Circumnavigation of Britain & Ireland : 2021 to 2024

[Bristolfashion]

We have just finished our circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland. I thought I’d publish the itinerary with dates and distances here for anyone that is either contemplating a similar trip or just likes trip reports!

The boat was a 1982 Sadler 29 with bilge keels. We carried out a reasonably thorough overhaul and check over during Covid. Bahari has been repowered with a Volvo Penta D1-20. Pretty standard equipment; AIS, Navionics on 5 devices, small Garmin chartplotter, backup GPS, EPIRB, PLBs, electronic flare, fixed & handheld VHF DSC radios, complete UK charts electronically on 2 devices, every almanac and pilot guide known to man, Manson supreme anchor on 30m 7mm chain plus 50m 12mm octoplait, backup/kedge anchor, small, hard rowing tender. Antares charts for W. Scotland, radar etc. Predictwind, Windy & Met Office for forecasts, Anchor alarm on phone (back up on chartplotter). Imray app and printed copies for tides & tidal streams.

Crew of 2, both reasonably experienced and with Yachtmaster theory & Coastal Skipper practical.

We undertook the trip over four seasons - 2021, 22, 23 and 24, leaving the boat in North Shields, Ardfern and Cardiff in subsequent seasons. We elected to go anticlockwise around the UK simply because we predicted that, as the country unlocked after Covid, the SW would be heaving! We took the advice of the excellent Irish Cruising Guides that an anticlockwise voyage around the island would tend towards sailing in the sunshine and drinking in the pub in the rain, whilst clockwise would lead to the less attractive opposite.

The third year was a bit of a weird trip plan as, due to the requirements of visitors, we went from the West of Scotland down to Dublin, then back up to the Clyde, around Ireland anticlockwise and back up to Dublin to finish the circumnavigation. Once we got to the South coast in season 4, we were on the home straight, which may explain the relaxed progress.

However you do the trip, it really is a once in a lifetime experience. We have learnt so much about our country, ourselves and sailing.

I’ll publish each season as a separate post with locations, dates and distances. If anyone has any questions about any aspect, I’ll do my best to respond.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Season 1 : Southampton to North Shields

First voyage : 5/5/21
Last voyage : 4/10/21
Left Bahari ; 21/10/21
Nautical miles this year : 881.5
Overnight : Pontoon : 33, Harbour Wall : 1, Mooring : 5, Anchor : 5. Total : 44
Daytime stop : Pontoon : 0, Harbour Wall : 0, Mooring : 1, Anchor : 1. Total :2
Total Locations visited this year : 46

England

Southampton Ocean Village. Start.
Hamble River, Port Hamble Marina. 5/5/21. 6.5nm
Chichester Harbour, Sparkes Marina. 7/5/21. 20.0nm
Chichester Harbour, Emsworth Marina. 9/5/21. 4.1nm
Chichester Harbour, Northney Marina. 12/5/21. 2.2nm
Littlehampton harbour pontoon. 26/5/21. 25.6nm
Shoreham Marina. 28/5/21. 13.7nm
Newhaven Marina 2/6/21. 14.4nm
Rye harbour wall in town. 3/6/21. 36.8nm
Dover Marina. 8/6/21. 32.5nm
Ramsgate Marina. 11/6/21. 15nm
South Deep anchorage, The Swale. 14/6/21. 33nm
Conyer Marina, The Swale. 15/6/21. 1.8nm
The Shade anchorage, Stangate Creek. 19/6/21. 14nm
Chatham Marina. 20/6/21. 10.0nm
Queensborough, Isle of Sheppey. Mooring. 25/6/21. 10.0nm
St Katherine’s Dock, London. 28/6/21. 42nm
Queensborough, Isle of Sheppey. Mooring. 5/7/21. 44.5nm
Burnham on Crouch marina. 7/7/21. 39.2nm
Day Sail. River Crouch. 11.0nm
Brightlingsea pontoons. 11/7/21. 23.7nm
Brightlingsea Scrubbing posts. 12/7/21
Brightlingsea pontoons. 14/7/21
Maldon public pontoon. 15/7/21. 17.7
Blackwater, Bradwell Marina (via the Thames Barge Race). 17/7/21. 26.1nm
Tollesbury Marina. 23/7/21. 5.6nm
Harwich mooring. 26/7/21. 32.2nm
Walton Backwaters, Titchmarsh Marina. 27/8/21. 7.5nm
River Orwell, mooring in Long Reach. 29/7/21. 10.1nm
Ipswich, Neptune Marina. 31/7/21. 6.5nm
River Orwell, Woolverstone Marina. 2/8/21. 3.3nm
Shotley Marina. 5/8/21. 20.0nm
Woodbridge Marina. 10/8/21. 17.0nm
River Deben, mooring at Waldringfield. 13/8/21. 4.0nm
Felixstowe Ferry mooring (to wait for tide), then River Ore mooring, Orford. 14/8/21. 17.5nm
River Alde, Old Brick Dock Jetty anchorage. 17/8/21. 6.2nm
River Alde, Iken Cliffs anchorage. 19/8/21. 3.5nm
River Alde, Abraham’s Bosom. 20/8/21. 10.0nm
Lowestoft, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft Cruising Club pontoon. 21/8/21. 40.0nm
Lowestoft, Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club marina. 4/9/21. 1.5nm
Wells-next-the-sea pontoons. 6/9/21. 58.4nm
Grimsby, Humber Cruising Association marina. 8/9/21. 52.3nm
Bridlington pontoon. 10/9/21. 50.1nm
Day anchorage, Filey Bay then Scarborough harbour pontoon. 11/9/21. 22.0nm
Whitby Marina. 17/9/21. 18.0nm
Hartlepool Marina. 25/9/21. 25.0nm
North Shields Marina. 4/10/21. 27.0nm

