Stuck in Tankar, 9 to 11 July 2019

Tankar (63.949918, 22.850983) is a small lighthouse island as we love them, located at the entrance of the pathway to Kokkola. It used to be a busy pilot station and even though the station moved to Kokkola, pilot boats are still stopping over in the old pilot basin between assignments.

Tankar pilot basin, with Belisama on the right and Anitra on the left

The approach is straight forward. There are 15 guest mooring in the harbour, including the old pilot basin where one can moor except on the west pier still used by the pilots. The draught is three metres. The north and east pier of the pilot basin are equipped with electricity. Staying overnight costs 10€, 15€ with electricity, to be paid at the café.

To Ohtakari via Raahe, 7 & 8 July 2019

Leaving Oulu, we go through documented pathways to Raahe (64.688209, 24.470265). Pathways are well marked on the Sailmate free nautical charts available as an app but we will discover that the height indicated does not correspond to what we get from our sounder. After a few researches, we realise that the sea level amplitude of variation around Oulu and Kemi can reach three metres, according to wind direction and atmospheric pressure (1 cm variation by mbar). The Finnish meteorological site gives values and prevision of sea level and indeed, the sea level on that date was more than 20 cm lower than expected due to persistent northern winds in previous days, which counts when sailing on a 1.5 metre deep pathway.

Belisama on the guest pier in Raahe, 1.1 metre deep on the sounder

A pause in Oulu, 5 to 7 July 2019

We arrive in Oulu after a 50 nautical mile crossing with most pleasant back side winds. We find a spot alongside in 1.3 metre of water, thanks to the centre board.

Oulu guest harbour

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...

Beaching in Seskarö, 2nd July 2019

Beaching on a sand beach is not something that you will do often in Sweden. However, in Grotviken, Seskarö island, this is the practice as there is a sand ridge on which sailing boats can beach, even if they have keels, as the slope is stiff. You therefore need to draw an anchor on the back...

But then, what an experience during the midnight sun nights. Despite the mosquitoes...

Further north, Renskär, 1st July 2019

Leaving Luleå on Mon,day 1st July, we make small journey up north to Renskär (65.650473, 22.972627), a small natural harbour equipped with a pontoon.

The pontoon at Renskär

 A very nice stopover after these busy days in the "city"...

A pause in Luleå, 27 - 30 June 2019

Luleå, a pause on our summer transhumance, after already 626.3 nautical miles in 5 weeks. Stéphane is getting back home after more than four weeks on board, and Kaja and Mišo are getting in for the next couple of weeks.

The new crew

As you can imagine, this is the opportunity to shop, to wash, to fix things, to clean, to recover and enjoy for a few days staying still. But Luleå has more than that to offer...