west highland week for numpties

[wee_niall]

morning folks - been pondering for a few months now about taking the boat west to do west highland week in 2019 but i'm wondering how numptie friendly WHW actually is?

My boat would inevitably be the slowest in the fleet (Marcon Striker 22 bilge keel) and the last time i raced was round the cans in tayvallich about 20 years ago on a soling (i use the term race very loosely!). My crew would be a couple of mates that have very limited sailing experience but can consume vast amounts of beer.

Basically, it seems like a great excuse for a west coast adventure with some mates but i wouldn't want to us to end up being a pain in the arse to everybody else and just getting in the way of serious racing.....

Any thoughts?

 

[Quandary]

They will give you a handicap that will allow you to win a downwind passage race, you will be first to start and be able to watch everyone steam past, great fun. Go for it, just try not to obstruct the starts but as you will be first away that should not happen, Take plenty of money for drink and a reliable anchor as you may not be in Tobermory early enough to get on a pontoon. If you like you can opt only to do the passage races and spend alternate days in the pub.
Seriously, it is a very broad entry, lots of families with young kids as well as a few serious competitors, I guarantee you will be welcomed and enjoy it.

 

[wee_niall]

They will give you a handicap that will allow you to win a downwind passage race, you will be first to start and be able to watch everyone steam past, great fun. Go for it, just try not to obstruct the starts but as you will be first away that should not happen, Take plenty of money for drink and a reliable anchor as you may not be in Tobermory early enough to get on a pontoon. If you like you can opt only to do the passage races and spend alternate days in the pub.
Seriously, it is a very broad entry, lots of families with young kids as well as a few serious competitors, I guarantee you will be welcomed and enjoy it.

Cheers Q - i assumed the slowest would be last away to avoid getting in folks way but it would be good fun being in the thick of the action (at least for about 5 mins!).

Doing the passage races might be a good option and might suit the guys better...still need to see if i can get them to properly commit and then work out the logistics of moving the boat (and getting it back after!)

 

[Quandary]

There normally are feeder races from Oban, Gigha and the Clyde, the latter via the Crinan canal, the Canal offers a discount for competitors. Last year the Ardrishaig feeder did not happen so check the website regularly. Normally starts proper on Sunday with a race round Shuna and back to Croabh. Croabh to Oban, Monday; Round the cans or and round Lismore if the tide is right. Off to Tob. on Wed. Round the buoys again on Thur. Then from Tob. to Oban on Friday.
Even you do not do a feeder it can be sociable going through the canal with the fleet, most of the bigger boats will have gone round the Mull. If you have a spinnaker and someone to fly it it can make a slow boat competitive and you are usually sailing in flat water. Shorthanded there are white sail classes for all types. It is a good introduction to the West Coast and a safe way to visit a few of the more prominent destinations. Entries do not close until late June so you have time to plan, the WHYW website (set up by Webby of this parish) runs all year.

 

[wee_niall]

There normally are feeder races from Oban, Gigha and the Clyde, the latter via the Crinan canal, the Canal offers a discount for competitors. Last year the Ardrishaig feeder did not happen so check the website regularly. Normally starts proper on Sunday with a race round Shuna and back to Croabh. Croabh to Oban, Monday; Round the cans or and round Lismore if the tide is right. Off to Tob. on Wed. Round the buoys again on Thur. Then from Tob. to Oban on Friday.
Even you do not do a feeder it can be sociable going through the canal with the fleet, most of the bigger boats will have gone round the Mull. If you have a spinnaker and someone to fly it it can make a slow boat competitive and you are usually sailing in flat water. Shorthanded there are white sail classes for all types. It is a good introduction to the West Coast and a safe way to visit a few of the more prominent destinations. Entries do not close until late June so you have time to plan, the WHYW website (set up by Webby of this parish) runs all year.