 

[FairweatherDave]

Excellent, will look forward to it all. You don't mention a life raft and can imagine you didn't carry one? We don't but crossing the channel I believe it is a requirement. And it sounds like you towed your hard tender, or do you have davits?

 

[Bristolfashion]

Season 2 : North Shields to Ardfern

Arrived on Bahari : 6/4/22
First voyage : 28/4/22
Last voyage : 29/9/22
Left Bahari ; 14/10/22
Nautical miles this year : 1241.3
Nautical miles in total : 2122.8
Overnight : Pontoon : 28, Harbour Wall : 3, Mooring : 9, Anchor : 23. Total : 63
Daytime stop : Pontoon : 0, Harbour Wall : 0, Mooring : 2, Anchor : 1. Total :3
Total Locations visited this year : 66
Total locations visited : 112

England

North Shields Marina. Start
Blyth marina. 28/4/22. 10.8nm
Farne Islands, Kettle anchorage. 29/4/22. 32.0nm
Holy Island anchorage. 30/4/22. 6.9nm
Berwick on Tweed harbour pontoon. 1/5/22. 14.0nm

Scotland

Eyemouth harbour pontoon. 3/5/22. 10.0nm
St Abbs harbour wall. 5/5/22. 3.7nm
Anstruther marina. 7/5/22. 33.5nm
Tayport marina. 14/5/22. 35.0nm
Arbroath harbour pontoon. 19/5/22. 17.6nm
Stonehaven harbour wall. 20/5/22. 31.0nm
Peterhead marina. 21/5/22. 37.0nm
Wick harbour pontoon. 31/5/22. 74.4nm
Orkney, Burray moorings. 5/6/22. 30.2nm
Orkney, Mainland, Scapa Bay mooring. 8/6/22. 9.2nm
Stromness Marina. 9/6/22. 13.0nm
Shapinsay, Elwick Bay mooring. 15/6/22. 33.5nm
Kirkwall marina. 16/6/22. 3.5nm
Pierowall marina. 23/6/22. 21.5nm
Shetland Mainland, Bigton Wick anchorage. 27/6/22. 70.4
Shetland, E/W Burra, Bridgend Marina. 30/6/22. 7.2nm
Scalloway pontoon. 2/7/22. 10.4nm
Shetland, Twatt, Effrith Voe anchorage. 9/7/22. 10.0nm
Skeld marina. 10/7/22. 9.6nm
Bridgend Marina. 15/7/22. 13.8nm
Orkney, Papa Westray anchorage. 21/7/22. 67.8nm
Mainland Scotland. Kinlochbervie pontoon. 23/7/22. 106.0nm
Handa Island anchorage. 26/7/22. 5.0nm
Mainland Scotland. Badcall Bay anchorage. 27/7/22. 6.0nm
Loch Roe anchorage. 28/7/22. 18.0nm
Lewis & Harris, Stornoway harbour pontoon. 29/7/22. 37.4nm
Lewis. Loch Mharabhig, Witches Pool anchorage. 4/8/22. 8.1nm
Scalpay pontoon. 5/8/22. 22.5nm
Harris. Tarbet pontoons. 9/8/22. 3.0nm
South Harris, Rodel anchorage. 12/8/22. 15.9nm
North Uist. Loch Maddy pontoons. 14/8/22. 11.9nm
Skye. Dunvegan mooring. 21/8/22. 22.3nm
Skye. Stein mooring. 25/8/22. 10.0nm
Skye. Loch Greshornish, Edinbane anchorage. 26/8/22. 19.8nm
Ascrib Islands anchorage. 27/8/22. 12.0nm
Rona moorings. 28/8/22. 28.3nm
Raasay anchorage. 29/8/22. 5.7nm
Skye. Portree mooring. 30/8/22. 7.5nm
Skye. Anchorage at the head of Loch Sligachan. 31/8/22. 11.8nm
Raasay. Churchton Bay mooring for lunch then Crowlin Island anchorage1/9/22. 20.0nm
Scottish mainland. Poll Creadha. 2/9/22. 4.7nm
Loch Gairloch pontoon. 4/9/22. 24.0nm
Kyle of Lochalsh pontoon. 6/9/22. 32.9nm
Sandaig Island anchorage. 7/9/22. 9.9nm
N.E of Eilean Rarsaidh anchorage. 8/9/22. 20.2nm
Knoydart Peninsula, Loch Nevis, Inverie anchorage. 9/9/22. 12.8nm
Island of Eigg, harbour wall. 10/8/22. 19.3nm
Island of Rhum mooring. 13/9/22. 11.3nm
Ardnamurchan, Kilchoan pontoon. 14/9/22. 26.1nm
Loch Sunart, Salen mooring, then pontoon. 13/9/22. 13.4nm
Loch Sunart, Strontian mooring. 17/9/22. 9.1nm
Loch Teacuis, Goat Island anchorage. 18/9/22. 13.4nm
North Oronsay anchorage for lunch then Loch Drumbuie anchorage. 19/9/22. 4.6nm
Isle of Mull, Tobermory Marina. 20/9/22. 5.4nm
Loch Aline pontoon. 22/9/22. 12.5nm
Isle of Mull, Loch Don anchorage. 24/9/22. 9.9nm
Kerrera Marina. 24/9/22. 7.2nm
Between Isle of Torsa and Isle of Luing, Ardinamir anchorage. 28/9/22. 14.6nm
Ardfern Marina. 29/9/22. 12.8nm. End of season.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Excellent, will look forward to it all. You don't mention a life raft and can imagine you didn't carry one? We don't but crossing the channel I believe it is a requirement. And it sounds like you towed your hard tender, or do you have davits?

