After a month in Shetland we brought the boat down the West Coast of the archipelago and I decided to do the 150 miles from Scalloway to Cape Wrath in one go - which was a pretty bad decision.
This film will look better on a big telly when viewed from eight feet away and with a glass of cheap scotch in your hand
to downlod this film please click the vimeo logo on the bottom right of the frame above - that will take you too the vimeo page for the film - there you wiill find a download button
This is the same film served from youtube but still without the reminder.....so if yu click on the youtube logo it will open in a new page
Another great video Dylan. Makes me realise what a good passage we had through the Pentland Firth. Came out of Long Hope just in time to catch the turn mid channel and had fair tide all the way to Wick with our SOG peaking at over 11kts! A bit like being on a mobo. Look forward to seeing you journey continue from Neakie around the corner. I didn’t know that Wrath ( as in cape ) actually comes from a Norse word meaning ‘turning point’ ( Hrath ) until I came across a derivation while looking up info about the passage from Stornaway to Loch Eribol.
Fair Winds
Rob
Ps tapped you a donation
wonderful film Dylan! i tossed to $$ into the cruising kitty.
Very honest account of crossing the Pentland Firth, I’m sure we’ve all felt like that at times. Your eyes looked to be in poor shape, hope you’re wearing decent sunglasses when out on the water?
Another new word for me to contend with, drat. Still you should wear sunglasses, whatever brand.
Just shows one can never be sure… one would expect a boat builder in the States to be either on the east side or maybe the west side, but Dave appears to be slap bang in the middle. Ted
Errr… Dylan has just told me that some of the juddering is deliberate freeze-frames he put in so you can see the porpoises! So after trying it again on several machines this morning in an effort to help, it turns out some of the problems have been put in accidentally on porpoise.
But this is still a wonderful addition to the KTL journey… the first light departure from Scalloway is particularly beautiful and the account of the brave night crossing of the Pentland firth is gripping stuff.
Dylan, could not agree more, as a proud owner of a couple of Devon Yawls that are GRP simulated clinker yawls, one of which we have had in the family for more than 34 years. We have pottered, cruised and raced them. I have to confess to OCD with regard to them. Great boats,
No technical issues with this movie, great movie. Would have liked to see more of the big waves though. I think the movie gives a good impression of the not so nice conditions.
Hi, Dylan, great film and story from Shetland across Pentland Firth I think all part time sailors have low times particularly at night, when in the services on duty or exercises or in the years sailing since, the wee small hours strain ones belief. But a great film once again. looking forward to the next. All best wishes,
Bryan T, Difran 2 in the Solent
Another good fillum.
There are loads of crinkly bits round there go look round.
When I have looked at the crinkly bits South of Cape Wrath I’ll think about heading North, if I live that long.
After watching it with my crew I told her “that’s why I want you to be able to do it”. I suspect I sail pretty much like you ie more or less single handed which is OK for day sailing. Thanks for having the “learning experience” and allowing us to learn from it too.
Is it too early to ask when the next one is due? :)
Management of women, now that’s an interesting concept.
I just do what I think she wants to do.
There is loads of time to please myself when I’m single handed.
Interesting subject indeed. If my Gill has a moment to spare the knitting’s out and she’s tucked up under the spray hood, facing backwards. I feel this is not in keeping with the spirt of sailing and the requirement to keep a good lookout for other vessels. When the time comes to tack, I have to give sufficient notice so she can finish the row. That said we do have some very nice cusions, a quilt in the forward cabin and a cover for the helm. Given half a chance I’m sure the sewing machine would find its way onboard. Weather forecasts, in today’s world where we all have half a dozen apps on our smartphones, why do my wife’s say 30 knots and rain, so let’s jump in the car, I need to buy some more material, knitting needles etc. When my forecast is for 15 knots, sunshine, and great days sailing. That said we do make a good team.
