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