Hi, we didn't carry a life raft. The Sadler 29 is supposed to be unsinkable.......!

For the first 2 seasons we had an inflatable that fitted under the cockpit sole when deflated.

We then replaced the tender with a small (and bright red) hard tender which fitted inverted on the foredeck over the hatch. This has the advantage of being able to open the hatch for ventilation when it is raining and lift the front of it on a halyard to make an air scoop should it get really hot.

We didn't have an outboard of any type & relied on rowing. The hard tender rowed well and was a pleasure to scoot around on in the evening.

We very rarely tow the tender - although the eye on the hard tender is very good for towing - only short distances in very calm water. We feel it's safer to pop it on deck.

 

[FairweatherDave]

I should have added congratulations, it is the style we would probably do it. I'm interested in how you maintained the boat off season

 

[Bristolfashion]

Excellent, will look forward to it all. You don't mention a life raft and can imagine you didn't carry one? We don't but crossing the channel I believe it is a requirement. And it sounds like you towed your hard tender, or do you have davits?

You can see the hard tender in this pic,

 

[Bristolfashion]

I should have added congratulations, it is the style we would probably do it. I'm interested in how you maintained the boat off season

I strongly believe that we each set our own challenges and targets - we had an approach to go to lots of places and explore a bit, but every approach is equally valid.

I still can't really believe that we made it to Shetland!

Some of the less frequently visited places are really rather special and, as Bristolians, the trip up to the city, into the gorge and through the floating harbour was fantastic.

We basically stayed on the boat at the end of the season to do any routine maintenance and winterizing. It was in water (pontoon, mooring, pontoon) over the winter and then we turned up.at the start of the season to lift, antifoul, do any other tasks and then splash.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Season 3 : Ardfern to Cardiff

Arrived on Bahari : 21/4/23
First voyage : 6/5/23
Last voyage : 9/10/23
Left Bahari ; 31/10/23
Nautical miles : 1898.1
Nautical miles in total : 4020.9
Overnight : Pontoon : 39, Harbour Wall : 4, Mooring : 23, Anchor : 11. Total : 77
Daytime stop : Pontoon : 0, Harbour Wall : 0, Mooring : 2, Anchor : 1. Total : 3
Total Locations visited this year : 80
Total Locations visited : 192

Scotland

Isle of Jura, Craighouse mooring. 6/5/23. 26.5nm
Isle of Jura, Loch Tarbet anchorage, 7/5/23. 2.6nm
Colonsay moorings. 8/5/23. 11.1nm
Isle of Jura, Loch Tarbet anchorage. 10/5/23. 12.2nm
Ardmore Islands, Plod Sgeirean anchorage. 11/5/23. 25.0nm
Islay, Port Ellen Marina. 12/5/23. 8.3nm
Campeltown anchorage.14/5/23. 48.0nm
Isle of Arran, Lamlash moorings. 15/5/23. 30.3nm
Isle of Arran, Brodick moorings. 16/5/23. 7.5nm
Isle of Bute, Rothesay outer harbour pontoon. 17/5/23. 20.9nm
Isle of Bute, Port Bannatyne Marina. 19/5/23. 3.5nm
Kyles of Bute, Colintraive Hotel moorings. 20/5/23. 5.4nm
Entrance to Loch Ruel, An Caladh anchorage 21/5/23. 1.6nm
Campbeltown Marina. 22/5/23. 36.2nm

