ISLAND CRUISING

BUY YOUR GUIDES

Do buy the excellent Imray RCCPF pilotage guides to the Isles of Scilly by Graham Adam, the Channel Islands equivalent by Peter Carnegie and the appropriate Imray paper charts – C10, Y50 and C33A are an absolute must.

BIG SCREEN ENTERTAINMENT

A large screen chart plotter, clearly visible from the steering position, and having a competent crew to add to the eyeball navigation, will enhance your exploring and make things so much easier.

FLOOD TIDE TIMINGS

Use the first 2/3rds of the flood tide. If not sure of your route through and between the islands and in the Isles of Scilly, try to be comfortable with having only a metre or two of water under your keel.

PLAN AROUND NEAP TIDES

Plan your first visit to coincide with neap tides, if you can, and aim for daytime landfall, but if the weather is settled just go.

KEEP GOING

Non-stop overnight from Plymouth to the Isles of Scilly and from Dartmouth to the Channel Islands is possible if you leave after supper or just before dawn from the Helford River. Calculate the tidal race around the Lizard for the Isles of Scilly.

PREPARE TO LOVE IT

Don’t be put off by the tides and be prepared to want to stay for longer, especially to explore ashore.

BRUSH UP ON ANCHORING

Don’t anchor on any of the marked cables running between the islands, but be confident in anchoring to fully enjoy these islands.

ROCK AND ROLL

Be prepared for close quarter pilotage and the rocks and tides will become your friends once you’re dialled into the scale. Use them to your advantage.

AERIAL VIEW

Bring a drone for some awesome photographs!