CruisingUK

Sailing to the Isles of Scilly with a X-43… and a Go Pro

Floris ter Heide sailed from Colijnsplaat (NL) to the Isles of Scilly (UK) and to Falmouth (UK) with a wonderful X-Yachts X-43.

About the Isles of Scilly

Theย Isles of Scilly is anย archipelagoย off the southwestern tip ofย Cornwall,ย England. One of the islands,ย St Agnes, is the most southerly point inย Britain, being over four miles (six kilometres) further south than the most southerly point of theย British mainlandย atย Lizard Point.

The total population of the islands at theย 2011 United Kingdom censusย was 2,203.ย Scilly forms part of theย ceremonial county ofย Cornwall, and some services are combined with those of Cornwall. However, since 1890, the islands have hadย a separate local authority. Since the passing of the Isles of Scilly Order 1930, this authority has had the status of aย county councilย and today is known as the Council of the Isles of Scilly.

The adjective “Scillonian” is sometimes used for people or things related to the archipelago. Theย Duchy of Cornwallย owns most of theย freehold landย on the islands. Tourism is a major part of the local economy, along with agricultureโ€”particularly the production ofย cut flowers.

The Isles of Scilly form an archipelago of five inhabited islands (six if Gugh is counted separately from St Agnes) and numerous other small rocky islets (around 140 in total) lying 45 kilometres (24+1โ„2 nautical miles) off Land’s End.[29]

The islands’ position produces a place of great contrast; the ameliorating effect of the sea, greatly influenced by theย North Atlantic Current, means they rarely have frost or snow, which allows local farmers to grow flowers well ahead of those in mainland Britain. The chief agricultural product is cut flowers, mostlyย daffodils. Exposure toย Atlanticย winds also means that spectacular winter gales lash the islands from time to time. This is reflected in the landscape, most clearly seen on Tresco where the lushย Abbey Gardensย on the sheltered southern end of the island contrast with the lowย heatherย and bare rock sculpted by the wind on the exposed northern end.

About the X-Yachts X-43

The X-Yachts X-43 was a trendsetter for the marine industry and represented the start of a new generation of yacht design. Her hull lines were created by a pure downscaling of the stunning IMX 45. The X-43 was smoother, heavier and stiffer than the competition. All the boats were fractionally rigged and all featured built-in hull portlights.

Production Years: 2003 โ€” 2010
Number Built: 169
Hull Length: 12.93 m

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