VOYAGER 38
TRINCULO
A Yacht with Power Style & Grace
I joined Bob at Wardleys Creek Marine Yacht Club on the river Wyre on the Friday evening and after dumping my gear on board Chris dropped us at the Shovels in Hambleton and then drove my car home. We met up with two Wardleys club members in the bar and chatted about sailing and all sorts of things with the beer (Black Sheep) flowing freely until after midnight. We then walked back to
Voyages of Trinculo 10
OUT OF THE MUD
Sailing “Trinculo” to Scotland
23rd May to 1st June 2009
Crew :- Bob Co-owner / Skipper
Barrie Co-owner / Skipper
Phil
Kev
WARDLEYS CREEK to DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN.
We were up just after nine and by ten the tide was rising in the Creek, at eleven fifteen we made our first attempt to move. Forward gear was selected and we moved forward about eight feet but succumbed to the mud again. At eleven thirty we tried again and this time slipped out into the Creek. After waving our goodbyes we moved out in to the river and turned towards Fleetwood. Half an hour later we were moving out in to the Fleetwood channel as the sea beckoned. The wind was F3 from the South West, the sails were pulled out and the engine stopped. We sailed across Morecambe Bay in ideal sailing conditions, then sailed through the Wind Farm off Barrow before our speed fell away as the wind died, and we were back on the engine. We set course for Douglas and tried a couple of times to sail but with little or no wind gave up and stayed on the engine. It was getting dark when we approached the Isle of Man and called the Harbour
Master when three miles off, he reported our signal as weak and broken. (The first hint of a problem!) At around one mile off we tried again and were understood this time, as we approached the entrance to Douglas Harbour the Harbour Master called us with permission to enter, a bridge lift and berthing instructions. Ten minutes later we were tied up for the night on the pontoon in the inner harbour.
The following morning a visit was paid to the Harbour Office to pay our berthing fees and to Manx Marine (Chandlers) to arrange for fuel. It was then off to the supermarket to top up our supplies. Barrie was for once reasonably constrained as we only spent one hundred and three pounds. After lunch we filled the water tank and then moved Trinculo out of the inner harbour and on to the fuelling berth. One hundred and thirty five litres later we had a full tank. We put the remainder of our 150 lts on the fuel card into our spare can. The latest tax changes for marine fuel have made it more complicated. As we have a diesel heater installed we paid 54.8p for 40% and 98.6p for the remaining 60%. After refuelling we moved Trinculo on to the Battery Pier Pontoon for the night. A meal on board and we retired to the British (pub) for the evening.
DOUGLAS to PORTPATRICK.
We delayed our departure from Douglas until ten o’clock to give us favourable tides. At nine thirty we started to prepare for sea and plan our move out as two yachts had rafted up to us. The Yachtsman in charge of the yacht immediately outside of us said he would be fine with just a forward shore line still attached, so we moved out and asked the Harbourmaster for permission to leave. We moved out of the entrance and looked back only to see him manoeuvring both yachts in to a position where the wind would blow him on. The moment we were in Douglas Bay our sails were up and the engine stopped with the westerly wind blowing across the island the wind varied in strength due to the hills. We were touching eight knots at times passing Laxey, Maughold Head and Ramsey and arrived at the Point of Ayre ahead of schedule. The tidal ripsand overfalls were still evident. I should explain tidal rips / overfalls are caused by the tide, where two masses of water meet, in this case passing either side of the Isle of Man, then the sea becomes rough. We sailed through the overfalls and with the tide going out which was pushing us west we were just about holding our course for the Mull of Galloway. As forecast we were hit by a couple of squally showers where the wind increased dramatically. The sails were reefed down, only to find fifteen minutes later the wind back to what it was and bright sunshine so the reefs were shaken out. A tack towards the South West was put in to keep us clear of the Mull and then a tack up the North Channel. On rounding the Mull of Galloway we experienced some quite fierce overfalls so the engine was started and the foresail furled as we made our way north to Portpatrick. A couple of hours later we entered Portpatrick outer harbour at low water and ran aground. After a couple of attempts the Harbourmaster called to us to “drop your anchor and try again in an hour”. This we did and had a meal while we waited, then lifted the anchor and made our way in to the inner harbour on a rising tide and tied up to the wall.
Some friends of Barrie turned up to greet us and we of course all ended up at the pub, alas not the Real Ale pub but the one next door. We talked about where to head to next and when to leave. It was decided that we would wait for the morning weather forecast for a final decision. If satisfactory then it would be Sanda Island by the Mull of Kintyre.
PORTPATRICK to SANDA ISLAND.
