Scilly Isles?

[johnalison]

well, going to the IoS will test anyone without any capacity to generate their own electricity without running their engines. I'd not recommend the trip, Newlyn or not.

I believe that it is possible to survive on tinned food and warm white wine, but it is not something I have tried for many years now.

 

[Scillypete]

I no longer have that boat. It was a Starlight 39 and when we stopped at Newlyn we were rafted and so no shore power. We had 2 X 110aH of lead acid batteries and no solar. Charging was either by engine and I was not going to run the engine at anchor it is bad for the engine without load. Four days was the limit of battery without charging if running the fridge etc, we had also used the autopilot sailing from Newlyn to Scilly which was another mistake in hind sight.

How long do you expect batteries to keep going without charge? I don't think that the power system on the Starlight was much different to most boats, perhaps some people are happy to sit at anchor withthe engines idling in neutral for hours on end? The advice I have given is good practical advice to someone who has never been there. If you don't have solar or a generator then power is a problem that has to planed around.

through the summer season it is not unusual to see visiting yachts motoring from one anchorage to the next, usually taking their time and no doubt using the run to recharge their batteries. It’s a shame to see when there’s a perfectly good sailing breeze but probably a necessary evil for boats that are set up to hop from marina to marina and not live at anchor for days on end. Some do sail but it’s probably less than 5% of the number visiting. Clearly for anyone that is planning to spend time away from their usual marina haunts and intending to anchor more often then some extra form of charging will be very useful, it’s nothing new and there’s plenty of options to suit all sizes at not a particularly huge expense depending on how far you go with it.

 

[Scillypete]

Heligoland also charges for water which is obtained by desalination. The duty-free makes up for it - something I remember was absent on Scilly.

we have desalination here but it is only used during dry spells as far as I’m aware, which is why I always say to come with full tanks and only top up onSt Mary’s as the off islands don’t have that back up.
As for duty free buy me a pint and I’ll put you in touch with someone, nudge nudge, wink, wink ?

 

[Boathook]

I believe that it is possible to survive on tinned food and warm white wine, but it is not something I have tried for many years now.

If at the Scillies just put the white wine in a bag over the side. The sea is normally cold enough there!

 

[TiggerToo]

If at the Scillies just put the white wine in a bag over the side. The sea is normally cold enough there!

I can certify that this summer, 1-10 August, the water temp was ~15.7C.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

through the summer season it is not unusual to see visiting yachts motoring from one anchorage to the next, usually taking their time and no doubt using the run to recharge their batteries. It’s a shame to see when there’s a perfectly good sailing breeze but probably a necessary evil for boats that are set up to hop from marina to marina and not live at anchor for days on end. Some do sail but it’s probably less than 5% of the number visiting. Clearly for anyone that is planning to spend time away from their usual marina haunts and intending to anchor more often then some extra form of charging will be very useful, it’s nothing new and there’s plenty of options to suit all sizes at not a particularly huge expense depending on how far you go with it.

You are quite correct in your estimation of the reason to run engine. And if you are running engine then might as well go to half revs and drive the prop. We are not marina based but our small elderly boat is not constructed with enough battery space to last more than about 3 days on the hook if cabin lights etc are used. No doubt restoration of our oil lamps might help smokily but really we need big solar panels mounted somewhere - and that on a small craft is problem.

We still managed nearly 3 weeks there this summer, and will do so again. Apart from the sailing there, the archeology geology and cultural differences between the islands still fascinate.

 

[TiggerToo]

Apart from the sailing there, the archeology geology and cultural differences between the islands still fascinate.

This is so true.
I love it, each time.