Scilly Isles?

[zoidberg]

All the above is true....
Do bear in mind, when you head that way, that the tide-streams run fast in the channels, and that the IoS area is shallow just about every where. You really need to be on top of your RYA Secondary Tide Heights calculations.... or be a fast learner.

One other point of perspective. The Isles of Scilly are not 'in The Channel'. Think of them as being out 'in the Atlantic'.....

 

[Gary Fox]

It sounds like a good challenging place to practice one's pilotage techniques. A couple of Q's for those familiar, if I may:
Is there an abundant supply of leading marks and lights? Which pilot book is best for when your chart plotter goes nips north, and you're eagerly looking for transits etc?
Since using the Windy app has been recommended, what's the mobile coverage like in random bays? Is there an Admiralty small craft folio?

 

[zoidberg]

It sounds like a good challenging place to practice one's pilotage techniques. A couple of Q's for those familiar, if I may:
Is there an abundant supply of leading marks and lights?

It certainly IS a good place for full-on conventional pilotage.... and a conventional pilotage plan properly pre-prepared. ( That's enuff alliteration - ed. )
Not a place, IMHO, to go 'winging it'.

I have and use both Admiralty Charts. There are multiple leading lines printed thereon, for the more important routes. This one has needed to prep, plot and use additional transits and lines - especially, 'abeam' to mark progress along the intended line in addition to one's tracking left/right.
The tide streams also set across some of the lines, sometimes strongly and unexpectedly. That needs a close eye on where one is and where one is now going.
I mark up my plan with 'time' from the last turnpoint - and 'features' to pass abeam - at 6 ( and 3 ) knots so I can put my finger on the chart and say 'We should be there. What can I expect to see that confirms this?'

All good practice for the tighter Chenal du Portsall, on the NW corner of Brittany.
"You could find interest and pleasure in the 'back channels' after Ile Vierge, using the Chenal Meridional de Portsall, which exits just inshore of Le Four. In there, you'll want the SHOM charts. "
You'll need to know your onions, in there, especially when the mist thickens....

 

[Gary Fox]

It certainly IS a good place for full-on conventional pilotage.... and a conventional pilotage plan properly pre-prepared. ( That's enuff alliteration - ed. )
Not a place, IMHO, to go 'winging it'.

I have and use both Admiralty Charts. There are multiple leading lines printed thereon, for the more important routes. This one has needed to prep, plot and use additional transits and lines - especially, 'abeam' to mark progress along the intended line in addition to one's tracking left/right.
The tide streams also set across some of the lines, sometimes strongly and unexpectedly. That needs a close eye on where one is and where one is now going.
I mark up my plan with 'time' from the last turnpoint - and 'features' to pass abeam - at 6 ( and 3 ) knots so I can put my finger on the chart and say 'We should be there. What can I expect to see that confirms this?'

All good practice for the tighter Chenal du Portsall, on the NW corner of Brittany.
"You could find interest and pleasure in the 'back channels' after Ile Vierge, using the Chenal Meridional de Portsall, which exits just inshore of Le Four. In there, you'll want the SHOM charts. "
You'll need to know your onions, in there, especially when the mist thickens....

Thanks zoidberg

 

[penfold]

We were there earlier this year in company with 9 other boats from North Wales. It was earlier than your planned time and glorious weather. No problem finding space to moor or anchor. The only downside was fending off Wally trying to get on board on our last night at Anchor in Porth Cressa.
I suspect it may be more crowded next year at holiday time and there will be far more continental visitors.

Indeed; beware of the walrus!

 

[TiggerToo]

I guess you meant to reply to the OP.
I love the IOS. Been there many times. Old Grimsby Sound being one my favourite anchorages, just off the Blockhouse

that is one of ours, too (we lost a pair of glasses there, this summer: if you find them at the bottom of the sea, please post them on!).

But it also illustrates well what I was trying to write above. This summer, at some point, there was a swell coming in from the NW, down the sound - even if the wind was from the SW. So, while we were completely protected from the wind, it was quite rolly.

 

[TiggerToo]

Indeed; beware of the walrus!

he's no longer there.

 

[zoidberg]

Isn't there a song....?

 

[Scillypete]

Hi,

I'm planning the 2022 adventures and one that seems to be sitting high up is an exploration of the Scilly Isles.

the Scilly Isles are a double roundabout between Esher and Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.

you seem to have had ample advice about the Isles of Scilly just one point to add, if you can dry out then your options are hugely increased.

fair winds

 

[Simi]

are there any places for mobo’s 50ft 20 ton

 

[longjohnsilver]

are there any places for mobo’s 50ft 20 ton

Yes, plenty of anchorages, and 2 large buoys in New Grimsby N end off Cromwells Castle. There may be some in Hugh Town, but it’s not somewhere I consider staying. I have a similar sized mobo which is somewhat heavier.

 

[burgundyben]

Isn't there a song....?

Wally the walrus packed his trunk and said goodbye to Scillie, off he went with.....?

 

[penfold]

he's no longer there.

He's developed a profound love of inflatable dinghies; he'll be back, especially after the locals provided him with a pontoon for sunbathing.

 

[john_morris_uk]

the Scilly Isles are a double roundabout between Esher and Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.

you seem to have had ample advice about the Isles of Scilly just one point to add, if you can dry out then your options are hugely increased.

fair winds

That may fall on deaf ears.
I was going to write (much more bluntly) people will get on much better with the locals if they refer to the islands as ‘The Isles of Scilly’ rather than the incorrect (and annoying to some) ‘Scilly Isles’. I believe you can get away with referring them as ‘The Scillies’.

 

[TiggerToo]

I believe you can get away with referring them as ‘The Scillies’.

This is what I really always wanted to know:
@Scillypete can one really get away with it, or does "The Scillies" cause a bit of inner gurning?

 

[[2574]]

I‘ve always understood that it is “Isles of Scilly“ or “Scilly” and nothing else.

 

[Gary Fox]

It was a common schoolboy insult in the 1960's to say that somebody must be from the Silly Islands, ie lacking in common sense. Only many years later did I learn it's a real place ...

 

[dom]

Some great advice re pilotage on this thread: all I'd add is:

• Be careful of tides and swell - if running - when negotiating narrow channels.
• Give your engine a once over - belts, fluids, etc. -- before getting into tight spaces.
• Have a few anchoring spots pre-sorted and plotted prior to arrival in case anchorage is busy.
• You asked re wifi signal to receive forecasts etc. : this will largely depend depend on the service provider. Each provider will have a coverage map which helps. I also find it useful to keep sims for a few providers.
• Keep a reasonable weather eye out and always have your vessel ready to move.
• Enjoy

 

[Scillypete]

This is what I really always wanted to know:
@Scillypete can one really get away with it, or does "The Scillies" cause a bit of inner gurning?

you can pretty much get away with anything until you speak to the wrong person who may correct you in short order.

I‘ve always understood that it is “Isles of Scilly“ or “Scilly” and nothing else.

that covers it

 

[mattonthesea]

My favourite pilotage note is from the Scilly Isles pilot for entering Tean Sound from the north. It goes something like this:
Follow the transit of the headland on St Mary's mast. As X rock is abeam borrow 5 metres to port to avoid submerged Y rock.

The first time I did this I had two crew on the bow with their eyes peeled!