Round Britain Trip – What More Do I Need?

[Baddox]

I’ve recently retired and my wife and I intend to start sailing around the UK next year. We’ll start by heading up the east coast and either through the Caledonian canal or round Orkney and Shetland. I want to do both so may end up in a figure of 8 and spend the season on the west coast of Scotland. There’s no rush.

Prior to retirement we’ve port-hopped, anchoring at times but always with good marinas in close proximity and are already well set up for that. I realise that easy access to facilities will be sparser further from home and am wondering what else we need to consider or buy before then.

So far I’ve realised I need to organise a gardener for home. For the boat, I expect I’ll need a fender board, diesel cans and funnel in case no waterside fuel is available, water hose, perhaps folding bikes, etc.

What else would be useful? All ideas, tips and advice are welcome.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

A means to make electricity, whatever is your preferred method, solar, wind or generator.

Some good mooring strops & a means of attaching them. Some buoys just have a metal loop. Hook & moor gadget is good.

Antares charts.

Mains hook up cable extension & one of those 3 to 1 adapters. Often in small places sockets don't all work or there aren't enough of them.

A SIM that uses the EE network as it's the best on the west coast of Scotland. Lyca Mobile use EE & have a good unlimited data offer.

Small rucksacks for carrying stuff. A shop may be a hike away.

Knowing where accessible supermarkets are - there are many small Spars & Co-ops, but not so many supermarkets for a periodic big shop. On the west coast you have Stornoway, Ullapool, Kyle of Lochalshe, Oban, Troon & Stranraer.

 

[Pye_End]

Charts and guides. Perhaps the Imray electronic deal which gives access to all the pilot books. Presume you will have internet access to organise Scottish canal fees.

 

[arc1]

Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions if spending summer off of Scotland.
Clyde Cruising Club : Sailing Directions
And, as mentioned, Antares charts.

 

[[2574]]

Decent anchor and chain and a spare. Decent snubber.

 

[veshengro]

I found a lightweight two wheel folding shopping trolley/ wheeled bag a real asset when the nearest shops or supply point was a bit of a trek, when berthed or anchored away from Marinas. If you do buy one, from experience I would suggest not buying one with small wheels, big wheels run easier in gravelly boatyards...

 

[boomerangben]

Eye masks and/or decent curtains.

 

[Wansworth]

I found a lightweight two wheel folding shopping trolley/ wheeled bag a real asset when the nearest shops or supply point was a bit of a trek, when berthed or anchored away from Marinas. If you do buy one, from experience I would suggest not buying one with small wheels, big wheels run easier in gravelly boatyards...

Could that double as a sea anchour?

 

[veshengro]

No that's a wheelie bad idea, it would be far too light...

 

[MontyMariner]

Screens for hatches, midge repellent.
Do you dry out? Shortish (6ft) access ladder.

 

[steveeasy]

An umbrella would be a good idea and ideally some sort of cockpit canopy. Its not all about rain and indeed the weather on the west coast this year has been good, but a diesel heater will help dry the crew and indeed the boat.

Steveeasy

 

[srm]

Admiralty Tide Atlases:
NP 209 For Orkney and Shetland is absolutely essential unless you want to spend time in that magic spot where speed through the water is equal and opposite to tide stream and ground speed hovers around zero for an hour or two. (I spent much of my sailing career in these waters).
NP 218 for West coast of Scotland is highly recommended.
These give A4 size charts with spring and neap tides, and usually more details than shown on electronic charts. The rest of the way around can be adequately covered with the thumb nail chartlets in Reeds or electronic equivalents.

For these waters good ground tackle and the willingness to find a sheltered anchorage rather than rely on so called "marinas" (or mooring buoys). Many of these are just a collection of pontoons or buoys moored on a convenient side of a loch and may well be open to wind wave or swell from one or more directions. For example the pontoons and mooring buoys in Tobermory bay that can become dangerous in NE winds. (Those who can understand weather forecasts and read charts head across to Loch Na Druma Budihe south of Isle Oronsay for a quiet day or two at anchor). A friend came close to loosing his boat in Loch Dunvegan on the west side of Skye when the two ropes to an exposed mooring buoy parted (he was on deck at the time contemplating a third rope as his short bowsprit was pitching in to the waves). They were saved by the RNLI while they were slowly but steadily being blown out of the Loch as the engine was unable to get them back to the buoy. We were snugly anchored off the village at the time, albeit with about 70 metres of chain out.