Not sure i'd be able to do the friday feeder race to ardrishaig but my plan would be to keep the boat for a month or so in loch fyne after coming through the F&C so chumming along with the other folk going through the canal on the saturday sounds like a good plan. Had a wee browse of the website and it's pretty comprehensive with some good info there (also looks great webby!) - i'd love to do it so hopefully i can get everything to fall into place over the next few months

 

[awol]

Good luck with the F&C! They claim to have funding to repair the bridges and the plan is to have the canal open again in April 2019. So June/July may be possible.

Class 8 is the slowest spinnaker class - a lot of fun people who don't take racing too seriously though we did manage a general recall in one race this year! Slowest boat (on handicap, definitely not over the water) this year was a Sadler 25. Class 9 is the slowest white sail class.

 

[Quandary]

A few of the guys here have moorings in Loch Gilp and also another in Loch Crinan, mid summer they tend to be out to the west so their Fyne moorings can be free. I know it is not the centre of the universe but could be cheap, or perhaps even free. If you think that might help you for a week or two PM me nearer the time and I can ask for you. There is a regular bus service in to Glasgow.

 

[wully1]

morning folks - been pondering for a few months now about taking the boat west to do west highland week in 2019 but i'm wondering how numptie friendly WHW actually is?

My boat would inevitably be the slowest in the fleet (Marcon Striker 22 bilge keel) and the last time i raced was round the cans in tayvallich about 20 years ago on a soling (i use the term race very loosely!). My crew would be a couple of mates that have very limited sailing experience but can consume vast amounts of beer.

Basically, it seems like a great excuse for a west coast adventure with some mates but i wouldn't want to us to end up being a pain in the arse to everybody else and just getting in the way of serious racing.....

Any thoughts?

Just by the tone of your post I’d guess you and your pals will have a great week.

 

[wee_niall]

Good luck with the F&C! They claim to have funding to repair the bridges and the plan is to have the canal open again in April 2019. So June/July may be possible.

Class 8 is the slowest spinnaker class - a lot of fun people who don't take racing too seriously though we did manage a general recall in one race this year! Slowest boat (on handicap, definitely not over the water) this year was a Sadler 25. Class 9 is the slowest white sail class.

The F&C is the elephant in the room as far as next summer goes....hopefully we'll find out in the new year that they've installed some nice new bridges

We'd defo be in class 9.....apart from not having a spinnaker the calamity that would ensue if we tried to fly one would be quite a sight!

A few of the guys here have moorings in Loch Gilp and also another in Loch Crinan, mid summer they tend to be out to the west so their Fyne moorings can be free. I know it is not the centre of the universe but could be cheap, or perhaps even free. If you think that might help you for a week or two PM me nearer the time and I can ask for you. There is a regular bus service in to Glasgow.

Loch Fyne is my old stomping ground (my folks are still in Lochgilphead) and the boat was based at Lochgair/Ardrishaig when my dad had her so hopefully i can sort out a mooring with one of his chums. If i draw a blank i might come knocking though

Just by the tone of your post I’d guess you and your pals will have a great week.

I reckon it would be epic - although i've already got a fear about the potential scale of the hangovers.....

 

[A1Sailor]

I saw somewhere that the F&C wasn't completely closed to through traffic this year. Yes - a couple of bridges are majorly broken, but they can be opened with a great deal of effort. I think dates, a couple per month, were published where through passage was available.
I suspect it was on the Scottish Canals website that I saw it.

Edit:
I was half right - which means I was half wrong!

Update 15 June 2018
Our engineers have managed to carry out some impressive work recently which enabled a controlled operation of Bonnybridge and Twechar. This required 10 engineers and technicians to be redeployed from other planned priorities elsewhere across the business. Thanks to the teams efforts, the successful works mean we can now open both Bard Avenue bascule bridge and Twechar lift bridge up to once per month on the following days:

Bard Avenue (between 10am and 2pm) on:
Thursday 21st June
Thursday 19th July
Thursday 23rd August
Tuesday 28th August
Thursday 27th September
Thursday 17th October

Twechar Bridge (between 9am and 3pm) on:
Sunday 10th June
Wednesday 20th June
Friday 22nd June
Wednesday 18th July
Friday 20th July
Wednesday 22nd August
Friday 24th August
Monday 27th August
Wednesday 29th August
Wednesday 26th September
Friday 28th September
Wednesday 16th October
Friday 18th October

We have ensured these dates allow enough time for boaters to travel to the various festivals and events that are being held on the Forth & Clyde Canal, including the 250th Anniversary Flotilla from the Stables in Kirkintilloch to Auchinstarry Marina (10th June), Kirkintilloch Canal Festival (25th & 26th August) and Glasgow Canal Festival & Youth Urban Games (25th August).

