First time Scilly passage plan - comments invited

[nmeyrick]

After working our way round from london the mrs and I have arrived at Falmouth and are looking to head off to the scillies. The forecast tomorrow looks to be light easterlies so suitable for the passage, although we may need to motor much of the way. We have an adequate engine and fuel to do that if needed, and plan on 5kts but can make closer to 7 under engine.

My outline plan would be to leave Falmouth at around 5am tomorrow morning, to be sure of rounding the lizard around slack water at HW Plymouth +3 ie around 10am. This would then ensure a favourable tide as far as lands end, after which we would be first set south then north so i would plan to work out the net offset on departure from lands end. On arrival at the scillies I would take the easy route through St mary's sound into St marys pool in the first instance, and would deal with the tide as we find it when we get there.

I'd appreciate it if anyone could comment whether this seems like a reasonable plan, or what you would do different? Is a direct passage from Falmouth sensible, or would you stop overnight at Penzance or mounts bay? If so what anchorages would you recommend for an easterly?

 

[jamesjermain]

That's pretty much as we did it at the end of July. We left from The Helford so we had a later start but the important thing is slack high water at Lizard. Even in light winds and near slack water the overfalls can be remarkably corrugated.

There is an option to round Lizard to Newlyn in one hop then Newlyn to St Mary's in the next. As the days draw in this becomes a more attractive prospect. If you don't fancy the crowds in Hugh Town carry on the extra couple of miles to St Agnes and Gugh and anchor in either The Cove (south of the Bar) or Porth Conger (north of the bar, depending on wind direction. The latter tends to be more crowded but closer to the Turks Head; the former more open and often has a bit of a swell. Landing is definitely easier at Porth Conger if there is any south in the wind

 

[Woodlouse]

Any plan that avoids a foul tide at the Lizard is a good one. Personally that would be my only concern. Apart from the ungodly hour of departure I don't think you can change it much for the better. Though if it's feasible I'd probably try and keep the speed up getting towards the Lizard so as to arrive there early rather than on time or even late.

 

[TiggerToo]

My outline plan would be to leave Falmouth at around 5am tomorrow morning, to be sure of rounding the lizard around slack water at HW Plymouth +3 ie around 10am.

5 hours to get to the Lizard from Falmouth sounds very pessimistic if you reckon on 5kn.

 

[Baggy]

Its only a six hour sail from Newlyn, and one tide.

I have always enjoyed newlyn as a port and felt very welcomed there.
And its just a brisk walk to penzance. plenty of room to anchor nearby in settled weather.


Have to say the scillies are one of my fav places. enjoy...

 

[snowleopard]

Mount's Bay is a bit of a problem as a stopover as the two main stopping places, Penzance and the Mount are both tidal (I have avoided Newlyn up to now as the books say yachts aren't welcomed). I have done it from there but you have another variable to contend with. It has the benefit of getting the Lizard out of the away.

 

[Csail]

one hit, go for it.

 

[NealB]

Mount's Bay is a bit of a problem as a stopover as the two main stopping places, Penzance and the Mount are both tidal (I have avoided Newlyn up to now as the books say yachts aren't welcomed). I have done it from there but you have another variable to contend with. It has the benefit of getting the Lizard out of the away.

I've been into Newlyn twice. We radioed in first, to check that they had room for us, and we found the harbour staff very helpful and welcoming.

Local chandlers are, as you'd expect, geared up much more for the requirements of the fishing boats than yachts.

 

[kyleview]

Suggest you buy the current YM as it's all in it!

 

[Scillypete]

twelve hour run from Falmouth to Scilly or the other way at your speeds. cut in close to the Lizard to avoid the worst, big spring tides at the moment so a lot of water running back and forth. Loads of room in all anchorages and moorings at the moment, there are only a dozen or so visitors here now.

 

[nmeyrick]

Thanks all for the input - its good to get a sense check that there isnt something obvious I've missed. Agree that the time to get to the lizard is a little conservative but want to be sure we don't miss slack given that it is springs.

Shame about the magazine, I haven't seen this months yet! C'est la vie!

Scillypete, do you have any more of your pilot guides left? Tried to get one at bosun's locker today but they've sold out.

 

[Skysail]

Great destination. Be prepared to move around when you get there, you see more and if the swell gets up you will be more comfortable.

 

[Scillypete]

Scillypete, do you have any more of your pilot guides left? Tried to get one at bosun's locker today but they've sold out.

Still have a few available call in the shop when you get here . . . . . . must start working on the next edition but it takes up sailing time

 

[snowleopard]

Be prepared to move around when you get there

The pilotage across to Old Grimsby is fun but challenging.

 

[fisherman]

There will be no slack off the light at HW: the tide 'rounds' through SE to SW without stopping, Fal+3hrs as you say. There is early ebb under Bass Point before HW Falmouth. With a bit of E wind forecast avoid any flood tide whatsoever, if early you could wait at the new lifeboat station where there are buoys spare at the moment.

The landmark for Men Hir, the end rock, is to put the Black Head and Bass Point together, so if you can see a good sweep of the Black Head you are clear.

 

[jhr]

If you don't fancy the crowds in Hugh Town carry on the extra couple of miles to St Agnes and Gugh and anchor in either The Cove (south of the Bar) or Porth Conger (north of the bar, depending on wind direction. The latter tends to be more crowded but closer to the Turks Head; the former more open and often has a bit of a swell. Landing is definitely easier at Porth Conger if there is any south in the wind

Do try to get to St Agnes & Gugh if you can. In the right conditions, the anchorage at The Cove is perfect.

It's "further" from the Turk's Head than Porth Conger, but only in the sense of ten minutes' walk rather than five. Britain's westernmost pub, I believe....

 

[Sans Bateau]

For an easy land fall at Scilly I would suggest staying south of the Islands then going into Porth Cressa, it could'nt be easier to navigate into with few hazards. Thats where we anchored on arrival in Scilly back in July.

PS forget going into Mounts bay.

 

[AIDY]

I found that a spring tide works best for a passage out to the islands

mounts bay (newlyn) is a good stop on the way back as you tend to get stuffed a bit by the tide.

going out you get a kick from the tide coming out of the bristol channel

 

[fisherman]

Don't think they'll be very comfortable if they have set off, brisk E wind here for the last few hours.

 

[Scillypete]

Don't think they'll be very comfortable if they have set off, brisk E wind here for the last few hours.

agreed, there is a nice breeze here as well, good for sailing, but it is making the sea stand up where the tide runs