The longest day

 July 3rd - July 5th    Stokksund - Ottersøy - Brønnøysund

A strong rain shower at the end of office hours killed the wish for an afternoon sail on fridag. And another night in Stokksund.

Saturday morning I set out in weak headwind prepared to motor the entire day. Since it was going to be motoring I chose the innermost, narrowest and most twisted route through Flatanger. At least innermost for a boat with 17 m air draft.

Originally I had planned to go to Utvorda on Saturday and to tackle the open stretch across Folla on Sunday morning. But when I arrived at Utvorda before six in the afternoon and Folla was flat calm and the weather was sunny I decided to press on. There where no free large enough guest spots in Rørvik when I arrived at 20.30 in the evening, but I knew from an earlier year that there was possibilities at Ottersøy on the other side of the sound. At 70 nm this became the longest leg I have single-handed up to now.

The environment around the marina is industrial and not very inviting, but as a short stopover it is really sufficient. I was finished with all post sail activities and dinner at around eleven o'clock. When planning the next leg I discovered that from around noon a strong headwind was forecasted so I had to settle for a short night. At 5.30 I was ready to cast off again. 

I chose to go on the outside of the island Leka and thus was able to se the for Norway unique yellow stone. Since I started much earlier in the morning than yesterday the highest milage for a day for me single-handed was achieved when passing Leka at 91 nm.

North of Leka I started on the part that was the reason for starting early where a strong northeasterly wind would make steep waves that are unpleasant and slow going against. Luckily I came quite far up Torgfjorden before the wind gained unpleasant strength. 

Just before tucking in to the narrow sounds south of Brønnøysund I met several boats running down the wind that my Volvo was working hard to overcome. I must say I was tempted to turn around and join them.