Sailing a sports boat from the Isle of Wight to Northern Ireland.

[Wansworth]

Almost all the west country harbours are worth a visit.There are one or two anchorages I know just to the starboard as you head up to Brixam harbour and Cawsand as you enter Plymouth on the western end it’s to port,little village there.Most harbours now charge a anchouring or moo007u

 

[Chris5140]

I’m happy to do it over a couple of weeks at least guys. I’ve driven to Spain loads of times, sometimes just straight down the motorway, it’s quick but you don’t see or learn anything, I dont want it to be like a 600 mile blast down the motorway, 50-100 miles a day every other day would be fine.

Cheers for the input by the way guys.

What spare’s do you recommend to carry for twin Volvo KAD43’s?

 

[gjgm]

Well, good luck. An adventure. Quite a probability, I fear, it will be a tough one, and quite possibly an expensive one. You don't need much to wrong with 25 year old engines b4 you a clocking up large marina fees ( no decent mechanic is on tap at short notice), and even larger repair bills.
So regards spares, they will be fairly easily available, so fluids,belts and impellers should do, as long as you have tools and know how. If you are losing fluids, other than getting to a marina, you are not going any further anyway!
Just note, once you turn Lizard, you have 2k miles plus of sea, so any post storm swell and you are going to be in a tough world in a planing boat, and you have very few bolt holes for a long way if anything goes wrong.
The trip is do-able. I think you are going to need some good weather and some good fortune for it to be fun.


.

 

[Chris5140]

Hi Gigm

If we don’t have the occasional adventure what’s the point in spending all this money and having these boats?

I’m a Boatfolk customer so I get 30 days free at each of their marinas and I believe they have half a dozen in my route home. So if I need to let her sit a week or two a few times awaiting decent weather it shouldn’t be a problem.

The journey itself was s about 25 hrs straight, 25hrs on well serviced engines shouldn’t be too much to ask, especially if done over a couple of weeks. The boat’s been looked after by Solent Marine Services and they’ve a good reputation. The last service in January was an engine out major service and it’s also just had a full electrical systems check and fresh bill of health.

The survey is happening next week and the guy doing it also has a very good reputation, hopefully nothing serious comes up.

Nothing is certain in boating (other than large bills) but again, what’s the point of having a boat if we don’t have a wee adventure every now and again?

 

[ridgy]

I don't know why people are so pessimistic, mechanical troubles aside it's a straightforward trip if you aren't in a hurry, it's not like you have to worry much about tides. Somewhere on YouTube is a guy going round Britain in a 5m rib with not much experience. Enjoy, and let us know how you get on.

 

[Chris5140]

I don't know why people are so pessimistic, mechanical troubles aside it's a straightforward trip if you aren't in a hurry, it's not like you have to worry much about tides. Somewhere on YouTube is a guy going round Britain in a 5m rib with not much experience. Enjoy, and let us know how you get on.

Yeah watches that series. Flat calm when he went round Lizard, Im making this my big trip this year so no rush.

Cheers ridgy

 

[wonkywinch]

Almost all the west country harbours are worth a visit.There are one or two anchorages I know just to the starboard as you head up to Brixam harbour and Cawsand as you enter Plymouth on the western end it’s to port,little village there.Most harbours now charge a anchouring or mooring fee

Dom (ex Cadoha) details those and others on his website.

I have them all as waypoints in a gpx file if anyone wants a copy.

The Best Great British Anchorages | Cadoha Sailing

 

[Chris5140]

Cheers wonkywinch, that looks like a goldmine of mine information

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I don't know why people are so pessimistic, mechanical troubles aside it's a straightforward trip if you aren't in a hurry, it's not like you have to worry much about tides. Somewhere on YouTube is a guy going round Britain in a 5m rib with not much experience. Enjoy, and let us know how you get on.

Exactly. Weather forecasting is good a few days ahead, which removes a lot of stress. There are 1 or 2 tidal gateways to note, but otherwise, the odd hour with a knot or 2 against you isn’t much to write home about. It’s not like it’s a 5 knot sailboat.

 

[gjgm]

Hopefully, we get to enjoy a great write up!

 

[Wansworth]

The concept of going somewhere at such speeds is totally out of the mind of a sailing boat skipper,were five knots is something to boast about in the pub

 

[Chris5140]

I’ll make you a deal guys, I’ll post my planned route each step and you who are familiar with the territory can keep me right on it.

Afterwards I’ll do a write up or better post a videos at the end of each leg.

 

[wonkywinch]

I’ll make you a deal guys, I’ll post my planned route each step and you who are familiar with the territory can keep me right on it.

Afterwards I’ll do a write up or better post a videos at the end of each leg.

What's in it for us

 

[Chris5140]

Clear conscience… you will be able to sleep at night knowing you’ve helped some lunatic from Northern Ireland get his boat home in one piece.

 

[petem]

Make sure you have a liferaft and an EPIRB or PLB (all registered in your name, including the DSC VHF).

 

[Wansworth]

The concept of going somewhere at such speeds is totally out of the mind of a sailing boat skipper,were five knots is something to boast about in the pubm

 

[petem]

I don't know why people are so pessimistic, mechanical troubles aside it's a straightforward trip if you aren't in a hurry, it's not like you have to worry much about tides. Somewhere on YouTube is a guy going round Britain in a 5m rib with not much experience. Enjoy, and let us know how you get on.

Not sure I'd agree with your tides observation. 50 miles of slamming in a sports boat with wind over tide is just miserable.

 

[wonkywinch]

The concept of going somewhere at such speeds is totally out of the mind of a sailing boat skipper,were five knots is something to boast about in the pubm

And having more money left over for a pie and a pint.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

The concept of going somewhere at such speeds is totally out of the mind of a sailing boat skipper,were five knots is something to boast about in the pub

You need to experience the Dark Side

 

[Wansworth]

You need to experience the Dark Side

I am not totally innocent I crewed on the round the island back in the mists of time in a trimaran