UK Shore-Power Facilities Compendium

[dunedin]

Well, I've done some racing in the Solent and spent a few weeks sailing a 60' yacht around these parts (albeit some time ago). I've researched insurance and it isn't insanely expensive. If it turns out to be I'll just have to hope my Tesla shares do a bit better than they have done in the last couple of weeks!

So if you have ailed the waters around Lands End , Irish Sea and Colonsay you will know that the wave height is rarely less than 1m. There will be an occasional flat water day, but you might need to wait 2 weeks if SW winds set in, as often happens. And unlike other vessels, you can’t grab a 48 hour weather window to pop in 250 miles up the coast in a one-er. So you could have multiple one or two week waits for exceptional flat calm seas. Have you factored that into your plans?

And have you specifically got insurance quotes for that journey, coastal/offshore with legs at the very limit of boat range (as opposed to generically for the boat)?

Anything is possible if mad enough, brave enough, skilled enough and lucky enough. Coincidentally the last time I sailed to Colonsay, last summer, the only other “vessel” I passed was a paddle boarder, paddling through waves past the Torran Rocks. He was on a round Britain trip. Mad as a hatter but apparently extremely fit and uniquely experienced/skilled.
But get either of the last two, skilled and lucky, wrong and such a voyage will end in the hands of the RNLI, or worse.

 

[dunedin]

There is the main slipway next to the ferry RORO ramp but there is the old original in the harbour too.

There are 6 moorings being deployed in the bay to the south of Scalasaig (organised by the Colonsay Community Development Company) which were due to be deployed in 2020... This year, now, apparently. Coincidentally, I'm planning to build a house just in from the bay 'soon'...

Are these moorings planned as visitor moorings, for short stays, or permanent moorings for residents boats?
I strongly suspect that
(a) the moorings will be extremely exposed and probably untenable in an Easterly gale; and
(b) that boat is not designed to be kept on a mooring, other than perhaps briefly for a lunch stop.

 

[martinwinlow]

So if you have ailed the waters around Lands End , Irish Sea and Colonsay you will know that the wave height is rarely less than 1m. There will be an occasional flat water day, but you might need to wait 2 weeks if SW winds set in, as often happens. And unlike other vessels, you can’t grab a 48 hour weather window to pop in 250 miles up the coast in a one-er. So you could have multiple one or two week waits for exceptional flat calm seas. Have you factored that into your plans?

And have you specifically got insurance quotes for that journey, coastal/offshore with legs at the very limit of boat range (as opposed to generically for the boat)?

Anything is possible if mad enough, brave enough, skilled enough and lucky enough. Coincidentally the last time I sailed to Colonsay, last summer, the only other “vessel” I passed was a paddle boarder, paddling through waves past the Torran Rocks. He was on a round Britain trip. Mad as a hatter but apparently extremely fit and uniquely experienced/skilled.
But get either of the last two, skilled and lucky, wrong and such a voyage will end in the hands of the RNLI, or worse.

Hello and thank you for your views. I don't know if this video (

) of the C-8's predecessor, the C-7, foiling in relatively rough water, will reinforce your opinion or allay your concerns but yours is a valid point and one I will take to the manufacturers for their opinion. I suppose if the sea was too high for foiling (with the significant reduction on range that would cause) shorter distance hops may be possible but I do appreciate that in some parts of the SW, even basic facilities may be hard to find on that basis. There is always the option of a tow or even getting the boat past tricky sections on the back of a truck.

Ultimately, the principal aim is to get the boat home rather than have a jolly time doing it. So, 'by any and all means', I guess...

 

[martinwinlow]

Are these moorings planned as visitor moorings, for short stays, or permanent moorings for residents boats?
I strongly suspect that
(a) the moorings will be extremely exposed and probably untenable in an Easterly gale; and
(b) that boat is not designed to be kept on a mooring, other than perhaps briefly for a lunch stop.

That info was more for general boating interest than a serious long-term mooring solution!

 

[SaltIre]

There is the main slipway next to the ferry RORO ramp but there is the old original in the harbour too.

There are 6 moorings being deployed in the bay to the south of Scalasaig (organised by the Colonsay Community Development Company) which were due to be deployed in 2020... This year, now, apparently. Coincidentally, I'm planning to build a house just in from the bay 'soon'...

I note that the foils retract so the boat has a draft of only 50cm in shallow mode. At 8.5m LOA and 1,605kg is there any prospect of "dry sailing" her rather than mooring or berthing afloat?
You have a slipway & just need a trailer, (electric) tractor and a nearby bit of field to park in...

Candela C-8

 

[martinwinlow]

I note that the foils retract so the boat has a draft of only 50cm in shallow mode. At 8.5m LOA and 1,605kg is there any prospect of "dry sailing" her rather than mooring or berthing afloat?
You have a slipway & just need a trailer, (electric) tractor and a nearby bit of field to park in...
View attachment 129810
Candela C-8

Hi, yes, absolutely - just not ideal... and I'd have to sort out a trailer, too. We are working on a plan for some more storage close to the harbour but who knows when or even if it will actually ever happen...

