Adventure sail to Rockall

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brainstorm

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Anybody interested in a short handed cruise in company to Rockall and back from West Coast of Scotland or Northern Ireland towards the end of July? Just a decent offshore passage with a VHF net. No rules or regulations. Perhaps rendezvous in Campbeltown/Ballycastle/Islay before we set off? Any thoughts welcome
 
Just a silly question. What’s the point of going to Rockall? The chances to getting ashore are minimal and there is rock all there.
St Kilda?

Although going out there and planting a tri colour on it might creating an interesting fuss just after Brexit. :)
 
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Uricanejack said:
Just a silly question. What’s the point of going to Rockall? The chances to getting ashore are minimal and there is rock all there.
St Kilda?

Although going out there and planting a tri colour on it might creating an interesting fuss just after Brexit. :)
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There's not even a pub there
 
Thanks for your reply UJ, it would be a great adventure although nil chance of getting ashore. People doing the FastnetRace do t stoptbere for a pint! Quiddle good plan, maybe s crate of that for the first boat home!
 
We did that last year. Departed Castlebay, three Rivals (2 x R32, 1xR34). Two rounded Rockall and returned via St Kilda, the other singlehanded diverted part way to go to the Azores (as you do). Not so many boats approach St Kilda from the west, it looks quite different. Go for it! There's nothing to see, but it's a great little trip.
 
Hi MM5 yes I remember reading about the Rival trip to Rockall but thought only one boat got there. Good effort and glad someone else has adventurous ideas like me!
 
Ps to MM5.....I am just looking at the Navionics chart and there seems to be an obstruction called Hasselwood Rock only 100 metres to the North of Rockall so presume you rounded that as well. Great care necessary in any event as I guess a good swell runs nearly all the time out there!
 
I have encountered MM5AHO and he seemed a sensible and intelligent guy but for the life of me I find it hard to think of any destination in the world less attractive to visit than bluddy Rockall. But then I suppose that might be the attraction?
The Boys from Rockall was a good band while it lasted but none of them have ever been anywhere near it either.
 
Quandary said:
I have encountered MM5AHO and he seemed a sensible and intelligent guy but for the life of me I find it hard to think of any destination in the world less attractive to visit than bluddy Rockall. But then I suppose that might be the attraction?
The Boys from Rockall was a good band while it lasted but none of them have ever been anywhere near it either.
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Why does there have to be a why??

Why do you not want to go there? ☺
 
Went four years ago, because we could. Great sailing there and back and it's an awesome sight when you do get there. Left from Loch Maddy and came back via Barra.

You can safely go between Hasslewood rock and Rockall, plenty depth. We found 15 metres quite close in. We had no intention on landing but did send the tender to collect some seaweed as a souvenir. The swell made it very difficult to get alongside.

Donald
 
I'm just waiting for someone to apply to the Scottish Government for a grant to put a pontoon in there.

I'll check this year's Welcome Anchorages carefully for an update.
 
bikedaft said:
Why does there have to be a why??

Why do you not want to go there? ☺
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I will be stopping sailing (again) shortly and expect to die shortly after that and there are millions of other places that I have never been to which are more attractive to my unadventurous spirit. The Faroes comes to mind or even Greenland but I have not exhausted the Hebrides yet.
I suppose going round Rockall and back is no more futile than the racing I used to enjoy so much.
 
Quandary said:
I will be stopping sailing (again) shortly and expect to die shortly after that and there are millions of other places that I have never been to which are more attractive to my unadventurous spirit. The Faroes comes to mind or even Greenland but I have not exhausted the Hebrides yet.
I suppose going round Rockall and back is no more futile than the racing I used to enjoy so much.
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sorry to hear you are going to swallow the anchor. my remarks were tongue in cheek, after a beer or two...

i think that when i no longer want to see over the next hill, round the next corner, climb up any hills about, or sail to odd places for no good reason then it may be time to worry - for me anyway. most people are a lot more sensible than me, i'll freely admit...

i have wanted to go to Rockall for a while. and land. we'll see how that goes ;-)
 
Good attitude BD! If you are based in Tayvallich and me in Portavadie maybe we could rendezvous at Port Ellen before departure. Presuming we continue in good health with sound minds til then!
Let’s see if any other adventurous souls come out of the woodwork in the meantime.....
 
Got a week from 22nd July. Supposed to be in S Uist at the end of that week, so we would need perfect weather for Rockall. Or we may be a couple of days late for S Uist. Better not head to Azores then ��
 
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