Isles of Scilly Cruise

SailCork Scilly Isles Cruise 2015 June 7-12 – Have a great adventure!!!

Sail your boat in our fleet! – join the SailCork Cruise in company – Eddie English will share his in depth knowledge of over 40 years visiting the Scillies. The SailCork team will: Help with passage and pilotage plans, safety checks, provisioning etc – feel safe on this offshore passage!

Sail with us aboard "Holy Grounder"

The magical Isles of Scilly lie over 20 miles off the Cornish coast or 120 miles from Cork. The islands are steeped in nautical history and are a place apart. They have been a traditional stopping point for Irish boats on passage to the south coast of England or Brittany for many years. The islands have their own micro climate and a unique rugged look. SailCork’s Eddie English has been visiting these islands for 38 years – following in his fathers footsteps – as the Isles of Scilly were a favourite of the late Eamonn English too. The annual pilgrimage by SailCork to these mystical islands is now an institution and for 2015 it begins at East Ferry on Sun Jun 7 returning for Fri 12. With Eddie as skipper you have the perfect guide – he has visited a dozen of the islands- knows the safe anchorages and knows all the best shoreside establishments!

It is a trip favoured by many as a "milebuilder" as it is 140 miles each way plus interisland milage there usually giving a grand total of over 300 miles. The journey across the Celtic Sea between Cork and the Isles of Scilly usually takes less than 24 hours – on the crossing the crew learn about watch systems and living at sea. There will be 4 full days to explore the islands allowing the opportunity to practice navigation and pilotage. The crew will have a planning briefing in advance of the trip.

We will have 6 berths available aboard "Holy Grounder" and we are also organising a "Cruise in Company" for other boats. Eddie and the SailCork team will provide a safety seminar, a passage planning course, briefings, safety inspections, pilotage notes, advice and help with provisioning in advance of the cruise as well as radio checks and advice on the passages to and from Scilly.

Eddie will sail on "Holy Grounder" as the lead boat -a sort of mother goose service! During the visit to the islands Eddie will provide advice on anchorages, places to visit, the best restaurants and bars etc – sharing his knowledge gained on visiting the islands on a very regular basis since 1974. If you are interested in bringing your boat please contact the office for details or see "Cruise in Company"

Have a look at SailCork on St. Martins on video Full info on Isles of Scilly. Harbour info Isles of Scilly

Course fee €799. Book now and come aboard for 2 free workshops(value €55 each): Tue April 21 "Celtic Sea crossing and Scillies Pilotage" and Wed 13 May "Preparing for a passage and Safety at Sea,"

Once you have booked and paid you can get a 10% reduction on any of the following courses run prior to departure VHF Radio Course, Electronic Nav Course, First Aid Course or W-end Cruiser Course.

Provisional Programme

Sun 7 Jun 19:00 Join "Holy Grounder" at East Ferry Marina. Provisioning and safety briefing. Passage briefing. Finalise pilotage and passage plans.Departure for Isles of Sciliy – overnight passage. Stand watch and enjoy the amazing freedom and tranquility of being at sea. See the sun peep over the horizon as we journey onwards to make landfall in a new country.

Mon 8 Jun Late afternoon arrival and anchor off Hangmans Rock between islands of Tresco and Bryher – ashore for meal in Tresco.

Tue 9 Jun Plan pilotage and sail to Hughtown in St. Marys – sailing out into the open Atlantic again past the western shores to our safe anchorage in St. Mary’s for water+ provisions + shopping. Time out ashore to explore historic Hughtown and top class dining at the BoatShed.

Wed 10 Jun Visit St. Agnes for lunch, sail around the islands – shore runs for walking, swimming and relaxing. Head for anchorage off Tresco for the night.

Thur 11 Jun A run ashore to see Tresco’s famous gardens and beaches and explore the wild island of Bryher – stopping for refreshment at "Fraggle Rock" before final planning and departure for Ireland on Thursday afternoon/evening. Depart for Ireland – overnight passage.

Fri 12 Jun Finish cruise at East Ferry on Friday afternoon – enjoy the amazing sensation of having completed a cruise abroad and plan for your next voyage!

As can be seen from the programme this cruise embraces long passages (two overnighters), short island hops(with lots of pilotage exercises), exploring new territory, enjoying rugged scenery and undistrubed wildlife, embracing nautical history and of course…….mouthwatering meals and of course a few cleansing ales!

Milebuilder – this trip is excellent for milage for your log for Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster. 300+ miles guaranteed!

Have a look at some great photos of our 2011 cruise