Another excellent video Dylan, well done. I really don’t think you should indulge in too much self flagellation over your passage making decisions. We’ve all had things go pear shaped from time to time when conditions change unexpectedly or the weather guessers get it all wrong, its part of the blue water sailing experience. However, you are right that fatigue is more of an issue as we age (I’m 70 this year and rarely do overnighters any more) but you were well reefed down and, in the bits we saw when it got a bit boisterous, the boat seemed quite happy. An uncomfortable experience but not a dire one. Fair Winds.
Just finished number 8. Great film! Love the commentary (almost better than the scenery)!
Btw, I am under 50 and know at least one or two like me.
Keep up the good work, hope you are on your way to another boat.
Great viewing, very exciting, dark mood sailing in rough weather and unusual for KTL. It’s true that a visceral wave of fear can catch you by surprise when you are alone and feeling your getting out of your comfort zone. Watched as you recommend – on my big screen.
Great film Dylan, oh I have found you a new boat. It’s not on the open market yet but the owner is looking to sell. It’s a Colvic Watson with a fully enclosed wheelhouse. Ketch rig sails well but with a 30 hp BMC diesel. Very similar to a Fisher 25 except that it is 26.5 feet long and beamy makes my Centaur look tiny. It’s £15k. So keep chivying those un tappers!
Hello Dylan, just had a marathon session watching 15 & 16 back-to-back. (Whatever happened to KTL8 Film 14?). Anyway, it was great on the big screen and with a warm dog on either side of me, I might of nodded for a couple of minutes toward the end of 15…not to imply boredom but, rather, how peaceful the scenery and music was, with the water chuckling by the bow. Its is forecast to be 20 deg. here tomorrow, so its time to go to the boatyard and pull the shroud from my own boat…ah, Spring!
Best wishes,
Jim
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Filming has stopped? WTF, there is now no reason to turn on the sodding tv. Can we lobby the BBC to give you your own show? I suppose now the evenings are becoming longer, i will have to assist in the restoration of his cruddy silhouette. You have inspired him to have a go for himself and secretly I’m not unhappy about it, it could be a lot worse considering i caught him reading up about making a still. He has an alarm set somehow to alert him that you’ve posted a new video, so hopefully you haven’t seriously stopped.
All the best
Suz kayak woman
Dylan
Glad you all survived the trip. The most important thing is Jill did not say never again( as far as I know) . My mum said ferry next time when we had a trip to holland that went bad half way thru….. Rough night sailing downwind on to the Dutch coast, and only the DF (remember that) to know we’re were on course for ijmudieum ……we survived but mum always took the ferry after that!
A cheap waterproof go pro copy might have been interesting to have got some shots of the ugly……but it never looks as bad on film….
Cheers Warren
Glad to see you’re alive, the last vid had a still of you at the end and we fretted somewhat that you might have actually stopped due to irreversible circumstances.
Had we won the lottery over the weekend you would have been top of the ‘folk to dob some cash to’ list. TV is not the same and nowhere can he find such brilliant yacht porn as KTL.
To the detractors of your travelogue i say f*** ’em all. What about sponsors? You might have to wear overly branded clothes but maybe not the pirate hat?
The Silhouette is now clean and almost looks like a boat. I am dutifully helping by cleaning dull brass and making tea. I will post some pics. Keep buggering in.
Haven’t caught up properly for a while – have now (and tapped). Wow – what a film! Good historical stuff and no hysterical stuff! How do you do it when putting yourself so much in harm’s way? That crossing of the Pentland Firth exactly demonstrates all the fears we sailors have when going beyond our comfort zone. The boat will do it, but are we up to the job? I keep telling myself that the mast will not come down, the rudder will stay attached, I will not catch a lobster pot or some random netting. But my 64 year old ability to stay alert and make wise decisions I seriously question. Last year a crossing to Ostend from Walton took 28 hours – no wind, but knackering. The following day far too much wind going from Ostend to Ramsgate, and I was seasick for the first time in my life. I put it down to tiredness…
Going to stick to the Thames Estuary for the time being – plenty to do.
I’ll let you do the hard stuff and watch from a safe distance. Keep it up!
Cheers
G
I’ve slipped you some dough Dylan, not much because its come out of my own sailing budget – but I know a true craftsman when I (sea) one. Pun intended.
