"All Four Corners"

[Birdseye]

Dont worry about Padstow /lands end / newlyn. The trick is to do it in decent weather with a decent forecast when its a milk run. Single handing and with no night sails, it might make sense to go Milford / Lundy / Padstow - you can overnight at Lundy in westerlies or settled weather but not easterlies. Padstow entrance at night is easy but watch for pots. Both Padstow Newlyn and Milford Padstow are 12 hour jobs so you cant go direct without overnighting and I dont think Lands End for the first time is a good thing at night - you would then be wise to go outside the Longships whereas using the inshore passage saves a lot of time.

I certainly wouldnt think of going Cork to the Scillies - the Scillies arent the ideal place to arrive single handed late in the day for the first time. And that trip is 130nm. Milford to Lundy is 33nm as is Lundy to Padstow. 30/40nm is a decent distance single handed, far enough to make progress, but not so long as to make into an endurance.

The bit that would worry me is the east coast. Stretches there of 60 miles with nowhere to stop.

Dover to harwich isnt bad once you get used to having just a few meters under you. Mind the traffic into Harwich /Felixstowe

To be pedantic, doing the east coast of the island of ireland means you wont have circumnavigated the UK.

 

[dylanwinter]

The bit that would worry me is the east coast. Stretches there of 60 miles with nowhere to stop.

really?

 

[Minchsailor]

The long bit is crossing the Bristol Channel. I have done Scilies - Kinsale and vv. about 30+ hours single handed (Nicholson 32). In 2013 in did Plymouth - Skye, stopping at Fowey - Helford - Wicklow - Howth, then easy sails. Helford - Wicklow was 48 hours (fullly crewed).

I have heard Newlyn is not that bad, but a long way of the direct route. I cannot comment on the N Devon ports (ain't been there), but my preference would be to go to the Scilies rather then N Devon.

Currently overwintering at Kilmelford; planning on heading N about the 23rd April. Will you be in the area about then?

 

[ancient mariner]

Good for you - go for it while you still can! I went round myself singlehanded last summer in four months and enjoyed (almost) every minute of the whole trip. Thinking of doing the same again this year, although going the other way about (clockwise this time).
Not sure if you are fin keel and/or deep draft, but depending on type of boat you have, will obviously dictate availability of more harbours and bolt-holes for craft that can take the ground. Newlyn can often be a bit of a scrum at times, as there are very few berths set aside for yachts on the end of the inner harbour pontoon, but it can be a useful stopover to run into after rounding Land's End, and before taking on the Lizard. Wishing you every success in your forthcoming voyage.... the sense of achievement that comes with completing such an adventure, I think becomes all the more relevant when you consider that it is just you and your little boat that have done it.

 

[Birdseye]

really?

Allegedly so Dylan. I was sitting on the throne this morning reading an old copy of PBO ( as you do) when I came across an article about an ex bootneck in a 17 ft boat who had done just this trip. His comment, and I quote, was "from Scarborough to Grimsby is nearly 60 miles and there is nowhere to run between the two.. You dont leave if you dont think you are going to make it to the next place"

I dont reckon that an ex bootneck sailing a 17 footer round the UK is likely to be timid.

I reckon 30 - 40 miles per day is a sensible average for a long single hand like the one proposed. What do you think?

P.S. For the benefit of the OP the PBO concerned is summer 2012 no 550. Reasonable practical detail about the trip.

 

[JumbleDuck]

As usual, you get the full spectrum of advice here from see as much as possible, to miss N Scotland ...

I think he might find that a little challenging.

 

[dylanwinter]

Allegedly so Dylan. I was sitting on the throne this morning reading an old copy of PBO ( as you do) when I came across an article about an ex bootneck in a 17 ft boat who had done just this trip. His comment, and I quote, was "from Scarborough to Grimsby is nearly 60 miles and there is nowhere to run between the two.. You dont leave if you dont think you are going to make it to the next place"

I dont reckon that an ex bootneck sailing a 17 footer round the UK is likely to be timid.

I reckon 30 - 40 miles per day is a sensible average for a long single hand like the one proposed. What do you think?

