Wondering the practicality og a round UK trip next year

[Daydream believer]

His story is lacking in credibility though as the tide would have flushed his yacht out of the Pentland Firth in a lot less than 40 hours whatever he did.

He had been Sailing for 40 hours

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Best tip probably is to not have a finishing date in mind and be prepared to leave the boat at some points on the way as required including over winter. Rough water will tire you out so wait for weather windows including taking advantage of calms and doing motoring. As you know the big limitation of being single handed is the inability to just keep going like you could if there was 2 of you. That said the last boat I bought was a little 23ft bilgie which I soloed around from the solent to north Norfolk in 2 weekend stretches. That's a fair bit of the way around. Its the going in and out of harbours that seems to interrupt progress so much but on that trip I managed to anchor at sea each over nighter (Dungeness and behind the reefs at Sea Palling, both worth making a note of imo as people don't talk of anchoring at sea very often but its perfectly doable in the right conditions) I timed to sleep the period when the tide was against me, and made very good progress. But its not a race and you have retirement to enjoy so you can make a much bigger journey by doing lots of day sails into lots of harbours.

Now you've thought of it you have to do it anyway. If something happens to your health and you miss this opportunity you'll regret it!

A couple of year's ago there was an 82 Yr old who did it single handed in , I think, 23' Hunter. Don't think he went over the top though.He had only been sailing a few years. I expect that you form an almost spiritual relationship with your boat.

 

[srm]

He had been Sailing for 40 hours

He obviously lacked an understanding of passage planning, especially the need for weather forecasts and contingency plans.

From the limited information I would guess that he had sailed none stop from Stornoway or somewhere south of Cape Wrath. Of the top of my head I can think of three possible sheltered anchorages along the north coast, that may have been suitable depending on wind, or for total shelter he could have gone in to Stromness before entering the Pentland Firth. Certainly if there was a F10 in the Firth conditions would have been obviously bad in plenty of time to make for Stromness.

However, as you implied, some people feel they have something to prove.

 

[dunedin]

I did sail round Guernsey on both trips to make up for the lost miles up north I quite like the CIs so stopped for a couple of weeks to meet my family to do st Helier, st malo lezardrieux Granville . So I still did some good cruising & time with family is quality time
I reckoned that made up for the bit up the top

It is entirely up to each skipper what sort of cruise / trip they want. Everybody is different.

But it is worth noting that the nature of the voyage round southern Britain using the Caledonian Canal is VERY different from one which covers the islands and lochs NW of the Canal route.
The former is primarily a linear coastal voyage, often with longish gaps between safe havens. At each stopover there is no choice over DIRECTION to travel next (though there may be choice over distance). Hence often end up battling (and/or motoring) against unfavourable winds. Hence why I refer to this route as more of a “delivery trip”.

In the NW waters (unless you have already reached St Kilda, Rockall or Out Stack), you generally have a choice of going at least 2 if not 4 directions - N, S, E or W - to suit the winds. And typically very short distances between potential shelter (albeit assuming have detailed Sailing Directions and confident with an anchor). Plus often more sheltered from swell, inside various islands. And twice the cruisable coastline of the entire rest of the route.
So VERY different nature of voyage compared to the Canal and SE sections.

Of course if the weather is inclement, or fancy doing the Caledonian Canal that is great - it is lovely. Just remember RULE 1 = Head North West at Oban!

Incidentally, nobody should attempt a true Round Britain unless confident of their anchor, pilotage and skills. You may recall somebody on here posted in outrage as they weren’t allowed into a pontoon harbour with a F6 forecast. There simply is NOT the pontoon capacity in the NW to take more than perhaps 10% of the boats cruising these waters in July / August. And when the forecast gets sporty, everybody heads for places like Mallaig ASAP. Last year 4 times I was unable to get in, even a full day ahead of forecast brisk (but not gale force) winds. Not a problem as I diverted and sat out the winds at anchor, or on a mooring elsewhere. But do not expect a pontoon berth in a storm and be prepared to anchor.

