Some interesting number crunching.

I have filled the tank with diesel until the fuel was into the feed pipe a couple of inches from the top. I did the same 102 and 68 engine hours ago. This gives a usage of 1.18 Litres per hour at my now normal, more restrained, cruising speed of 5.4 knots with a reasonably clean hull, albeit 6 months in the water.

This compares with an historic average of 1.54 Litres / hour when I often cruised at c 6 knots and to 1.6 - 1.7 litres an hour for much of last season when I had a dirty hull after wintering on the Hamble (but scrubbing at the start of the season) and several foulings from weed and plastic bags on the shaft or propeller.

With a static waterline length of 25 feet the generally accepted economic cruise speed is 5 knots, that appears to be pretty close. 

The theoretical maximum hull speed is 6.81 knots. With Sancerre's big engine I have done over 7.2 knots with a clean hull but I have no idea how much extra fuel that would cost as I have only done it briefly.

It also validates the fuel gauge readings. The theoretical best accuracy with the pillar sensor in this tank is, iirc, +/- 2 Litres. I record fuel level and hours at every stop in Excel and the biggest deviation has been 3.9 litres and the vast majority have been within 2 litres with the gauge showing less than the calculation.

2025 May 21st, Days 53 - 58 In Stornoway.

Jumping forward a bit, things changed on Sunday, there is a strong possibility that the lady wife will be going in for a knee replacement shortly, that will not be confirmed until Thursday but if I continue south towards Barra there is every chance I could be stuck there for some time. It is not yet urgent but I need to get south reasonably quickly and preferably to the mainland for the option of a quick return if necessary.

Most of this page has already been posted on Facebook, to jump to my moving out on Tuesday click here 

Wednesday 21st.

The forecast gets worse, although the worst of it appears to be a
little south of here, the Loch Boisdale area is going to get a
hammering but the marina is very well sheltered, but I would
rather be here!

Visited today by Tim, another member of the Achilles Facebook group for a long natter.

The "town" marina, it feels a bit more roomy than when I was
here in 2021, perhaps bad memory or they may have adjusted
the fingers after the new marina was built.

Thursday 22nd

Facebook Post:

Thursday will be a make and mend day, mainly using the (forecast) lovely weather to catch up with the external varnishing I couldn't get done last winter when I did most of the rest.

The weather was not that good, sunny intervals rather than sun all day and a bitter wind but I got the varnishing done, including prep work, all before 9:30 after an early start and it was dry by early afternoon.

All back together by late afternoon, outside of washboards, trim
to hatch, piece behind instruments and the groove the washboards
fit in, all varnished.

Friday 23rd.

So far the weather has been very good today and reasonably warm. Currently the bad weather looks to be arriving tomorrow and could last through Monday and perhaps Tuesday, then possibly more at the end of the week.

The Minch - Strong wind warning 

24 hour forecast: South 3 or 4, increasing 5 or 6, then veering southwest 4 or 5 later. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth at first. Rain at times. Moderate or good, occasionally poor. 

Outlook for the following 24 hours: South or southwest 4 or 5, veering west 6 to gale 8 later. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later. Rain or showers. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Todays work included taking the engine box apart to access and lubricate the gear box linkage which has been giving problems going from astern to forward, a bit of a problem going onto a berth! Both ends lubricated and it is now much easier to operate and tested alongside it worked fine changing at minimum revs without problem rather than having to push the leaver to high revs (the leaver is both the gear change and throttle, the normal thing on sailing boats).

Cleaning this afternoon, mainly exterior as I have access to fresh water. 

Saturday 24th

Raining off and on after quite a lot overnight. I have run out of things I feel like doing and in any case there aren’t many I can do here and in the rain. Probably the only thing today is draining, flushing out and refilling the fresh water tank, I sterilised it over winter and replaced the filter but it is getting a nasty chemical smell, perhaps I have been overdoing the treatment tabs.

The forecast is not encouraging, as expected bad tomorrow, this morning inshore 07:00 forecast:

The Minch - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Southwesterly backing southeasterly later, 3 to 5, veering westerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8 later. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth north of skye until later, becoming rough in south. Rain at times. Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly or northwesterly 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 at first in north. Slight or moderate, but rough, but rough in north and south entrance. Rain at first, then showers. Good, occasionally poor at first.

