ardbeg
New Member
Any experience or advice on trying to visit St Kilda. Have 7 days mid may from Skye, good boat and crew. Familiar with west coast but haven't been west of outer hebrides.
St Kilda
- Thread starter ardbeg
- Start date
KenMcCulloch
Well-Known Member
You could find that 7 days is insufficient if you are obliged to have the boat back where you started by a particular time. If starting from (just for illustration) Armadale on a Saturday afternoon, you might for example make Eriskay for Sunday evening, Village Bay on Tuesday morning, Rodel on Wednesday evening, Portree on Thursday night, Isleornsay Friday night and back on Saturday morning. To do that you would need exactly the right weather for at least the first 3 days, and good passage planning to avoid adverse tides past Trodday and Kylerhea. The biggest consideration is the weather and sea condition while west of the Outer Isles. Village Bay is a reasonable anchorage but very subject to swell and often not at all comfortable for an overnight stay. You therefore need to be prepared to spend up to 72 hours continuously at sea with 'interesting' pilotage (Sound of Barra, Sound of Harris) as part of the passage. Perfectly doable but requires the right weather and good skills and planning.
webcraft
Well-Known Member
.
From talking to people over the last ten years or so I would say that on average one in three planned trips to St Kilda actually get there - especially if there are time constraints. This is a trip where it may be better to travel hopefully than to arrive . . .
Village Bay is not bad overnight with a W or NW swell and moderate winds. It is untenable from NE round to S though. You need to be aware that if the weather changes an unscheduled departure may have to be made.
Taransay is a good departure point from W of the Sound of Harris. The anchorage is sheltered from W through to E but completely exposed to the South. The other advantage of Taransay as a departure point is that it is a worthy objective in its own right and you will still feel a sense of achievement at having got through the Sound of Harris to the West of the Outer Isles.
- W
From talking to people over the last ten years or so I would say that on average one in three planned trips to St Kilda actually get there - especially if there are time constraints. This is a trip where it may be better to travel hopefully than to arrive . . .
Village Bay is not bad overnight with a W or NW swell and moderate winds. It is untenable from NE round to S though. You need to be aware that if the weather changes an unscheduled departure may have to be made.
Taransay is a good departure point from W of the Sound of Harris. The anchorage is sheltered from W through to E but completely exposed to the South. The other advantage of Taransay as a departure point is that it is a worthy objective in its own right and you will still feel a sense of achievement at having got through the Sound of Harris to the West of the Outer Isles.
- W
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stephenh
Well-Known Member
more here :
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228581&highlight=st+kilda
Well worth the time spent getting there - or not getting there as the case may be ...........
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228581&highlight=st+kilda
Well worth the time spent getting there - or not getting there as the case may be ...........
D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
Seven Days Should More Than Enough
Another posting that has some information including the anchorage on the West Coast of the Island: -
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228581&highlight=St+Kilda
I used to sail Gareloch to Gareloch via Butt of Lewis, Saint Kilda, Barra Head in 10 days. We stopped to buy fresh bread occasionally. I was much younger then.
I would think if you have a strong, capable crew, can run good watches (I used 4 hours on 4 hours off with 2 x 2 hour dog watches starting at 12:00), then 7 days is good enough.
On the link I made a posting about the Glen Bay anchorage because it can be an option if there is too much East in the wind when you arrive there. By operating a prudent anchor watch you can get rested and fed for the slog back.
Over the years I have learned that the Weather forecast has caused too many cancelled trips that could otherwise have been done if we had just sailed. I would never advocate ignoring a forecast but I would say that a lot of puff fails to materialise.
Plan the trip for success e.g. all crew have good oilies and cloths, prepared meals just to be heated up and then work the plan. Cagools and pot noodles do not contribute to success, if you see what I mean
Another posting that has some information including the anchorage on the West Coast of the Island: -
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228581&highlight=St+Kilda
I used to sail Gareloch to Gareloch via Butt of Lewis, Saint Kilda, Barra Head in 10 days. We stopped to buy fresh bread occasionally. I was much younger then.
I would think if you have a strong, capable crew, can run good watches (I used 4 hours on 4 hours off with 2 x 2 hour dog watches starting at 12:00), then 7 days is good enough.
On the link I made a posting about the Glen Bay anchorage because it can be an option if there is too much East in the wind when you arrive there. By operating a prudent anchor watch you can get rested and fed for the slog back.
Over the years I have learned that the Weather forecast has caused too many cancelled trips that could otherwise have been done if we had just sailed. I would never advocate ignoring a forecast but I would say that a lot of puff fails to materialise.
Plan the trip for success e.g. all crew have good oilies and cloths, prepared meals just to be heated up and then work the plan. Cagools and pot noodles do not contribute to success, if you see what I mean
CLP
Well-Known Member
All good advice so far. We found Village Bay uncomfortable even in settled weather but a rolly night is worth it for the experience of the visit. The trip would be doable in 7 days but the conditions will have to slot in nicely and you might need to keep a couple of night sails up your sleeve. Also be prepared for spending longer than you might think on the trip back, if the weather turns nasty. I would plan the trip and if the weather window permits go for it, if it doesn't then the east side of the Hebrides always has a lot to offer. I'm hoping to circumnavigate the Outer Hebrides late June and if the weather allows we will visit St Kilda as well, this time I would also like to sail round the St Kilda archipeligo (sp?), which I haven't done and regret not doing!
