Novice(ish) sailing to the Isles of Scilly

[Samosun]

Hello all,

So, the background.....a few months ago I bought a very cheap Invader 22 bilge keeler. I've been improving it and getting to know it since, and done a fair bit of single handing around Chichester harbour and the Solent. This is my second boat, first was a 22' Westerly Nomad. I lived on this for 2 years but only sailed it half a dozen times, mostly single handed. I've done my Dayskipper (4 years ago) and some dinghy sailing. I have also done a couple of channel crossings as crew but this was 8 years ago. I have taken the whole of June off and am planning on sailing to Cornwall (Family from Mevagissey) mostly on my own but my partner will join me for a week and I may have crew for some of the rest of it.
I would really love to sail to the Isles of Scilly, as I love the place. I will probably be doing it all single handed (with my dog, who is fine on the boat). By this point I will have been sailing my boat for many miles and at least a couple of weeks so should be pretty used to its idiosyncrasies. I'm going to sort out a Tiller pilot, my engine is a 3 month old Tohatsu 6hp which will have just had it's 3 month service so should be as reliable as is possible. Sails are in OK condition. Hanked on headsails, both Genny and Jib.

I am young(ish), fit, strong and very calm in a tough situation. I'm intending to head to Penzance (or nearby) and am happy to wait a up to a week for decent weather.

So, Is this sensible? or should I just wait until I have more experience, crew, and/or maybe a bigger boat? Any gear I shouldn't conciser leaving without?

If i'm not being foolhardy does anyone have any advice? What conditions should I avoid for the crossing on a small boat? Any areas I should avoid or definitely visit? Any advice is very welcome!

 

[V1701]

I think the fact you've clearly thought it through & sought advice says quite a lot. You have enough experience IMO, a tiller pilot yes is almost a must, if you can a PLB wouldn't be a bad idea as well as VHF radio. Just don't go if the weather's too bad but if weather's OK I say go for it & I'm sure you'll enjoy it & gain confidence...

 

[Wansworth]

Just go,that’s to some extent what the sea is all about and in reality very much all that is left for ordinary people todo ,getting away taking decisions ,risk!......

P.s.....How did you find the Nomad?

 

[LadyInBed]

Certainly doable in a 22ft boat if it's fitted out for the job, it's a 60 odd nM passage from Falmouth so some form of automatic steering is a must.
You will have a better idea if you are up to it once you have crossed Lyme Bay as that is a similar distance but it could be argued in more friendly sea conditions.
You will certainly need to get yourself out of sheltered waters and do some workup outings when the weather isn't as nice as you are comfortable with so you will know if you can cope.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I think by the time the OP sails to Penzance, he will have a very good idea as to whether he is up to sailing to the Isles of Scilly.

I hope that it all goes well. I was that young adventurer once... Just do it.

 

[roaringgirl]

Sailing *to* the Isles of Scilly isn't the problem, it's navigating *around* them that is the issue.

The hop from Penzance to IoS is about 30nm so it's like any 6hr coastal passage except that:
a) you don't have to worry about hitting land (until right at the end)
b) at the worst you're 3hrs from land if you run into trouble
Getting an accurate forecast for the next 24hrs is easy these days (I like the Windy app) so you shouldn't be concerned about encountering conditions you're not prepared for.

 

[Poey50]

We sailed from the Helford to Scilly about five years ago in our 22 foot trailer sailer with Bft 5 on a beam reach. It was a good fast sail but once out beyond land the surging waves meant that our brand new autohelm, bought especially for the trip, couldn't cope and I had to hand-helm all the way. I wouldn't go in anything stronger unless the wind was behind the beam.

 

[rib]

Have a walk round tresco,when you get there.island of two halfs,tis only the weather thats dangerous .go on a good forcast and enjoy

 

[sarabande]

It's more or less certain that the OP will find other boats parked in Penzance or Newlyn waiting to hop across. A crossing in company, especially if another boat knows the islands, would be good way to nail it.

 

[david_bagshaw]

You say you love the place, have you been there by boat before? If so you will already know the following:-
To add to others good advice,
Take a good anchor and warp, no marina type moorings
water is relatively hard to come by, and can be expensive, a flat hose, to avoid carrying.

Phone signal was only 3g from all carriers. I imagine most pubs will charge a phone while you eat.
Dont miss Tresco Gardens, or the most westerly pub, the Turks head Did a fab Steak last year, so good went back 3 times.,on St Agnes, or the beach between St Agnes and Gugh, which goes under at 4.2 Mtr

only 2 big shops for food, one on tresco, and a coop on stmarys, both good for the cruising boat.
There is a boat yard and slip nr st marys , for essential repairs although I havnt used it along with a Chandler at the top of the northerly landing point on Bryher.


Fuel is only really available from st Marys, and expensive, so take as much as you can.

Enjoy, a lovely destination!

 

[johnalison]

I think that stopping at Penzance/Newlyn is the way to go. If you have trouble, it will most likely be due to fatigue. A small bilge-keeler is absolutely ideal as you can tuck yourself in where you like and avoid the odd rough days, even drying out if you want. The only thing about the Isles is not to be pig-headed about going. It may happen or it may not. There is always another year and you are supposed to be having fun.

 

[Just_sayin']

You seem to have thought it through well.

Only bit of advice is to remember the adage “the time to put in a reef is when you first think about it”.

