November 25th, 2009 alison
Snow on the water
Over the winter it can be hard to fit in looking after your boat around all the festivities. Let Charter For You take the pressure off and keep an eye on your yacht for you. Based at Kip Marina we can respond to the weather when you can’t and check that lines are secure and that electrical connections and equipment such as heaters and dehumidifiers are still working. A number of Winter Care / Guardianage packages are available, and can be tailored to suit your needs. All of which means you can enjoy all the other activities which winter brings while having peace of mind that your boat is being cared for.
Details are available from Charter For You. Fill in the contact form, or call us on 01475 528 825
Tags: Guardianage, Kip, Kip Marina, Winter, Winter Yacht Care, yacht
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November 18th, 2009 alison
As the sailing season draws to a close for most it is probably time to think about how to make the most of our time on the water next year.
Between Saturday 10th April and Sunday 18th April 2010 why not joinCharter For You on a trip from Kip Marina to Badachro, Gairloch (North of Skye). Aboard “Iona“, our Bavaria 39, it’s the perfect opportunity to gain 250+ miles and Yachtmaster qualifying passages all while experiencing the fantastic sailing waters and beautiful scenery that Scotland has to offer.
Leaving Kip on the Saturday afternoon for the short sail to Lamlash lets you get familiar with the boat before the real milebuilding begins. All stops are, of course, weather dependent, but Gigha, Islay, Oban, Loch Aline, Tobermory, Arisaig, Mallaig, Plockton and Applecross are all possibilities. Arriving at Badachro no later than the next Saturday evening you have plenty of time to make your homeward journey on the Sunday.
Places cost £550 and include all meals on board, berthing, fuel and transport from Badachro to Inverness where there are good connections to Glasgow and elsewhere.
For more information on the trip contact Charter For You using the contact us button, or call 01475 528 825.
Tags: Applecross, Arisaig, Badachro, Gairloch, Gigha, Inverkip, Islay, Kip, Loch Aline, long passages, Mallaig, Milebuilder, milebuilding, Plockton, Skye, Tobermory, Yachtmaster qualifying passages
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September 30th, 2009 alison
The magic of the lochs south of cap Wrath
Loch Laxford
Tara (known in some places as “TheYellow Boat”…) was lucky enough to sail from Kip to the Orkney’s and back during July/August 09. This was one of the most enjoyable area she has been cruising. The part of the cruise we all remember the most was the week sailing in the lochs just south of cap Wrath (Laxford, Bervie, Badcall, Nedd…): not only the scenery is moving and impressive, but during one week, we saw only one other sailboat: non need to go to Patagonia …go to cap Wrath ! While leaving our mooring early in the morning in the extreme end of loch Laxford, we ear a bell in the profound silence: it’s John Ridgway shaking his harm from his house on top of the hill overhanging his “English Rose” …this is only in north Scotland !
English Rose
Tags: Badcall, Bervie, Cape Wrath, cruising, English Rose, Inverkip, Kinlochbervie, Kip, Loch Laxford, Mooring, Nedd, Orkney, Sailing, Scotland, Tara, The Yellow Boat, yacht
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September 24th, 2009 alison
As the sailing season draws to a close for most it is probably time to think about how to make the most of our time on the water next year.
Between Saturday 10th April and Sunday 18th April 2010 why not join Charter For You on a trip from Kip Marina to Badachro, Gairloch (North of Skye). Aboard “Iona“, our Bavaria 39, it’s the perfect opportunity to gain 250+ miles and Yachtmaster qualifying passages all while experiencing the fantastic sailing waters and beautiful scenery that Scotland has to offer.
Leaving Kip on the Saturday afternoon for the short sail to Lamlash lets you get familiar with the boat before the real milebuilding begins. All stops are, of course, weather dependent, but Gigha, Islay, Oban, Loch Aline, Tobermory, Arisaig, Mallaig, Plockton and Applecross are all possibilities. Arriving at Badachro no later than the next Saturday evening you have plenty of time to make your homeward journey on the Sunday.
Places cost £550 and include all meals on board, berthing, fuel and transport from Badachro to Inverness where there are good connections to Glasgow and elsewhere.
For more information on the trip contact Charter For You using the contact us button, or call 01475 528 825.
Tags: Applecross, Arisaig, Badachro, Gairloch, Gigha, Inverkip, Islay, Kip, Loch Aline, long passages, Mallaig, Milebuilder, milebuilding, Plockton, Skye, Tobermory, Yachtmaster qualifying passages
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July 28th, 2009 alison
Some yachts taking part in West Highland Week 2008
West Highland Yachting Week starts on Friday for those boats in the Clyde ready to make their way west. With a 9am start from outside Kip Marina the competitors will head down round Garroch Head and make their way up to Ardrishaig, ready to go through the Crinan Canal on the Saturday an dmake thier way to Craobh. Those already on the west coast may take part in a feeder race from Gigha (after some live music the night before in the Gigha Hotel) or Oban to Craobh Marina, where an evening of entertainment awaits them in the Lord of the Isles Bar and Restaurant.
