A difficult arrival into Mallaig, and discovering Britain's most remote pub | Ep 13

Hi, we're Laura and Stu - we're sailing around Scotland on our 36 foot sailboat Delfino. In this week's episode we have some of the best and most frustrating moments of our trip so far, trying to make it to Mallaig and then exploring Inverie and its highland games with our friends Jack and Katia. We also make the most of a rare sunny day by climbing at Black Rock in Arisaig.
Walk Highlands link to the hike:
www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortw...
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Music Credits:
By the Harbour | Mhern
Venetian Blinds | Mattias Tell
How Will I Cope | The Eastern Plain
Headed To The Hillside | American Legion
The Comfort | The Eastern Plain
Waste of Bass | OTE
Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

[@jesterjon]

You could practice mooring on calm days during the day when most are free and you have room, a simple rule approach slower than you think and where the wind will blow you on, or the current if that is in play will push you against the mooring ball. we all drop them on occasions. I have a Malo 42 so I enjoy your films as you don't see many Malo's on TH-cam. We have also spent many seasons in Scotland it is fabulous. Thanks.

[@DelfinoDiscovers]

That practice session is more or less what was going on in this video. The bay in Canna is really wide and it was empty when we were there, so with the breeze it was a good opportunity to see how the boat handles!
It feels the Malö's were just designed for Scotland, we saw quite a few of them up there. I was a bit afraid of getting a bigger boat but with hindsight I would've tried to stretch to a 42 I think.
Glad to hear you're enjoying the videos!
- Stu

[@wren329]

We loved this video. More dolphins please!

[@DelfinoDiscovers]

Will try to oblige!
- Stu

[@liamperry7095]

Highland cattle horns do look intimidating but honestly, they are really docile and unless they've got very young ones with them you can walk within a few feet as you pass them.

[@DelfinoDiscovers]

Yeah they took us a while to get used to! Are the bulls chilled as well?

[@SailingYachtSaltyLass]

Picking up a mooring in bumpy conditions after a rough passage is never going to be fun. And yes there is always an argument until it is realised that this is "normal" and just has to be done. The sea can be so unforgiving that we all have to come to the realisation that a bit of yelling anc screaming is needed to get it out of the system.
I think we all go through that - we certainly had a few nose-to-nose screamer sessions _after_ the boat was moored or docked. Nowadays we seem to have achieved that sailing nirvana where you just keep doing it until it goes right and then laugh about it... I am sure you will get there too. It is a destination that awaits anyone who sails for long enough 😉So be kind to yourselves and ignore the self-doubts. Sailing. It is what it is.....

[@DelfinoDiscovers]

Thanks for the comment! I feel we are getting there. We've just had a tough sail down the coast of Brittany but managed all the emotions much better. Understanding that we'll make mistakes, and learning to manage the emotions that the uncertainty and the conditions create.
It can be tough but like all hard things, it provides a real sense of accomplishment when you manage!
We're still learning and getting better every time we leave the dock.
- Stu

[@SailingYachtSaltyLass]

@@DelfinoDiscovers - have a good yell afterwards then have a good coffee. Most importantly, just have a good time 😉
BTW - top tip. _Never_ try and get the pick-up buoy with the boathook, always go for the line under the pick-up buoy. It works every time. The buoy will come up with the line.

[@personalbest849]

You could consider picking the mooring ball up from the stern. Backing up to it from down wind, securing the line onto a stern cleat and then walking the line to the bow possibly with the assistance of another line. Well done! Love the boat by the way... cheers from Norway.

[@DelfinoDiscovers]

Not a bad idea! I heard someone suggest rigging the anchor from a stern cleat to prevent yawing at anchor too, which makes a lot of sense.
Glad you're enjoying it! The Malös are beautiful boats. We've never been to Norway but would love to explore the country one day. A bit of ski touring, sailing in fjords, and saunas. Sounds amazing to me.
- Stu

[@jasonchamberlin1532]

My own preferred approach is a long line from the bow, outside of everything and then pick up the buoy from the stern. Once made fast with a longish bowline ( so you can undo from the bow) then just let the boat go head to wind, taking up any slack, using the engine to just power the bow up closer to the buoy.
You might need to be creative if there is not much space between that buoy and the next one but worst case, go astern until most of the boat is upwind of the buoy, take up the slack and then let the wind blow you back into the “proper” space.