Welcome to my Sea Kayaking (b)log
Another training paddle in the Taran. I didn't fancy doing a Kilcreggan run, as the wind and swell would make it hard going on the way there. So, instead, I decided to head out to the Sugarboat (MV Captayannis, which sank in 1974) in the middle of the Clyde Estuary.
As I approached Rhu Narrows at the bottom of Gare Loch, I could see the ship Kingdom of Fife approaching. I had just enough time to nip through the narrows before the ship arrived.
Heading out past Rosneath Point, I was very much into the southerly wind and tide. As I moved towards the Sugarboat and away from the Rosneath Peninsula, the wind and swell veered more towards the south-west. I had to paddle at some strange angles, using transits to maintain my course, as the wind and swell were pushing me away from my target, the Sugarboat.
Paddling alongside the capsized hull of the Sugarboat was not at all comfortable due to the rebounding waves off the hull, which created a lot of clapotis. However, turning to the sheltered side of the capsized hull was a complete transformation, with no wind or swell. I took a few photos.
Leaving the Sugarboat, it made sense to use the wind and swell, which by now were producing plenty of "white horses", to head directly downwind towards Helensburgh. I caught and surfed quite a few waves. My average speed was well over 6 knots!
Turning at Helensburgh Pier, I headed along the shore towards Rhu at a more sedate pace. Having said that, I wasn't that slow, as I now had a following tide.
Back at Rhu Narrows, the entrance to Gare Loch, I could see that Kingdom of Fife was "parked" right where the starboard buoy should be. I made a detour around the ship, giving her plenty of room.
It wasn't until I could see the ship's rear deck (the working area) that I realised they had hauled out the starboard buoy, which is huge when you get up close to it, and were carrying out some maintenance.
Leaving Kingdom of Fife behind, I could see that the wind, swell and tide were all pushing me home towards my slipway. Once again, I was in 6-knot territory.
Fab!
9.6nm 2 hours 11 minutes
