Month: April 2024

Join us on our journey as we bid farewell to our winter berth in Largs and set sail for new horizons. After two unforgettable winters, leaving behind cherished friends, we embark on a fresh adventure. Amid relentless weather conditions that had reigned for the past month, a sudden weather window beckons us to plan for a fearsome passage and to navigate the notorious Mull of Kintyre.

With a bit of planning, we navigate the Mull amid challenging spring tides and gusty winds, braving the turbulent overfalls at the Mull to reach the tranquil shores of Islay. There, we reunite with old friends aboard the good ship Castella, reigniting the camaraderie of past encounters.

For those curious about our passage planning methodology, we delve into the intricacies in the second part of this video. Using today’s journey as a blueprint, we unveil our step-by-step approach of how we plan our sailing passages, inspired by a simple yet effective graphic method apparently utilised in the Royal Navy.

Don’t miss this captivating blend of adventure and information as we navigate the high seas and share insights into the practice of our passage planning.

Welcome back aboard Polaris as we unveil the unseen side of our cruising lifestyle in our latest video.

After a period of silence, we are thrilled to share our work during a wet and windy winter in Largs. Join us as we dive deep into the realm of maintenance, repairs, and upgrades aboard our cherished Polaris, gearing her up for the upcoming season of exploration and discovery.

Witness the hustle and bustle of our winter months as Polaris undergoes a transformation. From the unstepping of the mast to a meticulous lift-out and several weeks spent in the shed, we capture the key moments as we work tirelessly to ensure Polaris is in top-notch condition.

Delve into the challenges as we inspect and rectify the damage inflicted upon our keel and rudder during a grounding incident in the Crinan Canal last autumn.

One of our most significant endeavors involves raising the waterline of our Coppercoat antifouling, resolving a persistent issue that has long plagued us. Additionally, after 7 years of faithful service, the time has come to replace the sail drive gaiter, a critical task ensuring the integrity of our vessel’s hull.

We upgrade our mast wiring and illuminate our journey with the installation of LED technology for our anchor light and tri-color combi masthead navigation light.

We also installed a new heater and upgraded our comms but that’s for next time – stay tuned.

With gratitude, we extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to Dino and the team at DDZ Marine (www.ddzmarine.co.uk) for their unwavering support, guidance, and expertise throughout our journey.

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Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – we love hearing from fellow enthusiasts!