Northern Ireland

Carrickfergus Marina. 24/5/23. 51.4nm
Bangor Marina. 26/5/23. 6.1nm
Strangford Narrows, Portaferry Marina. 28/5/23. 34.4nm
Strangford Lough, Quoile Yacht Club pontoon. 30/5/23. 6.0nm
Strangford Lough, Ballydoon, Doon Cruising Club. 31/5/23. 9.3nm
Strangford Lough, Ballyhenry Bay mooring, then Ardglass marina. 1/6/23. 20.8

Republic of Ireland

Carlingford Lough, Carlingford Marina. 2/6/23. 29.4nm

Northern Ireland

Newry, Albert Basin. 4/6/23. 9.3nm

Republic of Ireland

Carlingford Lough, Carlingford Marina. 6/6/23. 9.3nm
Howth Marina. 7/76/23. 44.4nm

Northern Ireland

Ardglass Marina. 10/6/23. 60.0nm

Isle of Man

Peel Harbour pontoon. 12/6/23. 34.7nm

Scotland

Mull of Galloway, Port Logan Bay anchorage. 16/6/23. 33.9nm
Portpatrick harbour wall. 17/6/23. 9.7nm
Isle of Arran, Lamlash moorings. 19/6/23. 45nm
Isle of Arran, Brodick moorings. 21/6/23. 6.8nm
Ardrossan Marina. 22/6/23. 14.0nm
Isle of Arran, Brodick moorings. 26/6/23. 14.0nm
Isle of Bute, Rothesay inner harbour pontoon. 27/6/23. 19.6nm
Kyles of Bute, Colintraive Hotel mooring. 28/6/23. 6.8nm
Tarbert Marina. 29/6/23. 17.5nm
Crinan Canal via Ardrishaig. 30/6. 9.5nm
Crinan Canal, 15nm up and back.
Tarbert Marina. 4/7/23. 9.5nm
Isle of Arran, Brodick moorings. 11/7/23. 22.3nm
Campbeltown Marina. 12/7/23. 32.8nm

Northern Ireland

Rathlin Island Marina. 14/7/23. 38.3nm
Ballycastle Harbour pontoon. 17/7/23. 5.9nm
Portrush pontoon. 18/7/23. 18nm.

Republic of Ireland

Culdaff Bay anchorage. 21/7/23. 18.8nm
Sheep Haven mooring. 22/7/23. 35nm
Arranmore Island, Rosillion Bay. 23/7/23. 38.5nm
Teelin Bay mooring. 24/7/23. 30.4nm
Killybegs Marina. 25/7/23. 10nm
Teelin Bay mooring. 3/8/23. 9.3nm
Broadhaven mooring. 4/8/23. 53.2nm
Blacksod Bay mooring. 5/8/23. 28.9nm
Inishbofin Island mooring. 6/8/23. 38.8nm
Bunowen Bay anchorage. 8/8/23. 21.5nm
Galway Bay, Aran Islands, Inishmor. 9/8/23. 27.3nm
Fenit Marina. 13/8/23. 58.4nm
Dingle Marina. 16/8/23. 43.2nm
Derrynane Mooring. 23/8/23. 33nm
Crookhaven mooring. 24/8/23. 33.7nm
Sherkin Island anchorage. 25/8/23. 14nm
Glandore mooring. 26/8/23. 15.4nm
Oysterhaven anchorage. 27/9/23. 33nm
Youghal mooring. 28/8/23. 31.1nm
Dungarvan pontoon. 29/8/23. 20.7nm
Kilmore Quays Marina. 31/8/23. 40.8nm
Courtown mooring. 6/9/23. 42.2nm
Greystones Marina. 7/9/23. 34.2nm
Ireland’s Eye anchorage. 8/9/23. 15.8nm

That completes the circumnavigation of the Ireland.

Dun Laoghaire Marina. 9/9/23. 8.2nm
Greystones Marina. 12/9/23. 10.8nm
Arklow river pontoon. 14/9/23. 24.3nm
Kilmore Quays Marina. 17/9/23. 53.4nm

Wales

Dale mid haven pontoon. 21/9/23. 66.9nm
Milford Haven Marina. 22/9/23. 5.4nm
Tenby Harbour wall. 1/10/23. 30.0nm
Swansea Marina. 2/10/23. 35nm
Porthcawl Marina. 8/10/23. 15nm
Cardiff Bay, Mermaid Quay. 8/10/23. 27.6nm
Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Marina. 9/10/23. 1.5nm

 

[dunedin]