On the Sunday the fleet splits into 10 classes and races to Oban. Passing Shuna,going through the Sound of Luing, leaving Easdale and Seil behind them they finish in the Sound of Kerrera and split for the night. At Oban there is a number of places where the fleet will choose to berth. Some may moor outside Oban Sailing Club, while others will tie up at Oban Marina, Kerrera, or Dunstaffnage Marina. One or two boats may even tie up alongside the North Pier, in the very centre of Oban.
The Monday and Tuesday are spent racing out of Oban, with the whole fleet racing round Lismore in an anticlockwise direction on the Monday. On the Tuesday the fleet splits in two with those yachts flying kites going round the cans in the Firth of Lorn, and those who are in the restricted sail classes sailing a set course away from any out of control spinnaker poles! The late starts will allow for a full appreciation of the social programme, with the Kerrera barn dance on the Sunday evening, a skipper’s reception, Oban Sailing Club barbecue, and “Skerryvore” in the Skipinnish celidh house on the Monday, and the Wide Mouthed Frog at Dunstaffnage getting in on the action on the Tuesday afternoon and evening with entertainment and live music.
Wednesday sees the fleet come together once more for the race to Tobermory. The 1130 start means there’s no excuse for being late to the start line, and after passing Lismore Light, the entrance of Loch Aline, Green Island and Calve Island the fleet will settle in Tobermory Bay for the night. On the Thursday the fleet again splits into two groups for the Round the cans racing in the Sound of Mull. Entertainment in Tobermory will be the usual selection of live music and celidhs. Macgochans Pub has both “Trail West” and “Gunna Sound” playing live, and it would be a surprise if there was not some sort of live music in the Mishnish also.
On the Friday there’s the earliest race start of the week with the race from Tobermory, back down the Sound of Mull, to Oban starting at 08.30am. Hopefully this will give everyone a bit of time to get cleaned up and presentable for the final prizegiving in the Corran Halls on Friday evening.
Best of luck to everyone who’s competing in West Highland Week this year, let’s hope for fair weather and good winds! Anyone who’s interested in seeing more of the sailing instructions will find them here, and there’s lots of additional information in the West Highland Week website.
Tags: Ardrishaig, Craobh, Crinan Canal, Dunstaffnage, Easdale, Gigha, Gunna Sound, Kerrera, Kip, Lismore, Mull, Oban, Regatta, Seil, Skerryvore, Tobermory, Trail West, West Highland Yachting Week 2009, yachting events
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July 15th, 2009 alison
The recent spell of gloriously sunny weather looked set to end this week on the Clyde, but so far at Kip the rain has not managed to make a lasting appearance. Good news for the two sailing courses out! One course was out over the weekend and arrived back in this afternoon having had some rain, but also enough time to dry out before having to pack away their things and head home. The second course departed yesterday after some berthing practise. The weather forecast showed numerous low pressure systems heading their way and it seemed like they were doomed to a damp week, but it turns out that if the weather holds as it has done the last couple of days they may only get rained on in the mornings!
Looking out at Kip Marina at the moment the sun is beating down on the boats, but many of the berths are empty as people have gone on their summer cruises. This weekend the Clyde Cruising Club holds its annual Tobermory Race, a race popular with members who want to go sailing around the west coast for their holidays. With options to sail Round the Mull to Crinan on the 17th July, or to go from Rothesay to Ardrishaig on the 18th, heading west through the Crinan Canal, to join up with the boats which have gone Round the Mull for the second part of the race from Loch Craignish to Tobermory on the 19th July. This year the tides appear to have been kind to the competitors with a 9am start rather than the 4am start it often can be.
The last Fairlie Yacht Club event was the Holy Loch Race on the 4th July. Light winds meant the racing took most of the day, but the fleet managed to avoid most of the rain showers which were gracing our shores that day. The next Fairlie event is not until the 15th August with a crew race from Largs to Ardlamont, and a muster at Portavadie marina that evening.
With so many boats away, or about to head off on their cruising adventures, the marina is quite quiet, but there was some excitment as the marina’s resident swans hatched their eggs and 4 new signets are now learning to swim in the peaceful waters of Kip.
Proud parents with the new additions to the Kip family
Tags: Ardrishaig, Clyde, Clyde Cruising Club, cruising, Fairlie Yacht Club, Kip, learn to sail, musters, Portavadie marina, Rothesay, RYA sailing courses, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland, West coast of Scotland, yacht racing
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June 22nd, 2009 alison
Saturday’s sail on board “Blue”, our Moody 54, went down a storm…
At the wheel..
Itinerary: Kip - Rothesay - Dunoon - Kip…
Chilling at the stern..
Max. boat speed 7.5 knots…
Max. wind speed 39.5 knots…
Cutting through the waves...
Other daysails available on Saturday 27th June, Friday 24th July and Saturday 29th August. Contact Charter For You for details.