P.S. For the benefit of the OP the PBO concerned is summer 2012 no 550. Reasonable practical detail about the trip.

Bridlington - pontoons and lovely deep mud

Tetney Harbour is pretty good if you can take the ground

D

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/sa...rningleft-season-6-part-5-leaving-the-humber/

 

[Robert Wilson]

Keep it all coming.

Many thanks for all the above. I probably can't reply individually to all posts, but I'll do my best.
Slightly encouraging "about the East Coast". I used to live in Darlington and know a fair bit about the watery bits, (never know enough!). Khamsin is fin 'n' skeg, draws 1.5 metres. Could she take the mud on a pontoon in Brid?

Time to get out and do some "boat-work" !!

 

[dylanwinter]

Keep it all coming.

Many thanks for all the above. I probably can't reply individually to all posts, but I'll do my best.
Slightly encouraging "about the East Coast". I used to live in Darlington and know a fair bit about the watery bits, (never know enough!). Khamsin is fin 'n' skeg, draws 1.5 metres. Could she take the mud on a pontoon in Brid?

Time to get out and do some "boat-work" !!

http://www.visitmyharbour.com/harbours/north-east-england/bridlington/

they keep keel yachts on the pontoons

there was a bloke in a folkboat beside us on the pontoon

she just settled into the mud

I do feel sorry for you depth challenged wallahs

 

[oldvarnish]

:encouragement:

Deciding to go without paper charts is something you should think over very carefully, and reach your own decision. Do not be persuaded by anybody one way or the other.
Do what you think is right, having carefully thought it through.

 

[Minchsailor]

I like charts for passage planning, to get the overall view; I find it is impossible to do that on a plotter. Get some secondhand ones, it is not necessary to have the most up to date - all the important stuff inshore will be in Reeds or on the plotter.

This is an excellent source - http://www.chartsales.co.uk

Remember that N of North Foreland there are windfarms popping up all over the place in the Thames Estuary, round East Anglia and points further N. They may not yet be fully charted.

 

[Vegable]

For west coast sailors the real scary bit is once you turn north past South Foreland. I don't know how far up the east coast shallow water goes, I turned left and went up the Thames, but from sailing in 20 metres plus on the west coast you find yourself sailing in 1.0 metres plus (below the keel) and that is very scary till you get used to it. For me, the Sound of Jura and the waters of the Minches are far worse than the S.W. corner of the UK.
Sod charts, all you need is porridge for breakfast and haggis for tea washed down with a drop of John Barleycorn and you'll "mak it whistle".
Mike

 

[ronmarson]

Re Newlyn: I was there 2013 and found it very welcoming, the facilities are a little basic but it was a great place to rest before the push across to Kinsale. Word is there is a new HM and the place is being up graded.
Re charts: It is nice to sit of an evening perusing the paper stuff and planning the bolt holes for the next day, it is good to get it set in your mind for when things go a little ****ty.
Re distance / day: I planned 20 miles a day or less (sometimes I had no option but to do a little more) and I still missed out so many pubs and fish and chip shops that I am going back to do the bits I missed last time.
RE the Ireland to UK bit: You may find a willing Irish crew member or two for the price of the flight back home. Then Newlyn is a good target port.
Capt. RoN.
PS. Don't rush it. This may be the only time you pass this way. Enjoy.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Re Newlyn: I was there 2013 and found it very welcoming, the facilities are a little basic but it was a great place to rest before the push across to Kinsale. Word is there is a new HM and the place is being up graded.
Re charts: It is nice to sit of an evening perusing the paper stuff and planning the bolt holes for the next day, it is good to get it set in your mind for when things go a little ****ty.
Re distance / day: I planned 20 miles a day or less (sometimes I had no option but to do a little more) and I still missed out so many pubs and fish and chip shops that I am going back to do the bits I missed last time.
RE the Ireland to UK bit: You may find a willing Irish crew member or two for the price of the flight back home. Then Newlyn is a good target port.
Capt. RoN.
PS. Don't rush it. This may be the only time you pass this way. Enjoy.

