Blog
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Värrätsaari
· Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 13 MThe beginning of July was record-breaking cool and rainy. We had looked for a weather window for several days. Northerly wind offered a nice chance to try an unusual destination. We set off for Värrätsaari island whose best shores open to southeast and southwest. It’s bit a secluded place compared to the more popular destinations, but that makes it also more quiet. Beating on the fairway on the northern side of Honkasaari turned out to be challenging because of the shifting wind. We managed to get to the north cardinal mark, although its function remained a mystery, as south from it there is plenty of deep water but on its northwest side a shallow of 2.2 meters. Anyway, as Sarastus has draft of just 1.2 meters there wasn’t any apparent danger.
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Taka-Ruuho
· Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 13 MFamily sailing is often about balancing between other commitments and weather. Finally there was an optimal day to have a trip. Our destination was set to Taka-Ruuho island, where a moderate crosswind took us nicely.
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Päihänniemi
· Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 5 MThe meteorologists had praised loveliness of the upcoming weekend. The surface water temperatures in southern Finnish lakes have started to be at acceptable level, that allowed to go for sailing confidently in light air. The official marine forecast predicted variable wind from zero to five knots. Essentially that’s not an ideal sailing weather as dead calm is to be expected. Still, it ensured a safe journey and beautiful weather.
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Towards Summer
This morning, after opening the curtains, it seemed like the spring had been cancelled, as we had got several centimetres of snow during the night. Temperature raised above zero by noon and most of the new snow melted from the roads and the roofs. It was a nice surprise to find a few yellow coltsfoots near our home! On Lake Saimaa there is still a thick ice layer of 35 centimetres of left and it isn't going to melt any soon.
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The Picks of the Season 2018
After two modest summers we experienced a wonderful and warm season finally. The waters warmed up rapidly in May that opened access to Lake Saimaa early. Below is an analysis of the season. Weather From weather perspective the summer was absolutely fantastic as there was abundantly warmth and the wind conditions were pretty nice too. We experienced the best wind during the trip in the Archipelago Sea when we sailed to Sandön island. In that day a gentle breeze was blowing between two stormier days.
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Mustamaansyvä
· The Gulf of Finland · Sarastus · 12 MWe sailed on Mustamaansyvä in easterly fresh freeze while 1.5 m (5 feet) waves were rolling from the port side and GPS showed our speed was between five and six knots. Neither of us had ever seen so big waves but we were doubtless of Wayfarer’s persistence to survive. The unreefed main sail and the doubts of our ability to make landfall on Lanskeri island made us to do a 180° turn and follow the plan C. The plan B would have been to beat to Suuri Pisi island but a more experience crew would have been needed for that because of the weather. Conditions were evidently toughter than 7-13 knots predicted by the marine forecast.
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Sandön
· The Archipelago Sea · Sarastus · 15 MThe Archipelago Sea as a boating destination has been in our list for long. Finally there was a good chance to have a trip there. We launched from Paraisten portti slipway and headed south, towards The Archipelago Sea National Park, where the forecast predicted 7 knot breeze which would build up by the evening. Launching from the slipway was adventurous because of its steepness and slipperiness Heading south to the Archipelago Sea As we were about to get out of the shadow of Sorpo island the wind started intensify. I have to say I had butterflies in my stomach because it wasn’t evident what was waiting for us on the open water ahead. However, the journey started in comfortable 7 knot wind which was so smooth compared to all the choppiness of the lakeland.
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Pullikainen, east shore
· Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 16 MThe objective of the day was to sail to Peräsaari and stop by Pullikainen, to find a lost ornament. The weather was tougher than predicted. At best, the southwestern fresh breeze made us to plane at eight knots in middle of white horses. The biggest waves were around one metre that’s not usual on Lake Saimaa. Planing between Ylä-Lyly and Kenkäsaari islands As the southwestern breeze didn’t make landfall to Pullikanen’s sandy beach or to the lagoon to look like a sound option, we chose the modest sheltered eastern shore of the island. After having a picnic we ruled out the plan to go to Peräsaari because the conditions weren’t that optimal for family sailing.
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Laajahiekka
· Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 15 MThe forecast predicted to Lake Saimaa area from 5 to 13 knot wind with a chance of thunderstorms and rain showers. Despite of that we decided to have an overnight trip, acknowledging that we might have to look for a sheltered island if thunder would come too close. The journey to Laajahiekka beach was a pleasant experience gentle breeze. We reached the beach bit after the sunset and prepared our beds. One of the crew even wanted to have a night swim in 23°C water before turning in.
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Suuri Lintusaari
· Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 30 MFor long I had looked for a chance to visit Suuri Lintusaari island which is somehow not that well-promoted destination but still seemed like a fascinating place to visit. Its sandy beaches open to west and south that are often unsheltered directions during the prevailing winds of the Finnish summer. Also, a relatively long distance from the southern harbors adds its own challenge.