and the tell tails stuck to the sail, so setting them was a case of judgement to see if any adjustments increased or decreased the speed.
The visibility had been poor since leaving. I can remember seeing a yacht with a dark hull about 2 miles ahead and a mile to windward in the binoculars. Well after about 6 hours the visibility improved and suddenly I realised this yacht was just in front of the beam but about a quarter of a mile to windward. A closer view suggested she was much larger than Concerto. Slowly I overhauled her as I was now under full main and really trying to get the best performance possible. Then the wind started dropping and so did the boat speed. Then I noticed the yacht had passed me, they had started motoring, so I decided that 3½ knots was not sufficient speed and old faithful was turned on. A short while later I furled the genoa as it started to back.
Through the mist to lee I could see a pile of muck, sorry the Isle of Muck. The top of the cliffs were shrouded in low cloud. Ahead to port I could make out the land and again the low cloud obscured the top of the cliffs like a woolly hat. Later the shape of Mull appeared to starboard. That is when the rain really started coming down. I headed below to reread details on Tobermory and saw that it can be uncomfortable in a strong N wind. Guess what is forecast for overnight and tomorrow. Yup, a fresh N wind. Quickly checking nearby alternative places, I quite like the sound of Loch Aline. Then I realised it was another 15 miles further on and I would have to motor all the way whereas tomorrow I could sail it without rain. So Tobermory it was going to be.
The wind, well what little was left of it, then decided to back slightly and the mainsail started to back, so it was dropped before entering Mull Sound. The rain kept coming down. You can see it in the photos. Entering Tobermory for the first time, it looked very busy. I slowly motored close to the marina to see if there was a berth, no chance. So I went hunting for a mooring buoy and found one that had plenty of weed on the mooring line, a good sign it has not been used for a while. Once moored I left my oil skins to drip dry in the cabin, and did they drip. The floor had to be dried several times.
It sounds like the rain has finally stopped at midnight. Now to await the stronger winds from the north. At least being on a mooring means I shall be head to wind as there is little tide in the harbour.
The view from the main hatch first thing this morning, not very welcoming.
Just passed the lighthouse at the entrance to Mull Sound
The low cloud slightly further along the cliffs
Mull from near Point Ardmore
The lighthouse just north of Tobermory. Notice the rain.
Tobermory in the rain
For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1
Once I was ready to leave, the ferry decide it was time to leave, so again I had to wait 20 minutes. Once under way at 9.40, and almost clear of the shore, I decided to have a single reef in both sails as the forecast was for 15 to 20 knots. Initially it was fine but as I left the shore the wind eased, so I unfurled the genoa fully. Half an hour later I shook the reef out of the mainsail. The wind angle was for just slightly cracked sheets and I was happy with that. I had planned to go to Mallaig, but this wind meant I could reach Tobermory in one leg. Yes, I know I have missed out places I should be visiting but this year is a personal sailing challenge not a leisurely cruise.
After about 3 hours I saw a pod of dolphins approaching. They were leaping in my direction and several went to port and some went to starboard. Great I thought another display on the bow. No Chance. As soon as they appeared, they were gone. A couple of hours later the wind had backed slightly and increased, so I reefed the main again. Then the rain showers started. The joy of sailing in the rain. Today was not too bad as it was not heavy and there were frequent breaks between showers. It did make the sails damp and the tell tails stuck to the sail, so setting them was a case of judgement to see if any adjustments increased or decreased the speed.
The visibility had been poor since leaving. I can remember seeing a yacht with a dark hull about 2 miles ahead and a mile to windward in the binoculars. Well after about 6 hours the visibility improved and suddenly I realised this yacht was just in front of the beam but about a quarter of a mile to windward. A closer view suggested she was much larger than Concerto. Slowly I overhauled her as I was now under full main and really trying to get the best performance possible. Then the wind started dropping and so did the boat speed. Then I noticed the yacht had passed me, they had started motoring, so I decided that 3½ knots was not sufficient speed and old faithful was turned on. A short while later I furled the genoa as it started to back.
Through the mist to lee I could see a pile of muck, sorry the Isle of Muck. The top of the cliffs were shrouded in low cloud. Ahead to port I could make out the land and again the low cloud obscured the top of the cliffs like a woolly hat. Later the shape of Mull appeared to starboard. That is when the rain really started coming down. I headed below to reread details on Tobermory and saw that it can be uncomfortable in a strong N wind. Guess what is forecast for overnight and tomorrow. Yup, a fresh N wind. Quickly checking nearby alternative places, I quite like the sound of Loch Aline. Then I realised it was another 15 miles further on and I would have to motor all the way whereas tomorrow I could sail it without rain. So Tobermory it was going to be.
The wind, well what little was left of it, then decided to back slightly and the mainsail started to back, so it was dropped before entering Mull Sound. The rain kept coming down. You can see it in the photos. Entering Tobermory for the first time, it looked very busy. I slowly motored close to the marina to see if there was a berth, no chance. So I went hunting for a mooring buoy and found one that had plenty of weed on the mooring line, a good sign it has not been used for a while. Once moored I left my oil skins to drip dry in the cabin, and did they drip. The floor had to be dried several times.
It sounds like the rain has finally stopped at midnight. Now to await the stronger winds from the north. At least being on a mooring means I shall be head to wind as there is little tide in the harbour.
The view from the main hatch first thing this morning, not very welcoming.
Just passed the lighthouse at the entrance to Mull Sound
The low cloud slightly further along the cliffs
Mull from near Point Ardmore
The lighthouse just north of Tobermory. Notice the rain.
Tobermory in the rain
For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1
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