A
Alcyone
Guest
Not sailed there, but been there twice in the early 90s. Both times on very seaworthy dive boats, converted trawlers. Both 10 day trips with no promises. Basically, the plan was to hop out to Lewis or similar and wait for a window.
Lucky enough to make it both times, for 2 days and 3 days. Experienced skippers knew when to run, and we caught some bad weather coming back on the second trip which made me realise why.
As I've said before, it's a stunningly beautiful place, and one which I'd love to think I will sail to some day. If you can go, do. As others have said though, expect to be disappointed, I consider myself to have been very lucky.
Lucky enough to make it both times, for 2 days and 3 days. Experienced skippers knew when to run, and we caught some bad weather coming back on the second trip which made me realise why.
As I've said before, it's a stunningly beautiful place, and one which I'd love to think I will sail to some day. If you can go, do. As others have said though, expect to be disappointed, I consider myself to have been very lucky.
Kelpie
Well-Known Member
All this planning makes me feel quite lucky living where I do. I know I don't have the experience to get to St Kilda this year but next year, just maybe...
ardbeg
New Member
Thanks for all the advice. All useful. We made it to St Kilda, landed and had a stunning sail back. I was prepared to be underwhelmed, but approaching St Kilda at first light was stunning and moving. Fantastic.
We left Armadale Sat afternoon. Anchored Loch Scresort, Rum Sat night. Sunday night Eriskay. Monday Vatersay for lunch, then rested up Castlebay. Monday night, left Castlebay 1930, through Sound of Barra, then motored to St Kilda in a light southerly with moderate swell. Anchored in Village bay, with the wind and swell building from just E of S. All ashore, but with competent crew aboard at all times, as on a lee shore. Left at 1430 as wind and swell building. F5/6 on the beam, with sunshine past Stac Lee and on to Sound of Harris- bliss. Went through Stanton passage in the dark, with rain coming down. Not rough at W end, and the newer buoys make it relatively straightforward. Down to Lochmaddy, moored by 0230hrs on Wed morning. Drank whisky until it was light. Gentle sail to moor at Dunvegan Wed night. Round to Araseid mor S Rona at anchor Thursday night. Inverie Friday night. Back to Armadale, in fog in Sound of Sleat, on Saturday morning.
So it all worked out well. What made it work was- 1) good crew, 7 on board, all used to sleep deprivation (god bless the NHS) all "up for it" with 3 on, 3 hr watches on the way out. 2) 43 foot reasonably good seagoing boat. 3)Weather OK, but any more E in it would have made landing difficult or impossible.
We did over 350 nM in the week, and were all tired by the end. All thought it was worth it all, but would have been disappointed if we had not got ashore at St Kilda.
PRACTICAL POINT I had heard that the VHF could be dodgy in Village Bay. I had arranged to call the coastguard, but even someway out could not make contact. The warden on St Kilda kindly called the coastguard for us.
So, well worth the trip.
We left Armadale Sat afternoon. Anchored Loch Scresort, Rum Sat night. Sunday night Eriskay. Monday Vatersay for lunch, then rested up Castlebay. Monday night, left Castlebay 1930, through Sound of Barra, then motored to St Kilda in a light southerly with moderate swell. Anchored in Village bay, with the wind and swell building from just E of S. All ashore, but with competent crew aboard at all times, as on a lee shore. Left at 1430 as wind and swell building. F5/6 on the beam, with sunshine past Stac Lee and on to Sound of Harris- bliss. Went through Stanton passage in the dark, with rain coming down. Not rough at W end, and the newer buoys make it relatively straightforward. Down to Lochmaddy, moored by 0230hrs on Wed morning. Drank whisky until it was light. Gentle sail to moor at Dunvegan Wed night. Round to Araseid mor S Rona at anchor Thursday night. Inverie Friday night. Back to Armadale, in fog in Sound of Sleat, on Saturday morning.
So it all worked out well. What made it work was- 1) good crew, 7 on board, all used to sleep deprivation (god bless the NHS) all "up for it" with 3 on, 3 hr watches on the way out. 2) 43 foot reasonably good seagoing boat. 3)Weather OK, but any more E in it would have made landing difficult or impossible.
We did over 350 nM in the week, and were all tired by the end. All thought it was worth it all, but would have been disappointed if we had not got ashore at St Kilda.
PRACTICAL POINT I had heard that the VHF could be dodgy in Village Bay. I had arranged to call the coastguard, but even someway out could not make contact. The warden on St Kilda kindly called the coastguard for us.
So, well worth the trip.
Mark-1
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the report, Ardbeg, really good reading. You really get the feel of the trip across. "moored by 0230hrs on Wed morning. Drank whisky until it was light." is practically poetry. Mark and Charmain, was it?
ardbeg
New Member
Not Mark and Charmain. But it was one of their fine boats!!!!
Thoroughly recommend Skye Yachts for chartering well kept yachts from a supportive company and friendly company (in a very beautiful part of the world.)
Thoroughly recommend Skye Yachts for chartering well kept yachts from a supportive company and friendly company (in a very beautiful part of the world.)