Clear of the Canal

It's been an enjoyable time in the Crinan, a speed limit of 4 knots and overgrown greenery rubbing down the side of the boat, slows you down. Not to mention the unforgiving stone walls that they have for locks. Unlike a wooden pontoon there is no room for error, and Pixie has 1 small scratch to show where she's been. Luckily she didn't have topsides covered in canal slime the way some other yachts have.

We left the Crinan at around midday today to head south to Lochranza on Arran. The forecast was SW 4 or 5 occasionally 6, and it's a relief that the forecast is now bearing more of a resemblance to the weather we experience.

We had more than 30 knots over the deck at times but it was good to be sailing again. Canals are all fair and well, but Pixie was born to sail, and with a good breeze, and more importantly calm water, Pixie was positivly romping along at over 6.5 knots.


The wind was steadily increasing so I tucked in 1 reef, then as the wind built to over 22 knots I took in another, reducing the headsail at the same time. We were sailing comfortably and fast and then the wind died. We drifted for a few minutes until I shook out the reefs.

The wind then came back to 14 knots from nowhere and rapidly built to 30 knots apparent. Then eased to around 25 knots so I took in a reef and some genoa and we were on course for Lochranza. It was great sailing.

We picked up a buoy just as the heavy clouds dispersed, so now we're sat here in the sun, with a couple of swans after some bread


It's been good to have a boisterious sail today. The sheltered waters of the Clyde seem a luxury after the west coast, no waves, no swell, no scary tidal races. It's taken us ages to get here, but Pixie's new home waters look set for some excellent sailing.