John Crowe

Our passage today was upwind. We were expecting light S winds early on moving to moderate SW. We actually got SSE as the wind reached a sailable strength so we’re able to make good progress on a single tack. The sea state was moderate after yesterday’s big blow which we sat out in Ystad. It eased later on which helped when we needed to start tacking and gave us an easy entry into Klintholm Havn.

The weather forecasts underestimated the wind strength and hence the sea state so a somewhat lively upwind/beamy passage. Plenty of water over the deck. We started off with c18 knots WSW and by the last hour we had 25-30 knots SW. We were concerned about getting into the marina because the approach was downwind with a big following sea. In the event, the wave height dampened as we headed in although we were making a speed of 9 knots along the approach line. A quick turn to port took us into the calm waters of the marina so all was well.

Much confusion about whether the Ravlunda firing range was in action today. Two conflicting sources of information so we decided to go around it but 2 other yachts passed through. Lovely beamy sail today on a F4/5 gusting F6, NE to E wind. A huge black cloud covering half the sky looked like it would dump on us so we got togged up appropriately and waited for rain which never came! Instead, the sky cleared to full sunshine. The sea built up to a moderate state throughout the passage so that we more or less surfed into the harbour. Tied up in the old fishing harbour against a wall with big Tyres as fenders.

Lovely weather and conditions again today. Looks like the good weather will start breaking soon so really appreciating the passage today.

After yesterday’s heavy rain during the afternoon and evening, the skies were still stormy today but it didn’t actually rain. The first half of the passage took us further south through the islands into a more open area bounded by rocky skerries with much less vegetation than those of late. Then we passed out through a gap in the skerries at Vinö Bradhar lighthouse, out to sea and thence on to Oskarshamn.

Becalmed for a second day. Good job we have a motor! Mostly the wind was 0-3 knts. It did get to 7 knts for a few minutes before dropping back to 1s and 2s. Left Hasselö and headed out through the islands to the outer skerries before heading back inshore through a new archipeligo. Lovely landscapes as usual.

Very little wind (<5 knots) until late morning when the wind managed 7 knots and we were able to sail for a while. A lovely sunny day with a mirror like sea and sparkling ripples of water in the more open areas. Hasselö sand is a charming beach with pontoon berths in the centre of its arc. We saw about 10 boats during our 6 hr passage but there are only 3 of us at Hasselö tonight. Although it’s only mid August, the summer season is over.