Duncansby Head is the sailors’ John o’ Groats, marking the far northeastern corner of the Scottish mainland. Passing it is a key moment in any circumnavigator’s journey and so often the next heading south would be to Rattray Head and the refuge harbour of Peterhead.
Instead, take a detour, hug the coastline towards Inverness and give yourself time to explore the harbours, inlets and wildlife of the Moray Firth. In September 2021, as part of my Harbour Master Sailing Challenge, this is exactly what I did with the benefit of some calm weather and an enthusiastic crew. Of the 20 harbours we visited, every one gave us a warm welcome, none greater than Wick.
WARM WICK WELCOME
Entering the harbour after dark, we were given friendly guidance on the VHF by fishing boat Emulous who was steaming right behind us – this set the tone for Wick. It was here that Malcolm Bremner became the 100th HM that I met and interviewed as part of my five-year challenge. He proudly told me the story of how he has transformed Wick harbour from a run-down dock into a super-friendly marina that welcomes both yachtsmen and attracts tourists to the town.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Summer 2023-Ausgabe von Yachting Monthly UK.
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How to rig preventers and boom brakes
Rigging a preventer or using a boom brake is just good seamanship when sailing downwind, but doing so badly is asking for trouble, says Rachael Sprot
Don't let Thames sewage kill off this lovely boat
Samuel Pepys mentions oysters in his diaries 68 times, but that was when they were as common as winkles along the banks of the Thames and when they were a source of cheap protein for the masses.
I finally found the magic of the sea
I won’t be in theatres with a notebook as much as usual this month – time for some wider, wetter horizons – but may be musing, as I often do, on how rare it is for theatre to express a convincing reality about the oceans and the trade or pursuit of seafaring.
TECHNICAL GOLDEN OLDIES
Ken Endean looks back on the boats he has owned over 50 years and explains why the hull lines of older yachts continue to offer first-class handling
HOW IT WORKS MARKING
Many cruising yacht skippers mark very little on board their boats.
TECHNICAL INSTALLING A NEW ENGINE
When a mysterious loss of coolant jeopardised his sailing, Andy Du Port knew the time had tome to replace his yacht’s:veteran Volvo Penta
NEW GEAR
Dennis O’Neill rounds up the latest marine innovations, including developments in women’s sailing jackets
MARIE TABARLY HONOURING HER FATHER
Marie Tabarly took line honours in the Ocean Globe Race, surpassing her father’s record while racing aboard his famous 73ft ketch Pen Duick VI
HEATHER THOMAS SMASHING RECORDS
In leading her all-female crew to victory in the OGR, Heather Thomas has broken records and taken women's sailing into the stratosphere
MAIDEN MAKES HISTORY AGAIN
Being the first all-female crew to win a round-the-world race is seismic in itself, but the diverse nationalities of the crew are just as significant for the future of sailing