Please be aware that all bridge openings will be subject to demand and you must book your transit through the bridges at least 48 hours in advance. If there are no bookings made for these dates the bridges will remain closed until the next scheduled opening. To make a booking please call Boat Movements on 07810 794 467.

Please note that Bonnybridge Bridge will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Due to safety reasons, it can’t be opened to boating traffic until significant works are carried out and while we continue to seek funding, investment simply is not available within Scottish Canals’ budget at present, from the Scottish Government or through third party funders. We hope to be able to update on the Robert Whitworth Bridge soon.

Update 12 October 2018
Following the £1.625 million of additional funding from the Scottish Government, we are now able to carry out the works to both Bonnybridge and Twechar Bridges. Contractors have been engaged and installation works are scheduled for January/February 2019 with testing of both bridges commencing in March 2019. The aim is to have all works completed and both bridges operational by April 2019.
https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/news/bridge-restrictions-operational-changes/

 

[scottie]

Of course if not a numpty then you may require a transit van as a mobile store for the racing equipment at night and the living essentials through the day when you strip your family racing craft as seen in previous years as some people take it very seriously.
However a great source of teacakes

 

[agurney]

morning folks - been pondering for a few months now about taking the boat west to do west highland week in 2019 but i'm wondering how numptie friendly WHW actually is?

My boat would inevitably be the slowest in the fleet (Marcon Striker 22 bilge keel) and the last time i raced was round the cans in tayvallich about 20 years ago on a soling (i use the term race very loosely!). My crew would be a couple of mates that have very limited sailing experience but can consume vast amounts of beer.

Basically, it seems like a great excuse for a west coast adventure with some mates but i wouldn't want to us to end up being a pain in the arse to everybody else and just getting in the way of serious racing.....

Any thoughts?

Another option - how about watching the fleet, rather than participating?

- You can hover around a downwind mark, say, off Arduaine on a local race at Craobh (see photo).
- Then, head somewhere like Lochaline at your own pace while the fleet are getting tanked up on teacakes and racing to Oban. Hike over to Ardtornish Point and watch the racers slog up the Sound of Mull .. all sorts of shenanigans to be seen if there's a foul tide and folks use the back eddy in Ardtornish Bay.
- If you want a beer, follow the fleet north, but go to, for example, here, and wait until the racers head back to Oban, then you won't have an horrendous queue for a pint in the Mishnish [other hostleries are available].

 

[pagoda]

Of course if not a numpty then you may require a transit van as a mobile store for the racing equipment at night and the living essentials through the day when you strip your family racing craft as seen in previous years as some people take it very seriously.
However a great source of teacakes

Ha ha... our son once did WHYW with our boat and several race-like friends. They insisted we remove almost everything. No water in the tanks at all. (only a week so nobody will notice the lack of washing ) They subsequently replaced all the removed weight with beer, Rum and Vodka. Other than race tactics, I gather that way of doing things isn't unusual

 

[wee_niall]

thanks for all the info guys - some good food for thought......it does look like this is a step closer to happening as scottish canals have announced that they are fixing the bridges on the F&C:

https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/news/bridge-restrictions-operational-changes/

Just need to see if i can scrape enough holidays together and find away of getting approval from the missus

 

[adwuk]

Bring your missus. She’ll love it!

 

[awol]

Bring your missus. She’ll love it!

And you can use her as an excuse for not flying spinnakers

 

[adwuk]

And you can use her as an excuse for not flying spinnakers

I know on which side my bread is buttered!