Sailing Solo Around Britain

This is a practical account of preparing Dark Star, a 40-year-old Leisure 27 twin-keel yacht, for a solo voyage around Britain. The owner describes major replacements made over nearly three decades, including the engine, fuel tank, rudder, rigging and sails, and explains which equipment proved useful at sea and in remote harbours. Safety is framed around preventing a solo sailor from falling overboard: a harness and tether are especially important because a sailor in the water cannot recover a yacht under autopilot. Two GPS-enabled VHF radios, flares, a liferaft and an inflatable dinghy rounded out the safety kit.

The account highlights the trade-offs of managing a boat alone. A large Danforth anchor worked better than the standard CQR, though the difficulty of hauling an anchor by hand raises the possibility that an electric windlass could be a safety feature. The reliable 16-horsepower engine supported motoring, charging and progress in light winds, while a saildrive seal problem remained unresolved during the trip. Other useful preparations included collapsible 100-litre water tanks, spare water containers, a sprayhood, shore-power heating, solar panels and two electric autopilots backed by a wind vane. The owner also carried diesel in separate cans to reduce the risk of contaminated fuel. Throughout, the focus is on concrete lessons: protect against cold and spray, conserve and replenish power and water, and adapt sail and steering choices to conditions.