And Tuesday is also not good with models showing gusts into the mid or high 20s and later in the day on the nose going south. And much the same Wednesday with stronger winds south of Harris thereafter. But I don’t put much credence in anything past Tuesday as it depends on the exact position of a low passing over or close to Stornoway.

UKMO prediction for Wednesday as of the 03:00 run Saturday.

And the main models disagree. Hopefully the ECMWF is
nearer the mark, although that has some nasty weather  coming
on Friday and worse on Monday week.

I suspect I am going to be dodging weather systems as I move south until making a dash for the mainland, hopefully from Barra but I would not be surprised if I ended up not getting that far and heading for The Small Isles or, with a sense of déjà vu, down the east coast of Skye.

Sunday 25th a.m.

Last night it looked as though I would be able to escape Stornoway and marina fees late on Monday and, with some help from Tim, an ex Achilles owner who lives here, I decided to move about 6 NM south to a good anchorage at the Camas Thormaid aka the Witches Pool in Loch Mariveg. This mornings inshore and domestic forecasts and the models say that that is now unlikely as I don't fancy 30 knot gusts at any time let alone going through a very narrow channel to get in.

Sunday 25th p.m.

Although the models disagree, the UKMO model shows 30-40 knots from the SW on Friday whilst the ecmwf shows light northerlies. So Tuesday or Wednesday I'll be making a dash to the east side of Skye and as far south as I can get with the wind - I have no intention of going down the Sound of Sleat against 30 knots of wind or anything close to that! 

If my wife's forthcoming operation is a false alarm (unlikely) or the operation date is well in the future, also probably unlikely as the NHS have referred her to a private clinic and things are moving quickly, I can replan my extended cruise, otherwise it will be a dash or a relatively quick trip back to Milford.

Monday 26th

The ukmo and ecmwf now agree on more strong winds coming and that they will be here Thursday rather than Friday but they don’t agree on the direction that may complicate choosing where to shelter. The American GFS disagrees but it often does and is not as reliable as the other two.

The UKMO and ECMWF models from this mornings 03:00 run,
showing the predicted situation on Thursday afternoon.

and the inshore forecast from Monday lunch time:

The Minch - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough near entrances. Squally showers. Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Westerly or southwesterly 4 to 6, occasionally 3 later in south. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough near entrances. Showers, squally at first. Good, occasionally moderate.

At the time of writing (Monday 15:00) the problem is the squalls with gusts of F7 or above for short periods. The models do however indicate a local slackening tomorrow evening.

  

The need to get going is a little less urgent as I will get stuck Thursday at pretty much the same place if I leave any of the next three days and the weather looks reasonable on Wednesday, although the wind could be on the nose later in the day so I would end up motoring down past Skye.

If necessary in a day I can make Portree (secure but not the most comfortable place to be in a stong SW wind and best on a mooring rather than at anchor), Plockton or Loch Alsh (the tide is fair for Sky Bridge from 17:00 on Wednesday) but depending on later forecasts I may move (motor?) about 15 miles south to Loch Shell today or tomorrow to shorten the trip to Skye and to get a better angle on the wind Wednesday, in the lee of the land the sea should be ok in F4-6, probably not the case in the middle of The Minch!

On Friday, if the wind has abated, I could get through the Kyle Rhea from 10:00, not ideal if I am close as it would be a late arrival in Tobermory but good if I am further north.

So a reasonable chance of making Tobermory Friday, or Saturday if the wind is still strong and / or the Sound of Sleat is rough on Friday, to refuel if necessary and I should not then need to stop at a place with fuel until Milford. 

After another trip to the petrol station this morning for a last 10 litres of diesel I am now fully fuelled, the tank into the feed pipe and 33 litres in cans for 105 - 106 Litres in total. In theory at the current consumption of 1.18 Litres / hour validated over the last 102 hours, I have a range of 480 NM @ 5.4 knots in reasonable conditions  but, of course, I need a reserve and fuel sloshing in the tank would stop the last of the fuel getting to the engine but I still have a conservative range of 350 NM, I just hope I don't have to use it, sailing is generally a lot more comfortable and quieter.

