Mascotte in Boat Harbour, CannaFriday, 19 June 2009
Weekend in Canna
Graham had an extended family cruise last weekend in glorious sunshine, spending Saturday evening in Canna before returning back to Arisaig on Sunday. Blue skies and fair winds!
Mascotte in Boat Harbour, Canna
Mascotte in Boat Harbour, Canna
Dorothys Birthday week
1st to 5th June
The group; Dorothy, Martin, Edward, Mary, Gill, Martin & Rachel, Don
‘A wee cruise with friends to celebrate the 50th birthday of Dorothy MacPhee’
Route; Corpach to Lismore to Tobermory to Arinagour (Coll) to Castlebay (Barra) to Eigg to Arisaig.
The forecast looked promising with high pressure developing to the east giving us light winds at first with the promise of fresh north easterlies later. From the Basin at Corpach we locked out and proceeded down loch Linnhe under engine in calm sunny conditions. This gave us the chance to get to know the boat and familiarise ourselves with the sailing rig. Some of us had not sailed much for a few years and some of us had not sailed at all. We also discussed safety issues and checked our harnesses, lifejackets, the location of flares etc, most of the time however we lazed around on deck soaking up the rays and enjoying the craic.
That first night we spent at anchor in a small bay on the west side of Lismore within an hour of either the sound of Mull or the Firth of Lorne, leaving our options open for the following day.
We made a fairly early start to catch the flood tide through the Sound of Mull and made quick progress north under engine to Tobermory. Again the seas were calm with little or no wind and we spent the morning watching terns diving for fish as Lochaline and then Salen slipped past.
In Tobermory we took filled our water tanks again, just to be sure, and had a bit of retail therapy in the local shops although with the amount of food we had aboard how we managed to fit anything else aboard I’m not sure. Early afternoon we at last set some sail at the entrance to Tobermory bay and headed to the west out towards Ardnamurchan. The wind was light and fairly variable with a wee sea breeze from the south west at first which gave way later as a steadier wind set in from the north northwest. We ended the day with a cracking sail across to Arinagour easing the sheets in the lea of Coll as we reached southwest in a force 2-3 easily doing 6 knots. This gave us our first hint at just how fast Mascotte could be.
Overnight the wind set in from the north northeast and we discussed our options bearing in mind we had to finish in Arisaig by day five which was dead upwind. Being mainly gentle folk there was no option but to reach and the decision was made to head for Barra. This would give us a sail across the wind to the west and with the forecast set for steady north to northeast winds for the next few days we were confident of another reach back across the wind from Barra the following day. Getting to the north of Coll was a bit of an upwind slog under engine but we were justly rewarded with a fantastic display from a group of 20-30 dolphins who accompanied us for about 20 minutes or so.
In a bit of a lee from the Cairns of Coll we set full mainsail, staysail and No. 1 jib, eased the sheets, dipped the bow into the oncoming seas and accelerated west towards the Outer Hebridies. That sail was one of those memorable ones where everything was just right, the weather, the boat, the company and the food (for those who felt up to it!). We hit a light patch of wind after an hour but it soon came back and settled in, and the Mascotte cracked along at a very respectable 7-7.5Knots, getting us in to Castlebay in the afternoon in time for some of the group to stretch their legs ashore. Again the sun shone all day and we were blessed with the evening light well beyond 2300.
The following day saw us up early again for another dash back across the Sea of the Hebridies towards Eigg, this time with one or two of the less experienced of the group having by now gained their sea legs and able to hold down their breakfast. Once again we enjoyed a crossing in brilliant sunshine and watched Gannets, Puffin, Guillemots, Razorbill, Fulmar, Shearwater, Kittiwake, Gulls and a couple of Great Skua.
We made it to Eigg in time for another trip ashore to visit friends who live on the west side of Eigg and returned to Mascotte for another magical evening aboard of food, wine, music and good company.
During our last day the weather began to change and after a lazy start ( our first) and a late brunch, we motored back the short crossing to Arisaig, aiming to navigate the shallow channel into the bay with a rising flood tide under our keel. Approaching the landing pontoon at Arisaig we experienced our first rain shower of the trip. The sun shines on the righteous!
Don Hind
The group; Dorothy, Martin, Edward, Mary, Gill, Martin & Rachel, Don
‘A wee cruise with friends to celebrate the 50th birthday of Dorothy MacPhee’
Route; Corpach to Lismore to Tobermory to Arinagour (Coll) to Castlebay (Barra) to Eigg to Arisaig.