My wife will testify that when we had yachts I often ignored the advice thinking “oh it’s only a gust”

Sometimes it was ............ :ambivalence:

 

[Samosun]

Thank you all for the advice. Really encouraging responses. Sounds like it should be within my capabilities assuming ok weather, if the weather is against me I won't take any big risks. There is always another year. I've ordered the Imray Pilot book so should have some good information about what to do while there if the weather picks up. To answer some specific questions:

How did you find the Nomad?

I loved it, I hate to say it was better than my current boat....but cost 5x as much. I think it was built in 1969 but was very well fitted out. Herringbone teak everywhere, plenty of extras, and clearly loved. they seem to be pretty rare but built like brick s**t houses. Was easy to handle and loads of room inside, slow, but so is the Invader 22!

You say you love the place, have you been there by boat before?

No, only by air or the Scillonian. I've been twice in the last few years and many times as a child. Thank you for the advice, i know my way around on land by sea and things like fuel and water expenses are new to me!
Anchor wise I have a Danforth (5kg ish? i've not weighed it) with 5m of 6mm chain and 30m of 12mm octoplait that came with the boat, I've also just ordered a 8Kg Kobra anchor 10m of 8mm chain and 40m of 14mm octoplait to replace it so I should be well over spec'd anchor wise. I'll be taking both and using the Kobra as my main anchor.

Thanks again for your advice and well wishes! Any more advice is well appreciated. I just can't wait to leave in just under 3 weeks!!!! Anyone else here planning on heading out there or who will be there late to mid June?

 

[Fr J Hackett]

There used to be a local pillage booklet available in St Marys giving all the transits for inter island hopping available at Mumfords if I remember correctly and of course there is always Scilly Pete of the forum.

 

[PhilW]

If you are confident in your sailing abilities then do it. I bought my invader 22 from Plymouth to Scilly in 2012 stopped off in Falmouth on the way though. The original intention was to go straight to Newlyn but we would have missed last orders. Took us 12 hours motor sailing on the 2nd day.

 

[C08]

All good advice, remember all you need is one good day there and another one back. Just wait for the right day. When you get there you will be surprised how small and compact the island group is and all the drying out spots made for a twin keeler!

 

[ANDY_W]

Many years ago I went to Scilly a number of times singlehanded in a 22 footer, once non stop from Plymouth, but usually from Falmouth.

In such a small boat, getting the right weather is critical. Scilly has no all weather harbour, the nearest being Newlyn. You should be looking for a spell of settled weather to cover the trip out, the stay and the trip back. If it looks like the weather will break, don't hesitate to head immediately for the nearest safe harbour.

If it is any help, when planning I decided to determine which point I wanted to be at before starting my approach to enter the islands and at what state of tide. From there I worked the passage in reverse to my starting point in order to set the start time. Starting from Falmouth meant I had to allow for favourable tides or slack water round the Lizard. I also noted what time I should be passing various points in order keep a check on progress.

In your planning for the approaches to Scilly, try to work it out using easily visible reference points such as highest hill tops or headlands. The pilot books give lots of marks and prominent rocks, but marks can be covered by vegetation or hard to distinguish and there are a hell of a lot rocks from which to pick out one. Make sure that you always know your position.

Take note of the Gilstone east of Peninnis Head; in calm seas only a slightly different swirl marks its p.resence as I noted when passing far too close to it!

From Wolf Rock to Scilly you will be passing the southern end of a traffic separation scheme with commercial vessels either turning to enter it, or turning to their new course on leaving it. You might wish to do that part of the trip in daylight.

The trip is perfectly feasible in your boat provided you do proper passage planning. Have fun!

 

[Rocksteadee]

Experience is what you get just after you need it.
You will get loads of that on the way down.
First thing you did was post on here, and as previously mentioned, there is probably a flotilla waiting to leave Penzance
I too am planing to go, to get there end of July, coming from the Solent but driving a stinkpot, looking at taking 4 days to get there.
First trip there we were planning to take cruiser to all the islands. However to soon became apparent the easiest way to get around was to leave boat on a buoy in st marys harbour and jump on the little day trippers, letting the skipper with local knowledge take responsibility. They know which route is passable at all tides. There are some hideously pointy rocks only seen at low tide and mostly unmarked.

 

[Alskade]

Hello and welcome

We plan, also, to head for the Scillys sometime this year....when we have finally cracked our current problems on the boat. We have a Westerly Chieftian which we have been told will love it (?!?). Good luck and maybe we will whizz past you , or see you in the pub :encouragement:

 

[zoidberg]

If i'm not being foolhardy does anyone have any advice? What conditions should I avoid for the crossing on a small boat? Any areas I should avoid or definitely visit? Any advice is very welcome!

As others say, sounds like you and your boat are ready enough. Newlyn is a good 'jumping-off' point.

Have a good look at the tide streams for your crossing - you won't particularly want to be swept to the north of your planned track.
Do have a careful assessment of the significant risk of sea fog. There's lots of 'crossing traffic' and you'll want to see and be seen. Effective radar reflector....?

Where to head for? St Mary's is most people's idea, but it is usually crowded and expensive. You can anchor in Porth Cressa - left hand side ONLY. Perhaps the best place to start is here:

It's easy and safe to enter, north or south, and the best pub around is just visible in the top left corner. Make sure you have a dinghy, or you'll go very thirsty.

Here's another favourite anchorage - St Helen's Pool:

Finally, not an anchorage, but sunrise out by the Western Rocks, during a Jester Baltimore Challenge a couple of years ago:

Enjoi!