Round Britain Trip – What More Do I Need?

[dunedin]

Perhaps worth considering joining the Cruising Association if not already a member. Lots of CA members do some version of a round “Britain” trip each year, so lots of good knowledge there. Last year had a full house for a “round Britain seminar” at CA House.
The Imray / CA Almanac is a possible alternative to Reeds for the longer “delivery legs” of the route, but neither comes near the Imray CCC Sailing Directions essential for cruising Scottish waters (as noted earlier, if happy with online versions, Explore with Imray could save some cost/paper - but currently is not an App so doesn’t work when out of data signal).
CA members do though have access to the CaptainsMate app, which has information on hundreds of harbours, moorings and small anchorages, written by fellow members - and now with many great photos.

 

[V1701]

Good basic toolkit & 2 x jiggle hoses (one for water, one for fuel, clearly marked) if you don't have them already - they make transferring fuel/water from cans much, much easier...

 

[wingcommander]

A good camera to record your experience. You could even maybe start a utube channel and make a fortune, or has that already been done? . Seriously though its great to show off the experiences to friends and family.

 

[Wansworth]

What was the name of the “first” round britain cruise….a book was written

 

[dunedin]

What was the name of the “first” round britain cruise….a book was written

Was it a Norse Saga ?
...... or a Spanish Sequel to the Armada ?
Both precede Frank Cowper's Sailing Tour of Britain, first published in 1892 - and Part V of which, The Clyde to the Thames, is beside me now

 

[srm]

What was the name of the “first” round britain cruise….a book was written

The Norse certainly navigated all of the British coasts, but don't know if one crew did the whole trip.
Survivors from the Spanish Armada that got back home ran up the North Sea, around the top and outside Ireland so are strong contenders for the Round Britain and Ireland, but took the course the wrong way.

 

[Wansworth]

Was it a Norse Saga ?
...... or a Spanish Sequel to the Armada ?
Both precede Frank Cowper's Sailing Tour of Britain, first published in 1892 - and Part V of which, The Clyde to the Thames, is beside me now

……was it cruise of the KATE…middleton

 

[Halo]

I recommend ais. It make’s busy areas such as Felixstowe , Humber and Tees much easier and the whole trip more relaxing especially if fog comes in. I M h o
If you don’t mind sailing in the dark I would recommend Lowestoft to Scarborough in a single trip. Takes me around 20 h.
Having said that Humber is much easier now they have identified crossing areas. Download map off website and talk to Humber vts.
If you go to Grimsby the fishing museum and ship is great.
A pack of cards is worth taking- you will be storm bound at times

 

[Daydream believer]

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

I take my Bike & tie one to the handlebars & one to the saddle. then just wheel it along.
But to each his own. If one want to make 2 trips to the fuel station then so beit
The point is that one needs some means of collecting fuel & a couple of 5 litre cans is not enough.

 

[Wansworth]

I take my Bike & tie one to the handlebars & one to the saddle. then just wheel it along.
But to each his own. If one want to make 2 trips to the fuel station then so beit
The point is that one needs some means of collecting fuel & a couple of 5 litre cans is not enough.

I said 10 litre cans…….I have done my fair share of carrying stuff to boats……and find 20 kilo sack of dog food too much these days….20 litres

 

[Daydream believer]

I recommend ais. It make’s busy areas such as Felixstowe , Humber and Tees much easier and the whole trip more relaxing especially if fog comes in. I M h o
If you don’t mind sailing in the dark I would recommend Lowestoft to Scarborough in a single trip. Takes me around 20 h.
Having said that Humber is much easier now they have identified crossing areas. Download map off website and talk to Humber vts.
If you go to Grimsby the fishing museum and ship is great.
A pack of cards is worth taking- you will be storm bound at times

I found that I read a book every 3-4 days. As for Grimsby -Whoever put the Grim in Grimsby knew what they were doing. But the sailing club is friendly & fuel easy to obtain.
I note the comment about going to Scarborough & that is valid if one can do it. It is 106 miles Grimsby to Lowestoft & that took me 18 hours both times. Just depends on weather & how long one wants to be at sea. Scarborough is much easier to enter than the Humber.

 

[Daydream believer]

I said 10 litre cans…….I have done my fair share of carrying stuff to boats……and find 20 kilo sack of dog food too much these days….20 litres

Easy solution. You need fuel. You do not need a dog.

 

[Bristolfashion]

We carry a small electric kettle, single electric hob & 520W electric heater - saves on gas, electricity is sometimes included in fee & reduces damp.

We have found no problems with fuel & just carry 2 l jerries.

