Plan B (Norway to UK) advice & help & views please..........

[tjj.esq]

Some of you may of seen my last post on the SBC Crewing opportunities Forum with the title "Italy to Uk in the not to distant future....."
Things went a bit pear shaped as far as the boat that I was set to buy in Italy was concerned, the unscrupulous and numpty idiot broker from Genova did not realise that I had friends in the area that confirmed to me that the boat in question was actually sold even though the broker asked me for a deposit after going to see the boat, I played the dumb card as well and did not speak a word of Italian (my second language) throughout the viewing and in all communication.
Luckily for me I did not send a bank transfer deposit and therefore lost "ZERO" money, this was a steep learning curve for me and a lesson was learned about dealing with boat buying business overseas.
I would like to thank all the people that gave me their words of advice and time regarding my request for help that they did not have to do but felt that certain things needed saying, Thank You ALL!
Sometimes trying to get the cheaper deal can end in disaster and if I had gone through with it I would of been out of pocket, out of boat and out of my mind with rage!
The story goes on but it has left a very sour taste in my mouth, I have been knocked down, I have got up and have dusted myself off and am now going for plan B!

So.....Plan B it is then
I have found a boat in Norway that I would really like to purchase, she is a 1974 Fisksatra S30 Skerry Cruiser (41ft not very beamy), my Cousin in Norway is brokering a deal for me with the Norwegian seller, so if all goes well and to plan I will own her by the end of November.

Since I am living aboard 75% of my time I will need to bring her back to Blighty from Svendborg, Sweden ASAP, probably sailing down to Kiel and going through the Kiel Canal and then passing Holland then a run across to home (sounds simple....).

Would there be anyone that would be prepared to give me a hand doing this kind of trip before Christmas, I would be able to pay for flights, food, train or lift home but not much else....
Does anyone have any views on the above, whether it be input, criticism, advice.... whatever, is this a mad idea to do it this time of year, is it worth even thinking about..... please let me know your views!

I am not going to be all maverick & macho and say I know it all and could do it all by myself because that is far from the truth, I need help or advice and that I would be more than grateful for if some of you could give it to me.... can someone throw me a bone here, give some advice, guidance?

 

[jerrytug]

My advice is that you must organise and budget for the possibility of spending weeks waiting for suitable weather. Just relax and forget trying to fit the trip in 'before Xmas' or any other date, because it may not be possible.
Secondly, fit the boat with heating if you want anyone to come with you.
I would politely like to raise the possibility that some experienced potential crew might infer from your questions that your are not a highly expereienced skipper, or don't have a lot of experience of the North Sea.
Perhaps it would help to find company by a few words outlining your experience and qualifications, and the state of the yacht and how you will be equipping her for the trip.
Good luck Jerry

 

[alteredoutlook]

Do you mean svendborg in Denmark? (Svendborg according to google maps is actually a company in Stockholm!).

If so, its not a long way to kiel canal. However, as another poster has said its going to be cold but you should be able to do it hops. The bit from the eastern end of the canal past the german and dutch Frisian islands wont be much fun unless you wait for the right weather.

Maybe you should leave the boat there over the winter and treat it as an opportunity to sail the Baltic next summer (that's what I'd do!)

 

[Steve_O]

Svendborg In Denmark to Kiel will probably take the best part of a day wind dependant. Have done it several times. The best and easiest way is SE towards Rudkobing, then S along the western side os Langeland and out past Marstel. It will take a couple of hours to get to open water through the strong currents/tidal streams(even though there is no tide) off Rudkobing but it is a good run. Then a straight course for Kiel. Kiel is a friendly place and British Kiel YC(BKYC) is a good place to a stop over if needed. I would tend to agree with previous posts about the weather. The Baltic and North Sea are not nice places to be in the winter for the majority of the time.
I hope the trip goes well whenever you do go for it.