Non-stop Suffolk to Scotland

[eonolan]

Two years ago we hopped up the coast to Inverness. It took 11 days. This time we’d like to do it in one, or possibly two hits, with a crew of four. Anyone like to share experiences of a similar trip? Well-equipped Catalac 8M, experienced crew. Clearly, we’ll wait for a window which avoids head-winds, with a tank like this

 

[Concerto]

I sailed in that direction last summer. The main advice I would suggest to to try and avoid sailing the section from the Humber to Scarborough too close to the shore, especially at night as there were so many unlit fishing buoys along this section. The only other main hazard are the wind farms, but they are clearly marked.

The tide around Aberdeen can be quite strong at about 3 knots, so try to stay close to shore there if punching it.

You having a crew of 4 makes it so easy to set a watch system up, whereas I was singlehanded. I presume you are heading for the Caledonian Canal and the West Coast, but I went to the very top of Shetland. Full details of my trip can be found in my about me page, both forum posts and YouTube videos.

 

[Sandy]

I did Lowestoft to Peterhead single handed in 2021. With a strong crew of four this should be a doddle. As @Concerto said it is fishing pot hell; Flamborough head was like a minefield when I passed at springs, the markers just below the surface. The four litre milk containers were are a particular challenge.

I would recommend the warm welcome at the Royal Northumberland YC at Blyth, great beer and the best steak I've had in years.

 

[wingdiver]

We did the trip to Inverness last summer. There were two of us on board and we had three months to get round the UK via the Canal. As we wanted to see places on the way so stopped at Lowestoft (shake down - weathered in), Whitby, Hartlepool (to buy spares), Tyne, Berwick, Arbroath, Peterhead, Lossiemouth. Whitby couldn't accommodate us in the marina. Berwick was not somewhere we'd thought of but had a relatively recently installed pontoon and was instead of Eyemouth who said we would touch the bottom due to silting. We had to motor or motor sail all the way as the winds were very light.

 

[Sandy]

We did the trip to Inverness last summer. There were two of us on board and we had three months to get round the UK via the Canal. As we wanted to see places on the way so stopped at Lowestoft (shake down - weathered in), Whitby, Hartlepool (to buy spares), Tyne, Berwick, Arbroath, Peterhead, Lossiemouth. Whitby couldn't accommodate us in the marina. Berwick was not somewhere we'd thought of but had a relatively recently installed pontoon and was instead of Eyemouth who said we would touch the bottom due to silting. We had to motor or motor sail all the way as the winds were very light.

When I was at Eyemouth in 2021 they had the dredger in. That has silted up quickly.

 

[Concerto]

We did the trip to Inverness last summer. There were two of us on board and we had three months to get round the UK via the Canal. As we wanted to see places on the way so stopped at Lowestoft (shake down - weathered in), Whitby, Hartlepool (to buy spares), Tyne, Berwick, Arbroath, Peterhead, Lossiemouth. Whitby couldn't accommodate us in the marina. Berwick was not somewhere we'd thought of but had a relatively recently installed pontoon and was instead of Eyemouth who said we would touch the bottom due to silting. We had to motor or motor sail all the way as the winds were very light.

I agree with Sandy, there was no problem in Eyemouth with my 1.6m draft last year and moored close to me were some larger boats as per this photo.

 

[[2574]]

We did Falmouth to Troon in 63hrs non stop. Tomorrow we’ll do Troon to West Devon, should take about 8hrs if the M6/M5 is clear…..

 

[eonolan]

Thank you all…. I was planning to stay well offshore, to avoid pots, traffic etc. any thoughts on this approach? Last time we found the breeze to be quite variable and localised. I would imagine it would be more consistent offshore. ?