Season 2 : North Shields to Ardfern

Arrived on Bahari : 6/4/22
First voyage : 28/4/22
Last voyage : 29/9/22
Left Bahari ; 14/10/22
Nautical miles this year : 1241.3
Nautical miles in total : 2122.8
Overnight : Pontoon : 28, Harbour Wall : 3, Mooring : 9, Anchor : 23. Total : 63
Daytime stop : Pontoon : 0, Harbour Wall : 0, Mooring : 2, Anchor : 1. Total :3
Total Locations visited this year : 66
Total locations visited : 112

England

North Shields Marina. Start
Blyth marina. 28/4/22. 10.8nm
Farne Islands, Kettle anchorage. 29/4/22. 32.0nm
Holy Island anchorage. 30/4/22. 6.9nm
Berwick on Tweed harbour pontoon. 1/5/22. 14.0nm

Scotland

Eyemouth harbour pontoon. 3/5/22. 10.0nm
St Abbs harbour wall. 5/5/22. 3.7nm
Anstruther marina. 7/5/22. 33.5nm
Tayport marina. 14/5/22. 35.0nm
Arbroath harbour pontoon. 19/5/22. 17.6nm
Stonehaven harbour wall. 20/5/22. 31.0nm
Peterhead marina. 21/5/22. 37.0nm
Wick harbour pontoon. 31/5/22. 74.4nm
Orkney, Burray moorings. 5/6/22. 30.2nm
Orkney, Mainland, Scapa Bay mooring. 8/6/22. 9.2nm
Stromness Marina. 9/6/22. 13.0nm
Shapinsay, Elwick Bay mooring. 15/6/22. 33.5nm
Kirkwall marina. 16/6/22. 3.5nm
Pierowall marina. 23/6/22. 21.5nm
Shetland Mainland, Bigton Wick anchorage. 27/6/22. 70.4
Shetland, E/W Burra, Bridgend Marina. 30/6/22. 7.2nm
Scalloway pontoon. 2/7/22. 10.4nm
Shetland, Twatt, Effrith Voe anchorage. 9/7/22. 10.0nm
Skeld marina. 10/7/22. 9.6nm
Bridgend Marina. 15/7/22. 13.8nm
Orkney, Papa Westray anchorage. 21/7/22. 67.8nm
Mainland Scotland. Kinlochbervie pontoon. 23/7/22. 106.0nm
Handa Island anchorage. 26/7/22. 5.0nm
Mainland Scotland. Badcall Bay anchorage. 27/7/22. 6.0nm
Loch Roe anchorage. 28/7/22. 18.0nm
Lewis & Harris, Stornoway harbour pontoon. 29/7/22. 37.4nm
Lewis. Loch Mharabhig, Witches Pool anchorage. 4/8/22. 8.1nm
Scalpay pontoon. 5/8/22. 22.5nm
Harris. Tarbet pontoons. 9/8/22. 3.0nm
South Harris, Rodel anchorage. 12/8/22. 15.9nm
North Uist. Loch Maddy pontoons. 14/8/22. 11.9nm
Skye. Dunvegan mooring. 21/8/22. 22.3nm
Skye. Stein mooring. 25/8/22. 10.0nm
Skye. Loch Greshornish, Edinbane anchorage. 26/8/22. 19.8nm
Ascrib Islands anchorage. 27/8/22. 12.0nm
Rona moorings. 28/8/22. 28.3nm
Raasay anchorage. 29/8/22. 5.7nm
Skye. Portree mooring. 30/8/22. 7.5nm
Skye. Anchorage at the head of Loch Sligachan. 31/8/22. 11.8nm
Raasay. Churchton Bay mooring for lunch then Crowlin Island anchorage1/9/22. 20.0nm
Scottish mainland. Poll Creadha. 2/9/22. 4.7nm
Loch Gairloch pontoon. 4/9/22. 24.0nm
Kyle of Lochalsh pontoon. 6/9/22. 32.9nm
Sandaig Island anchorage. 7/9/22. 9.9nm
N.E of Eilean Rarsaidh anchorage. 8/9/22. 20.2nm
Knoydart Peninsula, Loch Nevis, Inverie anchorage. 9/9/22. 12.8nm
Island of Eigg, harbour wall. 10/8/22. 19.3nm
Island of Rhum mooring. 13/9/22. 11.3nm
Ardnamurchan, Kilchoan pontoon. 14/9/22. 26.1nm
Loch Sunart, Salen mooring, then pontoon. 13/9/22. 13.4nm
Loch Sunart, Strontian mooring. 17/9/22. 9.1nm
Loch Teacuis, Goat Island anchorage. 18/9/22. 13.4nm
North Oronsay anchorage for lunch then Loch Drumbuie anchorage. 19/9/22. 4.6nm
Isle of Mull, Tobermory Marina. 20/9/22. 5.4nm
Loch Aline pontoon. 22/9/22. 12.5nm
Isle of Mull, Loch Don anchorage. 24/9/22. 9.9nm
Kerrera Marina. 24/9/22. 7.2nm
Between Isle of Torsa and Isle of Luing, Ardinamir anchorage. 28/9/22. 14.6nm
Ardfern Marina. 29/9/22. 12.8nm. End of season.

