snowleopard
Well-Known Member
Be aware that near the top of the tide there is a strong current flowing over the causeway down the centre of the bay. It can make using the dinghy a bit lively.
First time Scilly passage plan - comments invited
- Thread starter nmeyrick
- Start date
Be aware that near the top of the tide there is a strong current flowing over the causeway down the centre of the bay. It can make using the dinghy a bit lively.
nmeyrick
Well-Known Member
Thanks all for the very helpful input. Yes it is a little more lively today, that was part of my thinking in looking to do the full trip yesterday.
In the end we cast of at 0530 yesterday morning and had to fight a fair bit of tide from Falmouth to the Lizard, arriving at my waypoint 3 miles clear at about 0930 with the last of the eastgoing tide. I was ready to hang back but the conditions were so light and there was only a gentle, long swell as we rounded the headland. The whole trip was extremely uneventful with the exception of the pod of dolphins which rode our bow wave as we watched the sun rise, making a rather pleasant start to the morning.
From the Lizard on we kept favourable tide until the last hour, to the point where we made so much better time than planned that it messed up my course to steer across to St Mary's Sound as we were exposed to less Northgoing than expected. We were tied up in St Mary's pool just as the Scillonian was leaving at 1630, and went ashore to explore the town. We had a fabulous dinner at Kavona, and retired shortly after too tired to even manage a pint in the Mermaid.
Now we're just looking warily at the sucession of heavy winds forecast for next week, if it stays like that I expect we will need to clear out back to the mainland before the weekend which will be a shame.
ScillyPete, glad to hear it, I'll pop over and say hi
In the end we cast of at 0530 yesterday morning and had to fight a fair bit of tide from Falmouth to the Lizard, arriving at my waypoint 3 miles clear at about 0930 with the last of the eastgoing tide. I was ready to hang back but the conditions were so light and there was only a gentle, long swell as we rounded the headland. The whole trip was extremely uneventful with the exception of the pod of dolphins which rode our bow wave as we watched the sun rise, making a rather pleasant start to the morning.
From the Lizard on we kept favourable tide until the last hour, to the point where we made so much better time than planned that it messed up my course to steer across to St Mary's Sound as we were exposed to less Northgoing than expected. We were tied up in St Mary's pool just as the Scillonian was leaving at 1630, and went ashore to explore the town. We had a fabulous dinner at Kavona, and retired shortly after too tired to even manage a pint in the Mermaid.
Now we're just looking warily at the sucession of heavy winds forecast for next week, if it stays like that I expect we will need to clear out back to the mainland before the weekend which will be a shame.
ScillyPete, glad to hear it, I'll pop over and say hi
ColinR
Well-Known Member
I usually stop in Newlyn or anchor just outside (not in easterly tho). Its important to arrive at the Scillies in daylight especially first time and you'd be pushing it leaving from Falmouth this late in August. I would decide in Mounts Bay whether to press on or stop overnight. I've never felt unwelcome in Newlyn and its a fascinating atmospheric harbour (and free). I generally go north of the islands and go into New Grimsby, easy to enter and good shelter.
Coming back I always sail straight for Falmouth as it doesn't matter about arriving after dark.
Colin
Coming back I always sail straight for Falmouth as it doesn't matter about arriving after dark.
Colin
TiggerToo
Well-Known Member
Where is this?
ScillyPete is barred!
ScillyPete is barred!
fisherman
Well-Known Member
Ah, good job you went yesterday, today at 0945 I heard two yachts off the Lizard, a female voice on one saying she had never been so terrified: think they were a bit early in the flood and E 5-6.
SHUG
Well-Known Member
You should check the wave height at the Lizard on :
http://www.passageweather.com/
You can have light easterlies meeting a big swell from a distant storm....interesting!
Right now its 1m from the south west.
http://www.passageweather.com/
You can have light easterlies meeting a big swell from a distant storm....interesting!
Right now its 1m from the south west.
Tintin
Well-Known Member
It was a bit windy - discretion was the better part of valour for me and I stayed tied up in Falmouth. May go tonight (solo) or may juts bimble around the roads instead.
G12
Well-Known Member
I've been in some very violent water off there on my way to PZ about 10 years ago. Spring tide VS South Westerly 6. Never had any doubts in the boat but it was pretty bloody miserable. We were 2 miles south.
I remember watching the whole pulpit disappear into the waves and the water change colour to that of the nav lights. This was very unusual for that boat, she was the driest I think I've ever sailed.
My current boat is a submarine in comparison!
As for Scilly, I spent a few days snatched from work there in July. Anchored South of the bar between St Agnes and Gugh. We picked our way in there in thick fog at about midnight with no radar. There were over 20 boats hiding away from a NW breeze unlike my visit in September last year when I had the entire place to myself for two days. Later we went and anchored in St Helen's pool and enjoyed a flat calm night before sadly having to head East again.
Got stung £9 for going alongside the wall at St Marys to fill our water tank. Fine if you have a huge tank but mine is only 10 gal. Decided to get my money's worth and washed the entire boat down including the bilge. She looked better for it though. Next time will take the dinghy and a can!