So Smallboat does a trip round Riga Bay pt 1

[Refueler]

Originally plan trip of about 3 weeks.

But sadly my Mother fell ill and we reduced the trip to Riga Bay only.

So eventually the trip was :

Trip photo report .......

Steve and Edgar - first night 'cocktails on board' ...

Plan was to try and leave at about 0300 to make arrival at Kuressaare reasonable hour. But weather was against us and we delayed till 0800. This helped because another boat had added a third stern line to the buoy making it difficult for us to depart. He also left at 0800.

Weather was not best but at least it was with us - giving us a push north ...

Swell waves at times were well over 2m ... giving a roller-coaster ride ... which eventually resulted in my receiving an enormous bruise across the small of the back, I have a terrible habit of leaning against the pushpit rail and hanging on the backstay !

Arrival at Kuressaare was dramatic to say the least ... first we found ourselves well out of the safe channel approach to the fairway, this area is strewn with rocks .... So a swift alter course to get aligned with marks ... bang ! The genny sheets came away from genny clew ! So Steve braved standing and tieing off - so we could sort later.

Entering the dredged channel was a surprise and took a while to realise how the spits of land had formed ...

then we realised that this was the 'spoil' from the dredger piled to side.

Entry to the harbour was straightforward and the HM was standing waiting to guide us to a slot. A HM who was very friendly, spoke good english ... excellent.

The CA Cruising Guide proves invaluable for this region and gave us info needed to enter, enjoy the harbours.

Finally in and tied up, nicely sheltered place and close to the Hanseatic Castle …

Yours truly pleased with first leg :

Castle and general views :

It may be Estonian Island, but Latvian National Opera giving Show at the castle ….

See pt 2 ... (forum limits number of photos / text !!)

 

[Refueler]

Part 2 .....

Riga bay trip cont ...

So after a good walk round and of for a beer …..

Next day dawns and up with the flag !!

Watch a craning in …

Edgar wondering what to do next …

Stroll round town and the inevitable stop at local Hostelry !!

Other guests decide it’s good place to rest as well !!

So on 23rd we set off for next spot … with winds now proving to be not in favourable direction. Decision as to destination left to see what wind does ….

Amazing narrow channel that dredger has created …

Genny sheets sorted and we have all flying now …

We try out the paravane and line …. (nothing caught !)

Sailing along but wind not really enough or good direction to give us that push needed. It’s going to be a long haul.

Just because boats moving, cookers not gimbaled …. Does not mean Luther cannot provide grub !!

Quick route picky …

Those sunsets are nice and of course up this north they are long drawn out affairs …

I think Edgars tired ….

Night passage … we’ve decided to head for Virtsu … and expect to arrive about 0100 24th.

see pt 3 .... (yep there's more !! )

 

[Refueler]

Part 3 ....

Riga Bay Part 3 .....

Now this gets interesting as we see a ferry gliding out from behind the breakwater. We keep clear and slowly edge way in. CA guide is clear on there are many shoals and rocks to keep well in mind. Steve calls out that there is something else out there .. cannot see a thing ! As we enter … WEH HEY !! There’s a new breakwater under construction and unlit !! HARD –A-PORT !! THAT was the shadow Steve caught against the Ferry !
So we edge our way in, in pitch dark …. And finally shore lights partly light up the yacht pontoons behind the Ferry dock. So in we go .. to find it private berths where we aim. Opposite is a 40ft Bene that is blocking half the fairway through the pontoons .. we cannot turn or change mind – we’re committed to continue on. The only berth we have possibility to make is the cramped stuck in a corner one far in. The turn is sharp and we end up with cap shrouds scraping along the Dock gantry ! Well we’re in and tied up … it’s sleep now and sort in the morning !

Wake up and survey the scene …. Oh Dear ! By now another boat has moored up directly opposite leaving us little room to be able to get out.

Well we work out a warping out sequence that we pray will result in us out without a) crunching the outboard leg sticking out on boat next to us … b) not dropping back into stern of boat behind …. c) not scraping shrouds again …
So that decided we go for a walk to see what town we have. Town ? Village ? Nothing. That’s what I said – nothing ! Well it seems a unanimous decision that Virtsu is cr*p ! and we need to leave it ….

So with spectators on morning of 25th we warp out and all goes nicely as planned without shouting, quietly slipping out.

Bound for Kihnu .. a small Estonian island further south. Wind is freshening and we start to hum under sail … speed is creeping up into figures I have never seen before except under engine !

The German boat that was astern of us earlier passes us with cheery wave … bound also for Kihnu …

As speed goes up … Steve finds out SA has a mind of her own !!

She’s flying … no engine … just picking up her heels and showing that she can really do it !

Steve checking that I haven’t got us lost !!

Good watchkeeper !

