Round Britain in a Centaur

CPD

CPD

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Without going at breakneck speed (in a centaur ?) and sailing perhaps 6 days out of 7 (weather permitting of course), how long would a full round britain (not cutting off half of scotland) take, or how long would you take ?. I know it can be worked out roughly, but would be interested to hear from those who have done it, or indeed anyone with anything to say !. I can feel a sabattical coming on year after next.
 
I sailed round in 2001, going round the top, but not visiting many of the Scottih islands on the way. It was in an X99, a fairly whizzy boat by Centaur standards. We weren't pushing for speed at all costs, but we weren't lazing around either. We kept progress going, and did a few long passages to get already familiar or less interesting bits out of the way.

As for sailing 6 days out of 7, I think that is too optimistic, especially in Scotland. It's very easy to lose 5 days when a progression of dismal weather rattles through. From Ardnamurchan to Paterhead (if you go round the top) you really are governed by the weather in a small boat. I would estimate 4 days out of 7 there, maybe 5 if it's a good summer and for the bottom half of the country. If you are doing crew changes that causes delays as well.

Three top tips I reckon are 1) just do it, it's great, and you'll be able to bore forumites here for years to come 2) be thoroughly prepared, 3) start early in the season. You don't want to be stuck oop north beyond the middle of September, because Metcheck goes all orange and red...

Weather oop north

Report here...

XRayTed round the top
 
A friend of mine did it this year in a Southerly 105 going round the top (could give you contact details - he'd be happy to share knowledge) but I haven't spoken to him since he got back. I know that they were planning just day sailing and had 50 stops en route. Be a shame to rush down the west coast of Scotland though.

I can recommend self-unemployment /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I knew someone who did it a few years ago in a 19ft Seawych He started in May from Shoreham but IIRC spent the first week at at the OA rally in Bembridge.
I don't think he sailed at night, so he did it all in short daytime hops mostly if not entirely single handed and got back pretty late in the year, possibly November. I think he returned home a couple of times during the trip for a few days as well.

He "built up to it" by sailing to the Isles of Scilly and round the Bishop rock one year, then a good way up the East coast and back the following year.

The year after his round Britain he spent two years sailing out to the Med (round the outside) and then back partly thorough the French canals, so keep the dreaming hat on.

Sadly he drowned in a Spanish marina a couple of years after that.

If you are interested I can dig out his account of the round Britain trip
 
I should have said, it will almost certaionly be single-handed.

Steve
I have a centaur, therefore (to some) I have a caravan. Too posh for canvas houses I am !

Angus
What a great trip, and in 2 months. I had 2-3 months in mind. Thanks for that.

Amari
Good point, I'll dig the book out.

Roger
That would be good thanks.

VicS
A sad ending to a chap. If it isnt too much trouble, it would be interesting to have a link. Thanks.

Thanks as ever gents.
 
I know of one Centaur that did this last month, though cut short the Scottish bit and went via the Caledonian Canal as running out of time on a month's holiday. Ellen McA did the same short-cut years ago.
 
Pipedream - A friend of mine did it a few years ago single handed in a Hurley. He took two years. Better to travel hopefully than to arrive and all that. If you have 2 months then do what you can and have an adventure.

You really are getting itchy feet, lets do the Jester 08 first.
 
Just to give you an idea, I took my boat up the East Coast last year. It took us 10 days to get from the Crouch to Inverness. We stopped most nights, but obviously there are some parts of the trip where you have got to keep going. The longest stretch was from Lowestoft to Whitby (26 hours, but it did get quite foggy). We went through the Caledonian – my wife refused to go round the top – although I have to say it was an enjoyable experience.

I left the boat on the west coast of Scotland last winter – if you hunt around it can be a lot cheaper than down south. Had a few weeks round the islands – when the weather’s good it really is superb (but when it’s not…)

This year we came back via the east coast of Ireland. It took us 40 days to get from Inverkip to the Crouch, but we got held up by bad weather in southern Ireland for the best part of a week. Eventually escaped to Milford Haven where we were held up for another 3 days. Because of the delay we had to miss out the Scillies and rush the south coast bit, which was a shame (I feel I want to go back next year and do that bit properly). I am sure you could do it in less if you wanted to, but we were on holiday so we stopped most nights.

Just do it. It will almost certainly take longer than you think, but you can always leave the boat somewhere if you run short of time.

I don’t think we can be that far apart – pm if you want to discuss it further.
 
Went round anti clockwise round the top in 2005-took about 3 and a half months. Only 1 really long sail-Lowestoft to Spurn Head(you might be able to split this at Wells with your draft) and 2 other 60 milers-across the Murray Firth, and across the Irish Sea. Really enjoyed it. Learnt a great deal about the UK.
 
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