Tags: Blue, day sails, Daysails, Dunoon, Holy Loch, Kip, Moody 54, Rothesay, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland
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June 16th, 2009 alison
Blue - our Moody 54 under sail
If you’re looking for something a bit different for Father’s Day this year why not treat him to a day’s sailing on our Moody 54 “Blue”? Departing from Kip Marina this Saturday, 20th June at 9.30am, sail the beautiful Clyde, stopping somewhere peaceful for lunch, before returning to the marina about 4.30pm. You can take an active part in sailing the yacht, or you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. The day is all inclusive of a soup and sandwich lunch, and although we can’t promise glorious weather, the forecast at the moment, looks set for a sunny day!
Contact Charter For You on 01369 830 258 or via the contact form for further information or to book.
Tags: Blue, Clyde, cruising, day sails, Daysails, Father's Day, Kip, Moody 54, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland
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May 19th, 2009 alison
The East Kyle from Rothesay Bay
Some pictures from the Fairlie Yacht Club opening muster have been added to the photo page - the weather, which was forecast to be wet and windy, stayed dry and windy instead and allowed a good race from Kip to Wreck Bay. The course was from Kip to Toward Point, round Mountstuart buoy, back to Bogany Point near Rothesay and finally up the East Kyle, finishing just at Colintraive in time for the muster in Wreck Bay.
There was a good breeze and many started with reefs in the main and small headsails. The fleet tacked towards Toward and after rounding Toward Buoy headed downwind to the Mountstuart safewater mark. After that it was back to beating to make the mark at Bogany Point and, for some, a sail change was called for as the winds lightened. With all reefs shaken out the fleet headed up the East Kyle, with the winds flukey, but most managing to make it to the finish in one tack. Those towards the back of the fleet found themselves waiting for wind to fill in to make it to the finish, but it seems that it was just the hills of the Kyles providing shelter from the wind as coming up to the finish the wind filled in again properly and the yachts were able to sail through the narrows at the Burnt Isles, drop the sails and prepare to drop anchor in Wreck Bay for the evenings muster.
The rain stayed away, except for the odd shower which was quickly blown away by the wind, and everyone ventured onto the beach for the evenings festivities. Wreck Bay stayed calm until everyone returned to their yachts - chased by a downpouring of rain, but better weather could not have been asked for as the breeze kept away the midges which always seem to find where the party is.
The rain disappeared by the next morning which allowed a leisurely start, and despite the odd shower throughout the day, the fantastic sailing weather continued. Those who made an early departure from Wreck Bay got to enjoy a downwind sail towards Rothesay and as long as you were on a port tack the sun was shining! The breeze meant that Rothesay was a good stop for a long lunch and a seat in the sun, with the entertainment provided by the local yacht club racing a variety of dinghys. The Rothesay Jazz Festival provided entertainment for those who went ashore, as did the usual array of pubs, and Zavaroni’s fish and chips!
After lunch a brisk sail back to Kip was had. The 20 - 25kts of breeze allowed for a speedy sail under headsail alone, and some record breaking journey times were recorded. Those who stayed out for the Monday holiday were not so fortunate with their weather for returning home. The winds stayed, but unfortunately the rain closed in and Monday proved to be a blustery day. We hope the weather for the next May weekend and the Scottish Series Racing stays a bit drier for all 3 days!
Tags: Bank holiday relaxation, Bank holiday sailing, cruising, Daysails, Fairlie Yacht Club, fish and chips, Kip, Kyles of Bute, Mountstuart, Rothesay, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland, Toward, Wreck Bay, yacht racing, yachts, Zavaroni's
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April 29th, 2009 alison
Last Wednesday’s Fairlie Yacht Club race was the first with a decent number of participants which got the competitive juices flowing for all involved. There was also a decent wind which tested the stamina and persistence of those trying to get to the windward mark.
Tonight, it looks like it’s going to be windy, and from the wind direction the windward mark’s going to be a long way away again. It’s also looking like waterproofs will be required, but it should be a fun night anyway, with an exciting spinnaker leg should any of the crews be brave enough.
The weekend just passed started off bright and sunny for the Clyde Cruising Club’s first race meet and the Round Bute Race. The course took the participants from the downwind start outside Inverkip, with spinnakers hoisted after the start line, and dropped approaching Toward Point. The next turn took them into the Kyles of Bute. Passing Rothesay and heading to the Burnt Isles on a broad reach, with the spinnakers made another appearance at Colintraive and were carried through the Burnt Isles, past the Maids of Bute, and down to Tighnabruaich. The rest of the legs were sailed under genoa as the fleet went round the west side of Inchmarnock, rounded Garroch Head and headed back to the top of Great Cumbrae Island where the spinnakers made a final appearance for the leg down to the finish line at Largs.
Meanwhile, those of us not racing were enjoying the weather in the marina, where the shelter of the breakwater meant that it was t-shirt weather. Lots of people were making use of the weather to put the finishing touches to their season preparation in time for the Mayday holiday this coming weekend. I’m sure all the members of the Clyde Cruising Club and Fairlie Yacht Club will be hoping for the weather to hold for the opening musters this weekend. Being held at Rhu and Wreck Bay they will herald the start of the sailing season for those members who cruise rather than race and we hope that they go off with a bang!
Tags: Clyde, Clyde Cruising Club, cruising, Fairlie Yacht Club, Kip, Largs, musters, yacht racing, yachts
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