 

[Daydream believer]

Incidentally, nobody should attempt a true Round Britain unless confident of their anchor, pilotage and skills. You may recall somebody on here posted in outrage as they weren’t allowed into a pontoon harbour with a F6 forecast. There simply is NOT the pontoon capacity in the NW to take more than perhaps 10% of the boats cruising these waters in July / August. And when the forecast gets sporty, everybody heads for places like Mallaig ASAP. Last year 4 times I was unable to get in, even a full day ahead of forecast brisk (but not gale force) winds. Not a problem as I diverted and sat out the winds at anchor, or on a mooring elsewhere. But do not expect a pontoon berth in a storm and be prepared to anchor.

an excellent reason to go via the Cally canal. Imagine being in a rocky bay with a foul wind at a black night & having to move when SH due to a miss calculation. I cannot anchor & do not even have an anchor winch.
Imagine being turned away when totally knackered late one afternoon
I just consider the risk not worth it. If one is stressed all the time then what is the point
I picked 24 hour harbours all the way round

 

[Bouba]

an excellent reason to go via the Cally canal. Imagine being in a rocky bay with a foul wind at a black night & having to move when SH due to a miss calculation. I cannot anchor & do not even have an anchor winch.
Imagine being turned away when totally knackered late one afternoon
I just consider the risk not worth it. If one is stressed all the time then what is the point
I picked 24 hour harbours all the way round

I agree...that’s why I said Birdseye should take Wansworth

 

[SaltyC]

an excellent reason to go via the Cally canal. Imagine being in a rocky bay with a foul wind at a black night & having to move when SH due to a miss calculation. I cannot anchor & do not even have an anchor winch.
Imagine being turned away when totally knackered late one afternoon
I just consider the risk not worth it. If one is stressed all the time then what is the point
I picked 24 hour harbours all the way round

Completely agree, you stay within your comfort zone, time available and all things also depend on the boat.

A circumnavigation via the Caledonian is a tremendous achievement for most and to be envied by the many.

Unfortunately, I have this obsession with Muckle Flugga, just need to convince SWMBO, plus I would just like to go one better than my Uncle who did it via the Cally 50 years ago!

Another reason is the reports of people who have visited Orkney and Shetland, I NEED to go!

 

[srm]

I cannot anchor & do not even have an anchor winch.

Nothing wrong with your reasoning for going via the Caledonian Canal, I have always enjoyed my passages through, and usually extended my stay for a few more days. After all if everyone headed north it would become over crowded just like the road around the top. It was bad enough in summer before some bright marketeer came up with the NC500 campaign.
Planning your NC500 Adventure - North Coast 500

However, I would be very concerned about an inability to anchor wherever it is you choose to sail. I carry an anchor and line in my dinghy/tender as it may be all that's between me and being rolled in surf on to a rocky beach, but have only ever used it to hold the dinghy off a pier or beach while I go ashore or just to stop for a swim (now that I am based in warmer waters).

 

[Poignard]

and likely far from alone in thinking of this. I am in my late 70s, the boat is a 29ft bilgie and I would be single handed. Fair bit of experience but never done a long single handed trip before.

First question in my mind is the route given that I would be planning on 4.5kn average and bearing in mind my age, the ideal day is going to be something like 30nm, maybe 40 max. Is this even possible> What would be the stopping points?

Boat equipment? She currently has only a very basic fit out of ST60, plotter, radar, pilot. Liferaft too old to service. Electric windlass, avon dinghy and O/B. What else is important?

Tips and hints for single handing long term?

Or am I simply being a romantic old fool?

I'd offer to crew for you but as I have you 'on ignore' it might lead to difficulties in communication.

 

[Adios]

However, I would be very concerned about an inability to anchor wherever it is you choose to sail. I carry an anchor and line in my dinghy/tender as it may be all that's between me and being rolled in surf on to a rocky beach, but have only ever used it to hold the dinghy off a pier or beach while I go ashore or just to stop for a swim (now that I am based in warmer waters).

