Eriskay to Lochboisdale

We accidentally slept through the 0710 forecast, and the steady rain on the cabin roof did not encourage us to move, so we had a slow start to the day. We only wanted to to go the few miles to Lochboisdale to sit out Saturday/Sunday's gale, so there seemed no particular hurry. We did make sure we listened to the 1010 repeat of the forecast, and suddenly we were in a hurry. The gale would be arriving earlier than expected, with winds reaching force 7 by lunchtime. Eriskay harbour might be beautifully protected, but I did not want to be on a mooring, possibly stranded there by too much wind to row ashore, for three nights!

We prepared to go in the rain, raising the mainsail and reefing it right down by untying the first hoop, and pulling in every inch of reef we could. We also raised the staysail before casting off from the buoy. We did not try to sail out though! The entrance channel is quite twisty, (one reason for the excellent shelter). The seas outside felt high as we cleared the entrance and we began to roll. There was a snapping sound, and I glanced up to see that the gaff outhaul had broken, leaving the sail sliding forward along the gaff. We then had a rather uncomfortable ten minutes getting the main down as Robinetta rolled violently. I helmed while Julian wrestled with the sail. We had to turn head to wind to get the sail down, but we were still too close to the rocky entrance for comfort, so I could not motor forward fast enough to keep her head to wind constantly as the swell pushed us from side to side.

Eventually I could turn her away from the waves, and onto our best course clear of Eriskay, with the waves coming from astern. Robinetta was much more comfortable on that heading, although she still needed careful helming when occasional waves came at her sideways. The wind was not too strong, and the staysail flopped from side to side as Robinetta descended into the troughs of the waves, but as I got the hang of the wave patterns the rolling became less, and the staysail kept her steadier.

The rain stopped, Blue sky appeared, Worm followed along behind on a long line without problems. The swell got worse as we approached Rubha na h'Ordaig, the headland just south of Loch Boisdale, and Julian checked the pilot. It suggested we leave it a mile to port! Luckily we did not need to go that far out for the swell to decrease, but it was a reminder that we should not get complacent. The wind began to pick up, and we were glad of the shelter of the same headland after we rounded it and headed into Lochboisdale.

The marina has just been opened, and has space for 52 boats, but it is mostly empty and we had our pick of berths as we came in just after 1300. The wind was definitely on the rise, and we got Robinetta and Worm ready for the gale, then went for a shower. The first in six days. Heaven!