Isles of Scilly anchorages

oldbilbo

oldbilbo

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I'm interested in opinions on suitability for anchoring in rough weather tucked into the bays on the north side of St Martins. One the face of it, well tucked-in to Little Bay should prove suitable... then there's Stony Porth at the eastern end. Finally, Arthur Porth just east of Middle Arthur....

I guess this is a question for experienced local knowledge. :cool:
 
I can attest, as can many others, that New Grimsby Sound is a good anchorage - with sound visitors' moorings - which is easy to enter in all weathers except dense seafog. Should conditions suit, then Saint Helen's Pool via St Helen's Gap is also one of the best anchorages going.
 
WoodyP said:
New Grimsby Sound on the visitor moorings gets horrible in a NW gale.
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Aye, mayhap you're right. And I've been well pleased to make the entrance, at night, in a NW gale. But...

"Better inside wondering what it's like outside, than outside wondering what it's like inside."
 
With some south in the wind the N side of St Martin's provides good anchorages. Although not Stony Porth since this is, well, stony, and the holding is dreadful. But inshore of Mackerel rocks is pretty good. The Eastern Isles are fun to explore, but really best in settled wether.

I do not care for New Grimsby since (about 1985) the moorings were laid. It's dreadful in a NW blow in any case. I much prefer Old Grimsby, although even here the menace of laid moorings creeps along like an alien and invasive species. St Helen's Pool is wonderful, which is why the sea-horse huggers want it designated as an MCZ, doubtless with the fell intent of banning anchoring (I wrote to DEFRA in response to their consultation - did you?)
 
oldbilbo said:
I'm interested in opinions on suitability for anchoring in rough weather tucked into the bays on the north side of St Martins. One the face of it, well tucked-in to Little Bay should prove suitable... then there's Stony Porth at the eastern end. Finally, Arthur Porth just east of Middle Arthur....

I guess this is a question for experienced local knowledge. :cool:
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Problem with anywhere in Scilly in 'rough weather' is groundswell which will affect almost everywhere to varying degrees. while the wind is in the south round to the west Little bay would be fine for a time but as the depression goes by and the wind comes more to the north it will become uncomfortable and leaving would be interesting in 'rough weather'. Don't bother with the bays north of St Martins with any easterly in the wind unless it is light airs.
Arthur porth is a great little anchorage great shelter from south and east, not much depth or swinging room though as its best to tuck right in.

Best places in rough weather, are Watermill cove as it offers fairly good shelter from south right round to NW, no good when there is any east in the wind wait until it veers.

Another reason for the time being to not anchor at St Martins is the current lack of drinking establishments. Sadly the seven stones went into administration last year and is still closed waiting to be sold and the hotel also went into liquidation just recently and will not be open until sold. so the only places are Adams fish and chips and the other cafes.
 
Damn, the hotel was very pleasant. What's the feeling on the islands about how other tourist type businesses will fare this year, particularly now the helo has stopped running? I heard last year that visitor numbers were approx 40% down, does that sound right? Hopefully we'll have a cracking summer and that will attract more visitors, but Easter being early and now cold, wet and windy can't be helping.

Second Watermill cove, spent a night there last summer in a strong SW, very still. And give me Old Grimsby any day as opposed to New G, seems much more sheltered from almost all directions and definitely less groundswell.
 
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We had to try several times to get good holding and then we were a little surprised to see 2 rocks pop up unexpectedly towards low water, just E of Block house point, far enough away to be safe, so do study your chart carefully.............
 
longjohnsilver said:
Damn, the hotel was very pleasant. What's the feeling on the islands about how other tourist type businesses will fare this year, particularly now the helo has stopped running? I heard last year that visitor numbers were approx 40% down, does that sound right? Hopefully we'll have a cracking summer and that will attract more visitors, but Easter being early and now cold, wet and windy can't be helping.

Second Watermill cove, spent a night there last summer in a strong SW, very still. And give me Old Grimsby any day as opposed to New G, seems much more sheltered from almost all directions and definitely less groundswell.
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Yeah, the hotel was a very good place to go just for snacks, lunches, evening meals or just to sit out on the lawns with a few drinks of an afternoon, such a good spot. Typical of pretty much the whole country the feeling for the coming season is fairly grim and I would not be surprised to see a few more casualties before the year is out. Numbers have been dropping for a long time but the last few years have seen a massive drop, last year was the worst I've seen for lack of visiting yachts it was very quiet, oh for a decent summer or three to lift the spirits. Nice n sunny again today with a reasonable bit of warmth in the sunshine, total opposite of the rest of the country.

Old Grimsby is no secret but for some reason not that many take advantage of it as a good anchorage with lots of places to explore nearby.
 
SlimRick said:
My summer cruise will be to The Isles of Scilly, I shall do my best to help support the local drinking establishments while I'm there.
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And me, see you there on Monday, if the weather stays the same! Easterlies by the look of it?
Stu
 
our friends have been anchored there for a month now - he says its packed !!! - like a convention for the retired- that will change when hols kick in if weather stays good!
 
skipper_stu said:
And me, see you there on Monday, if the weather stays the same! Easterlies by the look of it?
Stu
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If the easterlies kick in as forecast expect Porthcressa to be rolly at best, same for the Cove to a degree. The harbour has filled rapidly today and there are quite a few anchored outside between Taylors and Newford islands an alternative to there but still close to the harbour is tucked between rat island and Newman but beware of pot buoys in that area and make sure you have enough depth.

The weather is clearly making a difference as we are seeing more yachts this year than we did for the last two or three put together.
 
Taken this morning these pics show how full it is in the harbour and there have been several turning up since then. There is a fresh easterly blowing and all yachts have cleared out from Porthcressa so it must have been uncomfortable in there.

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Yes we're anchored in the Cove on Thursday night, great until breakfast time when the swell made it pretty uncomfortable. Looked at Cressa but saw yachts leaving so called up St Mary's who answered and then ignored us. Not impressed! So then went over to New Grimsby and picked up a mooring, very pleasant, and still is as I write this. Strong blustery easterly all day but all fine here although very busy. Expect to move round to anchor in Old Grimsby on Monday when the wind dies down, or St Helen's Pool. But my favourite is still the Cove but unfortunately the forecast winds are not right for there for the next 5 days or so.
 
longjohnsilver said:
Yes we're anchored in the Cove on Thursday night, great until breakfast time when the swell made it pretty uncomfortable. Looked at Cressa but saw yachts leaving so called up St Mary's who answered and then ignored us. Not impressed! So then went over to New Grimsby and picked up a mooring, very pleasant, and still is as I write this. Strong blustery easterly all day but all fine here although very busy. Expect to move round to anchor in Old Grimsby on Monday when the wind dies down, or St Helen's Pool. But my favourite is still the Cove but unfortunately the forecast winds are not right for there for the next 5 days or so.
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Ah, we went and spent the night and day over at St Agnes in Per Conger, it was alright in there and right outside the pub too. Several others anchored there when we left but still plenty of room, good for shelter from south and SW. Not a fantastic forecast for the week but nothing to panic about either just not as good as it has been, sadly.
 
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