Which way round?

[mattlad]

While we are failing to make up our minds up about what sort of boat to use for our single handed UK circumnavigation which is the best way round? Clockwise or anti-clockwise?

 

[awol]

While we are failing to make up our minds up about what sort of boat to use for our single handed UK circumnavigation which is the best way round? Clockwise or anti-clockwise?

I'm confused - plural people/singular boat and circumnavigation ..... or is it schizophrenia?

Clockwise via Muckle Flugga, anti clockwise via canals.

 

[jac]

Suggest you buy Sam Steeles excellent book about this. She devotes a whole chapter to this very question. Summary is that depends where and when you start.

 

[rustybarge]

Sail or Mobo?

 

[johnalison]

Depending on the boat, you can spend a couple of weeks in Dover waiting for the weather the change, so it might be better to keep both options open. The tides in the Channel make progress eastwards easier.

 

[NormanS]

While we are failing to make up our minds up about what sort of boat to use for our single handed UK circumnavigation which is the best way round? Clockwise or anti-clockwise?

If you are really going to circumnavigate, you will find that there are innumerable decisions to be made, all the way round. At some point, you have to be able to make up YOUR OWN mind.

 

[nimbusgb]

\if you go \clockwise you can claim the byline 'Keep Turning Right'

 

[dylanwinter]

If you are really going to circumnavigate, you will find that there are innumerable decisions to be made, all the way round. At some point, you have to be able to make up YOUR OWN mind.

but any rational sailor seeks the advice of others

the op seems well able to assimilate and assess information

 

[NormanS]

Yes, but he will find that there are occasions when there is no-one but himself..........

 

[V1701]

Someone will be along to inform you that if you need to ask the question then you are not fit to go...

 

[onesea]

Yes, but he will find that there are occasions when there is no-one but himself..........

Then he will be glad of all the questions and knowledge he acquired BEFORE he got himself in that situation

 

[Uricanejack]

While we are failing to make up our minds up about what sort of boat to use for our single handed UK circumnavigation which is the best way round? Clockwise or anti-clockwise?

Corriollus effect dictates Anti-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and Clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. If near the equator fluip a coin.
Although Dylan may think he keps on turning left. He is in fact actualy being deflected 90 deg to the right.
Enjoy you trip. I might follow some day and stop at all the best pubs.

 

[aslabend]

My ocd compels me to do it clockwise (really, my mind rebels when I think of all those left turns......)
Other factors such as places and times to pick up chums as crew for a leg means that I've been rather forced into clockwise.
Also The first stretch for me will be down from The Solent to Cornwall, a cruise I'm familiar and happy with so will get off to an easier start.
The "other way" means braving the Thames estuary, Fighting off the hoards of savages in Essex and then facing the frozen, grim north. I've penciled in " 'ere be dragons" for the coast north of the wash.

I'm sure some factors of your own will influence your decision but really, reading around the subject, both ways seem to have advantages/disadvantages.

 

[Conachair]

Last decade wind averages per half month are available here ...
http://cioss.coas.oregonstate.edu/cogow/index.html

Wind will still be on the nose half the time though.

 

[Tomahawk]

Last decade wind averages per half month are available here ...
http://cioss.coas.oregonstate.edu/cogow/index.html

Wind will still be on the nose half the time though.

WoW....

that is a really useful page... Thank you

As to the OP.. if you go left,,,, you may well meet up with the great man
If you go right you will simply sail past him?

 

[davidej]

The effect of the Gulf Stream makes clockwise better. The downside is that you may have it on the nose in the Channel. However with luck the rest of the trip should be with a freer wind.

We got lucky - with a week of easterlies we did most of the Channel under cruising chute.

 

[Wave22]

From my own research it doesn't seem to make much difference. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages but neither way seems to have a compelling advantage over the other.

A lot of people who did it thought with hindsight they would have been better going the other way, but this applied equally to both directions!

 

[davidej]

From my own research it doesn't seem to make much difference. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages but neither way seems to have a compelling advantage.

A lot of people who did it thought with hindsight they would have been better going the other way, but this applied equally to both directions!

I'm sure thats true - a bit of a'pig in a poke'

The best advice is that, if you can, wait until leaving and the go the way the long term forecast gives best wind.

 

[snooks]

Whichever way you go you'll get some days with the wind on your nose, some days with the wind behind you, some days with no wind and some days with too much.

One way you'll be reading a pilot book in the right direction some of the time, and backwards the other...the other way you'll be reading it backwards some time and the right way around the other.

Toss a coin and go with that.

 

[Sybarite]

While we are failing to make up our minds up about what sort of boat to use for our single handed UK circumnavigation which is the best way round? Clockwise or anti-clockwise?

The record attempts are anti clockwise. If you include Ireland then you can look at the Britrish Isles as being roughly triangular with the base at the bottom. Given that the prevailing winds are basically from the West you are likely to have fewer headwinds anti clockwise around.