Doug Gets Very Wet


Yesterday (already it seems so long ago), after walking on the peaks of Holy Island, we continued our sail north under sunny skies and with a gentle (force 3/4) following wind.  This was much better; beautiful cruising through the mountains and it’s almost hot in the afternoons!  20 miles later we dropped anchor in Kames Bay, for a good sleep.

This morning, Rosie decided that we should run up the Firth of Clyde, into Loch Long and then to the very top of Loch Goil.  This decision was based on a pretty picture in the Cruising Scotland guide book as well as her desire to see the nuclear submarine ammunition facility in Loch Long (it takes all sorts).  Wind and tide also promised well.  However, things did not go as planned.

The day dawned cold and clear and still.  The anchor came up in Kames Bay and we motored out onto a calm sea with no wind.  Almost immediately the engine stuttered, as something hit the propeller.  Then there was nasty vibration from the shaft.  Going ahead and astern did not help and the rope cutter hadn't saved us.  We motored on at gentle speed, any more sounding dangerous, but we were down on speed.  This could be serious.  Our feathering propeller is an expensive piece of kit and bent shafts are also very bad news!

The forecast southerly wind turned out to be a northerly one, so we tacked up the Firth.  Then calm followed by a fair breeze, so we could mostly spare the worrying propulsion system.

Entrance to Loch Goil
We picked up a visitors buoy in Lochgoilhead and then I checked the water temperature: 13.5 degrees.  Surely that wouldn’t feel too bad?

Rapport on a visitors mooring at Lochgoilhead
Yes it did.  It took me some time to control my breathing.  And then I dived under the transom to find a large plastic bag wrapped around propeller and shaft.  It needed the bread knife to cut it away.

Diving Under the Transom

Bread Knife and Partly Shredded Plastic Bag
There seems to be no other damage, so a big sigh of relief, and now to the pub for a good Scottish supper (something healthy, of course).

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