Sailing Polaris · video

What this video covers

While berthed at Port Ellen on the island of Islay, the crew of Polaris prepares for a forecast westerly gale with gusts reaching 45 to 50 knots.15:16 To mitigate the impact of the wind and swell on the pontoons, the crew secures the boat using a "spider web" configuration of lines, pulling the vessel away from the pontoon and fixing it between adjacent structures to reduce fender squeaking and hull movement.14:22 After the storm passes, the crew departs Port Ellen for Oban, sailing through the Sound of Jura and past the Corryvreckan whirlpool.19:57 During the transit, the vessel maintains a steady speed of 6.5 knots in 13 knots of wind, allowing for stable conditions while underway.19:04 The passage concludes with an arrival at Kerrera Marina near Oban, marking the end of a two-year cruising period in western Scotland.21:19

More from Sailing Polaris

A New Way to Navigate? Installing Orca on Our Sailboat | Ep. 97Sept 2026We Couldn’t Leave This Arctic Island – Sailing Norway’s Træna Archipelago | Ep. 96Sept 2026How a Tiny Norwegian Island Celebrates Norway’s Biggest Day – Bolga | Ep. 95Aug 2026We Found Norway’s Hidden Harbour (After Our Original Plan Failed) | Ep. 94Aug 2026

From Sailing Polaris — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.