Isles of Scilly

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Peter

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Looking to go to the Isles of Scilly for our summer hols in July. Any advice out there on suitable pilot book, charts, places to anchor (2m draught) eats and drink etc

Thanks

Peter
 
Imray used to do a really good A3 sized pilot with chartlets giving transits, anchorages et al. Don't know if you can still get it though. Mine is 1975!
 
We went a couple of years ago and had a great time. There's a good sheltered area with pickup buoys and space to anchor between Bryher and Tresco. Even in a north-westerly it's still good (I guess) because the north-westerly entrance is quite narrow and the waves are dissipated. Both Islands have places to eat and drink and are good for walking. There is a shop and facilities (in the inn) on Tresco.

Enjoy.
 
Value for money you can't beat the Admiralty Channel Pilot NP27. Sailing directions are illustrated with panoramic photos and there are special directions for small craft.
NP 27 covers from Isles of Scilly to Bognor Regis as well as the Channel Islands and parts of the French coast.
 
Get Scillypete's guide (send him a PM) - its great! Photographs of all the transits with the points marked - we found it very useful. Can't lend you mine - we want to go back there again this summer...

Rick
 
My three favourite overnight anchorages, 2m draft, are:
(a) the Cove between St Agnes and Gugh, N or S depending on wind, N49º53.5', W6º20.2', good pub (Turk's Head) after day crowds have gone;
(b) St Helen's Pool, N49º58.0', W6º19.4', peaceful, secure in strong winds, interesting exploring on St Helen's island;
(c) between Little & Great Ganilly in the Eastern Isles, N49º57.0', W6º 15.6', remote, good snorkling, always see seals there, evening beach barbie on Great Ganilly (that may now not be allowed).

I avoid St Mary's Pool specially in season, it is chaos with far too many boats. Also the anchorages to west and east of Tresco, that is New Grimsby and Old Grimsby harbours, where the current can run hard and you are apt to be charged. We normally visit Tresco from the anchorage at the south end of the island, where the ferries land.

I was last there in 2003, so may be a bit out of date. The rules on which of the smaller islands can be landed on change, so check before you go.
 
West Country Cruising Companion by Mark Fishwick has served us well so far.

Make sure you keep an eye on the weather - August is a 'funny' month in Scillies and can be "variable"! Lowest incidence/frequency for gales is June and July (0.1 and 0.4) - August 0.6 and climbing to September 1.4.
 
Imray pilot book is still not yet in print as there is a new edition in progress so you will find it hard to get hold of.
for charts you could get SC34 and Sc883, or get the SW folio SC5603 which covers from Falmouth to Padstow including the islands.
Even with a 2 metre draught you can get to many of the anchorages, its just the timing of negotiating the channels you need to watch, better if you are here over a neap tide period. All will depend on the weather at the time but the Cove on St Agnes is good with the Turks head ashore for good food and drinks. There are moorings between St Martins and Tean for visitors with a good bistro and restaurant ashore at the hotel and also there is the Sevenstones pub up the hill, not to mention the whole island to explore with some wonderful beaches.
New Grimsby sound has already been mentioned and will be suitable and from there you will be able to visit both Tresco and Bryher.
There are also a couple of anchorages around St mary's that would be suitable. As I said earlier all will depend on the weather at the time as to which to use.
I think Talulah means the pilot gig racing which takes place every Wednesday evening and Friday evening with up to ten boats taking part. now if you were here for Mayday bankholiday weekend there is the world championships when just over 100 gigs will be racing now that is a sight to behold.

Thanks Rickp for mentioning it.
 
Scillypete has it right but my preferred action is to "get-the-h@ll-out-of-there" Was once stuck on the harbour wall for 3 days! taking the ground twice a day with the burgee straight out like a tin flag and the wind howling! My second worst sailing experience.

If it looks 'iffy' now, we go!
 
A third plug for ScillyPete. PM him and he'll send you one. It is really useful and although it can be combined with the others listed above, we found it was really sufficent with an appropraite set of charts.

For us the Scillies where very close to heaven...
(but we had fab weather)
 
I have that one too, but the old Imray one is more detailed and is entirely dedicated to the Scilly Isles. Lots of panoramic photos and detailed instructions for rock hopping. I see from another post there is an updated version at under £20.
 
For us the Scillies where very close to heaven...

That would be Cornwall then.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
How are things going Pete, hope you are keeping well. I,m looking for another drying out place here in France to do the same job as I did in St Mary, 'a year ago now'. Best Wishes, Bill. (Fai Tira).
 
[ QUOTE ]
For us the Scillies where very close to heaven...

That would be Cornwall then.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

of course /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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