The forecast the following morning was for South West three or four backing South East four or five maybe six later with high pressure building towards the weekend. This sounded fine to us and after paying our harbour fees of seventeen pounds and waiting until almost mid day for more favourable tides we left Portpatrick and turned north towards the Mull of Kintyre. The first thing noticed was that the wind was from the North West, so the engine stayed on as we waited for the wind to back to the South West. On leaving the North Channel to cross the Clyde estuary Ailsa Craig (a one thousand feet high lump of rock) came in to view and we would be able to see it all day. The wind direction never changed and the Clyde estuary was crossed on the engine, rather slowly as the wind was almost on the nose and the sea a little rough. When we about half way across we waited for the weather report from Belfast Coastguard, but heard nothing. One of our hand portables was turned on and we could hear the forecast on the hand portable but not on the main VHF radio. We obviously had a problem, the multimeter came out and various checks made. Sanda Island came in to view with the Mull of Kintyre in the background and by late afternoon we rounded Sanda and pulled in to a small bay on the northern side of the island. The effects of the ebbing tide could still be clearly seen as we looked towards the Kintyre peninsular. A single yacht was anchored in the bay. The mooring buoy was available, so we picked it up.
Bob and Barrie had been here before and told us about the rather eccentric landlord, who not only owed the pub but the whole island. We were soon ashore and after a brief look round we were in the pub. The Highlander Ale was on form. Bob, talking to the Licensee came to a deal on our mooring fee. Food arrived for the occupants of our neighbouring yacht and looked absolutely huge. So four meals were ordered and we settled down for the evening, but there again there certainly was no other pub to go to. Our food arrived and although not wonderful was edible and after a few more pints of Highlander sleep beckoned. We spent over a hundred pounds between the four of us on food and beer, so our mooring fee was not charged for. The next morning Barrie and Phil took the dinghy ashore to have a look at the carburettor as it would only run with the choke on while Bob and myself took a further look at the radio.
SANDA ISLAND to THE ISLE OF GIGHA.
So as not to spend hours fighting the tide our departure was delayed until lunchtime. It was around one in the afternoon when we dropped the mooring and headed out of our sheltered spot, the wind had finally gone round to the South and we moved in close to the Mull of Kintyre to avoid the worst of the overfalls. The engine stayed on until we actually got round the Mull and with the wind behind us we sailed towards the Sound of Jura, the island of Islay came in to view. By staying close to the coast we avoided the rough seas and were soon clear of the Mull sailing in calm waters and a fair wind. The weather improved as the day went on and the forecast high pressure was indeed building. The wind strength slowly dropped as did our speed, but then again we were in no hurry. The island of Gigha came in to view and we slowly made our way towards it. As we approached the engine was started and we moved in and picked up a visitors mooring.
We had not been back to Gigha since the twentieth of October 1997 (a date etched on my brain) the night we were caught in an easterly gale on board Ardgour (see “The Voyage Home” with apologies to Star Trek. Not on this site) and the place had not changed much since but the weather had; it was a bright and calm evening. After food on board we went ashore for a look around, the first thing noticed above a dockside café was the Coastguard rescue equipment store, which again reminded us of our last visit. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it depends on your point of view, the Midges were biting so we of course sought refuse in the pub.
ISLE OF GIGHA to CRINAN.
A very leisurely start the following morning, it was after “brunch” that we dropped our mooring and made our way out and turned North in to the Sound of Jura. The weather was bright sunshine, flat clam sea and no wind. Once clear of the island the sails were pulled out and an attempt made to sail. The weather was fine and we were in no hurry so we sailed, slowly. The afternoon was spent in what can only be described as comfort, with calm seas and little wind. As the evening approached the wind picked up slightly and then fell back again to nothing. The engine was started and we moved in towards Crinan, we passed the moorings and took a look at the Canal entrance and then turned back to the moorings. After picking up a mooring, and we had a meal on board. It was then off to the bright lights of Crinan. We landed at the boatyard and walked down the lane to the centre of Crinan. After a walk around the canal basin which was all there was to see, we moved on to the hotel bar and were not surprised to find ourselves as the only people in the place. ‘Hell
this place is quiet’. The beer was not up to much either, in fact two young men came in ordered and paid for two lagers and left most of their pints. Two middle-aged couples then came in, one of whom spoke loudly with a rather posh English accent. We had to leave; we drank up and returned to Trinculo.
The following morning we went ashore in the hope of finding a Grocer to top up our provisions, alas nothing to be found. The outboard on the dinghy which had been playing up all week was again looked at and we had a word with the man at the boatyard who was helpful but did not have a new fuel filter. He also suggested we try a Radio man in Oban for our VHF problem. We paid our mooring fee of fifteen pounds had another look at the radio on our own. I rigged up a temporary Antenna and the Radio was tested and appeared to be working well.
CRINAN to PHUILLADOBHRAIN (pronounced Pol’Dor’An) ANCHORAGE.