 

[Tranona]

Ultimately, the principal aim is to get the boat home rather than have a jolly time doing it. So, 'by any and all means', I guess...

Then perhaps the best way is to bung the planned cost of the trip to the RAF and borrow a Chinook for a day.

 

[dunedin]

Ultimately, the principal aim is to get the boat home rather than have a jolly time doing it. So, 'by any and all means', I guess...

In which case a truck might be the best option, like most other day boats are delivered - either direct from the factory to (say) Ardfern, or use your time and weather windows to see if you can get to Dover or similar, and then truck to Ardfern.

 

[martinwinlow]

In which case a truck might be the best option, like most other day boats are delivered - either direct from the factory to (say) Ardfern, or use your time and weather windows to see if you can get to Dover or similar, and then truck to Ardfern.

Well I *do* happen to be good friends with an ex-RN helicopter pilot (who also just happens to own the island!). : )

 

[Minerva]

Martin,

I think you're a bit bonkers and your trip will prove both more problematic and be slower than you first anticipate, however I wish you all the best with it and I hope you'll be blogging / v-logging your trip as you go.

 

[dunedin]

Hello and thank you for your views. I don't know if this video (

) of the C-8's predecessor, the C-7, foiling in relatively rough water, will reinforce your opinion or allay your concerns but yours is a valid point and one I will take to the manufacturers for their opinion. I suppose if the sea was too high for foiling (with the significant reduction on range that would cause) shorter distance hops may be possible but I do appreciate that in some parts of the SW, even basic facilities may be hard to find on that basis. There is always the option of a tow or even getting the boat past tricky sections on the back of a truck.

Ultimately, the principal aim is to get the boat home rather than have a jolly time doing it. So, 'by any and all means', I guess...

Sorry, they are not waves - they are ripples. certainly much less than 1m. Show that to the RNLI boys at Port Askaig and they will spilt their sides laughing - and place bets on when they will meet you in some proper waves.

Actually I think these hydrofoiling electric boats are going to catch on fast amongst the rich and the fashionable. They are a perfect fit with electric power. Within 2 years they will be essential kit on every super yacht - fast, quiet and ticking the “green“ box (even if on a huge CO2 wasting superyacht with generators on 7x24 and arriving on private jet and helicopter!).
And ideal day boat for the Italian lakes, South of France, Poole Harbour (Sandbanks to Studland Bay) - or indeed ex-ABBA members to commute to their islands on the Stockkholm archipelago. I suspect they could wipe out the market for fashion day boats with 1,000+ hp engines, such as the Axopars etc, within a few years (though they will probably switch to electric hydrofoils as well).

Great boats for blasting around in the sunshine. BUT Colonsay area is probably the least likely /suitable location one could think of.

There is somebody who has had a (V8 powered) foiling speedboat at Largs for some years. An ideal location for it. Inside the shelter of the Clyde, and lots of places can go for a burn up extremely sheltered inland lochs - Kyles of Bute, up to Loch Goil etc. Even then doesn’t go out much, as needs to choose the best weather.

So to Colonsay
- the west side of Colonsay, and Islay, is open to full Atlantic swell all the way from America, and stirred up further by very strong tides
- the East side is sheltered from swell in its immediate vicinity (but very exposed to Easterlies) - but only a few miles long and hence a 5 minute burn at full speed
- heading South is the Sound of Islay - but the entrances to that can get very bumpy when the very strong tides coming out meet even the slightest waves - can be smooth as mirror on the way there with incoming tide and come back an hour later and suddenly short, steep and high waves, even with minimal wind (ask the RNLI boys)
- heading North, the patch of sea south of Mull is notoriously very bumpy even when elsewhere is relatively calm - again the combination of open to swell and waves, plus strong tides bashing into them - the short gap around the triangle above Sound of Luing, Cuan Sound etc has spoiled many a day (and emptied many a stomache)
- heading NE the direct route to the mainland is of course through Corryvreckan - a pussy cat inbound in gentle weather (provided you avoid the standing waves which would break the foils clean off, me thinks). But when the tide is coming out it causes waves out of a flat sea up to 5 miles out - on numerous occasions we have suddenly hit serious waves 2m or more on a calm day when thinking of visiting Eileach an Nioamh and had to abandon (of course other times, with tide going the other way, been beautiful)
- the weather can change very quickly, and rarely seems to listen to the weather forecast - a trip to the mainland, or to Islay could be easy, but suddenly the return is dangerous, but you might not know when leaving the shelter East of Islay/Jura/Scarba.
- coming out the Sound of Islay, Corryvreckan or Luing with the tide, from the shelter to the East, you might get no warning of a serious change in conditions until you hit it. Been there got the T shirts - but with 40 foot 8-ton ocean going yacht, it might spoil the day and certainly got a lot of things wet, but if suddenly 2m waves and 25-30 knots on the nose we just put in the reefs and oilskins, take the pasting and put it down to experience. In a low range foiling dayboat ?!#

Perhaps this is just an amusing troll - if an interesting one, as I am interested in both electric boats and the amazing islands of Scotland. But unless you have more experience than you are showing you should speak to the Port Askaig RNLI skipper sooner rather than later for his advice. You will be getting better acquainted soon.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Hello and thank you for your views. I don't know if this video (

) of the C-8's predecessor, the C-7, foiling in relatively rough water, will reinforce your opinion or allay your concerns but yours is a valid point and one I will take to the manufacturers for their opinion. I suppose if the sea was too high for foiling (with the significant reduction on range that would cause) shorter distance hops may be possible but I do appreciate that in some parts of the SW, even basic facilities may be hard to find on that basis. There is always the option of a tow or even getting the boat past tricky sections on the back of a truck.

