The basic plan is this:

Leave Plymouth, turn right...

It is about 1600 miles and with a sensible range (with reserves) of about 150 miles each leg is planned at no more than 100 miles, give or take. This requires careful planning. There are parts of the UK where sensible berthing/fueling options are more than 100 miles apart but that is all part of the detailed passage planning.

Clearly a plan like this has to be flexible and so the number of stops and precisely where they are will not be absolutely fixed in the plan. However, a plan we must have and I would expect to follow it unless circumstances require otherwise.

So, it is planned to make a total of 20 stops but with options to shorten legs and including 3 stops through the Caledonian Canal this could be up to 26. Some of these will be one night stop overs just for refueling but 19 will be major stops. At each major stop, it is plan to stay 3 nights allowing for 1 full day of fundraising, interviews etc and one full day of preparing for the next leg, fueling (both the boat and Paul), minor repairs and general R&R.

So assuming that there are no weather delays that would make the duration of the event 61 days. Clearly it is very unlikely that I will have no delays so I wouldn't be surprised if it takes 80-90 days or even more!

Where possible we will make arrangements to talk to local press, local radio and TV so look out for us on the It is hoped that local RNLI fundraising groups can assist and help both with the planning and at the time.

It is also hoped that marinas and harbours will donate up to 3 nights of accommodation (or more if delayed) at each stop and that other equipment and necessities are either donated or loaned to make the trip possible. All sponsors and contributors will be listed on this site along with details of their contribution and it will be important to us that every contributor can see that their donation or assistance is being put to good use towards the effort. Accounts will be available to all contributors on request after the trip. This is a serious fund raising effort and so it must be transparent what we do with the funds raised.

Cruising speed is about 15-20 kts on flat water which reduces to 6-8kts when rough. Fuel consumption is about 1 ltr/NM when the sea is flat and about 2 ltr/NM when rough. Fuel capacity is 136 ltr with a further 70 ltrs in cans giving a total of 206 ltrs and an absolute range (without reserve) of 103 - 206NM depending on conditions. Clearly fuel management, passage planning and real time fuel monitoring is going to be important.

I am very excited about this event: about the funds that hopefully will be raised for the RNLI, about the trip itself and about meeting everyone on the way round. This effort is for a great cause so please return to this site from time to time to follow our preparation progress and also to follow the event when I do depart and above all... PLEASE GIVE SOMETHING... even £1 will help save someone's life.

Paul Churchley