Boisdale Bay to Loch Maddy

Mark Rosenthal

09:25 left the harbour 09:58 raised main A nice easterly 10 Kt breeze met us as we exited the harbour but this was on the bow so motoring out to the open seas was the only option. At the eastern end of the loch we raised the main and unfurled the jib, however after a couple of minutes it was obvious that the there was insufficient wind; back on the motor with the main pulling slightly we headed north. 11:35 altered course to go into Usinish bay.. feeding pod of common dolphins and gannets stopped motoring to watch keeping a safe distance. Crew went ashore for a wander and came back with Al’s collection of discarded buoys significantly enlarged, almost no room remaining in his cabin now! Lifted anchor. At 14:35 Resuming planned route to Loch Maddy Wind filled in a little from the East Northeast by 15:15 allowing us to sail for a while. Beatiful conditions with the sea mist forming just above the water making the coastline look spectacular, rising above the mist in the blazing sunshine, as we sailed past Benbecula. Arouind 17;10 the winds started to back and ease off so by 17:20 we furled the jib and started the motor to get into Loch Maddy and seek out the anchorage in the sheltered bay at the SE corner of the loch. There are a couple of moorings but the advice is that these should not be used so we anchored and watched our swing as the seabed here is very weedy. A late dinner on the cockpit table cooked by Tess skillfully managing to provide Al a non spicy variant of our pasta, and everything else that needed eating, stirfry.