For the move out of Stornoway click here.

2025, May 20th, Day 52, Loch Roe to Stornoway.

A very bumpy crossing with steep, although not particularly high, waves coming from the north rolling the boat badly until about 10 miles out when the wind increased and I was able to sail which stabilised the boat.

LochInver Trent class lifeboat overtaking me about 2/3rds of
the way across making 20+ knots. by the time I arrived she had
already been lifted out, presumably for cleaning etc.

Facebook Post:

It looks like I could be here for a good deal longer than two nights. I checked this mornings models issued just after I left.

 

The UKMO and ECMWF do not agree on all the details or timing but both say strong winds coming Friday/ Saturday and gales (severe?) Sunday / Monday. Whilst there are some decent anchorages around iirc there are only 2 other secure marinas in the outer isles, [edit: I was forgetting Tarbert, which I understand is quite small and unprotected from the SE] Castle Bay is exposed to the SW, Loch Maddy is only moderately protected and has reduced capacity due to a dredger destroying part of it in 2023. Loch Boisdale is a long way south. I could get there but would miss out on the places in between.

I’ll review tomorrow when the new forecasts come in. I have been to all 4 marinas and some of the best anchorages and my gut says stay here. And my gut is normally pretty reliable when sailing.

Tuesday mornings UKMO & ECMWF.

Some lifting and carrying during the afternoon, getting it out of the way before a welcome shower. Two trips to Tesco's for vital supplies of beer, a trip to the local garage for diesel, it is only 10 or 12 minutes away on good pavements so probably quicker than getting it from the marina.

Click here for the stay in Stornoway.

2025 May 19th, Day 51. Loch Inchard to Loch Roe.

The wind was lighter than forecast and very variable,  I lost count of the number of times I turned the engine on to make the tide at Stoer Head but it was at least half a dozen, and I still didn't make it as the tide turned foul at least an hour ahead of schedule, again I suspect due to the high pressure. The waves were awkward and on the quarter, generally not big but every know and then a big set would come through. 

The Old Man of Stoer

Close in to Stoer Head for comfort, reducing the angle of the
quartering sea. 

Still the occasional big set coming through as I leave Stoer Head.

 

Facebook posts:

Afternoon:

This morning the inshore forecast at 07:00 was F2-4 occ 5 at first (that’s what I had coming here) I was tempted to go direct to Stornoway but all 3 models (UKMO Global, ECMWF & GFS) that have gust predictions, showed gusts in excess of 25 knots late afternoon. I couldn’t reconcile them 🤔 so carried on with my plan.

The lunchtime forecast now says  “North-easterly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 at first [this afternoon] in north [where I am]. Feeling smug 😏😏

Shows why it is best to have multiple sources of info and take the worst credible rather than the one you like.

My problem now is the 12:00 forecast also has a strong wind warning for tomorrow, hopefully that is the bad weather in this mornings model for Wednesday (gust >30) arriving tomorrow evening after I would expect to be in Stornoway.

Evening:

[..] looking good for tomorrow

The Minch 

24 hour forecast: North or northeast 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate at first in north. Fair. Good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: North or northeast 3 or 4, increasing 5 or 6 later. Smooth or slight, becoming moderate in north. Mainly fair. Good.

The UKMO Global and ECMWF are also fine at least until quite late tomorrow. Assuming no big change on the midnight forecast I’ll be off when I wake up, certainly before 07:00. I must remember to go carefully out of here as low water is 07:20, we are close to neaps so some rocks will not be showing, just lurking under the water to get me.

 

27.5 miles in 8 hours.

Click here for the crossing to Stornoway.

2025 May 18th, Day 50. Cunning plans #1,746 A & B.

The weather is not cooperating, again. Strongish winds have been forecast for later today (Sunday) for some time but last night stronger winds in the late afternoon and evening on Monday came up on the UK model with a lot more on Wednesday. In both cases the headline numbers were not terrifically high and not a problem off the wind but the gust maps showed it would be very variable with gusts to 30+ knots. And coming late in the day would make getting into Stornoway town marina a challenge as its quite tight and the wind on the approach can be very gusty and variable in direction,

The UKMO gust map on Sunday morning for 17:00 on Monday
with a little more later.