Amazing. Very comprehensive. You didn’t miss many places, and indeed visited places many/most locals haven’t

 

[Bristolfashion]

Season 4 : Cardiff to Southampton

Arrived on Bahari : 18/3/23
First voyage : 30/3/23
Last voyage : 29/8/24
Left Bahari ; 30/8/23
Nautical miles : 657.2
Total nautical miles : 4678.1
Overnight : Pontoon : 17, Harbour Wall : 4, Mooring : 10, Anchor : 10, Total : 41
Daytime stop : Pontoon : 0, Harbour Wall : 0, Mooring : 2, Anchor : 8. Total : 10
Total Locations visited this year : 51
Total Locations visited : 243

England

Portishead Marina. 30/3/24. 20.1nm
Bristol floating harbour visitors pontoon. 2/4/24. 8.6nm
Portishead Marina. 20/4/24. 9.3nm

Wales

Cardiff Bay, Mermaid Quay. 4/5/24. 20.2nm

England

Porlock anchorage for lunch then Ilfracombe outer harbour drying moorings. 5/5/24. 24.9nm
Ilfracombe anchorage to wait the tide, then Bideford harbour wall. 7/5/24. 21nm
Instow drying beach anchorage then Clovelly harbour wall. 8/5/24. 12.5nm
Lundy Island E. anchorage. 10/5/24. 15.8nm
Padstow harbour wall. 11/5/24. 44.7nm
St Ives open roadstead anchorage. 16/5/24. 33.8nm

The Isles of Scilly

St Marys, Porthcressa anchorage. 17/5/24. 44.8nm
St Agnes & Gugh, The Cove anchorage. 20/5/24. 2.3nm
Bryher, Green Bay drying anchorage. 22/5/24. 5.6nm
Tresco, New Grimsby moorings. 24/5/24. 0.6nm
Bryher, Green Bay drying anchorage. 26/5/24. 0.6nm

England, South Coast

Newlyn harbour pontoon. 29/5/24. 38.4nm
St Michaels Mount anchorage. 2/6/24. 2.8nm
Gillan Creek drying anchorage. 3/6/24. 4.3nm
Helston Creek, Helford moorings. 5/6/24. 4.3nm
Gweek boatyard drying pontoon. 6/6/24. 4.3
Fal River, Malpas pontoon. 7/6/24. 15.5
Fal River, Channel Creek anchorage, then Falmouth Haven Marina. 19/6/24. 8.8nm
Mevagissey harbour moorings. 22/6/24. 17.4
Fowey River, Golant moorings. 24/6/24. 9.6nm
Fowey River, Mixtow pontoon. 27/6/24. 1.3nm
Polperro outer harbour moorings. 29/6/24. 7.0nm
Plymouth Sound, Queen Annes Battery Marina. 30/6/24. 17.5nm
St Germans River, Dandy Hole anchorage. 9/7/24. 7.9nm
Tamar river anchorage, then Cothele Quay anchorage. 10/7/24. 18.3nm
Anchorage N. of Tamar Bridge, then Yealm River, Newton Ferrars pontoon. 11/7/24. 19.0nm
River Avon, Burgh Island anchorage then Bantham Village moorings. 17/7/24. 11.5nm
Salcombe mooring. 19/7/24. 10.5nm
Kingsbridge pontoon. 22/7/24. 2.9nm
Dartmouth pontoon. 24/7/24. 8.0nm
Totnes, Baltic Wharf pontoon. 27/7/24. 8.0nm
Torquay Marina. 30/7/24. 20.0nm
Day sail to Brixham, Fishcombe Cove anchorage & back to Torquay. 2/8/24. 7.0nm
Teignmouth, mid river pontoon. 5/8/24. 9.6nm
Exeter Canal, mooring outside to wait, then Turf Lock visitors pontoon. 9/8/24. 12.4nm
Lyme Regis visitors moorings with a quick nip onto the pontoon. 16/8/22. 26.5nm
Weymouth Boatfolk Marina. 17/8/24. 32.2nm
Studland Bay moorings. 26/8/24. 30.3nm
Isle of Wight, Newtown Creek moorings. 27/8/24. 22.1nm
Southampton Ocean Village. 29/8/24. 15.0nm Finish

Circumnavigation of Britain completed.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Amazing. Very comprehensive. You didn’t miss many places, and indeed visited places many/most locals haven’t

We see something slightly unusual like the Newry Canal and think ..... mmmm, is that possible?

The shallow draft, bilge keels and not worrying too much about the gelcoat did help in a few places

 

[Bristolfashion]

We both thought we'd want a good length of time not sailing after this, but we're rather missing it already - we'll go out for a pootle next week and catch a few of the local places we've missed - we've been to Shetland from Southampton, but not Yarmouth, Beaulieu river or Lymington!