Now Kihnu is one hell of an island to approach … there are shoals and channels galore … even SA with 1m draft is restricted where she can go …. So eagle eye kept on Echo-sounder and watching for marker buoys …

Approaching Kihnu – things get easier and we start the run in …

Going in we spy a lovely golden beach ….

See Pt 4 ......... (blimey MORE !! )

 

[Refueler]

Part 4 .....

Riga Bay Part 4 ....

This is one excellent location …. And of course we have the local show-off … A 40ft Bene comes in and insists in stern-first to pontoon … he mucks up first attempt and decides to move further in to another buoy / spot … More on our reply later !

Off to find a bar / Restaurant ….

First we are directed to a Camp Site that is very nice but full of rowdy would be Rallye drivers … so we decide to find another place …. After chatting with another guy – we get told of the village pub a few kms away.
Well it sounds much better and of we go …

But like most good things .. we find that Mr. 40ft Bene arrives with his uncontrolled kids and ‘friends’ spoiling the peace and quiet … shame as the village was very nice and bar / restaurant food excellent.

So walk back to SA ….

We meet a little spiny chap on the way …

So next morning … after suitable Full English … we decide that we shall leave for Salicgriva, a small port on Latvian mainland … But having watched Estonian version of stern-berthing … we opt for engine less departure … yep correct a drop back under sail, sheet in and go jobbie. Wonderfully executed by Steve I have to say … with only small prodding by me ! Mr. Bene of course not impressed !

So off to Salacgriva …..

Now while leaving Kihnu .. we had noticed the light airplane during our stay repeatedly overflying the marina … this morning we found out why. It was carrying out parachute jumpers that were using static line and parachuting to sea … picked up by high speed RIB.

So it’s a grayish day with odd sunspots breaking through … and a gentlish sail.

In Kihnu we have been advised to try a new yacht Club started up just north of Salacgriva, but we have no data on it to guide in etc. So we decide that Salicgriva and then investigate further.

So change Courtesy flag to Latvia …

Run along coast line … keeping well offshore and out of the shallows …

Steve having easier time on helm today !!

Approaching Salicgriva ..

Timber anyone ?

Entering …

For those still hanging in there .... see pt 5 !!

 

[Refueler]

Part 5 ....

Riga Bay part 5 ........

Tied up …

Looking back out to sea ….

Edgar chatting up the Marina Manager … yep – the young lass !! MDL hasn’t anything like that !!

SA with main Tallin road behind … and one of the best Salmon rivers in Baltic …

So off to find the local beer-cellar !

When suns going down that drab Soviet starts to take on another look ….

So wake up to local water sports ….

After getting some info – we decide to try for the new yacht harbour just north of here …

A 40 min run sees us off the entrance …

Keen eyes watching for the break in the shore line for entrance …

Looks promising … new holiday chalets …

But where’s yacht club ?

go on you know you want to see next bit ... yep pt 6 !!

 

[Refueler]

Part 6 .....

Riga Bay Part 6 .....

Arrrrrr … hang on … there’s a channel of to starboard that looks promising …

2.8m all way in …. So not bad …

Edgar playing Capt. Ahab !

Well there it is … and we are only ones visiting ….

Brand new and no-one there !

But it’s excellent layout … and obviously will be a fine venue once it gets sorted …

Now to keep all you lot smiling … a shot of me in shorts ….

I won’t post Steve’s picky – that is just too frightening for kids !

So it’s decided that today we will have BBQ and Edgar asks ladies in the club where is ok … Well the answer is : Please use all our gear, BBQ, Charcoal etc. etc. free of charge !

Setting up :

Well … Chicken in Texas BBQ Marinade with additions like onions, pepper, chilli, etc. etc. – it was a grand feast that was simply fab !! All hail Steve for his cooking skills !

To crown it all later … it was decided that we would try the local bar in the hotel … leaving a beacon on board ….

Later moving to more suitable location when we returned ….

Unfortunately the news of my Mums passing reached us here and I had to ask we cut short the cruise and return so I could fly to UK.

Next morning we set off to Ruhnu, another Estonian island in Gulf of Riga as stopover before pushing on to Ventspils …

The trip to Ruhnu was uneventful and went reasonably well …

now it's a novel ... pt 7 !!

 

[Refueler]

Part 7 ............

Riga Bay Part 7 ..

Ruhnu turned out to be another very good stop and the people friendly. I wanted some diesel to make sure I had plenty in tank in case we needed to motor home … and they got a local farmer to supply us !