The Inshore waters forecast as at Sunday 07:00 reflects this, it is always best to add one force for gusts which brings it into line with the models:

The Minch - Strong wind warning

24 hour forecast: Northeast, veering east later, 3 to 5, increasing 6 for a time. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate. Mainly fair. Good, occasionally poor at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: East, backing northeast, 3 to 5. Smooth or slight, occasionally moderate at first in far north and south. Fair. Good occasionally moderate.

By Sunday morning the models had changed again for
Tuesday with lighter winds in the evening.

Wednesday still looked rather windy although again the ecmwf
was not as bad.

The obvious thing to do would be to wait until Tuesday but the models could easily change again and for the last few days and in the models for Monday and Wednesday the wind increases significantly in the late afternoon and evening - last evening it was blowing a good F5, possibly a tad more.

From here to Stromness it is a 13 - 14 hour run at 4 knots, although with the forecast wind I should do more, that would potentially have me arriving as the wind would likely be increasing if not later.

The plan is therefore to shorten the distance somewhat for the crossing of The Minch, if the forecasts does not change significantly I will move south tomorrow (Monday), either to Loch Ned which has good shelter although you do have to find a spot between moorings, or preferably, if I can beat the tide around Stoer Head, Loch Roe which would avoid the bumpy seas I have often found between Loch Ned and Stoer Head at the start of the crossing to Stornoway.

Loch Ned is 20 NM and the easiest, most sheltered run. Loch Roe 28 NM with Stoer Head to contend with if it is windy. I'll make a decision on which when I have the morning forecasts and am past Handa Island, with the option of diverting to Loch Ned at any time until just short of Stoer Head.

The run to Stornoway @ 4 knots will be reduced from the 13 hours from Loch Inchard to 9 hours from Loch Roe or 10:30 from Loch Ned which should give me plenty of time to get to Stornoway on Tuesday before weather arrives and if that looks dodgy I can stay put.

Click here for Loch Roe.

2025 May 16th, Days 48 - 50. Loch Eriboll to Loch Inchard

A Danish yacht going into Loch Eriboll as I left.

Starting to  struggle with light variable winds, Cape Wrath
in the distance.

Cape Wrath in sunshine for a change, as close in as I have been
there was only a knot of south going tide but it managed to form
a small rip even in the benign conditions.

The wind keeping me busy, direction was almost
as variable going from NNE to SE and back more
than once.

About 5 miles out the wind increased to F5 and veered to the SE so was directly on the nose for the final approach and passage through the narrow entrance to the Loch, its about 300 yards wide at its narrowest and a mile and a half  long.

My first choice of anchorage was Loch Sheigra (Badcall Bay), just past Loch Bervie, but it is only 90 yards wide between the 1.5m contours and with the wind gusting to 20 knots there was little chance of setting the anchor dead centre and then lying to a relatively short scope of chain. I didn't need the stress of doing it or worrying about swinging room so I moved to the head of the Loch.

The anchorage at the head of the Loch. Note the trip line buoy, probably not necessary but there is and has been a lot of Mussel farming and pot fishing in the Loch so it seemed a sensible precaution despite the aggravation of setting and later retrieving it.

My original plan was to stay the night then move 16 NM south to check out an interesting anchorage at Badcall Bay (not the one mentioned above) in amongst the Badcall Islands which has an interesting approach. I cancelled that idea when I saw the forecast, as I wrote on Facebook on Saturday evening:

Change of plan: Its blowing F5 with, as expected, F6 later tomorrow, the anchorage I was thinking of going to is very secure but not that big and has lots of moorings, work and fishing boats etc. 

Whereas there is plenty of space here and good shelter unless the wind turns NW which is very unlikely so I am staying put and avoiding F5 into a foul tide in the morning. The trip to Stornoway might be an hour longer from here but that is not an issue on a c 12 hour trip.

This was to change again as explained in the next post.

Sunday 18th:

Engine oil changed 10 hours early, new oil filter 160 hours early - I always do the two together, and early rather than late, even though the manual says the filter is done every other time, but it holds quite a bit of oil and it seems prudent to change it. Alternator belt tightened, water pump belt OK.

35 miles in seven and three-quarter hours.

z

Click here for my next likely move.