East Coast Sailing Video: First leg sailing solo to the Isles of Scilly
Rob from East Coast Sailing sets out on the much-anticipated first leg of his 1,000-nautical-mile voyage to the Isles of Scilly, sailing solo from Woolverstone Marina and Lodge Park, his official MDL home port, to Ramsgate. Departing the River Orwell near Ipswich, Suffolk, he makes his way past the busy commercial hubs of Felixstowe and Harwich before heading out into the open waters of the North Sea.
The passage takes him through the London Array Wind Farm, located 20 miles offshore, where Rob shares his experiences of navigating busy shipping lanes and open water solo. Conditions quickly become challenging, with wind speeds hitting 30 knots on the nose. His Beneteau Oceanis 343, Evania, smashes through the waves, green water washing over the deck, and large waves created by strong tidal convergences near the Margate Sands test both sailor and vessel.
As he nears the Kent coastline, the conditions ease, and Rob sails past Margate and North Foreland before reaching Broadstairs. He then blasts down the English Channel at full speed towards Ramsgate. Along the way, he offers practical advice for windy docking and solo sailing, ideal for those new to the sport.
This episode captures both the excitement and the challenges of solo offshore sailing, while providing useful tips and insights for anyone planning to navigate the Thames Estuary, the North Sea, and the Kent coastline.
