We had booked to go to a CCC rally in Wreck Bay in the Kyles of Bute today, but when the midweek forecast showed it would be force 6 gusting 7 the event was cancelled. It felt like too long since we had sailed, so we decided to go out today anyway, as the forecast on the day was lower, at 4 gusting 6. Julian suggested we might might head up Loch Long, or up the Clyde a little depending on the conditions in the Clyde.
Rowing out to Robinetta an hour after low water was a bit bumpy and hard work with the wind from the north west, but our trusty Worm kept us dry and we got on board Robinetta without any problems. It was my turn to do the foredeck work, and all the lines seemed to have been run incorrectly. This must have been me, since I was the one who rigged her! Once I had bent on the no 2 jib Julian raised the main sail on the buoy, as we wanted to put a reef in. We had the engine on warming up, but sailed off the mooring.
There were 3 keel boats racing out of the Royal Northern YC, but Robinetta was the only yacht out for a pleasure sail. We broad reached out through the Rhu narrows without problems but by the time we were at the caravan park moorings and gybed to head across towards Helensburgh the wind gusts were becoming stronger, and the waves were noticable.We were still in the shelter of the Gareloch, but could imagine what it would be like in the Clyde, and we decided not to go further, but to begin the beat back up towards the narrows.
We had furled the jib before starting the gybe as it makes the process simpler, and since I was on the helm I decided not to fly it again. Robinetta's sail plan was well balanced and while she was a little slow in the lulls I did not want any more sail in the gusts! When Julian took the helm later he did try flying the jib, but asked me to furl it away as soon as the next gust came up.
We sailed up the Gareloch until we needed to start thinking about the exclusion zone around Faslane, then turned back towards our mooring. The gusty wind swung through 45 degrees depending on its strength, and making for a challenging sail. 3 hours on the water was enough, but we had enjoyed the trip.
Once back on the mooring we put the boom on its spare crutches before rowing back ashore in Worm. I only really needed to row to keep us on course, as the wind blew us ashore.
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