How busy are the Isles of Scilly?

[bdh198]

I’m curious as we are hoping to head there in a week or so and I have heard mixed reports from people who have recently been, some saying how busy it was while others have said it’s not really any busier than a normal summer. I have a suspicion that the reports from those telling me it is busy were first timers there. Obviously there are more UK boats confined to home waters this year, but in Scilly has that not been off-set by the absence of French boats coming over?

 

[TSB240]

I have just returned from the IOS after 7 weeks away from North Wales.
I was a Scilly virgin but most of the other 8 boat crews that I was with were not. It was not busy but it was essential to book ahead if you wanted a meal in a any of the popular eateries .
This would apply if you were a couple or a party of 20 with the current covid rules.
There were a couple of French boats trying to disguise themselves as Brits. They were soon spotted by the HM and duly isolated.
I would say their absence is probably being taken up by new visitors like myself. St Mary's HM is missing them as they would usually out number the Brits.
It was a wonderful venue for our friends wedding. I suspect we will probably have had the best weather period there this year.

Watch out for Wally to be honest it was quite alarming having a large mammal like him weighing probably half our displacement trying to climb on our sugar scoop.

He does not respond at all to an air horn but does respect a boat hook waved near his head.

It became an Olympic sport in Porthcessa to see who could remove their dinghy from the water quickest as soon as he was spotted loitering with serious boarding intent.
Fun for the first 10 minutes but after 3 hours you begin to wish he had been caught earlier in the year at Padstow and served as Walrus steaks by Rick Stein.?
Steve

 

[John_Silver]

We’re up in Old Grimsby, at the moment. Came in overnight on Saturday. And have been pleasantly surprised at the amount of anchoring space. Think that the lack of French and Dutch boats, normally much in evidence probably explains it, as TSB240 says. The forecast gale, last night, may also be playing its part.(RNLI hard at work, in the small hours, with a vessel stranded on, what looks like, the tip of Crows Island)

 

[Sandy]

Friends are there at the moment. Apparently, last night was 'a bit boisterous',

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They report that the boat mentioned above used pyrotechnics to summon help, several threads on how hopeless they are should be revisited!

 

[John_Silver]

We’re anchored about 200m, from where the boat went ‘on.’ Had been up, on anchor watch, from around 02.00, when the wind went north and picked up. Saw RNLI arrive around 03.00. They sent up a big sodium (?) parachute flare, as well as using searchlights, to illuminate the scene. Not sure how RNLI were alerted, didn’t see any earlier flares. But, to be honest, my attention was mainly on a shore light, which I was using to confirm that our anchor was holding

 

[Sandy]

We’re anchored about 200m, from where the boat went ‘on.’ Had been up, on anchor watch, from around 02.00, when the wind went north and picked up. Saw RNLI arrive around 03.00. They sent up a big sodium (?) parachute flare, as well as using searchlights, to illuminate the scene. Not sure how RNLI were alerted, didn’t see any earlier flares.

Looking at Marine Traffic you are closer than Morris and Steph on Bora Bora.

 

[John_Silver]

From their track, looks like they had a heck of a night!
PS just had a look at our track. And we covered some ground too. Although the anchor held well. That wind really did come from every point in the compass, over eighteen hours or so!

 

[WoodyP]

Spent a horrible night in Grimsby sound once, laying to one of the visitor bouys. Too late to move when we realised we were stuck there.

 

[Scillypete]

I’ve been away for a couple of weeks cruising around the SW but before leaving it was not any busier than an average summer.

As an aside I’ve been in many places between Yealm and Helford so far and had plenty of space to anchor or use visitors buoys (Fowey) even got alongside for a few nights in a marina for crew pick up and drop off, not seen much evidence of masses of yachts from the east.
Currently sitting in the Helford after a soggy sail from Plymouth yesterday waiting to head for home in a day or two .

 

[oldmanofthehills]

We’re anchored about 200m, from where the boat went ‘on.’ Had been up, on anchor watch, from around 02.00, when the wind went north and picked up. Saw RNLI arrive around 03.00. They sent up a big sodium (?) parachute flare, as well as using searchlights, to illuminate the scene. Not sure how RNLI were alerted, didn’t see any earlier flares. But, to be honest, my attention was mainly on a shore light, which I was using to confirm that our anchor was holding

If its the Crow Island just west of Bryher, you wouldnt see me near there in bad weather. I know there are porths and I have considered exploring them, thus stressing my dear Navigator, but the olden days fishermen dragged boats ashore in bad weather.

 

[longjohnsilver]

If its the Crow Island just west of Bryher, you wouldnt see me near there in bad weather. I know there are porths and I have considered exploring them, thus stressing my dear Navigator, but the olden days fishermen dragged boats ashore in bad weather.

I think you’ll find it’s just E of Tresco

Not a place anyone would want to be.

In conditions as described I’d rather be anchored in St Helens Pool, good holding and more opportunity to find shelter from different wind directions.

I hope the yacht that went aground wasn’t too badly damaged and could be refloated on the next tide. It must have been an horrendous experience for them.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I knew it didnt mean Crow Rock but thought it meant Crow Island without the final S as had forgotten that lump with the S- which I have rowed round. As you say St Helens Pool has better sand, and more important more room to drag.

50kt winds will cause issues. I also hope their boat is salvageble.

Anyway at present the winds will barely enable us to get there sailing so its maybe that new engine needs a workout, and I take note from other comments that we might need to book ahead for The Turkshead etc

 

[John_Silver]

I think you’ll find it’s just E of Tresco
View attachment 118446
Not a place anyone would want to be.

In conditions as described I’d rather be anchored in St Helens Pool, good holding and more opportunity to find shelter from different wind directions.

I hope the yacht that went aground wasn’t too badly damaged and could be refloated on the next tide. It must have been an horrendous experience for them.

The boat that grounded was in St Helens Pool. Had been for a few days. Up in NE corner. Looked an ideal spot, as you say. Don’t know whether they dragged, or decided to move.

The good news is that her crew returned, yesterday afternoon, and took her off, apparently unscathed, at high water.

 

[andy59]

another boat dragged anchor this morning ?

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Heavens above. No wind before the Lizard so what happened in Scilly? Was even wondering about a single long push to St M today. Is that view from green bay to tresco

 

[Scillypete]

View attachment 118569
another boat dragged anchor this morning ?

It steamed there

 

[Scillypete]

Heavens above. No wind before the Lizard so what happened in Scilly? Was even wondering about a single long push to St M today. Is that view from green bay to tresco

We went from Helford to Mousehole on Wednesday and then sailed across yesterday there was breeze but from the wrong direction doesn’t make it impossible though

 

[oldmanofthehills]

As flat and no wind thinking of motoring all way to watermill bay. The delights of penzance dont beckon v strongly. Will change mind if sailable wind maybe, or if sea lumpy beyond manacles

 

[Scillypete]

As flat and no wind thinking of motoring all way to watermill bay. The delights of penzance dont beckon v strongly. Will change mind if sailable wind maybe, or if sea lumpy beyond manacles

If you’re still the wrong side of the lizard and manacles then you’ve missed the tidal windows for this morning and a southerly breeze and tides building to springs will surely make for a lumpy spell passing there . . . . . . Good luck

 

[oldmanofthehills]

If you’re still the wrong side of the lizard and manacles then you’ve missed the tidal windows for this morning and a southerly breeze and tides building to springs will surely make for a lumpy spell passing there . . . . . . Good luck

Oh well. Its already lumping a bit. We will get tide across mounts and with southerlies maybe get a fair sail to newlyn and i need chandlers for some minor stuff. St M tomorrow then but still try watermill