Second long (2 section) hose & power cable

Pilot guides for each section

Imray tides & tidal atlas

Dried milk as a backup

 

[Bristolfashion]

I found that I read a book every 3-4 days. As for Grimsby -Whoever put the Grim in Grimsby knew what they were doing. But the sailing club is friendly & fuel easy to obtain.
I note the comment about going to Scarborough & that is valid if one can do it. It is 106 miles Grimsby to Lowestoft & that took me 18 hours both times. Just depends on weather & how long one wants to be at sea. Scarborough is much easier to enter than the Humber.

We use charity shops and marina book swaps to keep the cruising library updated - according to the admiral, I've been a bit too successful and our storage is stuffed!

 

[Bristolfashion]

I found that I read a book every 3-4 days. As for Grimsby -Whoever put the Grim in Grimsby knew what they were doing. But the sailing club is friendly & fuel easy to obtain.
I note the comment about going to Scarborough & that is valid if one can do it. It is 106 miles Grimsby to Lowestoft & that took me 18 hours both times. Just depends on weather & how long one wants to be at sea. Scarborough is much easier to enter than the Humber.

Wells next the sea is fantastic if you have the weather, nerves & draft!

 

[Bristolfashion]

I take my Bike & tie one to the handlebars & one to the saddle. then just wheel it along.
But to each his own. If one want to make 2 trips to the fuel station then so beit
The point is that one needs some means of collecting fuel & a couple of 5 litre cans is not enough.

It all depends how much one sails, motoring speed & consumption. We have 2 5l cans and have had no problems at all (80l tank, 1,1l/hour, like sailing!)

 

[Bristolfashion]

Perhaps worth considering joining the Cruising Association if not already a member. Lots of CA members do some version of a round “Britain” trip each year, so lots of good knowledge there. Last year had a full house for a “round Britain seminar” at CA House.
The Imray / CA Almanac is a possible alternative to Reeds for the longer “delivery legs” of the route, but neither comes near the Imray CCC Sailing Directions essential for cruising Scottish waters (as noted earlier, if happy with online versions, Explore with Imray could save some cost/paper - but currently is not an App so doesn’t work when out of data signal).
CA members do though have access to the CaptainsMate app, which has information on hundreds of harbours, moorings and small anchorages, written by fellow members - and now with many great photos.

I would agree re Cruising Association- and it will help you meet some nice people with similar interests.

 

[Tomaret]

I found that I read a book every 3-4 days. As for Grimsby -Whoever put the Grim in Grimsby knew what they were doing. But the sailing club is friendly & fuel easy to obtain.
I note the comment about going to Scarborough & that is valid if one can do it. It is 106 miles Grimsby to Lowestoft & that took me 18 hours both times. Just depends on weather & how long one wants to be at sea. Scarborough is much easier to enter than the Humber.

Grim, the Danish fisherman who founded the settlement, apparently saved the infant Prince Havelock of Denmark from the sea. I grew up there and it didn’t seem too bad until I went somewhere else.

 

[Daydream believer]

It all depends how much one sails, motoring speed & consumption. We have 2 5l cans and have had no problems at all (80l tank, 1,1l/hour, like sailing!)

From a rather loose survey--Typically a round UK trip involves 30% motoring
1 litre per hour suggests a 10/12 HP engine. 80 litre capacity is large for a yacht with such a small engine

 

[Bristolfashion]

From a rather loose survey--Typically a round UK trip involves 30% motoring
1 litre per hour suggests a 10/12 HP engine. 80 litre capacity is large for a yacht with such a small engine

Our engine is actually 18HP. (Although designated a "20" model. We "budget" @ 1.1 l/hr, but, looking at my spreadsheet, I see that the last 203 engine hours has given an average consumption of 0.92 l/hr - of course, there's quite a bit of idling & lower speed manoeuvring in that figure. The official manufacturer figures are 1 l/hr @ 1800 revs and, interestingly, 1.6 l/hr @ 2200 revs.

With a clean hull, we get 5.5 knots @ 1800 revs. This end of the season, it's more like 5 knots.

Our longest run under engine - 66.9 NM - was 5.5 knots @ 1800 revs. That 1800 figure just feels right on this boat.

Our previous boat, also with an 18hp engine, had a 20l tank - I prefer the 80l - mid sea refueling isn't fun!

This year - west Scotland & Irish circumnavigation - the lowest level on the tank was 43.3 litres, so never any concerns.

We do see people trolleying 20l fuel containers, but have found "little & often" with our 2 X 5 litre containers this year (and the last two years - East Coast, Shetland & Orkney, West coast Scotland) perfectly OK. We do like a walk though!