Overnight Passage

[Farmer Piles]

Thought that I might do an overnight passage from Falmouth, round Lands End to Padstow

Any reason why not? Any tips or hints??

Like stiff breeze or choppy seas.

 

[Jon magowan]

Hi there,
A couple of obvious questions;
What boat do you have?
What is your experience level?
Do you plan to sail solo or with crew?
What time of year do you want to do this ?
Are you planning to turn around and sail straight back ?

 

[Sandy]

Thought that I might do an overnight passage from Falmouth, round Lands End to Padstow

Any reason why not? Any tips or hints??

Like stiff breeze or choppy seas.

Why is this any different to any other passage?

 

[Stingo]

At first, I did one overnight passage. Then I did another. Now I have no idea how many I've done.

Be conservative and go for it. You should be just fine.

 

[Daydream believer]

I have sailed the inshore passage from Newlyn to Milford Haven SH twice. In Newlyn I went into a skanky pub to ask a couple of fishermen advice re currents & course for the inshore passage. I did not have a chart only Reeds.
The 2 blokes I spoke to were great. They had an argument about the tides over some beer that I bought & paid for. It was decided that they had fished there for 30 years & neither knew what way the tides ran
As for navigation the advice was- If you see a rock don't hit it. Actually that made sense. Keep clear of the rocks & one has plenty of water.
Fortunately , just before I left, I assisted a couple berth their multihull. They did not have a clue & the HM only made it worse. So I showed them how to come & go a couple of times. They were so grateful that they gave me a chart of the passage
I recommend it. I did not have a chart plotter, so the chart helped

 

[Hacker]

Thought that I might do an overnight passage from Falmouth, round Lands End to Padstow

Any reason why not? Any tips or hints??

Like stiff breeze or choppy seas.

You’ve obviously started as both lifeboats are out in the Roads!

<you forgot to add the irony emoji…….>

 

[Blue Seas]

That fella Darragh is a good man in a gale I hear.....

 

[prestomg27]

Thought that I might do an overnight passage from Falmouth, round Lands End to Padstow

Any reason why not? Any tips or hints??

Like stiff breeze or choppy seas.

My only advice would be to wait a day or two.

 

[S04]

Under most circumstances I'd prefer to make a night passage. The principal factor that might deter me is if it looked likely that all or part of the passage was to be made under engine then I'd be concerned about the likelihood of encountering pot buoys. Perhaps more likely on an inshore passage.

That said, I have picked up a pot 12 miles south of St Cats at 2 in the morning!

 

[prestomg27]

Pot buoys are the one thing that scare me at night.

I wish the english government would follow scottish legislation on pots.

 

[Sandy]

I wish the english government would follow scottish legislation on pots.

That would never work, as it is Cornish waters.

 

[Boathook]

Under most circumstances I'd prefer to make a night passage. The principal factor that might deter me is if it looked likely that all or part of the passage was to be made under engine then I'd be concerned about the likelihood of encountering pot buoys. Perhaps more likely on an inshore passage.

That said, I have picked up a pot 12 miles south of St Cats at 2 in the morning!

I've seen a pot marker mid channel between the shipping lanes a few times.

 

[zoidberg]

Tips or hints...?

If you see any beam trawlers - especially with 'PZ' painted on the bows - turn around quick and go somewhere else.

If you don't know what a beam trawler looks like, I recommend you don't sail in Cornish waters lest you find out!

 

[Nosher]

Don’t do it tonight.

But other than that, pick some decent weather and enjoy it. Having spent a lot of years delivering boats and working offshore, I would often make a night passage out of preference. Breaks up the monotony and around lands end its rather nice watching and navigating by the various well known lights.

Only obvious hazards are pots, particularly around headlands. And make sure you understand fishing vessel lights, and what gear they’re identifying.

You’ll have a nice sense of achievement too, it feels like more of an adventure. Hope you do it.

 

[dunedin]

My only advice would be to wait a day or two.

Me thinks that was the thought behind the original post

 

[doug748]

Thought that I might do an overnight passage from Falmouth, round Lands End to Padstow

Any reason why not? ............................ Any tips or hints??......

Double reef your underpants.

.

 

[Neeves]

Confess I have no ideas on the intricacies of the passage you intend but I have crossed Bass Strait a number of times, both ways, single handed.

We too have a problem with buoys, supposedly marking cray pots, - they are a bit like lost containers, its just one of the risks. But you will not be making this passage in winds of 40 knots so the sea will be flattish and night is not THAT dark - you will see any buoys - don't worry.

Ignoring the details of your passage - sit at anchor at the beginning and wait for the weather and tide window you need. Don't move, don't even think of moving, until the weather is in your favour. Patience is a virtue. So give yourself time, at anchor, + extra time (on passage) in case the forecast wind is lighter than forecast.

Depends on the time of year you intend embarking on this little adventure, summer seems a good time, cannot think why. , but prepare meals in advance and keep them hot in a big thermos or Shuttle Chef. You don't want to be preparing hot food (and hot drink) but if prepared in advance will make a welcome treat.

When you reach your destination, all safe and sound, you will wonder why you worried.

Jonathan

 

[Skylark]

Why is this any different to any other passage?

I’d offer that it is in that the environment has changed significantly, ie, daylight to darkness.

A night passage can be a very pleasant and rewarding experience, especially if it involves pilotage into an unfamiliar port, for example.

By coincidence, RYA with its weekly email has just done a piece in tips for night cruising.

Night Cruising Tips

 

[Sandy]

I’d offer that it is in that the environment has changed significantly, ie, daylight to darkness.

A night passage can be a very pleasant and rewarding experience, especially if it involves pilotage into an unfamiliar port, for example.

By coincidence, RYA with its weekly email has just done a piece in tips for night cruising.

Night Cruising Tips

I must be missing something? A day/night passage is quite common in my world. I enjoy a sailing by the stars especially when there is no cloud and you can get a few star and planet shots in twilight and work up a position.

 

[GEM43]

That would never work, as it is Cornish waters.

on Radio Cornwall yesterday they had Harry Glasson on the show talking about his new music. The DJ said in the introduction that Harry has written Cornwall’s national anthem “Cornwall my home”. They really do believe that Cornwall isn’t England.