The forecast looked promising with high pressure developing to the east giving us light winds at first with the promise of fresh north easterlies later. From the Basin at Corpach we locked out and proceeded down loch Linnhe under engine in calm sunny conditions. This gave us the chance to get to know the boat and familiarise ourselves with the sailing rig. Some of us had not sailed much for a few years and some of us had not sailed at all. We also discussed safety issues and checked our harnesses, lifejackets, the location of flares etc, most of the time however we lazed around on deck soaking up the rays and enjoying the craic.
That first night we spent at anchor in a small bay on the west side of Lismore within an hour of either the sound of Mull or the Firth of Lorne, leaving our options open for the following day.
We made a fairly early start to catch the flood tide through the Sound of Mull and made quick progress north under engine to Tobermory. Again the seas were calm with little or no wind and we spent the morning watching terns diving for fish as Lochaline and then Salen slipped past.
In Tobermory we took filled our water tanks again, just to be sure, and had a bit of retail therapy in the local shops although with the amount of food we had aboard how we managed to fit anything else aboard I’m not sure. Early afternoon we at last set some sail at the entrance to Tobermory bay and headed to the west out towards Ardnamurchan. The wind was light and fairly variable with a wee sea breeze from the south west at first which gave way later as a steadier wind set in from the north northwest. We ended the day with a cracking sail across to Arinagour easing the sheets in the lea of Coll as we reached southwest in a force 2-3 easily doing 6 knots. This gave us our first hint at just how fast Mascotte could be.
Overnight the wind set in from the north northeast and we discussed our options bearing in mind we had to finish in Arisaig by day five which was dead upwind. Being mainly gentle folk there was no option but to reach and the decision was made to head for Barra. This would give us a sail across the wind to the west and with the forecast set for steady north to northeast winds for the next few days we were confident of another reach back across the wind from Barra the following day. Getting to the north of Coll was a bit of an upwind slog under engine but we were justly rewarded with a fantastic display from a group of 20-30 dolphins who accompanied us for about 20 minutes or so.
In a bit of a lee from the Cairns of Coll we set full mainsail, staysail and No. 1 jib, eased the sheets, dipped the bow into the oncoming seas and accelerated west towards the Outer Hebridies. That sail was one of those memorable ones where everything was just right, the weather, the boat, the company and the food (for those who felt up to it!). We hit a light patch of wind after an hour but it soon came back and settled in, and the Mascotte cracked along at a very respectable 7-7.5Knots, getting us in to Castlebay in the afternoon in time for some of the group to stretch their legs ashore. Again the sun shone all day and we were blessed with the evening light well beyond 2300.
The following day saw us up early again for another dash back across the Sea of the Hebridies towards Eigg, this time with one or two of the less experienced of the group having by now gained their sea legs and able to hold down their breakfast. Once again we enjoyed a crossing in brilliant sunshine and watched Gannets, Puffin, Guillemots, Razorbill, Fulmar, Shearwater, Kittiwake, Gulls and a couple of Great Skua.
We made it to Eigg in time for another trip ashore to visit friends who live on the west side of Eigg and returned to Mascotte for another magical evening aboard of food, wine, music and good company.
During our last day the weather began to change and after a lazy start ( our first) and a late brunch, we motored back the short crossing to Arisaig, aiming to navigate the shallow channel into the bay with a rising flood tide under our keel. Approaching the landing pontoon at Arisaig we experienced our first rain shower of the trip. The sun shines on the righteous!
Don Hind
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Sail Caledonia
Mascotte has just finished supporting this years Sail Caledonia event in the Caledonian Canal
Mascotte escorted the sailing fleet of Sail Caledonia through the Caledonian Canal from Fort William to Inverness
The event is a challenge for small sailing vessels to cross Scotland from coast to coast through the Caledonian Canal under sail and oar.When possible Mascotte hoisted her sails and was a stunning backdrop to the racing. The first half of the week saw the Great Glen under a low cloud base with lots of rain. However for the final two days the cloud lifted and the event was blessed with some summer sun and a good following breeze.
Mascotte escorted the sailing fleet of Sail Caledonia through the Caledonian Canal from Fort William to Inverness
The event is a challenge for small sailing vessels to cross Scotland from coast to coast through the Caledonian Canal under sail and oar.When possible Mascotte hoisted her sails and was a stunning backdrop to the racing. The first half of the week saw the Great Glen under a low cloud base with lots of rain. However for the final two days the cloud lifted and the event was blessed with some summer sun and a good following breeze.
Scottish Islands 3 Peaks Race
Mascotte took part in the 3 peaks race this year.
More news/info to follow!
More news/info to follow!
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