Now heading south, to Maloren and Sandskär, 3 July 2019

Maloren was one the highlight of our summer, at least in the list of places to visit in Bottenviken. Maybe because it is on the cover page of the SXK pilot book, or because of the post of Cybèle 17... We did go there, with 12 m/s (25 knots) side winds, to realise that it would not be a good idea to force our way to the old destroyed harbour in those conditions. Very frustrating indeed,  but certainly wise given the recent experience in Rödkallen.

Maloren, from a distance...

 So, we moved along...
Here is the iconic picture appearing in the SXK pilot book that we all use when wandering in these waters... Very tempting indeed. Yet, the southern entrance is only 1.2 metre deep, and the northern one, leading to a destroyed harbour... Only reachable by sailing boat in very quiet weather conditions, not the case today. Tyvär!

After a few attempts, we give up and head back north to Sandskär. With strong south-west winds, the south-west harbour is not an option. We therefore head-up to the small pontoon on the north-east shore of the island, just to realise that, despite the fact that the SXK pilot book recommend it for the larger boats, it is no longer than half the size of Belisama. With 25 knots side winds, docking is challenging, mixing-up drawing a back anchor a few lengths away from it, and beaching along side the pontoon with the depth gauge indicating 90 cm...  Good that the winds will decrease over night...

Sandskär, on the Lilliput pontoon...

As we approach, we realise that there is already a boat on the pontoon. We land softly under the scrutiny of our neighbours convinced that such a sailing boat like ours could not make it to such shallow waters. But we made it, thanks to the centre board, and got lots of questions from our neighbours... However, see on the picture below how we push aside the whole pontoon to the left the picture...

Pusing a bit the pontoon, despite the back anchor

After a good barbecue, the wind decreases and turns up northwest, offering us good shelter for the night and no longer anxiety about pushing the pontoon and our neighbours on the shore. Magical evening, with very interesting demonstration that the plants and the winds had invented how to draw a circle long before mankind...

And mathematicians invented the circle by watching how the wind move the herbs...