Thinking exactly the same when I read that. I never go on the water without a way to stop, I even have a mini anchor with my spear fishing float.

 

[Adios]

I cannot anchor

I'm amazed, is there a reason for it?

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Thanks to @dunedin for correctly understanding my comment about incompetent navigators as being those who claim Britain ends at the Caledonian Canal and that they have sailed around Britain.

The only people who claim that they haven't missed much by not going round the top are those who haven't been there.

 

[srm]

There simply is NOT the pontoon capacity in the NW to take more than perhaps 10% of the boats cruising these waters in July / August. And when the forecast gets sporty, everybody heads for places like Mallaig ASAP.

Tobermory bay and pontoons when the wind backs northerly to north easterly. The timid hang on to the pontoons or mooring buoys in extreme discomfort. Those who can read charts and weather forecasts head for Loch na Droma Buidha for a quiet day or two at anchor.

 

[steve yates]

I did sail round Guernsey on both trips to make up for the lost miles up north I quite like the CIs so stopped for a couple of weeks to meet my family to do st Helier, st malo lezardrieux Granville . So I still did some good cruising & time with family is quality time
I reckoned that made up for the bit up the top

Nope.

 

[Adios]

Nope.

I notice no one is including going round the back of Pitcairn. Lightweights.

 

[dunedin]

Tobermory bay and pontoons when the wind backs northerly to north easterly. The timid hang on to the pontoons or mooring buoys in extreme discomfort. Those who can read charts and weather forecasts head for Loch na Droma Buidha for a quiet day or two at anchor.

Yes there Is another good general point there - there are many “visitor pontoons” (and visitor moorings) which are not secure marinas in terms of all weather shelter. Many are great in most wind conditions but can be uncomfortable or even unsafe in other wind directions. Often a nearby anchorage may be safer in these conditions.

 

[Daydream believer]

I'm amazed, is there a reason for it?

Sea sickness. Comes on in a short while. I have a mooring for my launch but I only put the launch on it when laying moorings. Once I get out to the boat I cast off ASAP Unless very calm. I have anchored 5 times in 20 years.

 

[srm]

I notice no one is including going round the back of Pitcairn. Lightweights.

Of course, if someone is really going around Britain they should sail out west of the St Kilda group as well as north of the Muckle Fluga.

I don't think there is a seat in Westminster or Holyrood for Pitcairn Islanders though.

 

[dunedin]

Of course, if someone is really going around Britain they should sail out west of the St Kilda group as well as north of the Muckle Fluga.

I don't think there is a seat in Westminster or Holyrood for Pitcairn Islanders though.

I thought the definitions were
- Britain = the mainland island
- Great Britain - adds the islands
- UK - Great Britain plus Northern Ireland
So by that a Round Britain requires all the mainland headlands, but not Muckle Flugga or St Kilda.

Round UK technically would mean round Out Stack, Rona and all the St Kilda stacks - plus outside the Isles of Scilly, South of Isle of Wight etc, as well as NI from Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough. (Rockall is a grey area.). But few would quibble with somebody that reached each of the main island groups (eg Lerwick, Stromness, Stornoway, Bangor, St Mary’s, Cowes etc) but didn’t go round the outer edges of each and every island?

Most of the other outlier places are Crown Dependencies rather than Britain or UK.

 

[ylop]

Sea sickness. Comes on in a short while. I have a mooring for my launch but I only put the launch on it when laying moorings. Once I get out to the boat I cast off ASAP Unless very calm. I have anchored 5 times in 20 years.

Wondering if you’ve tried scopoderm patches? They were a game changer in this house which moved us from day sailers when we could predict the waves/swell to enjoying time at anchor overnight.

If you “need” a marina berth every night for a safe trip then I don’t think round Britain even via the caly canal is a sensible plan for you. I think it’s possible to plan an anchor & mooring ball free trip (and of course you can non-stop all the way), but stuff happens.