SY Hullu Poro

Boating & Biking Adventures

Author: Bernd Page 1 of 95

🚴‍♂️…IOM Southbound…🇮🇲

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On July 26, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

We, the bike and me, took the first departure at 9:50am BST on the Steam Railway from Douglas to Port Erin. This line operates with its original equipment (steam locomotives and coaches) since 1874! Next week is big 150 year Transport Festival on the island. It‘s all about the heritage railways, their specific tasks – very well maintained and still operational.

The 🚴‍♂️ ride back from Port Erin to Douglas took me through some nice villages and landscape.

Next two days will be a different biking agenda: UCI Grand Fondo – Isle of Man!

Fair winds…

🚴‍♂️…Marine Drive…🇮🇲

By

On July 25, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

Douglas / Isle of Man

By

On July 23, 2024

In Isle of Man

Our time gate was set to 8am at Chicken Rock to catch the NE current up along the southern coastline of the Isle of Man towards its capital – Douglas. 4kn of current were expected.

The Harbour Master recommended me to keep 1nm off this iconic lighthouse and its coastline but I did not want to loose to much windward grounds under the now 20kn of wind from a NW direction. The Lady, performing a slow waltz up to now, turned into acrobatic salsa and the skipper was left with a dry throat again! Oh my lord! Pure nature! Chicken Rock stay away!

Different currents, all friendly, did throw us north towards Douglas Harbour in no time. More than 11kn speed over ground (SOG) is a new record for The Lady.

After a short welcome from Craig at the visitor pontoon we moved into the inner harbour to our allocated berth.

Fair winds…

Irish Sea

By

On July 23, 2024

In Isle of Man, Northern Ireland

The passage from Bangor to Douglas was a bit irritating, as we were partly just drifting along south with the tide currents to kill time. Drifting from the North Channel into the Irish Sea. Time well spent on the ocean, if weather permits. A wonderful night at sea.

Fair winds…

Bangor, not bad!

By

On July 22, 2024

In Northern Ireland

Our sail issue got fixed to allow us to proceed with the journey. There was also a bit of time left to explore Bangor, not bad! A nice seaside resort.
We had to catch the last weather window for this month into Douglas. 

Fair winds…

Belfast => Bangor

By

On July 21, 2024

In Northern Ireland

Days in Belfast were flying by and my focus remained on recovery to leave this nasty cold behind me, once and forever! The pharmacist the other day recommended with a smoky, rough voice and smiling face: warm whiskey!

Disintegrated luff extrusion profile.

Feeling better now and pumped up to hit the ocean again, I left Belfast in the evening hours, ETA Douglas next day 11am, 1 hour before hight tide, 80nm, weather window & tides perfectly arrange. All good until I unfurled the headsail and observed something strange at the top of the forestay.

Picture taken, shared and minutes later, after a very helpful discussion over a phone call with sailing mate Volker from SY Hexe, I concluded: not going to proceed under these conditions, need to be fixed first. Douglas can wait.

Bangor, the sailing mekka of Nothern Ireland and accredited with five golden anchors, was just 4nm ahead.

I informed Jan & Natascha from SY Auryn that they will have to proceed without our accompany.

Looking forward to understand the root cause of this issue.

Fair winds…

 

Clyde => North Channel

By

On July 16, 2024

In Northern Ireland, Scotland

It was an interesting passage from Scotland to Northern Ireland. Starting with no wind and flat seas, it peaked up to 26kn gusts and 2m waves while it ended with a pleasant close hauled approach along the channel leading into Belfast. Plenty of dolphins and two young puffins were the highlights.

Fair winds… 

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Clyde Marina

By

On July 15, 2024

In Scotland

We have reached our final marina in Scotland for this year. The emphasis lies on this year as Susan and myself decided to return. There is much more to explore within these magnificent sailing grounds. However, for the winter we prefer some lower latitudes.

Fair winds…

Passing through the storm gate. It’s tight.

Kip Marina

By

On July 14, 2024

In Scotland

We got Oscar from Argull Yacht Rigger Ltd. up into the mast today (Sunday!) to perform a rig inspection and tuning. My focus was on tuning as I was not happy the way the rigging behaved under certain sailing conditions.

In a very analytical way the tensioning of each wire was adjusted to required values in an iterative approach until load contributions are balanced and matching with manufacturers specification. Great job!

I wish I had received such a service level in Kappeln before leaving four months ago.

We are all set now to proceed our journey.

Fair winds…

Tarbert Harbour

By

On July 12, 2024

In Scotland

Leaving the Sea Lock in Ardrishaig a bit late we had to be dropped almost 5m to get back into freedom. The last bits of outgoing tide supported us during the short journey on Lower Loch Fyne into Tarbert, a place long time on my list. It presents itself as a lively marina, fishing harbour and charming village.

As Susan and myself are both still fighting with a persistent cold our activity level remains low. The weather is improving though.

Fair winds…

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