Youngest person to use the Caledonian Canal?
- Thread starter awol
- Start date
Sandy
Well-known member
She is local to me and the coverage has been fantastic.
I'm about a month behind her in my own trip round Britain. Looking forward to the Cally and getting home to Corpach before going back to Plymouth.
I'm about a month behind her in my own trip round Britain. Looking forward to the Cally and getting home to Corpach before going back to Plymouth.
jamie N
Well-known member
I saw 'them' come into Inverness marina a month or so back. She came in 1st, and put it alongside (on the leeward side of the pontoon), perfectly, in a manner that made me a little bit jealous really, as I know how much 'fun' manoeuvring a long-keeler in a marina is.
Her Father came in a few minutes later and put it alongside more like myself, and pretty much all of us do from time to time, even with his daughter taking his lines.
For some reason both events, cheered me up!
Cracking effort by them both.
Her Father came in a few minutes later and put it alongside more like myself, and pretty much all of us do from time to time, even with his daughter taking his lines.
For some reason both events, cheered me up!
Cracking effort by them both.
webcraft
Well-known member
.
She's made it home
Topsham teenager Katie Mccabe sails round Britain
Devon girl, 14, finishes round-Britain sailing trek
- W
She's made it home
Topsham teenager Katie Mccabe sails round Britain
Devon girl, 14, finishes round-Britain sailing trek
- W
dunedin
Well-known member
Surely you do not describe a trip round the Southern parts and through the Caledonian Canal as “round Britain” - it is not (and don’t know how it could be accepted as such by any credible sailing records organisation).
Great voyage by Katie, but not a round Britain record.
And Sandy, surely you are missing most of the best bits of the British, let alone Great Britain (ie including islands), coastline. (Though you did set off in Autumn time)
awol
Well-known member
I sailed round Britain one year - left from Port Edgar, through the Forth Clyde ditch and back to Port Edgar via the Caledonian Canal - does that count?
dunedin
Well-known member
Sounds good voyage wise (round carefully selected bits of Britain) - but are you as young as Katie?
SaltIre
Well-known member
awol
Well-known member
I'm fascinated by daddy following within 5 miles "for insurance reasons". That's an hour at 5kts so what good could he be expected to do? She could mount up an impressive 3rd party claim before he appeared over the horizon.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
Which makes her effort even better then doesn't it.
Quandary
Well-known member
If accompanied children are allowed to set round England (and a bit of Scotland) records, shouldn't be long until some 8 year old does it in her Optimist. I know at least two who would be up for it if they can find a chaperone.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
Youngsters with "guts & go" that is what this country needs for a change. Bring em on.
dunedin
Well-known member
Perhaps granddad better keep his boat to do the 5 miles behind bit ?
SaltIre
Well-known member
I'm intrigued how folk can set out to "Sail round Britain" then, by taking a shortcut via the Caledonian Canal, in effect they only sail round England.
Did the others, whose record Katie has broken, also miss a big chunk of the coastline out?
Did the others, whose record Katie has broken, also miss a big chunk of the coastline out?
awol
Well-known member
But could he keep up with the Oppies?Perhaps granddad better keep his boat to do the 5 miles behind bit ?
ProDave
Well-known member
Party pooper.
So where would you go to "qualify" it must encompass Orkney, Shetland, St Kilda, Rockall, Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly? Oh and don't take the short cut through the Solent you must go round the IOW.
SaltIre
Well-known member
I think it should be Mainland Britain, as Robert Wilson did in Khamsin in 2015.
dunedin
Well-known member
The definition of "Britain" is the mainland, so the route is clear - and includes Duncansby Head and Cape Wrath.
The Isle of Wight is an island off Britain so can be passed on either side.
Great Britain includes the islands, so the route would be outside IoW, Isles of Scilly, Muckle Flugga etc.
UK, as some reported, as you know would include Northern Ireland as well - which boating wise effectively adds a long extra bit round mainland Ireland to close the loop.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
For a 14 year old it is hard work going via all those locks in the canal SH
Neptune's staircase etc can be difficult as it is a number of locks in one go.
One has to be good at boat control etc.
I found lock keepers had to spend their time with charter boats, so I had little help from them.
Neptune's staircase etc can be difficult as it is a number of locks in one go.
One has to be good at boat control etc.
I found lock keepers had to spend their time with charter boats, so I had little help from them.
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Sandy
Well-known member
As a Highland Scot I do know that I am missing the best bits. To strike another blow I've been advised that you cannot do a single handed transit of the Caly Canal this year due to COVID. I arrived in Peterhead and have asked many friends, but strongly suspect I'll be turning the boat round and heading back to Plymouth. There is always another year.
