Sort of an ARC for round the UK?

[NUTMEG]

Just read a thread on the PBO forum, about circumnavigating the UK. Recently read the 'what is the ARC' thread too. Now, waiting for kettle to boil, I got to wondering if there is an ARC type thing for less ambitious, or less wealthy, would be circumnavigators? The idea of a few boats syncronising a round the UK cruise type of thing.

I have read several books and guides about doing it. I would love to do it but the thought of the far north bit, past Stroma for example, looks scary to say the least. It would be comforting to know there were others near you to offer advice or mutual support.

Is there any such thing I wonder?

 

[NormanS]

That's funny. I've done the "north" bits, but the "south" bits would scare the pants off me. All those boats.....

 

[NUTMEG]

No problem...

NormanS, unlike your rocks, I find all them boats get out of the way if I wave my white stick at them!

As for my East Coast bit, it is all so soft round here that running aground is a gentle slow down, nothing going crunch at all.

 

[Fascadale]

I think an ARC type event might negate some of the reasons for sailing in the north. Twenty five or so yachts turning up in Loch Eriboll or around the Summer Isles would rather spoil those places. You might also find that some of the harbours in which you might need to seek shelter could not accommodate many yachts safely.

The Solent or Weymouth are the places for big events in the UK: great facilities, easy to get to, plenty of excellent pubs, good weather and no midgees

 

[NUTMEG]

Good point

The only Scotish harbour that I know anything about is Avoch. It is a fair size but twenty odd boats might not be welcome.

Not about to organise an event, I hasten to add, just wondering if such a thing exists.

 

[LittleSister]

OK, so here's the plan....

OK, so here's the plan....

Rather than sailing in convoy, it's done in a daisy chain style. Everyone sets off from their respective home ports about the same day, and progresses in the same direction. Can keep track of one another and compare notes by phone/radio/email/smokesignals. If anyone gets held up with problems someone's along to help soon. And if local info's needed, it's probably one of the participants' home port/area anyway.

Imagine the savings at every agreed harbour - 'I'd like to book a single berth for the next two months, please'. "What's the boat's name?". 'Well, actually there's 50 of them!.'

Obviously there's likely to be a fair bit of catching up and overtaking, but you could theoretically doing the whole thing without seeing another participating boat.

Actually, if I was doing a circumnavigation, I'd much prefer to do it with one, two or three other boats. (Closely matched in speed/daring/laidbackness, and varied but complementary cooking skills and booze stocks, of course!)

 

[snowleopard]

There are several rallies doing specific bits, e.g. the Classic Malts cruise. AFAIK there is nothing like the extended trip you describe. I think it would be near-impossible to organize for a variety of reasons-

You would have to stick to major ports to accommodate a reasonable number of boats.
When booking ahead, weather delays would be impossible to predict to any detailed plans would go out of the window.
Rallies normally pre-book stops and have a shore party there. Imagine the costs of doing that for 40+ stops!

If you feel nervous about tackling something that big without support, work up to it in stages. As has been emphasised repeatedly, the ARC is not a way of getting inexperienced crews to do a big trip they would not be capable of doing alone.

 

[snooks]

You would have to stick to major ports to accommodate a reasonable number of boats.
When booking ahead, weather delays would be impossible to predict to any detailed plans would go out of the window.
Rallies normally pre-book stops and have a shore party there. Imagine the costs of doing that for 40+ stops!

Round the World rallies manage it

Seriously though in order for a rally to do that sort of trip SL is right, the weather is the deciding factor that far north and sailing to a timetable is a sure fire way of getting your rse kicked.

The RYA do a cross channel Rally which lasts a week and you should see the organisation that goes into that, trying to do one to get around Britain would end in a lot of booked out harbours, with no boats in them.

Scotland is great for it's remoteness, and not having 20 boats turn up in one go.

It just wouldn't be the same...

 

[rib]

well i think its a good idea for you,20 odd boats might be a bit much but then i dont think you will get 20 odd doing it together,a small cruise would work.6 weeks doable 8 better,chew it over i think it would be fun

 

[Twister_Ken]

Pretty sure there was something like this in the past. Remember chatting with a Twister owner who had done it. Also, the Cruising Association organised two trips for members, one clock, one anti-clock, in the Trafalgar bi-centenary year, on a join in and leave where you like basis.

 

[Searush]

(snip)Scotland is great for it's remoteness, and not having 20 boats turn up in one go.

It just wouldn't be the same...

No, it would be the West Highland Week wouldn't it?

 

[FishyInverness]

The only Scotish harbour that I know anything about is Avoch. It is a fair size but twenty odd boats might not be welcome.

Especially not local boats, "This harbour's for local people"
(Tongue very firmly in cheek, an insider joke for those from this area!)