Ilkonsaaret

24 June 2023 · Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 20 M

I feel a bit ashamed of not starting the sailing season until Midsummer, but sometimes it is just the weather and other pressures combined with other things that throw a spanner in the works. The weather forecast for Midsummer predicted thunderstorms every day, which was a bit discouraging, but we decided to keep an eye on the weather.

As Friday passed in anticipation of rain and thunder under blue skies, we decided that the same would not happen again the next day. The weather forecast for mariners predicted variable winds of 1-5 m/s and a chance of thunder. We launched the boat with the idea that the target would be chosen according to the weather conditions. At the beginning the wind was around 5 m/s, which is why we headed for Ilkonsaaret.

Dark clouds were pushing in from the south at Kotiselkä

Sailing in a moderate north-easterly wind made the trip pass quickly. At Kotiselkä, we noticed dark clouds forming over the mainland in the south, pushing northwards behind us. A thunder radar showed lightning near the Russian border.

However, the thunder remained absent from the Saimaa and I heard that there had been no thunder in Joutseno area either. We approached the smaller Ilkonsaari sandy cove, circling the group of islands clockwise from the north. At a smaller natural cove, we found it empty as we sailed sideways in the wind, so we ducked into it and landed.

In the smaller cove of the northernmost ilkonsaaret

Since it was already about 2 o’clock, lunch was very timely. As we were having it, crowds of people passed by towards the northern tip of the island. The Sarastus was admired and pictures were taken. So, despite its serenity, this smaller bay proved to be a very social environment.

From the dining table there were great views over Saimaa

We walked a bit in the northern end of the island, and my wife went for a swim. Then it was time to head back while the weather was still good. The way back was easy as the wind died down. After Kätkytsaari the wind almost died down for about half an hour, when we took the bread motor to help us, so we paddled. However, the wind suddenly returned, starting to blow from the mainland, turning 180 degrees.

We packed the boat onto the trailer at the beach and drove home. At home, as I checked the thunderstorm radar (Blitzortung), all of southern Saimaa was covered by lightning, and it continued until about midnight. So we had perfect timing!

The first sail of the summer was a great experience.