Round Britain - which way?

[MidlandsMcGuffin]

If you were planning to sail around Britain (including the northern isles, no cheating!) would you go clockwise or anticlockwise?

And, if you could start anywhere you wanted, where would you start from?

Cheers.

 

[Halo]

I think that this has been round the houses before.
Personally I would keep turning left to do the long leg down the S coast with the prevailing wind and start from my berth.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Welcome to the forum MIdlandsMcGuffin. I would start wherever the boat is based or is most convenient to launch. Clockwise is popular, I assume because our weather tends to come from the Atlantic depressions hence you can ride the lows. In summer that may be a moot point though, hence it does not matter which direction you go in.

 

[NormanS]

My experience is mainly restricted to Scottish waters, but in the Spring and early summer, we get prolonged spells of NEly winds, before the normal SWlies set in. Logically, therefore, I would start at Muckle Flugga. ? It wouldn't really matter whether it was clockwise or counterclockwise.

 

[HappyAfloat]

would you go clockwise or anticlockwise?

Starting where the boat is moored on the Medway.

2018 we went clockwise, 2019 anti clockwise. The decision was based on the wind direction for the week on the departure day.

Out of the two we preferred turning left.

 

[davidej]

I think the Gulf Stream gives slight advantage to anti clockwise - about 1/4 knot.

We went that way and enjoyied easterlies for most of the south coast. More luck than planning

 

[bdh198]

Starting where the boat is berthed (in the Solent) and then going anti-clockwise so that the last 200 miles or so are with the prevailing South Westerly, and with a more interesting coastline and places to stop (assuming you are not doing it non-stop). That would make a more enjoyable finish than the other direction.

 

[MidlandsMcGuffin]

My experience is mainly restricted to Scottish waters, but in the Spring and early summer, we get prolonged spells of NEly winds, before the normal SWlies set in. Logically, therefore, I would start at Muckle Flugga. ? It wouldn't really matter whether it was clockwise or counterclockwise.

Muckle Flugga would be... convenient!

 

[MidlandsMcGuffin]

I think the Gulf Stream gives slight advantage to anti clockwise - about 1/4 knot.

We went that way and enjoyied easterlies for most of the south coast. More luck than planning

"More luck than planning" is a family motto!

 

[Daydream believer]

Both times I went from my home port in Bradwell & went clockwise. I went down the French coast to the CIs then across to falmouth because it is cheaper & feels more like a holiday. Coming back down the east coast is not very enjoyable & by then I have had enough so just wanted to get home so better to do that last. i would not have wanted to do that with the French coast because it is far better. But wanting to get home I would have missed a lot of the best bits.
So my next one will be clockwise as well.

 

[Sandy]

When are you planning to start your trip?

I am planning to go round this year, but later than most - starting at the end of July. Currently thinking anticlockwise with a starting point of Plymouth.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Starting where the boat is berthed (in the Solent) and then going anti-clockwise so that the last 200 miles or so are with the prevailing South Westerly, and with a more interesting coastline and places to stop (assuming you are not doing it non-stop). That would make a more enjoyable finish than the other direction.

+1

 

[Stemar]

I seem to recall an article in a yottie comic some years ago that, starting from the Solent, suggested that May - a good time to start - often has spells of easterly winds, which would take you west, then prevailing SW winds take you north and east across the N of Scotland, if you're feeling brave, or the wind doesn't matter if you aren't, when the Caledonian Canal comes into play. Heading back down the east coast, A SW wind will give a close reach all the way down, leaving only the bit from Dover back to the Solent to fight the prevailing winds.

Going the other way, assuming SW winds, easy run to Dover, broad reach up the east coast, but close hauled through the Pentland Firth and most of the way down the west coast.

 

[dunedin]

If you were planning to sail around Britain (including the northern isles, no cheating!) would you go clockwise or anticlockwise?

And, if you could start anywhere you wanted, where would you start from?

Cheers.

Start from Belfast Lough straight into the Scottish islands - and nip back SW through the canal to avoid the boring E and S bits

 

[dunedin]

When are you planning to start your trip?

I am planning to go round this year, but later than most - starting at the end of July. Currently thinking anticlockwise with a starting point of Plymouth.

If I were you, starting so late, I might be tempted to use the prevailing SW to head straight up the West Side to Scotland (ie clockwise) - otherwise it will be winter before you get there!

 

[Sandy]

If I were you, starting so late, I might be tempted to use the prevailing SW to head straight up the West Side to Scotland (ie clockwise) - otherwise it will be winter before you get there!

I have been giving that some thought over the last day or so. I suspect the weather as we leave Plymouth will determine if we go out the east or west entrance,

 

[Daydream believer]

It took me about 12 weeks both times SH. so on the same time table you would be coming home end of september. i have had some horrid weather in the SE North sea then .I would want to be back by then unless on a decent sized boat with a crew

 

[westhinder]

Whichever way you go, take enough time to sample the West coast of Scotland and the Orkneys, they are by far the best bits and it would be a pity to whizz past.
I did it clockwise starting and finishing in Belgium. My reasoning was I did not fancy doing the Pentland Firth against the prevailing weather and likewise the Irish Sea. I was hoping for a N or E-ly spell in May to get down Channel, but that turned out to be 3 weeks of punching into depressions, and I finally took the Caledonian Canal because a forecast of a week of E 6-7 and crew changeover difficulties meant I had to give up the Pentland Firth. In the end you will have to play with the cards you are dealt.

 

[jimi]

I went clockwise and bashed SW F5/6 all the way from Ramsgate to Brixham. I won't be rushing to repeat that experience! I particularly remember large chunks of water coming over the boat near Beachy Head! Next time I'll go anti clockwise.

 

[dunedin]

I went clockwise and bashed SW F5/6 all the way from Ramsgate to Brixham. I won't be rushing to repeat that experience! I particularly remember large chunks of water coming over the boat near Beachy Head! Next time I'll go anti clockwise.

Is that any worse, or shorter, than bashing into SW winds from the Orkneys to Isles of Scilly?

It is an inescapable part of having prevailing SW winds here that there will be a substantial bash upwind if you want to go round the UK (possibly unless set off clockwise from Orkney or Wick in May, as often NE then)