 

[dunedin]

Season 3 : Ardfern to Cardiff

Arrived on Bahari : 21/4/23
First voyage : 6/5/23
Last voyage : 9/10/23
Left Bahari ; 31/10/23
Nautical miles : 1898.1
Nautical miles in total : 4020.9
Overnight : Pontoon : 39, Harbour Wall : 4, Mooring : 23, Anchor : 11. Total : 77
Daytime stop : Pontoon : 0, Harbour Wall : 0, Mooring : 2, Anchor : 1. Total : 3
Total Locations visited this year : 80
Total Locations visited : 192

Scotland

Isle of Jura, Craighouse mooring. 6/5/23. 26.5nm
Isle of Jura, Loch Tarbet anchorage, 7/5/23. 2.6nm
Colonsay moorings. 8/5/23. 11.1nm
Isle of Jura, Loch Tarbet anchorage. 10/5/23. 12.2nm
Ardmore Islands, Plod Sgeirean anchorage. 11/5/23. 25.0nm
Islay, Port Ellen Marina. 12/5/23. 8.3nm
Campeltown anchorage.14/5/23. 48.0nm
Isle of Arran, Lamlash moorings. 15/5/23. 30.3nm
Isle of Arran, Brodick moorings. 16/5/23. 7.5nm
Isle of Bute, Rothesay outer harbour pontoon. 17/5/23. 20.9nm
Isle of Bute, Port Bannatyne Marina. 19/5/23. 3.5nm
Kyles of Bute, Colintraive Hotel moorings. 20/5/23. 5.4nm
Entrance to Loch Ruel, An Caladh anchorage 21/5/23. 1.6nm
Campbeltown Marina. 22/5/23. 36.2nm

Northern Ireland

Carrickfergus Marina. 24/5/23. 51.4nm
Bangor Marina. 26/5/23. 6.1nm
Strangford Narrows, Portaferry Marina. 28/5/23. 34.4nm
Strangford Lough, Quoile Yacht Club pontoon. 30/5/23. 6.0nm
Strangford Lough, Ballydoon, Doon Cruising Club. 31/5/23. 9.3nm
Strangford Lough, Ballyhenry Bay mooring, then Ardglass marina. 1/6/23. 20.8

Republic of Ireland

Carlingford Lough, Carlingford Marina. 2/6/23. 29.4nm

Northern Ireland

Newry, Albert Basin. 4/6/23. 9.3nm

Republic of Ireland

Carlingford Lough, Carlingford Marina. 6/6/23. 9.3nm
Howth Marina. 7/76/23. 44.4nm

Northern Ireland

Ardglass Marina. 10/6/23. 60.0nm

Isle of Man

Peel Harbour pontoon. 12/6/23. 34.7nm

Scotland

Mull of Galloway, Port Logan Bay anchorage. 16/6/23. 33.9nm
Portpatrick harbour wall. 17/6/23. 9.7nm
Isle of Arran, Lamlash moorings. 19/6/23. 45nm
Isle of Arran, Brodick moorings. 21/6/23. 6.8nm
Ardrossan Marina. 22/6/23. 14.0nm
Isle of Arran, Brodick moorings. 26/6/23. 14.0nm
Isle of Bute, Rothesay inner harbour pontoon. 27/6/23. 19.6nm
Kyles of Bute, Colintraive Hotel mooring. 28/6/23. 6.8nm
Tarbert Marina. 29/6/23. 17.5nm
Crinan Canal via Ardrishaig. 30/6. 9.5nm
Crinan Canal, 15nm up and back.
Tarbert Marina. 4/7/23. 9.5nm
Isle of Arran, Brodick moorings. 11/7/23. 22.3nm
Campbeltown Marina. 12/7/23. 32.8nm

Northern Ireland

Rathlin Island Marina. 14/7/23. 38.3nm
Ballycastle Harbour pontoon. 17/7/23. 5.9nm
Portrush pontoon. 18/7/23. 18nm.

Republic of Ireland

Culdaff Bay anchorage. 21/7/23. 18.8nm
Sheep Haven mooring. 22/7/23. 35nm
Arranmore Island, Rosillion Bay. 23/7/23. 38.5nm
Teelin Bay mooring. 24/7/23. 30.4nm
Killybegs Marina. 25/7/23. 10nm
Teelin Bay mooring. 3/8/23. 9.3nm
Broadhaven mooring. 4/8/23. 53.2nm
Blacksod Bay mooring. 5/8/23. 28.9nm
Inishbofin Island mooring. 6/8/23. 38.8nm
Bunowen Bay anchorage. 8/8/23. 21.5nm
Galway Bay, Aran Islands, Inishmor. 9/8/23. 27.3nm
Fenit Marina. 13/8/23. 58.4nm
Dingle Marina. 16/8/23. 43.2nm
Derrynane Mooring. 23/8/23. 33nm
Crookhaven mooring. 24/8/23. 33.7nm
Sherkin Island anchorage. 25/8/23. 14nm
Glandore mooring. 26/8/23. 15.4nm
Oysterhaven anchorage. 27/9/23. 33nm
Youghal mooring. 28/8/23. 31.1nm
Dungarvan pontoon. 29/8/23. 20.7nm
Kilmore Quays Marina. 31/8/23. 40.8nm
Courtown mooring. 6/9/23. 42.2nm
Greystones Marina. 7/9/23. 34.2nm
Ireland’s Eye anchorage. 8/9/23. 15.8nm

That completes the circumnavigation of the Ireland.