We left our mooring in the early afternoon and Barrie had a go at fishing, for once with reasonable success as he caught five Mackerel. We left Crinan Bay and made our way back to the sound of Jura on the engine and under sail in light winds passed Corryvecken, which I have to say was the most placid I have ever seen it. We sailed north in to the Lynn of Lorne and then as the evening approached the wind dropped to nothing so the engine was again started and we motored in to the Phuilladobrain Anchorage It was a very pleasant evening and the Anchorage was rather crowded. We muscled our way in and dropped the anchor. After food on board (with a Mackerel starter) we went ashore and set out on the approximately half a mile walk through to the pub. At first we followed the shore line and then turned inland and across a farmer’s field, it was then on to a country lane and down to the main road. As we came out on to the main road there it was “The Bridge Over The Atlantic” I should explain we were on the Island of Seil and across the water (about 20 yards) was the mainland, so in 1792 a bridge was built and as Seil island is technically in the Atlantic the bridge became know as “The Bridge Over The Atlantic” I think someone had their eye on the tourist market when they gave it the name. The Pub which overlooks the bridge is called Tich Na Truish Inn (Good Beer Guide 2009) which loosely translated means the House of Trousers. Again here goes after the Jackobite uprising the Scots were forbidden from wearing Kilts so when they left the islands they had to change out of their Kilts and into Trousers. This also sounds to me that the story has its roots in tourism rather than Folklore. The Beer was excellent and our journey back across the farmer’s field and shoreline after midnight took some time.
PHUILLADOBHRAIN to OBAN
We awoke to a perfect summer morning with not a breath of wind and bright sunshine and after breakfast it was decided that the time had come. Our investigations in to the problems with the Radio had concluded that the problem was at the top of the mast so I was volunteered to climb the mast to find the problem (by trade I’m an Aircraft Electrician). The Boson’s chair was made ready and a safety line attached, the whips came out (I joke) and up I went. I admit I had to stop for a rest twice, and the Mast is only Forty Feet high. The fault on the VHF Antenna was quickly located and I pulled up the necessary tools on a line attached to my belt. Ten minutes later with the connection repaired, Bob called Clyde Coastguard for a Radio check using only one watt, loud and clear came the reply and a few minutes later I was back on the deck. An hour later we had retrieved the anchor and were heading under engine the short distance to Oban. We passed the spot for the first time since, where Classic Wave had been lost four years ago. We
made our way in to Oban and picked up a visitors mooring. It was then ashore and after a call at the Lifeboat Station we went through to the Railway Station to check on our route for the following morning and then on to the local supermarket for provisions as Bob and Barrie were staying on board until the following Saturday. After getting everything back to Trinculo, and the weather being still wonderful the Bar B Que was got out and lit, a bit smoky but Barrie had in his usual fashion at the supermarket bought some huge Steaks and Pork Chops. It was then after a lie down to digest the food, out on the town. We headed for a Real Ale pub by the quayside only to be told that it was closed as the Pub Group that owned it had gone in to administration. We headed for another down by the river that used to be in the Good Beer Guide and found it still had real ale on but I can’t say we were over impressed with it. It was then on to one in the centre
that advertised “Traditional Ales” the only problem being it didn’t sell any Traditional Ales, so we moved on to the Tartan Bar which had sold out of Real Ale but had some Bottles of Old Speckled Hen and Bishops Finger to name only a couple. It was then back to the boat.
It is here I end my Log as before eight the next morning Phil and myself woke Barrie who dropped us off at the ferry quay and we caught the eight ten out of Oban to Glasgow Queens Street Station, where we crossed to Glasgow Central and caught the Glasgow, Euston train and got off at Preston. All trains were on time and I made it home to Blackpool just before four in the afternoon.
Kevan
Pictures by Phil
Miles Hours
Sunday 24th May Wardleys Creek to Douglas Isle of Man 57.7 12
Tuesday 26th May Douglas to Portpatrick 52.4 9.5
Wednesday 27th May Portpatrick to Sanda Island Mull of Kintyre 28.6 5.7
Thursday 28th May Sanda Island to Isle of Gigha 27.0 5.25
Friday 29th May Isle of Gigha to Crinan 21.0 5.3
Saturday 30th May Crinan to Phuilladobhrain 14.2 3.5
Sunday 31st May Phuilladobhrain to Oban 7.1 1.2
Total 208.0 42.45
Barrie and Bob were staying on for a further week. Next morning they left Oban and set sail up the Sound of Mull to Tobermoray and on to a circumnavigation of Mull before leaving TRINCULO at her summer base in Loch Creran
Sea mls. Hrs.
Monday 1st June Oban to Tobermoray 30.25 5.40
Tuesday 2nd June Tobermoray to Arinagor, Coll 17.50 3.55
Wednesday 3rd June Arinagour to Loch Lathaich, Mull 20.46 4.00
Thursday 4th June Loch Lathaich to Loch Spelve, Mull 39.70 7.00
Friday 5th June Loch Spelve to Loch Creran 21.10 4.30
Total: 129 sea mls. 25.05 hrs
Wardleys, where it was supper then sleep. The following morning Barrie and Phil joined us and we made ready for sea. We had doubts about being able to get out due to the height of the tide. About forty minutes before high water we were afloat. The engine was started and we moved forward about four feet, only for the keel to get stuck in the mud. Another six attempts were made and high water passed. We gave up and tied Trinculo back on to the berth. The Clubs floating pump was retrieved from the shed and as the tide receded a channel was water blasted through the mud, which would help us the following day. The tide the following day was predicted to be a foot or so higher so we were confident we would make it out to sea then. The afternoon was spent doing minor repairs to Trinculo and then it was back to the Shovels for a meal and a few more Beers.
