Yachting Monthly - April 2016

70 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com APRIL 2016

A cracking

cruise out

of Craobh

Haven

PHOTOS: COURTESY MATTHEw digglE

Matthew Diggle is blessed by
the weather on a one-week
tour of the Inner Hebrides

I’m not sure why, but a few years
ago I was seized by the notion
that sailing would be a sensible
hobby for someone living in
the Midlands, a long way from
the sea. The Scottish coast is
a particularly long way away.
Despite this, four friends and
work colleagues – Mike, Richard,
Douglas and Simon – joined me
on a week-long charter trip there
aboard Lotus, an Ovni 43, sailing
out of Craobh Haven. This was
a new cruising ground for me.
It was the first time we had all
sailed together as a crew and we
ranged in experience from Coastal
Skipper down to sailing novices.
One of the crew was driven to
the boat by his brother-in-law and
young nephew, so we thought it
would be nice to give our visitors
a quick trip out of the marina
and back. Fortunately, the gentle
breeze blowing when we set off
gradually died away, so when
we ran aground it was little more

than a gentle drift against an

inconveniently positioned rock

rather than a hefty bump. Lotus’s

lifting keel proved very useful and

we were soon under way again,

but having previously earned a

reputation for finding the bottom,

my hopes of a grounding-free trip

had been dashed within minutes.

The next day, I was determined

to at least have a look at the Gulf

of Corryvreckan, home of the

infamous tidal whirlpool. So I

checked the weather and worked

out the tides. Then I did my tidal

calculations again, to make sure.

Conditions were as benign as they

could be, so we sailed through

without drama, though this didn’t

stop me recounting tales of the

fearsomeness of the dreaded

Corryvreckan afterwards.

We anchored in Loch Spelve

for the night and in the morning

had a spectacular view

of an eagle soaring

over the mountains as

we enjoyed a Scottish

fry-up. Once we’d

eaten and done the

washing-up we set off

to Tobermory. With its

multi-coloured houses

along the harbour

front it’s a picturesque

place to stop and also

very civilised, with

walk-ashore pontoons,

showers and toilets.

We enjoyed a spot of

the easy life and had

a great dinner in a local pub with

absolutely no washing-up.

In the morning we set off under

engine in flat calm conditions.

I popped below to check the

charts and when I came back up

I noticed a fishing buoy off to one

side. I was about to compliment

the crew on avoiding it when

another one disappeared under

the bow. I knocked the engine

out of gear, but not quite fast

enough and the inevitable prop-

wrap ensued. Douglas gamely

volunteered to dive

under the boat and

cut us free. Whilst the

water was beautifully

clear, the temperature

was bracing in the

extreme, he told us.

Still, he persevered and

earned the gratitude of

the rest of the crew, and

me in particular, as well

as a handsome trophy.

Rounding the

northern tip of Mull a

small pod of dolphins

joined us, putting on

an entrancing display

under the bow, zipping from side

to side, performing barrel-rolls

and seeming to smile up at us,

helping us put the misfortune

We went through the fearsome Gulf of Corryvreckan at slack water – no drama!

Ovni yachts

are tough,

go-anywhere

aluminium

boats

The weather was unusually calm, perfect for a night in Loch Spelve The Ovni 43’s large saloon was great for comfortable evenings aboard

Douglas’s trophy:

the rope he freed

from the propeller