Monday, June 19, 2017

Photo: Canty following Golden Eye thru the narrow channel approaching Marstrand from the south.

Each morning a skipper’s meeting is led by members with local expertise to review routes and activities of the day. We were advised to use the shipping lane just to the north of Goteborg and to stay out of the narrowest & most inland channels. This is to help us avoid rocks. One participant touched ground before the start of the cruise, causing sufficient damage to require him to charter a boat while his is repaired.

We departed Langedrag at 0824, put up the main, headed for the shipping lanes and a wonderful sail north passing Bjorko to the east and then thru the narrow channel thru Marstrand. For this section we did furl the sails and go under power—as instructed. The next stretch is a beautiful sail, max wind 20.9 knots, max speed 9 knots. Arrive at Skarhamn at 1310 after a 30-mile trip.

Cruise planners reserved dock spaces for the 20 participating boats. We tie up alongside and Dale and I head to the grocery store and liquor store—last chance for the latter. We took a guided tour at the Nordiska Akvarell Museum—Nordic Watercolor Museum. The summer exhibit is an extensive collection of the work of Arne Isacsson (1917-2010), a Swedish artist, founder of this museum and teacher. Landscapes are a key theme of his work. He thoroughly researched the nature of water color painting and developed unique new techniques. A most enjoyable tour. See more at www.akvarellmuseet.org.