I like your idea of a figure of eight through the Caledonian Canal, it will give you the best cruising grounds that Britian has to offer, and the canal is worth taking time to enjoy. Do go in to North Haven on Fair Isle, a special place. If practical weather wise head out to the St Kilda group for a real "edge of the world" experience but failing that a visit to Foula on the west side of Shetland makes a good second best as long as there is no chance of an easterly wind.

 

[dunedin]

At least 2 years - or better 3

 

[StefanSG]

Holding tank or porta potti for Caledonian canal ?

 

[steve yates]

Will second antares charts!

 

[penfold]

Plenty of toilets, or pump-out if you prefer your own throne.

Holding tank or porta potti for Caledonian canal ?

 

[Daydream believer]

Couple of 20 litre jerry cans to have spare fuel & to go & collect spare fuel. Funnel with a filter. Spare filters, Spare impeller, Spare fan belt. Make sure the tool kit is complete with decent spanners to fit every bolt & nut
Long hose pipe for fresh water. A long shore power lead.
I found that most of the cruising stuff I used at home was sufficient. A couple of longer lines for the canal plus 8 fenders. A large round fender for the aft quarter when motoring off the lock wall where prop wash pushes the stern in.
I did buy a folio of charts for the Scottish waters but did not need anything other than C charts for the rest of the trip. Latest Reeds is a must. Admiralty tides book is really a bit too vague. OK for the N sea & channel but not much else.
I did buy pilots for the whole trip but found the Northumberland one unnecessary. I did get the map of the Cally canal, so I knew where I was. I found Roger Oliver's book of his 2 round UK trips very useful.
I did not have a chart plotter or AIS for the first trip & did not use any Ipad or smart phone navigation aid, as they are unnecessary if one knows how to navigate. Certainly using the Cally canal route only avoid ing the top bit is a piece of cake nav wise.
The navigation around the Uk is fairly easy. The most difficult part on both trips was the Humber estuary to Grimsby. First time in daylight & the second at night. My chart was a bit vague & I could have done with a more detailed one. Not helped by the shipping . However, Humber VTS was quite helpful, advising ships of my presence. Finding Grimsby lock at night on a falling tide in the mist is fun.
There is no point spending cash on stuff one does not need if one is used to general cruising ones own area & has transited a few locks, visited a few different marinas etc

 

[Wansworth]

Couple of 20 litre jerry cans to have spare fuel & to go & collect spare fuel.
Long hose pipe for fresh water. A long shore power lead.
I found that most of the cruising stuff I used at home was sufficient. A couple of longer lines for the canal plus 8 fenders. A large round fender for the aft quarter when motoring off the lock wall where prop wash pushes the stern in.
I did buy a folio of charts for the Scottish waters but did not need anything other than C charts for the rest of the trip. Reeds is a must.

If I may suggest better ten litre cans……unless strong 20 litres get heaven after a short while

 

[lustyd]

Water containers to fill from the dock - we had two 20L which were heavy but convenient for our trip, and they gave us a few days with one fill.
We also found a vacuum sealer useful before leaving for rice, pasta etc. where we portioned out to two person portions with recommended portion sizes. This was great as they went in the (clean) bilge without worry leaving more space elsewhere.

Honestly not a lot else if you have a good hard floored dinghy. Money is useful as everywhere you go there will be someone with a tin cup needing their fee. The Westcountry was worst for this with what we considered excessive anchor charges and little in return. They also now charge for paddleboards and sometimes tenders these days, which left a very bitter taste for us.

 

[crewman]

Walking boots and gear. There are some great hikes accessible from many anchorages.