Having spotted you on the Deben last week and posting the photo to your Facebook page, now seeing this video makes me realise how small our endeavours are compared with nature. And how easily my nautical idol could’ve been lost. I hope the project is only stalled and that enough people like me but with more funds will stump up.
Even if they don’t, I want you to know this. YOU are the reason I learnt to sail and are now the reason I own a seaworthy Mariner 17. Like you I attempted to restore a Seawitch 19, then gave up and moved on! I can’t help thinking that Katie L could still cruise the Islands and certainly explore the Clyde. Perhaps enough MOB’s could be persuaded to give a tank full of diesel to tow her across the country.
Hoping you get to finish the project.
Hi, Dylan
When is the next installment likely to be published?
It seems so long ago since this one.
Hope the outboard is working well. Did you re-paint It?
Justin
Very understandable sailing rather than being couped up. I’ve been to Lundy twice and Milford haven via Tenby. Fantastically I’ve been joined so many times this year by dolphins in the Bristol Channel especially in the Carmarthen Bay and off Hartland.
Having fully refurbished the Trapper, I’m selling Harlequin and have bought a Sadler 29 which I’ve just sailed round to Cardiff from Plymouth. Lovely boat. I just found Harlequin a bit too light and racy for day long cruising and a bit too cramped for my 6′ 3″ as I was banging my head too often and getting lots of aches from crouching as a result of anno domini.
Hope you get back to Scotland next year.
The Sadler has a dedunct Eberspacher but I can get it exchanged for under £400 so Scotland may be an option for me too next year. Either that or Ireland.
Anyway keep up the mudlark.
Good to see Maggie is still with you. My wife, Sue won’t let me take our labradors out on the water! Puppies due in this weekend so I’m grounded effectively for a couple of months.
Justin
Amazingly I’ve got the Eberspacher to work. It simply needed the battery connections tightening!
Brilliant so Scotland next year hopefully. It’d be good to see you up there. How’s the coffers looking for the Fisher?
Brilliant Dylan. Love all the Videos! I’m been following you right from buying the Centaur, from Solent right through to this video. Your video quality is amazing for such a portable camera. May I ask what the Camera is and also how much Nav info does your small handheld Yellow Garmin Hold. From George, Big Fan and Sailor, Owner of MacWester Rowan Crown 24, in County Down.
Hi Dylan So I sat in a Fisher 31 and i have to say I liked it. The experience was somewhat tempered by a large number of other people also being on board in varying states of inebriation. I decided its a bit like a centaur with a conservatory. I quite liked it but my wife Kim said she preferred our Centaur. So My vote goes for a Centaur with an Esbacher Heater to keep you camera dry.
Hope you are having a great season.
H.
I have watched and enjoyed your Shetland venture a couple of times now. When you entered Skeld marina it was nice too see my jaguar 24 (curlew) in its berth. When you sailed round to Reawick, Sand Voe, and Soundside/Tresta Voe, it’s my sailing ground.
Looking to forward too you postings on the west coast of British isles. Happy sailing on the Deben
I have watched and enjoyed your Shetland venture a coupled times now. When you entered Skeld marina it was nice too see my jaguar 24 (curlew) in its berth. When you sailed round to Reawick, Sand Voe, and Soundside/Tresta Voe, it’s my sailing ground.
Looking to forward too your postings on the west coast of British isles. Happy sailing on the river Deben, fair winds and safe harbour’s.
After a few weeks absence, I returned to your site again and suddenly found two video’s I had not seen before! Looking at the reactions I realised that these must have been available since march of this year. I have visited KTL quite a few times since then.
I just can’t figure out how I managed to miss them..
But then again; I don’t find navigation on your site of the utmost clarity.. Things seem to change places continuously..
The other possibility is that I am an old sod that has lost touch with the simplest of things..
Anyway.. who cares.. I’m delighted!
Hello Dylan,
I’ve been offline for a couple of days, but to answer your question about the navigation on the right hand side: when I open the list of video’s unter KTL8, I can’t find video 17 (Cape Wrath). It just isn’t listed.
The problem does not seem to be that the listing on the right hand side is not obvious enough.