Mooring at New Grimsby, Isles of Scilly

DennisF

DennisF

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Hi all

I hope to be visiting the Scillies in July, stopping off at a mooring buoy in New Grimsby. I'm aware they have top rings, but am wondering what the condition of them is like - i.e. whether I'll be OK with a warp or whether I'm better off ordering a new one with a chain centre section? Anyone been there and have any advice? I've ordered ScillyPete's guide!
 
We spent a week in the Scillies last Summer, in New Grimsby and several other anchorages. From memory the buoys were well maintained and easy to use. Incredible anchorages and very happy memories you will have great time.
 
It's a while since we were there, but I don't suppose the buoys have changed much. I think they are pretty normal, with a ring to moor through, but they are quite large and at the turn of tide tend to bang on the hull. We and others solved this by hauling the buoy up as tight and as far as possible. While we were there last, the wind turned NW 4-5 but we were comfortable enough, except for a bit of rolling at the turn of tide.
 
Sans Bateau said:
Cant you use your anchor, open up more less busy places?
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The boat is a 31ft Westerly Berwick, and the anchor is a 10kg Bruce that came with the boat. It hasn't really been tested in boisterous conditions yet, and I'm not sure I'd trust it in the Scillies......
 
johnalison said:
It's a while since we were there, but I don't suppose the buoys have changed much. I think they are pretty normal, with a ring to moor through, but they are quite large and at the turn of tide tend to bang on the hull. We and others solved this by hauling the buoy up as tight and as far as possible. While we were there last, the wind turned NW 4-5 but we were comfortable enough, except for a bit of rolling at the turn of tide.
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Thanks, sounds like a mooring warp will be OK then.
 
DennisF said:
The boat is a 31ft Westerly Berwick, and the anchor is a 10kg Bruce that came with the boat. It hasn't really been tested in boisterous conditions yet, and I'm not sure I'd trust it in the Scillies......
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????? What are you going to do if you can't get a bouy?
 
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Hadenough said:
????? What are you going to do if you can't get a bouy?
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I'll anchor if I have to, or sail on if I have to, but would moor for preference. I will have the luxury of a professional skipper on board to help guide decisions, and I'll as for his thoughts on the anchor. The anchor hasn't dragged once set yet. I'm looking at whether to change the anchor, and am doing several weekends at anchor prior to this trip to help inform the decision as anchoring to date has been in benign conditions.
 
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Hadenough said:
????? What are you going to do if you can't get a bouy?
Click to expand...

Mmm, my thoughts too. Dennis, it might be worth the investment in buying a well review modern anchor and trying it and testing it before you set off. By your own words you are not happy with the Bruce, Scilly has no marinas, you could find all the bouys occupied and anchoring is the only option. We spent several days in Scilly in 2013 and anchored all the time, we had a 15kg Delta on a 35ft boat. Happy times.
 
Assuming you are a bilge keel boat, anchor in Green Bay on Bryher, across from New Grimsby and use the dinghy.

We sat out a miserable week of gales there a few years ago and were not envious of the boats on the mooring.
For parts of the day you do get the satisfaction of not moving about.

oops, pack a second anchor, 20m of chain and 100m of warp - you might need it, or be reassured by it.
 
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Gwylan said:
Assuming you are a bilge keel boat, anchor in Green Bay on Bryher, across from New Grimsby and use the dinghy.

We sat out a miserable week of gales there a few years ago and were not envious of the boats on the mooring.
For parts of the day you do get the satisfaction of not moving about.

oops, pack a second anchor, 20m of chain and 100m of warp - you might need it, or be reassured by it.
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Yep, it's a bilge keeler :-). I have a Danforth anchor with chain and warp as the kedge setup
 
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Sans Bateau said:
Mmm, my thoughts too. Dennis, it might be worth the investment in buying a well review modern anchor and trying it and testing it before you set off. By your own words you are not happy with the Bruce, Scilly has no marinas, you could find all the bouys occupied and anchoring is the only option. We spent several days in Scilly in 2013 and anchored all the time, we had a 15kg Delta on a 35ft boat. Happy times.
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I'm not unhappy with the Bruce, as it hasn't dragged when properly set, just haven't tested it in heavy weather yet. I'm going to be spending a few weekends testing it prior to the trip, to build up confidence in it (or decide if I'm not happy).
 
Hadenough said:
????? What are you going to do if you can't get a bouy?
Click to expand...

Agreed, but we've spent many weeks in New Grimsby over the past 5 years and he would be very unlucky not to find a vacant buoy. There are also about 6 mooring boys just around the corner in Old Grimsby, an equally lovely spot. But as already suggested with bilge keels, Green Bay makes a lovely place to anchor and dry out. Bryher is a great small island to explore, and on a big spring it's possible to walk over to Tresco.
 
DennisF said:
Yep, it's a bilge keeler :-). I have a Danforth anchor with chain and warp as the kedge setup
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you're a bilger...

Lucky man.

Forget the moorings (as others have said): the IoS are YOUR DREAM place. So many places to dry out that are MUCH more convenient and pleasant than the New Grimsby moorings. Leave those to poor fin keelers, who have forgotten about the beauty of laying to your own hook.

Above all, don't fret: the IoS are one of the best places on this planet.... enjoy!
 
TiggerToo said:
you're a bilger...

Lucky man.

Forget the moorings (as others have said): the IoS are YOUR DREAM place. So many places to dry out that are MUCH more convenient and pleasant than the New Grimsby moorings. Leave those to poor fin keelers, who have forgotten about the beauty of laying to your own hook.

Above all, don't fret: the IoS are one of the best places on this planet.... enjoy!
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Fantastic. Thank you to everyone for all the helpful comments. I'll try to remember to post an update with how the anchor testing goes prior to the trip :-)
 
TiggerToo said:
you're a bilger...

Lucky man.

Forget the moorings (as others have said): the IoS are YOUR DREAM place. So many places to dry out that are MUCH more convenient and pleasant than the New Grimsby moorings. Leave them to those poor fin keelers who have forgotten about the beauty of laying to your own hook.

Above all, don't fret: the IoS are one of the best places on this planet.... enjoy!
Click to expand...
 
Just a taster Dennis!
IMG_2131.jpg
 
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