Westlin WindsMay 3rd - 5th Holiday Weekend Trip to Loch Melfort in glorious weather out on the water again in a slow leasurely F2 and blue skies - Crinan Canal looked like a Mediterranean venue in perfect conditions and the trip through Dorus Mor was uneventful with only a few whirlpools to negotiate.
May 24th - 25th Holiday weekendAnother holiday Weekend and another fantastic trip Kenny and Barbara headed to Kerrera up through the sound of Luing and Firth of Lorne. We managed the trip's 23 miles fully under sail with only 20 mins of engine time. Back at Bellanoch, Tony who runs 8 charter yachts was busy waving good bye to no less than 6 bookings out bound for a weeks cruising - Happy chappie, lucky people.
Bellanoch 30 May - 1 June This time a short trip with Mum in Law Jessie. We attempted to leave Bellanoch at 09:00 and we selected forward position on the throttle. found revs but no movement. Thoughts of Andrew and Carole's problem (Rosemarine) came to mind when the prop came off. With engine still running I selected reverse. found movement so we still had a prop. I popped below and checked gearbox lever and pulled it aft and the gearbox cluncked into forward gear. What a relief. I disconnected the brass end adjuster bolt. Tightened it up by about 3mm and that seemed to work. Gear box is a little clunky but its at least working. After a few checks in forward & reverse all seemed well so we headed off.
Out of the Sea Lock Loch Crinan was flat calm and the outbound tide through Dorus Mor carried out towards Corryvreckan - We were tempted to make our first passage through but with the binoculars we could see a standing wave about 4 or 5 ft high at the far end and we decided it might be too scary for Barbara's mum (and the Skipper) so we chickened out and headed North up Luing. Under sail most of the time on a F3 we pottered about and returned into Sound of Shuna, Loch Melfort.
Sunday 1st June We awoke to 18 degrees, sunshine and a gentle F1 - F2 as we headed back South and out across Dorus Mor chasing Porpoises and drifting around down the coast of Jura. at around 2pm we came back into the canal and stopped for coffee in the basin and to chat to the tourists for a while. Then back to Bellanoch and home just as the rain came on:-(
Saturday 7th June, Kenny and Peter took Westlin Winds for a trip to Ardfern. This was yeat another perfect weekend on the water in 21 degrees blue skies and a light F2 - F3. Passing up Loch Craignish to Ardfern Yacht centre we visited Galley of Lorne for a superb venison meal before popping back to Westlin for the night. Then Sunday after a hearty breakfast, it was back to the canal trip 17 Miles.
Westlin outside Lock 14 and Barbara and her Mum Jessie enjoying a coffee at the Cafe at the Crinan basin.
The 2008 Holiday happened in almost the same abismal weather conditions that we encountered in 2007.
See separate 2008 holiday report.
19-20 July Glasgow River Festival
This event rumoured to have been cancelled is now back on again and LOA Scotland members are invited to attend this year's event. The attractions are expected to follow the format of previous years with many visiting ships and quayside attractions running throughout the two days.8th August - 10th August Kenny Helped pal Derek on his delivery trip of his Moody 31s travelling from Newcastle to Port Edgar and again on Friday 15th - Monday 18th Helped him from Inverness through the length of the Caledonian Canal to Fort William. This meant poor old Westlin Winds sitting tight in the Crinan Canal
22nd August Friday night had a rendezvous with Andrew and Carol at Inverkip Hotel then back to the house for Coffees
23rd - 25th August - Up to Westlin Winds at Crinan and had a decent Barbecue on the beach at Achnamara on Loch Sween. Good to see the Canal holding up with its temp repair. Met the crew of Swedish yacht Arcona 400 who we met last week at Caledonian Canal The Yacht had taken a fair pounding on its delivery voyage from Sweden to Clynder Roseneath Gareloch. Carried out some technical changes to Westlin Winds to meet the requirements of the British Waterways safety inspection.
29th August Intended trip to Cowal Games at Dunoon went ahead but sadly not as planned with Bary Wiles from N Wales as the only Legend present. Due to work commitments Andrew and Carol and Kenny and Barbara could not attend with their legends. Kenny & Barbara did attened the event courtesy of a lift from friend derek on his new Moody Cilaos. We were joined by John and Sally just in time to see Barry Wiles and Crew Esmie and Mike arrive at Holy Loch Marina in rather wet conditions. We all ventured off in the bus to the Cowal Gathering and had a great day with the highlights for us being a 90 minute concert with the Red Hot Chilli
Pipers.
This is an outstanding band that put a new slant on Bagpipe music in a similar way to what Nigel Kennedy does with the Violin. After the concert around 50 pipe bands marched through the town ahead of a spectacular firework display.
Back at the Marina the boaties were treated to a personal rendition from the newly crowned World Champion Bagpipe player a young lad with amazing talent who arrived at the games on his mum and dad's yacht. This was a great weekend but would have been better with more Legends in the Marina. We decided to have our own Jam session over a glass of wine on board Cilaos.
L - R Kenny, Sally John and Derek with Barbara as Photographer.
It was great to meet Barry Wiles and crew and wish we had more time to share yachting stories. There's always next year.
Mike Barry & Kenny Barry and Crew: Esmie and Mike aboard Aranrhod at Holy Loch Marina
11th September Westlin Winds had her first Boat Safety check carried out as part of the Canal licence. The safety check is very thorough and covers the boat for 4 years. All was OK with the boat apart from the tiniest but very important gas leak from a faulty regulator in the gas locker. Also the gas pipes need a little bending to ensure minimum clearance of 3" from the rubber exhaust pipe. Otherwise all OK.
