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Message 5 of 5
Posted by member Brian Grant on Monday 12 September 2011
Dominic and Nicola thank you for your welcome. Your story of crossing the Firth sounds pretty scary. Ann (without an e)and I have done the journey from Helmsdale to Findhorn via Tarbat Ness but our trips have been less eventful having done it on land in a camper van.
I was born and bred in Stonehaven, (now live in Drumlithie 6 miles south) and used to have an Orkney Strikeliner berthed in 'Stony'. The Hardy is the first boat of this size and type we have owned and we are very pleased with her. I did do an RYA course and got my "Skipper Ticket" so I am now official. I did my radio course a number of years ago and it would be nice to have contact with you and Nicola sometime if we are in the same sea area.
I have seen the picture of you both onboard Jura Pilot off Coquet Island - looking good - Ann comes from down that area, well about 30 miles farther south a place called Whickham just south of Newcastle.
You must get around quite a bit on your boat as I see from the member list you are based right down south. You must be a pair of very experienced sailors and I should take note of any advice you give on this website.
Thanks for the engine info, the '60' will have been fitted in the last day or two so it will have to do for a while as I can't afford another one.
Thank you again for your reply and can I just say what a great magazine the club has and what a terrific job the editor and contributers do.
Regards,
Brian and Ann.
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Message 4 of 5
Posted by member Dominic And Nicola Gribbin on Monday 12 September 2011
Hi Brian and Ann
Plan to be cruising around Firth of Clyde, Arran, Islay, Jura, Scarba etc next year so if you find yourself on the west coast in late July 2012...yes, lets meet up.
Stonehaven...now there's a great spot! We followed a minke whale, breaching just yards off our bow close to the town.
Happy boating and Best wishes
Dominic and Nicola.
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Message 3 of 5
Posted by member Brian Grant on Monday 12 September 2011
Hah! You can go off people you know. I've been around here all my life and never seen a whale. Dolphins yes. You lucky people.
We are usually North or West with the van (if not the boat) (Mull this year) so I will carry the handheld radio and hopefully we can meet and have a cuppa aboard either the boat or van.
Regards,
Brian and Ann.
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Message 2 of 5
Posted by member Dominic And Nicola on Sunday 11 September 2011
Welcome to the club Brian and Anne! I am envious!
I remember the approaches to Findhorn vividly! It was blowing a steady and unannounced northerly force 5 as we crossed the 45km or so from Helmsdale to Findhorn via Tarbet Ness. That day the Moray Firth put on quite an intimidating show of big rolling seas as we nervously ploughed southward in Jura Pilot. I clung grimly to the helm, a cold sweath crawling over my face, lost and alone in what felt like mountainous seas breaking over the wheelhouse roof and bursting through the canopy sides. Regularly we lost the horizon line and the oh! so distant vision of blessed Findhorn, our safe haven. We and the boat were at our limit and we knew it. How grateful we were to be alive and enter the serenity of Findhorn River across the bar. Findhorn was 'safe', calm and truly lovely. Lucky you! A charming little spot.
But I digress. A Pilot with a 60hp outboard should cope with carefully planned coastal crusing in the Moray Firth but as you know, you are in potentially exposed & strongly tidal waters. Any north in the wind and the Firth quickly changes into a much more challenging cruising ground. Personally I would opt for 15hp more and look at a 75hp for your Pilot. There are extensive threads on the HOC forum on this matter, but all appear to draw the same conclusions. That extra hp will give you a marjin of safety (ie speed, power and control) when you really need it. The Pilot is a super and safe sea going craft when powered in this manner. Underpowered and you may feel rather exposed if caught out by weather/tides. To me 60hp is just on the cusp of suitablity for such northern waters.
Would love to hear more about how it all goes and the wonderful cruising grounds you find yourself about to explore.
Regards
Dominic and Nicola.
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Message 1 of 5
Posted by member Brian Grant on Friday 9 September 2011
Have just joined the H.O.C. and look forward to a happy and friendly association. My name is Brian Grant and my wife's name is Ann. we bought a Hardy Pilot 20 a couple of months ago (1989 vintage) and pulled her by road to Findhorn on the Moray coast. Findhorn would be approximately 25 miles East of Inverness. Our boat is called TAY VENTURE and we love her to bits (as they say). We bought her with a Yamaha 25hp outboard but found this a little lacking in power for the North Sea so are fitting a Mercury 60hp. Our two dogs Tess, a Border Collie and Ben, a Springer Spaniel can hardly wait to jump aboard when we get up to Findhorn. Its just over a hundred miles from our home to Findhorn but it is certainly worth the journey to be aboard our boat - at Findhorn - and with the wonderful people who own and run Findhorn Marina, including all who work there.
If anybody can tell me if I have made a right decision or not concerning a 60hp for the Hardy 20 I would be pleased to hear from you.
Regards,
Brian.
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