Blog
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Pullikainen
· Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 14 MIf the previous summer was poor from weather point of view, this summer is something totally different. The forecast predicted heat and up to from 0 to 7 knot wind for the whole day, so we decided to head for Pullikainen island to enjoy the beautiful day. We weren’t disappointed for swimming and the picnic there. Light breeze prevailed for most of the trip.
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Taka-Ruuho
· Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 15 MWeather has been expectionally warm that has made the waters to warm up fast. We had a trip to Taka-Ruuho which is one of the three Ruuhonsaaret islands. There we were surprised by a traditional boat gathering which had occupied almost the whole sandy beach area. They told that that’s their annual tradition. Well, there was enough space for us. Weather was nice and the trip relaxing.
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Päihänniemi
· Suur-Saimaa · Sarastus · 6 MCockoo is singing. The light green shades of the leafy trees at shore are well visible. The sun is shining in the blue sky. Sailing in May has its special charm which fades as the summer goes on. Right before the Mothers’ Day the weather was exceptionally warm and also the surface water had reached to about 12°C, so we had a short trip to Päihänniemi peninsula.
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Siberia retreats
Seems that arctic weather has been defeated finally and the sailing season starts to be at the doors. Two years ago the surface water temperature of the local lake reached 12°C in early May but this year the same level is going to be catched up at the end of May, according to the forecast. If eastern airmass is dominates Finnish weather during this summer there is hope of hot weather.