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Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Scalloway - St. Ninian's Isle

Two days with heavy winds in Scalloway went by quickly. We visited the local museum, did some small provisioning, and a lot of laundry.

Then today the wind finally seemed a bit more reasonable F5, and we decided to sail on. As the protected side of the visitor pier was a bit of a tight spot, we first moved the boat to a better starting position with lines. Then under way at slack tide, and sails up in the fairway.

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Winds have been blowing from the same direction for a week now, and so there was quite a lumpy sea state while tacking offshore. The waves were cutting the boat speed to nearly nothing, not aided by the small tidal current against us.

As soon as it was feasible, we tacked into the route protected by some small islands, and going became a lot more comfortable. And of course the majestic cliffs and rolling green fells on the shore were something to enjoy!

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Now we’re anchored at the tombolo connecting St. Ninian’s Isle to mainland Shetland. A really picturesque place that we hope to explore when the winds quiet enough in the coming days for landing the dinghy. We share the anchorage with Born to live, the German sailboat we met already in Lerwick.

From the logbook

Time Position Course Speed Log Weather Remarks
14.05. 7:21 Z 60°8'1"N 1°17'6"W 90° 0kt 4387.2NM wind 16.5kt 142° baro 1007 hPa Started main engine
14.05. 7:39 Z 60°7'54"N 1°17'2"W 237° 5.1kt 4387.2NM wind 19kt 132° baro 1007 hPa Motoring
14.05. 7:51 Z 60°7'27"N 1°18'36"W 215° 6kt 4388.1NM wind 19.9kt 149° baro 1007 hPa Motor stopped, sailing with Main (1st reef), Staysail
14.05. 8:00 Z 60°6'58"N 1°19'55"W 234° 6.1kt 4388.9NM wind 20.2kt 157° baro 1007 hPa Hourly position log
14.05. 9:00 Z 60°3'40"N 1°24'44"W 215° 4.4kt 4393.1NM wind 21.1kt 166° baro 1008 hPa Hourly position log
14.05. 10:00 Z 60°2'13"N 1°23'35"W 216° 5kt 4396.6NM wind 20.3kt 160° baro 1008 hPa Hourly position log
14.05. 11:00 Z 59°59'26"N 1°21'34"W 185° 4.5kt 4401.3NM wind 22.2kt 147° baro 1008 hPa Hourly position log
14.05. 11:14 Z 59°58'54"N 1°20'29"W 202° 5.3kt 4402.4NM wind 18.9kt 145° baro 1008 hPa Sails down, motoring
14.05. 11:29 Z 59°58'18"N 1°20'6"W 98° 0kt 4403.1NM wind 18.1kt 150° baro 1008 hPa Anchored
14.05. 11:33 Z 59°58'19"N 1°20'8"W 30° 0kt 4403.1NM wind 17.1kt 140° baro 1008 hPa Stopped main engine
14.05. 11:43 Z 59°58'19"N 1°20'7"W 240° 0.4kt 4403.1NM wind 15.5kt 134° baro 1008 hPa Watermaker on. 114ppm
14.05. 16:56 Z 59°58'19"N 1°20'8"W 47° 0.8kt 4403.1NM wind 24.1kt 117° baro 1008 hPa Stopped watermaker, 137ppm