13th SeptemberWestlin Winds enjoyed a break in recent storms and Kenny & Barbara joined by Derek had a great day's sail up to Loch Melfort mooring up off the old Pier for a late lunch. In the afternoon in a freshening breeze Westlin Winds sailed at between 6 and 7 knots all the way to Dorus Mor as the tide pushed us through into Loch Craignish. We sailed up to Ardfern Marina for the night and went ashore to the Galley of Lorne for a quick Malt whisky tasting session. On the Sunday we bought a replacement kit for the Sea toilet- the type with the locking handle to stop the gurgling bubbles each time we use the heads.
14th SeptemberSailed 9.5 miles arriving back at the Crinan Sea Lock at 15:00. Then had a 30 minute wait whilst Carpe' Diem passed ahead of us. Our delayed timing squeezed us up to the Crinan swing bridge just before its winter closure of 16:00. We headed off using the short Western Ferries crossing to Gourock - Another great weekend
Kenny & Barbara Westlin WindsRose MarineWe were up last on the 4th of April the weather was not great but we managed to take Rosemarine over to Rhu marina to collect our outboard engine after service. It was 32 miles by car to drop it off, but only about 10 miles by sea!
There was about 20 knts from the North, with little shelter behind the floating breakwater at Rhu, so we returned to Holy loch for the night which was a lot more settled. We berthed inside the Vital Spark, and spotted Alessa in her new home at the end of the new pontoons inshore. On Saturday morning we had a pleasant (cold but sunny) downwind sail in with about 12Kts of wind, we sailed past Dunoon and back to Kip. It went very black as we approached Kip we had a brief shower of very large hailstones!
So all in all we had a successful shake down to start the new season, and are now waiting for the weather to pick up a bit. Our corner of the marina seems very empty now, since Alessa and Westlin Winds have left, but I am sure we will soon have new neighbours.
The new web site looks very good, and we will keep in touch and let you know how we are going on.
Holiday Weekend trip 3rd -5th May 2008 Rosemarine had a pleasant trip we went to Lochranza, Brodick, Troon, Rothesay, and a short trip up the Kyle's with a total log of almost 100 miles. We had another visit to Rosemarine on Holiday Weekend 24 -26 may in glorious weather.
7th - 8th June 2008Andrew has just returned from a fantastic weekend with the lads on board "Rosemarine".
The trip took them to Millport Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert back through the Kyle's of Bute to Rothesay. Tarbert was very quiet with plenty of space available on the pontoon. We caught some fantastic shots of "Rosemarine" from the dinghy whilst under sail, and running up the West Kyle goosewinged. We anchored in a very peaceful Black harbour on Saturday morning to see the seals and Jon even had a swim!
Lets hope the weather continues for our holidays at the end of the month.
Monday 30th June 2008We had a good crossing from Campbeltown in light winds on Monday 30th June, however we were taken a bit by surprise with the overfalls etc.. in Rathlin sound. We had made good time around the Mull and arrive a bit to early, however we wanted to get in before the weather broke. The weather picked up that night, and we stayed in Ballycastle till Wednesday, the wind did not serve for a return around the mull so with F5 S we left from Port Ellen, on Islay. About half way across the weather picked up to about F7 and backed into the SE, which gave us a rough ride in.
When we arrived there was a large crowd of people wanting to help us berth, there was now about 25-30knts blowing across the pontoons and it was raining as well. When we made our approach we realised that the people on shore were German, and to be honest we could have done without their help as it all got a bit messy! We eventually moored safely and a couple of hours later it was like a miil pond as the wind dropped. We left early on Thursday to catch the tide around the Mull back to Campbeltown with light winds all the way. Visibility was very poor for most of the trip which did not help and the Atlantic rollers appearing through the mist was quite a shock, they must have been 30ft High but at 50yards apart they were no problem.
Friday was a glorious day for the return from Campbeltown to Kip, with a long stop in Loch Ranza for lunch lazing in the cockpit in the sun! We did not get back to Kip until 2100.
Friday 18th July 2008left on Friday with a couple of mates, went to Tarbert, but it was a bit grey and wet.
We then had a great sail on Saturday down to Largs, up to 32kts of wind from NW, downwind with about 2/3rds headsail, consistent 7 kts 8-9 on occasions! It did not take long to get to Garroch Head. Returned to Kip Sunday morning and left about lunchtime.
Friday 1st August Rose Marine and crew (Andrews Nephews) had a great trip to Tarbert then to Lochranza Largs and Rothesay weather was not too bad for a change.
Friday 22nd August had a rendezvous with Kenny & Barbara at Inverkip Hotel and exchanged stories on recent trips. Hoping to visit the Ocean Princess Class Liner as she departs Greenock on Saturday night around 5PM.
Picture of Rosemarine at Sandbank Holy Loch Marina berthed next to Vital SparkIIAlessa has a new owner Ian Adams from S Ayrshire and we hope to catch up with Ian and crew this year.
Lady NaomiIt was good to hear from new Legend owners; Doug Vickers and Lynne Wood "Lady Naomi" Doug and partner Lynne
We made it to the safe waters of Isle of Skye with stops at: Kames, Crinan Canal and Tobermory. "Lady Naomi" will be available for charter soon - contact Doug (
dougvickers@btinternet.com). Lady Naomi is the latest design Legend 36 with Double aft cabin arrangement. There are several new refinements on the new L36 boat. In between bookings, Doug and Lynne hope to enjoy some time getting used to the new yacht.
We have provided some phots of the delivery trip made from Kip Marina through the Crinan Canal and Tobermory and onwards to Armadale on the South coast of Isle of Skye.
Doug & Lynne Lady Namomi 
