Star of Oban
Possibilities for this sailex are either a circumnavigation of Skye taking in some outer Hebrides stopovers or an exploration as far North as Cape Wrath on the mainland. We hope to have a good mix of long passages and short passages and ample time ashore to explore. Making use of detailed Antares Charts, we will be mostly visiting less frequented areas and anchoring in peaceful remote areas with stunning scenery. We will intersperse these with occasional freshening up and restocking stops where walk ashore facilities exist. A watchful eye will be kept for conditions favoring a possible jaunt to the West of the Outer Hebrides as far as St Kilda in the first week but it is most likely that this Sailex will stay to the East.
Wizards Pool South Uist
Shiant Islands
Due to the remote locations to be visited, the season and possibility of venturing into the open Atlantic this Sailex would be suitable for fit and able sailors looking for a challenge. Two person watches on a few longer passages and some night sailing may be required.
The crew will be organized and led by an experienced Trent Offshore Group skipper with a designated first mate who will be capable of taking full command of the yacht in case of an emergency. We will hold a pre-Sailex briefing meeting in Mid February to discuss and plan the cruise, travel logistics and victualling in more detail. The lead Skipper will make contact with any crew unable to attend individually.
Wildlife Cana
We have chartered Star of Oban, a well equipped 2002 Bavaria 36 from Oban Yacht Charters for this sailex. A significant refit during 2025/6 features a new Volvo D1-30 engine, gearbox, and saildrive, a Darglow Featherstream propeller, Raymarine Autopilot, Webasto Heating, and much more.
It can accommodate up to 8 in 3 double cabins and an additional 2 berths in the saloon. We are allocating 5 berths with two sharing the saloon.
In addition to the berth costs budgeting for the following should be considered; Travel to Oban, Individual travel and medical insurance. Up to 3 meals ashore. On board Food, Berthing, fuel and potential security deposit losses are extras to be shared as detailed in the T.O.G. terms and conditions of booking.
Unfortunately, if the Sailex is oversubscribed there is no real option to add additional suitable yachts at anywhere near the prices offered on Star of Oban. At the time of writing two options exist for a Bavaria 40 or Elan 433 but would need early commitment from another qualified and approved skipper and another 4 to 5 crew to secure a firm pricing and booking of either before they are snapped up by someone else. So once again, please book early or join the waiting list to build that potential second crew to sail in company or give priority to you if someone has to withdraw from the Star of Oban crew.
THE NAVIGATION STATION
The forward-facing Chart table has the ship’s electrical distribution panel. There is everything you will need for sailing locally, including Paper Charts, Sailing Almanacs & Cruising Guides. There is a Raymarine Chart plotter at the helm station. This has up-to-date charts of the area. The vessel is also supplied with a tablet which includes Navionics, Savvy Navvy, and Antares Large Scale Charts. The vessel is fitted with a Raymarine Autopilot to help with steering. She has a DSC VHF at the navigation station and a DSC handheld VHF.
DIMENSIONS
LOA 11.4m
LWL 9.4m
Beam 3.6m
Draft 1.7m
Displacement 6000kg
Fuel: 150L
Water 300L
1x Start Battery 2x 180 Ah House Batteries
Max 8 Persons, 6 in three double cabins and 2 in the saloon
LED interior lights
LED navigation Lights
USB A & USB C charging in every cabin
TENDER AND OUTBOARD
Star of Oban is provided with a Honwave 2.7m Tender and an Europulsion Spirit 1 + electric outboard.
DECK & EQUIPMENT
The Main deck security is provided by a double-tiered guard wire system that links a split bow pulpit with two stainless steel quarter pushpits at the stern.
The large aft cockpit is fitted with two large cockpit lockers and a collapsible central cockpit table. There is a nice gap to access the sugar sloop transom platform with an integral bathing ladder, should you want to go swimming!
There is a Lofrans electric anchor windlass with a wired remote located at the anchor locker. This facilitates deploying and retrieving the 20kg Delta anchor and its 60m of chain.
Star of Oban also has a kedge anchor. The vessel is fitted with large foredeck, midship, and aft mooring cleats.
Star of Oban is fitted with Rutgerson RC750 rope jammers, towed car genoa tracks, 2 x Lewmar 2 Speed Self-Tailing Halyard Winches, and 2 x Lewmar 2 Speed Self-Tailing Primary Winches.
ACCOMMODATION & INTERIOR
The accommodation is laid out to sleep 8 in total; 6 in 3 double cabins and 2 in the saloon berths if required.
The heads are located forward to port and have a “Jack and Jill” arrangement in the forward cabin. Two double cabins aft. On the port side of the aft saloon. To starboard, there is a forward-facing navigation station. Berths and cabin heights are approx. 2m, the interior is well lit, utilising 12v LED lighting.
There is a Webasto diesel-fired warm air central heating installed on board with outlets in the cabins, the saloon, and the heads.
Yacht Safety & Equipment
Star of Oban was built to Category “A” (Ocean) under the Recreational Craft Directive. She is a Coded Vessel under the MGN 280 to Category 2 (60nm from a safe haven) with the YDSA. The maximum number of persons permitted on board is eight.
This Code provides a comprehensive mandatory equipment list & requires that the vessel is regularly inspected by an approved Coding Surveyor.
This yacht is privately owned by the owner of the charter company and is used by his family for their holidays afloat, as such it is fitted out with many extras not normally found on charter boats, a nice touch. We will have five on board and the berth fee will be £840 per member. The booking deposit will be £250 with the final balance £590 due on 16th July 2027 At 20th September we are FULLY BOOKED Should there be more interest in this sailex, please complete a booking for a standby berth, and you will be first to be contacted should a member have to withdraw from this sailex. We would require commitments from another six members to consider adding a second.
