Author: Daniel

Welcome to our journey through the stunning Caledonian Canal!

In this episode, we embark on the first leg of our adventure, sailing 30 nautical miles up Loch Linnhe to Corpach. The views are breathtaking as we glide past snow-covered mountains, including the majestic Ben Nevis. It’s mid-April, and the beauty of spring in West Scotland‘s is on full display.

Our adventure on the Caledonian Canal begins with a serene morning. Polaris and her crew are prepped and ready for the lock operations to start. The canal, built in the early 19th century, stretches 50 nautical miles from Corpach on the west coast to Inverness on the east, reaching an elevation of 32 meters above sea level. This incredible waterway, partly man-made and partly natural lochs, follows a geological fault line cutting across Scotland.

Discover the logistics: 29 locks, 11 swing bridges, and super friendly Canal Staff, available 7 days a week during summer (8 am – 6 pm) and on reduced hours during the other seasons. We’ll share the specifics on boat dimensions, speed limits, and licensing costs too.

As we navigate the canal, we encounter a slight delay at the Banavie swing bridge, taking almost a full day to ascend Neptune’s Staircase – Britain’s longest staircase lock, comprising eight locks and lifting boats 20 meters.

Fort Augustus, halfway through the canal, marks the western end of Loch Ness. Here, we take a breather and explore the beautiful village. Martina and Kathrin prepare for a hike while I tackle a day of video conferencing from our boat office.

Cold water swimming proves irresistible to Martina, and fun fact: Loch Ness holds more water than all lakes in England and Wales combined. We delve into the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, dating back to the 7th century AD.

Continuing through Loch Dochfour, we navigate the final man-made sections of the canal. As we approach Inverness, our skills at handling the locks become second nature. Finally, Polaris rejoins the sea, where her journey is dictated by wind, weather, and waves again.

Concluding our trip with a well-deserved pint at the Hootananny in Inverness, we reflect on this incredible adventure through Scotland’s serene Highlands. And thanks Dom, for the pub tip!

Welcome back to our sailing journey. In this episode, we embark on an unforgettable voyage from the picturesque island of Islay to the charming town of Oban. Buckle up as we sit out stormy seas, visit iconic distilleries, and soak in the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland.

Our adventure begins in the beautiful Port Ellen. Before setting sail, we face some stormy weather, which gives us the perfect excuse to explore one of Islay’s most renowned distilleries — Caol Ila. Known for producing Kathrin’s favourite “Water of Life”, this distillery offers us an intriguing and delightful tour. As we sip on the finest whisky, we marvel at the stunning views across the Sound of Islay, with the majestic Paps of Jura creating a dramatic backdrop.

Returning to our trusty vessel, Polaris, we find her bravely battling a fierce swell in the harbour, stirred up by strong westerly winds reaching up to 45 knots. It’s all hands on deck as we adjust and secure additional lines, anticipating the winds to veer towards the northwest and intensify with gusts of Force 11. Despite the ominous forecast, the weather thankfully turns out to be less severe than expected, presenting itself as a mere gale with a few brief gusts of Force 10. Nevertheless, not a time to be out at sea voluntarily — at least not for us!

Once the wind settles, we seize the opportunity for a perfect day of sailing. We cruise up the scenic Sound of Luing, pass by the infamous Corryvreckan whirlpool, navigate towards the Fladda Lighthouse, and journey through the Sound of Insh. Our final stretch takes us up the Kerrera Sound, leading us to our destination — Kerrera Marina in Oban.

As we sail into Oban, we reflect on our incredible time in Bonnie Scotland. With a tear in our eyes, we bid farewell to these stunning landscapes and great friends we made here, yet with a smile on our faces, we look forward to new adventures awaiting us further north, in uncharted waters.

Join us on an extensive tour of Polaris, our beloved Bavaria Cruiser 46 from 2017. Over the past 7 years, we have poured our hearts into transforming her into our cosy, comfortable floating home. In this video, we unveil every inch of her evolution, from the deck layout featuring her trusted Rocna 33 anchor, the boom preventer set up and our selection of sails. We show her solar arch, the removable forestay, and her custom design sprayhood that gets close to a proper pilot house.

Below deck, experience the warmth of our saloon, the heart of Polaris, and inviting main work and living room. Discover the three generous cabins, each with ensuite toilets, and marvel at the boat’s huge storage capacity. Her fully electric galley, boasting an electric 3 ring glass ceramic hob and oven, a Thermomix multicooker, a single plate induction cooker (as a backup), an electric kettle, a toaster and even a milk frother is powered by a robust bank of 600Ah of lithium batteries and supplemented by 1.2kW photovoltaic panels or by a 5kWA diesel generator, awaits your inspection.

Delve into the engineering marvels that make life aboard Polaris a breeze. From the installation of a 60lph watermaker to the 9kW hydronic central water heating system, ensuring comfort, dryness and warmth even in the cold of winter.