Dun Laoghaire Marina. 9/9/23. 8.2nm
Greystones Marina. 12/9/23. 10.8nm
Arklow river pontoon. 14/9/23. 24.3nm
Kilmore Quays Marina. 17/9/23. 53.4nm

Wales

Dale mid haven pontoon. 21/9/23. 66.9nm
Milford Haven Marina. 22/9/23. 5.4nm
Tenby Harbour wall. 1/10/23. 30.0nm
Swansea Marina. 2/10/23. 35nm
Porthcawl Marina. 8/10/23. 15nm
Cardiff Bay, Mermaid Quay. 8/10/23. 27.6nm
Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Marina. 9/10/23. 1.5nm

Did something magnetic get placed near the compass in Scotland? Seemed to get stuck in a loop repeating your track. And took fright of leaving the canal at Crinan
Quite a trip. Our paths must have crossed a few times up north.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Almanacs, Pilot Guides and on-line guides used

Almanacs

Cruising Association Almanac
Reeds Nautical Almanac

Pilot Guides

South Coast : The Shell Channel Pilot. Edited Tom Cunliffe
East Coast : East Coast Pilot. Garth Cooper & Dick Holness
North East Coast :Royal Northumberland Yacht Club. Cruising Directions.
Scotland : Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions & Anchorages. Five Volumes. Outer Hebrides, Ardnaurchan to Cape Wrath, Kintyre to Ardnamurchan, Firth of Clyde, Orkney & Shetland
Bristol Channel : Bristol Channel & Severn Cruising Guide. Peter Cumberlidge
Isle of Scilly. Royal Cruising Club, Isles of Scilly. Graham Adam
Ireland : Irish Cruising Club, East & North Coasts of Ireland, South & West Coasts of Ireland, Cruising Ireland. Edited Norman Kean

On-line Guides

Cruising Association. Captains Mate app
eOceanic
We also had the "Explore with Imray" guide, but have not really got into it yet.


A special mention for the superb Antares charts which make the exploration of West Scotland so much more interesting.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Did something magnetic get placed near the compass in Scotland? Seemed to get stuck in a loop repeating your track. And took fright of leaving the canal at Crinan
Quite a trip. Our paths must have crossed a few times up north.

We had a surprise visit from two Australian friends which led to a bit of a weird route - we wanted to show them some cool places and, as they are not sailors, we wanted slightly calmer waters, shorter distances and so on. We also needed to pick them up and deliver them not too far apart.

We hadn't planned on using the Crinan - we'd already gone around the outside - but our friends wanted to see it - the best thing for our onwards plan was to turn around in the canal. Crinan looked easy enough - the canal guys were also pleased with our decision as they had a bit of a log jam at the Crinan end at that time.

 

[RAFFY]

Fantastic write-up of your journey; thanks for sharing. Very inspirational and full of great information.
RAFFY

 

[FairweatherDave]

I strongly believe that we each set our own challenges and targets - we had an approach to go to lots of places and explore a bit, but every approach is equally valid.

I still can't really believe that we made it to Shetland!

Some of the less frequently visited places are really rather special and, as Bristolians, the trip up to the city, into the gorge and through the floating harbour was fantastic.

We basically stayed on the boat at the end of the season to do any routine maintenance and winterizing. It was in water (pontoon, mooring, pontoon) over the winter and then we turned up.at the start of the season to lift, antifoul, do any other tasks and then splash.

I like the idea of breaking up the trip over years rather than a slog. Much though I enjoy sailing the scenery matters and coming to new bits all the time is excellent, as well as testing nav skills. Keeping fresh with significant breaks for "real life"!

 

[Bristolfashion]

I like the idea of breaking up the trip over years rather than a slog. Much though I enjoy sailing the scenery matters and coming to new bits all the time is excellent, as well as testing nav skills. Keeping fresh with significant breaks for "real life"!

It's really not too expensive to over winter the boat once you're away from the south coast.

 

[Bristolfashion]

I like the idea of breaking up the trip over years rather than a slog. Much though I enjoy sailing the scenery matters and coming to new bits all the time is excellent, as well as testing nav skills. Keeping fresh with significant breaks for "real life"!

Yes, one thing not to underestimate is that every bloomin' passage, harbour, mooring or anchorage is a first time! As you say, it's really good to keep your navigation skills honed.