I agree with @dunedin that that is NOT "relatively rough water"- I've been out in my 3m rubber boat in worse conditions than that.

The conditions are clearly not glassy smooth - there must be a bit of wind - but you can see in the video that those are not fully open waters, but a loch or sheltered by the islands you can see in the distance.

I differ from @dunedin is that I think the Candela could be more use on the south coast than they suggest - I don't see why it couldn't be used between the Solent and Poole or even Weymouth on suitable days, but I would imagine you risk a big Atlantic swell west of Plymouth and as far as Pembrokeshire. If you consider the conditions in the video "relatively rough water" then I am not sure you're prepared for that.

Ultimately, the principal aim is to get the boat home rather than have a jolly time doing it. So, 'by any and all means', I guess...

I think a trailer is appropriate, at least at some point on this journey.

 

[martinwinlow]

Perhaps this is just an amusing troll - if an interesting one, as I am interested in both electric boats and the amazing islands of Scotland. But unless you have more experience than you are showing you should speak to the Port Askaig RNLI skipper sooner rather than later for his advice. You will be getting better acquainted soon.

Thank you for taking the time to type all that out. Next time I've got my Coastguard uniform on I'll make a date with the lifeboat team at Port Askaig and see what they think! But it does sound like the west coast might be taking things a bit far and ending the trip somewhere in the SW a more realistic proposition. We'll see!

 

[Tranona]

I differ from @dunedin is that I think the Candela could be more use on the south coast than they suggest - I don't see why it couldn't be used between the Solent and Poole or even Weymouth on suitable days, but I would imagine you risk a big Atlantic swell west of Plymouth and as far as Pembrokeshire. If you consider the conditions in the video "relatively rough water" then I am not sure you're prepared for that.

Suitable days and suitable tides. Christchurch Ledge and St Albans would be exciting except at slack water and no wind.

 

[dunedin]

A Red Bay RIB with enclosed cuddy is perhaps a more common - and appropriate - choice for nipping around the islands. Built nearby for these sorts of places - similar boat used for the Jura fast ferry, for example.
Fast in the right conditions, but very seaworthy when the weather / tide changes - and protection from the elements,

eg - Stormforce 8.4 - Expedition - Redbay Boats

And a day at the office …..

Save the CO2 by pouring less concrete at the new house ?

 

[The Q]

Thanks for the interesting link but I'm going the other way (clockwise) but electrification makes even more sense for canal boats than it does for cars...

Canal boats!!! Canal Boats!!! you sure know how to insult people.
We sail and motor on rivers which are tidal..
here's one of the boats fitted with an electric motor..

and here's a picture of a similar motorboat to mine, they have a sea going planing hull capable of 30knots with the right engines. my boat won't do that but it is electric powered.

 

[martinwinlow]

I think you're a bit bonkers

No doubt about *that*, at least...

 

[martinwinlow]

A Red Bay RIB with enclosed cuddy is perhaps a more common - and appropriate - choice for nipping around the islands. Built nearby for these sorts of places - similar boat used for the Jura fast ferry, for example.
Fast in the right conditions, but very seaworthy when the weather / tide changes - and protection from the elements,

eg - Stormforce 8.4 - Expedition - Redbay Boats

And a day at the office …..

Save the CO2 by pouring less concrete at the new house ?

Not exactly picnic weather is it?

I'm getting the 'hard-top' option and optional 'foldable swim platform' which closes off the 'aft section'... for what that would be worth in those sorts of seas (which I might add, I'll be doing my very beast to avoid!).

House will be SIPs albeit on a beam and block/trench-fill foundation...

 

[dunedin]

Not exactly picnic weather is it?

I'm getting the 'hard-top' option and optional 'foldable swim platform' which closes off the 'aft section'... for what that would be worth in those sorts of seas (which I might add, I'll be doing my very beast to avoid!).

House will be SIPs albeit on a beam and block/trench-fill foundation...

But not uncommon, perhaps, to get a short period of wavy conditions, even on quiet days - particularly due to wind against tide with the unusually strong tides locally.

Incidentally, was looking at this for different reasons, but 1m wave limit is below the upper end of ”Slight” in wave forecast terms, the first one up from “Smooth”. Douglas sea scale - Wikipedia
How often does the Inshore Waters forecast have just Smooth as the wave forecast?

 

[SaltIre]

Wave height is forecast to drop below 2 metres on Friday - overnight until Saturday.
Windfinder.com - Wind and weather forecast Colonsay Airport