Another day with partially contrary winds, but at least the sea has calmed down and boat motion subdued.
Much thought and note taking, looking up of tide tables and port offsets, (how far behind a place is relative to a standard), adding and subtracting, and measuring distances were spent trying to time the passage through Ramsund , which is listed as having strong tidal currents. (Takk for regneark hjelpen Arne!).
So, confident that I had done it all correctly, we set off at 12:15, planning to get to the north end of Ramsund just after the current turned to south-going. We met one of historical maritime’s Queen of the Fjords, Anna Rogde, on the way out into Vågsfjord. Amazing how, with a lot of TLC from enthusiasts , these vintage vessels are kept in top working order. Pity she wasn’t sailing, that had been a real picture.
All went according to plan until we got to Tjeldsund and its bridge. Here were much stronger currents, against, that I had calculated, and progress was sufficiently slow that I got a bit worried. It turned out all right, as I was able to sneak along the west shore, avoiding the main current, and even finding south-going eddies. With trepidation at the ready we arrived at the markers and the shallow channel at the north end of Ramsund. Whadderuknow! Here was almost flat calm and a gentle tendency to south-going current. Calculations checked and trepidation subsided a little. Relief. Potter at cruise-speed, 5,5 knots, onward.
When we got to the bridge further south, and the narrowest and shallowest place, the current was much stronger, as predicted, but still quite docile compared to what it could have been apparently. More relief and no trepidation left. After that it was easy navigating and out into the wide Ofot Fjord. There was wind! Unannounced, from the south west, but not a lot. Up sails and shut off engine. Peace. Er….What speed? Just over 4 knots through the water, nearly a knot of current against. How far to Narvik? 22 nautical miles. Hmm. How late ought we to get there? Patience lasted about an hour before the wind decreased, and bedtime brought closer by starting the engine again, and we motor-sailed the rest of the way. Narvik Baatforening’s harbour was not small, and chock-a-block. Found an empty berth and tied up. Obviously a private berth. Well. As this was now nearly nine o’clock, and the place was deserted, I reckoned that this was ok until tomorrow. Quick meal and bed. Long and eventful day, very satisfied that the tide and current calculations had turned out right.
Narvik and a bit of sightseeing tomorrow. Sleep now.
Alls well
Josin's 2025 cruise 