All good thoughts and advice.
As others have said similarly, charts, even if old/out of date, are good to have for such times. I'll no doubt end up with a box load!

Thanx

R

 

[Robert Wilson]

The long bit is crossing the Bristol Channel. I have done Scilies - Kinsale and vv. about 30+ hours single handed (Nicholson 32). In 2013 in did Plymouth - Skye, stopping at Fowey - Helford - Wicklow - Howth, then easy sails. Helford - Wicklow was 48 hours (fullly crewed).

I have heard Newlyn is not that bad, but a long way of the direct route. I cannot comment on the N Devon ports (ain't been there), but my preference would be to go to the Scilies rather then N Devon.

Currently overwintering at Kilmelford; planning on heading N about the 23rd April. Will you be in the area about then?

I'll be south of Kilmelford by then, I hope. Did you know my sister and BiL (Snaiths) Bullion, Westerly Corsair?

Just heard that my insurers won't cover me for night sailing. Bummer. So that rules out anything much over 14 - 16 hours.

 

[Phil the Cowman]

Timid ex bootneck

Allegedly so Dylan. I was sitting on the throne this morning reading an old copy of PBO ( as you do) when I came across an article about an ex bootneck in a 17 ft boat who had done just this trip. His comment, and I quote, was "from Scarborough to Grimsby is nearly 60 miles and there is nowhere to run between the two.. You dont leave if you dont think you are going to make it to the next place"

I dont reckon that an ex bootneck sailing a 17 footer round the UK is likely to be timid.

I reckon 30 - 40 miles per day is a sensible average for a long single hand like the one proposed. What do you think?

P.S. For the benefit of the OP the PBO concerned is summer 2012 no 550. Reasonable practical detail about the trip.

Possibly not timid, but very conscious of being accused of being foolhardy so determined to do an " under the radar " trip till successful completion! The 17 footer in question actually draws nearly 4 feet, with a very narrow fin/bulb keel which rather discounts taking the ground - but does make her more capable at sea.
Dylan Winter does a different kind of sailing to me; emphasising that it takes all sorts - vive la difference!
My only advice for the OP is to go for it; and not get too worried about the minutae of expensive electronics etc;used handheld gps plus paper charts plus reeds ( no depth sounder ) dedicated pilot books seem to dwell too much on the scary bits! And , most important; the people you meet are far more important/memorable than any pretty piece of coastline.
Feel free to PM me if you want

 

[Daydream believer]

East coast south of lowestoft is a doddle the hard bits are on the east coast further north
esp Grimsby to lowestoft ( lobster pots every where) plus a dirty great windfarm in the way
I have done it twice S H & each time had 6 legs over 100 miles but i did do the channel islands on the way so Falmouth from St PP is a longer leg- but fun with a fair bit of shipping to watch for
I was stopped from entering Bridlington & Scarborough due to lack of vistors berths so went Inverness, peterhead Eyemouth, Blyth, grimsby lowestoft

Night sailing is no problem if you are prepared & have sea room

As for shipping & navigation I found the Humber hard work at night esp the second trip when i had AIS & the Humber VTS called me up & made me divert to the correct crossing route which added to the distance. But at least they told a following ship of my presence in the river

You will enjoy it. I am thinking of doing it again- takes 12 weeks via Cally canal & Channel Islands- 24 stops

 

[Daydream believer]

Just heard that my insurers won't cover me for night sailing. Bummer. So that rules out anything much over 14 - 16 hours.

I am with GJW & have unrestricted any length night or day SH sailing from the Elbe to la Rochelle- might be worth a try

 

[EdWingfield]

No night sailing is no good Robert. What about unforeseen circumstances extending the day? What about the early start or late finish to use those favourable tides?

I'm with skipper daydream believer on this one. Ask insurer if an agreeable premium will fix it, or find another insurer and get your refund.

 

[Minchsailor]

Did you know my sister and BiL (Snaiths) Bullion, Westerly Corsair?

I know the boat. I probably know the owners by sight as I have kept my boat there for the last dozen years, on and off, but can't place them. One of the three Rustler 36s in the yard - Talwyn.