Round Britain for the RNLI Blog

I am well into writing the general risk assessment that covers all aspects of the trip that is not specific to a particular leg…

I have started adding links to local information about each stop off point. Harbour and marina details, information about the town etc.

They will all be added over the next week or so.

I have been informed that Larne is not accepting leisure craft this year so I have changed the Northern Ireland leg to Bangor. It make the 2 legs from Douglas to Port Ellen more even anyway.

All plans have now been reworked, renumbered and are looking much better.

Many of the east coast legs have remained the same with an option to stop or refuel. I have done that so that if the weather is good I can continue on to my preferred stop off point.

The entire passage is now:

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• 01 Plymouth - Padstow (Penzance 70NM, Padstow 60NM)
• 02 Padstow - Milford Haven 75NM
• 03 Milford Haven - Pwllheli 93NM
• 04 Pwllheli - Conwy 71NM
• 05 Conwy - Douglas 55NM
• 06 Douglas - Larne 75NM
• 07 Larne - Port Ellen (Islay) 50NM
• 08 Port Ellen (Islay) - Oban 65NM
• 09 Oban - Ft William 36NM
• 10 Caledonian Canal 50NM
• 11 Inverness - Whilehills 61NM
• 12 Whiltehills - Peterhead 35NM
• 13 Peterhead - Eyemouth 109NM (Option Arbroath 60NM)
• 14 Eyemouth - Hartlepool 82NM (Option Blythe 45NM)
• 15 Hartlepool - Hull 115NM (Option Scarborough 60NM)
• 16 Hull - Lowestoft 115NM (Option Gt Yarmouth at 100NM)
• 17 Lowestoft - Dover 86NM
• 18 Dover - Littlehampton 81NM
• 19 Littlehampton - Poole 57NM
• 20 Poole - Plymouth 108NM

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Total Passage Plan Distance: 1549NM

Total Planned stops: 25

Total Planned days on passage: 57 excluding extra time in port for weather

I will renumber the legs when I am more certain of the route.

I said that the initial plans were 1st-cut didn’t I…? Already things are changing. As a result of advice from many of the good folks on the YBW.com Motor Boat Forum (thanks for all your input guys… keep it coming) I am considering doing some of the original legs in 2 hops. It will make each leg less of a challenge for both the boat and me!

My plans will change frequently in these very early stages so look back regularly and watch it develop.

I have now completed outline passage plans for all 16 Legs of the trip.

At this stage these are just first-cut plans and may well change as the plan develops but at least they are a proof of concept… I can do it!

Fuel will be interesting. I can get fuel at all stops but at many of them, in fact the majority, I will have to refule with cans from a local road petrol station. I will have plenty of time at each stop so this in itself in not going to be a problem.

Don’t forget that you can discuss/comment on each leg in the forums. I am counting on it!

Nearly half way with the basic passage planning. 7 legs taking me to Fort William and the start of the Caledonian Canal are now up and loaded to the web site.

Planning so far has gone quite smoothly with no real hiccups. Fuel is generally available although by cans and car in some places but providing that it is available that is not a problem. I still have to determine where I will be berthed in Fort William so if you have any ideas please let me know through the forum.

This leg is 120 miles and is over 7 hours so I will need very good weather as I will not be able to afford to slow down to hull speed for too long. Also, timing my passage around the south of Kintyre and also through the gap at the top of the Sound of Jura will be very important.

Look out over the next couple of days for the southward journey.

I have now started on the passage planning and as you will see I have put up a new section into which I will put the passage plan for each leg. Check out where I am planning to go and how, fuel planning, Marina and harbour contacts.

I have now started on the passage planning and as you will see I have put up a new section into which I will put the passage plan for each leg. There is a basic chart showing the intended route, details of where I will stay, fueling arrangements and the waypoint by waypoint route details. Eventually there will be fundraising and media appearance information but that will come later.

Don’t forget that you can discuss these intended routes on the forum so if you disagree with my chosen route let me and evryone else know!