Scotland to Falmouth delivery still possible?

[Tintin]

Next week I'm due to being my new boat back from Scotland to Falmouth, with 5 experienced mates as crew.

Thoughts on feasibility with the new restrictions north and south of the border?

Myself and one person are driving up with a car load of kit. That seems to break the Scottish ban on driving.

The plan was to collect the others from Glasgow airport (its a big car with 3 rows of seats and two are a "couple") the next day - that seems to contravene the Scots ban.

I'm guessing I could go down the "commercial delivery sea farers" route, being commercially endorsed and most of the crew all having done deliveries before.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Your car journeys are "should nots" at the moment and may be illegal by tomorrow. If the authorities chose to see your boat as a home, your crew would probably be illegal from tomorrow.

You'll probably escape enforcement, but airports have lots of cops ...

 

[wully1]

I’ve just trucked my ‘new’ boat home....

Too many uncertainties around it’s engine condition, weather,crewing and all compounded by Covid.

 

[Tintin]

I’ve just trucked my ‘new’ boat home....

Too many uncertainties around it’s engine condition, weather,crewing and all compounded by Covid.

I considered that but the first 2 quotes were coming in at 4.5k + vat, which felt rather excessive even for an Ovni 435, so that option got dropped.

Who did you use?

 

[wully1]

Gilbert Brown & Son International Boat Transport from Hawkshead - and very happy we are too, get in touch with Andy on their face book page.

Well recommended.

 

[dunedin]

Where in Scotland is the boat stating from? If close to the airport (eg Clyde marina) your crew could just get taxis from the airport. If skipper arrives first and gives the boat a good check out (ideally a local cruise for a week, as starting an autumn delivery in a new to you boat is proven to be one of the highest probabilities of becoming an RNLI customer), then can do crew briefing on deck and then set out to clear Scottish waters. First port of call Falmouth then <6 and job’s a good un.
Stopping in Wales or NI will just make the brain hurt planning all the Covid rule scenarios, and Ireland, IoM etc are out altogether.

But being serious, because of the season and Covid constraints on stop-over harbours, a thorough shake down trip pre delivery (if not already done so) must surely be a mandatory.

 

[Birdseye]

The rules are changing almost daily as the virus situation changes. Seems to me that the only sensible plan therefore is a one hop trip from scotland back to falmouth - no issue in a boat that big and with all your crew. In fact its probably easier that stopping en route. That does mean though that Dunedins advice is sensible - get some sea miles in to check up before setting out.

In a well organised country then there would be plod checking on arrivals in places like Falmouth but I reckon you would be unlucky to get checked. Wouldnt try the commercial endorsement argument - it wouldnt convince anyone when its your own boat. Are you paying yourself?

As for the Scottish situation you need to find a Jock to chat to, preferably one local to your boat. You might find that like me, your boat is in a locked down area and you arent allowed in. Luckily I put mine to bed for the winter just last week before the Government announced a local lockdown