There was already a UK boat in from Southampton … a very nice Nicholson. So Union Jack was already flying in the Marina …

We spent the night and then pushed off to reach home … with Kolka Peninsular to come with it’s rough waters and crooked channels. That is where we expect to meet shipping …

So we know it’s going to be a early morning arrival to Ventspils and it’s decide whether to wallow out here at slow speed or keep plugging on and tie up to Ventspils Yacht Club … we keep plugging on. I’ve called my guys to be ready to drop mast 0800 and for SA to go back to home mooring …

Well – again I’m determined that we are going to eat well despite rolling around …

(I have no pan holders … only my own hands to hold pan in place !)

Hope guys are keeping watch while I’m cooking ….

Again we are rewarded by northern sunset ….

With a little difference … (look closely at sun disc …)

You will see the ship silhouetted against the disc ….

Sun sets on Baltic Irbe Channel …..


Part 8 for final bit ...

 

[Refueler]

Part 8 to complete ...

Riga Bay Part 8 ...


We arrived at Ventspils in early hours at about 0200 and edged our way in … to tie up to VYC. Later in the morning we dropped mast using Luthers patent system .. motored her round to Home and mast up.

Edgar received news that his wife was ill and off to hospital …. Seems that we are destined for one of those years …

Steve spent night at my place and next morning both of us set of for Riga ….

My heartfelt thanks to Steve and Edgar for wonderful company and I was really sorry to cut short what was an excellent trip.

Boat ? 25ft Motor sailer ... Sunrider 25. We don't need bigger to do the miles !!

 

[duncanmack]

Excellent!!!

 

[sarabande]

that's what it's all about ! I love the boat pastiche statue, and I didn't know you had hedgepigs that far north.

Neat little cockpit light stuck in a winch. That's one practical idea to be copied.


many thanks, and so sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[colvic987]

excellent write up about your trip, nice pics of the baltic and surrounding new marinas, the baltic is a great place to sail, reminds me of my times at bkyc, and trips to copenhagen and surrounding islands..
You have some happy memories of the trip to help you thru your loss, wish you well for the future and look forward to seeing some more fabulous trips around the baltic...

 

[photodog]

Thanks for that! Excellent......

Just one question.... Was there not enough space on board for more than one shirt for Edgar?

 

[Refueler]

Thanks for that! Excellent......

Just one question.... Was there not enough space on board for more than one shirt for Edgar?

He's got a whole bag of them all same !! He likes to look the salty-seadog.

It's interesting as Edgar doesn't speak English at all ... he's Latvian. So it's pigeon Russian from me ... we seem to survive though.

I mentioned "luthers patent mast system" .... it's a length of 3x6, lashed vertically of the bow roller to the pulpit. Mainsheets transferred to its head and then to pole uphaul .... this then gives a tackle to lower / raise mast. 2 guys guide mast up / down to stop it falling to one side, also into the V post at stern.

We can even do it with genny still on the furler, mainsail and boom still fitted. Only thing we have to do is remove slugs from mast groove to allow boom to pivot up enough.

OK it's not best way - but for simplicity it gets it done.

The main idea is not for lift out of boat, but to negotiate the 3 bridges from home mooring to seaward side. The mast stays pinned to deck bracket and sticks out stern a lot !! Amazing what leverage it has on trim !

Boat now needs a serious bulkhead repair under the cockpit, but that will be replaced over next month or so before season changes and cold / wet starts. Next year we have plans to complete the "Round Baltic" trip plus some other jaunts ...

 

[SimbaDog]

Great post, looks like a super place to sail.
Very sorry about your mum

 

[pragmatist]

Really enjoyed your post and all the splendid pictures. Sorry about your mother and friend's wife. But hope you enjoyed your holiday, Definitely an inspiration.

 

[Blueboatman]

Nice one Nigel

Thats great ! Thanks for sharing and sorry that there has to be some sadness intermingled in there too. Some of those photos are fascinating and, to me, give a real glimpse of another world that few are able to sail to.
'The smaller the boat the greater the fun' should be your next courtesy flag-oh it already is, SBC,

regards Tim
(who finally got himself another boat so I am reading your log with real practical interest too)

 

[Refueler]

Small Boats travel further ..... was the title of an article many moons ago in a mag. A writer visited harbours and marinas interviewing various boaters.

Couple of students in a Norman 20 mobo .... leapfrogging along coast, doing odd jobs here and there to pay for fuel and food. They'd covered a large part of the south UK coast.
Owner of large sailyacht in a marina, sitting enjoying a G&T in the cockpit hadn't been out of the marina in weeks because to do so meant organising crew, storing up, doing all that stuff to get boat ready and then to wait lock-out .... on return to decrew, destore etc.

I'm lucky - the boat sits at back of house and is usually ready to let go and chug away ... just needing to play mast up / down to clear the bridges if I want to go seaward.

Next week - it's hinted that I should take a long weekend and sail of down the coast with Edgar ... yep SWMBO suggestion ! she enjoys river trips not seaward.