Scilly Isles

[Chris_Robb]

We are planning a trip to the Scilly Isles this summer, I think during August, and 'her in doors' has read that it can get crowded, so a couple of questions to satisfy the boss. (- think she's accepted the no marina bit!)

1) Anchoring: I'm led to believe that there is a lot of competition for anchor space escpecially during springs, when the main competitor is the French. Is it so crowded that you actually have difficulty finding a safe space or just cosy.

2) Anchor Types: I have a 45 lb CQR and 40lb Danforth kedge. Would I do better with a large fisherman (anchor that is!) inview if weedy and loose sand bottom. I don't want to spend unnessarily.

3) Some people suggest that double anchors or a moor is the way to do it. My experiance of this is that if no-one else is doing it, they will swing into you on the turn of the tide.

4) Water - is it easy to get aprt from St Mary's (note bit about no marinas and consequent lack of showers!)

Or would it be easier to leave 'er indoors' indoors!
(Boat - 40ft Long keel Ketch draft 5ft 6ins)

 

[drawp]

I was there a couple of years ago (35 footer, 5ft 9ins draft, 35 lb Bruce for main anchor). I didn't experience any anchoring problems even though the weather wasn't particularly good. There were not too many spare moorings in St Mary's but that wasn't a problem. I would imagine you can get water in Tresco from inside the jetty. Perhaps someone can verify that. One thing you will need are some good flashlights. It gets unbelievably dark away from the few townships. Go for it.

 

[ariadnemyc]

Try staying away from St Marys - it is usually an uncomfortable anchorage. New grimsby, St Agnes or (best of all) St Helens pool are often quieter and emptier, depending on wind direction. St helens feels very exposed, but is reputed to be the best anchorage of the lot.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yes there is water on the jetty on Tresco, we used to ferry it out to the boat on our tender. Easier that way rather than taking the boat off the buoy and risk losing the mooring.

If you've never been there, you will love it, peaceful, clean, friendly and above all, absolutely stunning scenery.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Thanks for this info, - I suppose my main worry was that the anchorages could be too crowded for enjoyment. A Yarmouth pajama party is not what I want on hols!!!

As no one has really picked up on the crowding issue, it must mean that it really is just relative, rather than the meaning I would apply in the Solent. (which we are leaving for good this year, and basis ourselves in Plymouth - Easter w/e delivery trip - hoping for a northerly.)

 

[AndrewB]

There are lots of anchorages you can have to yourself if you wish. For some reason most yachts like joining the herd in St Mary's, the "cuddle-up syndrome" we call it.

I was outraged to be asked to pay to anchor in New Grimsby Sound. Anchored off the south side of Tresco for free instead.

 

[Chris_Robb]

I very much got the impression from Fishwick west country pilot that St Mary's was worth avoiding. Thanks for the info

What was your experience anchoring with standard CQR? any problems?

 

[vyv_cox]

I spent a couple of weeks with a group of four boats, of which one had a Bruce, two CQR and one a Delta. All with 100% chain warps. The bottom in much of the Scillies is very deep weed, but none of us dragged, except when tripped by other dragging boats. During our stay we rode out an easterly gale for three days in New Grimsby Sound. This period was very instructive so far as anchoring is concerned - if you do it properly you will have few problems. Do it wrong and you will not only have lots of problems for yourself but you will create them for others as well.

During this period New Grimsby was quite crowded but St Mary's was bedlam, and more exposed to the weather. I believe that there are very many more moorings in both locations, and some others now, at a price of course. If I experienced those circumstances again I would try to get on a mooring, just to avoid the draggers.

 

[AndrewB]

That's all good advice. St Mary's is a nice enough spot in itself and I wouldn't miss it if visiting the Scillies. But there are few safe places if a depression goes through, with stong winds veering from SW to NW, and the yachts will pile in there.

A CQR is probably the best on long weed. Some places in St Mary's Road have fine sand over rock, difficult holding for all anchors (possibly a Bruce is best), but in practice there was no problem finding good anchorages with a CQR. I favour an all-chain rode in places like the Scillies, since it allows you to stay on a short scope.

 

[gus]

Re: Weed

Places with a lot of weed tend to have a hard bottom. It is not so much the fact of the weed choking the anchor that is the problem but the length of time that the anchor takes to bed in before it it picks up the weed. A heavy quick setting anchor is the answer.

 

[AndrewB]

Re: Weed

Quite right. That's why a CQR is best on weed, as it does just that. A wide-fluked Fisherman type is an excellent gripper, but may tear out if the ground's not hard enough. Bruce, Admiralty pattern and Danforth tend to skid (not tried any others on weed).

A big advantage of the Scillies is that its the one place in England where the water is clear enough to see what you are doing when anchoring. There are often little pockets of fine sand among weed: drop your anchor straight into one and let it drag back to get a rock-firm grip on the edge of the weed bed.