Voyage overview
- Year: 2008
- Destination: Orkney, Scotland
- Boat: Catherine J
- Vessel type: Elan Impression 434
- Distance sailed: 340 nautical miles
- Skipper: Mark Daniel
- Crew: Chris Robson (“AC”), Andrew Wagstaff (“BigWag”), Mark Wells (“Chunderer”), Simon Tyler (“DC”), Warren Creates (“War Isle”), Boris Ulehla (“Borkwall”), David Ashfield (“Dasher”)
Logbook notes
A near-perfect blend of challenge and charm — many still name Catherine J as the finest boat we have ever sailed.
Compact, capable, equipped and efficient, and graceful through the fierce tidal races of the Northern Isles, she carried us over the overfalls of Fair Isle and on to ancient, mystical landscapes.
We explored Neolithic sites where magnetic compasses spun and invisible energy pulsed through the earth. And were in awe and inspired after a long private visit to the Longhope Lifeboat with Coxswain Kevin Kirkpatrick, who lost his father and uncle in the infamous 1969 lifeboat disaster.
A highlight was our behind-the-scenes Highland Park Distillery tour, facilitated by Chris’s daughter Amy (who joined us aboard for dinner later in the voyage) — and capped in Kirkwall by the surprise arrival of Warren’s sister, Happy M, who joined the crew briefly and joyfully.
A spiritual, whisky-infused voyage in every sense, apart from Boris who’s infusion one night was 80 proof navy rum!
And back to print this year, Simon wrote and published “Stones, Swells, Wrecks and Rum”.
