Scillies in small boat

SnaxMuppet

SnaxMuppet

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I am planning on doing a trip from Plymouth to the Scilly Isles in a 21ft Merry Fisher this year. I am not sure when because it will be very important to have some degree of confidence in having settled weather for the trip due to the size of the boat.

However, I am starting planning now so I will be ready to go if/when the weather looks right.

Clearly, to do this trip requires some careful planning or it stands a good chance of going pear-shaped but I believe that with good equipment, careful planning, settled weather/sea and perhaps going in company then this trip is not at all out of the question.

Firstly, has anyone here done this trip, or similar, in a small (under 7m) motor boat? What advice would you give based on your experience?

Second, if there is anyone who would like to join us for a week away in the Scillies this year and travel "in company" then please get in touch.

People sail across the Atlantic in sail boats of this size. I know that sail boats are more able to cope with the sea and weather but I am going to pick a settled spell where the weather is very likely to be good for the entire trip so that shouldn't be too much of a problem, and so why shouldn't it be possible to do that trip safely? I have had so many people say "... too far for a motor boat of only 6.25m..." but I disagree. Do you disagree too or should I be reconsidering this notion?

It is only about 100 miles so well within the range of the boat at normal speeds (135ltr tank and 15lt/hr at 17kts + 60 ltrs of fuel in cans).
 
Very doable in that size boat.

Planning is key, as is keeping an eye on weather as you'll need to be on one of their buoys unless you really trust your anchors.

Local knowledge is important unless you really know what you are doing, and by asking the question, doubts are raised about your knowledge of this sort of trip.

If you can find someone who knows the area, it will help immensely.

Be prepared to head back to mainland rather than stay there if weather roughs up, and use a mainland base further west than Plymouth.
 
Thanks.

I agree that flexibility is very important as is not having a deadline to get back for!

As for my preparedness to do the trip... I wouldn't let the fact that I have asked the question indicate that I have any doubts about my suitability to do this kind of trip or the boats suitability. However, I just believe that this forum is such a great resource and if I am doing something new then it does not harm to get other people opinion. I might be competent and confident but there are many, many others here that can look at things from a different angle and raise thisng that I hadn't thought of or even throw a different light on things I have already thought of /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

However, you're right... I have never been to the Scillies before... but I am expecting to get my yachtmaster (power) this year (I have Dayskipper) and so I see this as a learning exercise that might challenge me a bit but I feel very confident about doing it safely and sensibly... or I wouldn't go.

The point really is this: I believe that it is very doable and given a cautious approach and sensible planning even easy... BUT others disagree with me and that is what sparked the question to the forum to canvas others views.
 
Given your qualifications, and a general knowledge of piloting in unknown waters, you should be fine.

Still think about looking further west for a base to set off from, as you'll want to get back there if things blow up while in Scillies, and you'll find that usefull if you need it in a hurry.
 
Agree with previous comments. I suggest you plan to leave from Penzance or Newlyn. You might also be able to use Polperro, but the previous two are more useful.

Weather and visibility considerations are paramount, for the Lan'zen corner is almost always lumpy-bumpy, with fast tides setting north onto hazards. You'll want to have good visibility, for you will need to cross at least one of the Scilly Isles' three Traffic Separation Schemes..... and you will want to consider using moorings at St Mary's, Tean Sound, New Grimsby, and several of the other coves and anchorages - such as St Helen's Pool.

Mark Fishwick's 'West Country Cruising' is probably the best pilot book, and the appropriate tidal atlas from Michael Reeves-Fowkes - which shows the complex streams around and through the islands - is something I certainly use when going there.

Enjoi! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Just one question regarding your fuel. Although you have enough to get you there, how are you going to get back?
According to your figures you use approx 1 litre per mile. There and back 200 miles = 200 litres plus reserve plus extra for sea conditions, I would think you need at least 300 litres aboard. Or can you refill in the Scillies??
 
Go for it, make sure you have all the appropriate spares for your engine; settled weather is the key.

I went 9 years ago and have planned to get back there each year since then but holidays and good weather have never co-incided since!

It is the most beautiful place I've ever visited, you won't be disappointed.
 
I'd be up for a trip to the Scillies. I have always wanted to go there. Probably not much more use to you than in a safety-in-numbers way though. I think the weather is the key so a week might be a bit long.
I will also need rather a lot of petrol. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Go for it Arny - and a safe journey.

I have the Antares equivelant of the MF 625 and for sea keeping it is a sturdy little boat. I have thought about making the trip from N Wales to the IOM, but didn't want to do it in a boat with an outboard, unless I was with another boat.

I presume you have an auxiliary engine fitted and suggest that you prepare a connection so that you can feed fuel to the auxiliary engine directly from the main tank as it will be almost impossible to syphon petrol out of the main tank at sea.

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I have all the 'bits' to effect a connection and would have to undertake some 'surgery' to cut the fuel line and fit on a connector in an emergency.

I look forward to your announcement, "I'll be back."
 
Subject to weather etc I'm hoping to head down that way in June.

A couple of years ago I went from Solent to Falmouth in a 21fter so your trip is certainly do-able but as others have said make sure you plan well and have ideas of places to stop if needs be plus plenty of fuel.

Charlie
 
Thanks everyone... as always, great advice.

BendanS your point about the base further west is a good one that I will certainly take on board. Shorter legs are easy to manage if the weather isn't quite as expected and also gives a chance to fuel up possibly prior to the hop to the isles. Plus, another night in a new port is always interesting. I would plan to do the same on the return.

I already have an old copy of West Country Cruising and it is excellent. Perhaps I will update it if it is still available.

Spares is an interesting point as I take delivery of the boat tomorrow so I don't yet has a spares pack. It is an outboard and the only spares I currently have for the engine is a spare prop and split pins. What other spares would be sensible for an outboard?

I will have an auxiliary but I see that much more of a "get out of jail" card really to keep me out of trouble.

adey, I will PM re possibly hooking up for the trip. I had always planned on doing it in company given the size of boat so any company would be very welcome. If anyone else is interested PM me.

The fuel line mod to allow the aux engine to take fuel from the main tank is a must IMO. Thanks for that.

So, already I can start planning and getting the boat up to scratch for the trip.

Thanks so much everyone. I will post more to this thread as my plans progress and to report on the trip when it happens. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
re spares
one of the mags had a point I hadnt thought of..it maybe you cant fit the spare yourself/at sea, but having the spare at least means you do have the part over a w/end/bank holiday /remote location etc so maybe a local mechanic can fit it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I hope you are going to post your story on here with loads of photos.

[/ QUOTE ]

I sure am...

I get my new boat tomorrow too and I will be posting about that with piccies... weather permitting... it doesn't look too hopeful at the moment so it may be next week for that /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
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