21st July
“By the time this is posted, Tonic will be alongside her home berth at Chatham, booked in for a list of maintenance works after being out and about for some 6 weeks. Nothing too major, but they will certainly improve comforts – cutlery drawer repair, outboard engine service, Starlink power supply, cabin lights, etc. As with any extended passage, there’s always a ‘maintenance list’ to work through.
It’s a privilege to have taken part in this Around the Britain voyage on Tonic as the skipper. Once again, Tonic has delivered amazing adventure experience to dozens of sailor while building their mileage and confidence at sea.
Dave Allan – I’m grateful for the tips and knowledge and experience you generously shared with me.
Hodge and Sam – The supportive words from you allowed me to complete this journey.
Nicole – Thank you for taking care of our welfare.
PS – What am I going to do with the pictures taken during the trip as asked by many crews? There’re some really great shots, but they’re buried in the hundreds of pictures. I’ll try to sort them out soon and upload to my Facebook/Instagram in due course. Watch this space”
Home straight on Medway.
~ Yat Sing, Skipper
19th & 20th July
Scarborough to Lowestoft – 145nm
“After a much-needed night’s sleep, we slipped lines from Scarborough at 1000 for the 145nm passage south to Lowestoft. The wind was in a cooperative mood, and a 2–3m swell provided the usual offshore entertainment.
The watches worked well, and as daylight faded, the wind farms began to emerge. These enormous structures kept us company through each memorable night watch, standing sentinel over the North Sea. Stars, planets and the Milky Way provided a spectacular reminder of just how isolated we were — occasionally interrupted by the passing cargo vessel, presumably with somewhere more important to be.
As we rounded the corner of East Anglia, anticipation grew at the prospect of seeing the California coastline. Visions of Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara had somehow entered the conversation. By the time we reached Great Yarmouth, however, reality had returned, California had disappeared over the horizon and our attention turned firmly to entering Lowestoft.
We arrived at noon and headed straight for an exceptionally good lunch at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club. So good, in fact, that we returned for dinner, where the evening’s menu consisted of three haddock and chips and three cod à la Bryan. A fine example of culinary diversity.
Back to tonic, an early night for a 0200 briefing.
Two amazing days. Two memorable passages.”
~ Bryan, Crew
18th July
“After a good night’s sleep to recharge the batteries, we slipped lines and set course for Whitby, with a fuel stop in Sunderland planned en route.
However, with the weather deteriorating, we took another look at the suitability of Whitby for our arrival and were advised to rethink the plan. The consensus was Scarborough — not only because of its easily accessible marina in heavy wind and seas, but, of course, because it offered the possibility of still making last orders. Priorities!!
Leaving Sunderland proved interesting, with very little water under the keel. Once clear, we settled down with two reefs in the main and a decent breeze. Unfortunately, we were only making 4–5 knots, which did little for our chances of reaching Scarborough before the bar closed.
A little more sail soon had us making a steady 6–7 knots, and the passage really began to come alive. A 2–3 metre swell and a good wind on the port quarter carried us south, while the clearing skies transformed what had started as a merely satisfactory passage into something very special.
We entered Scarborough Marina at 21:30 and, as we tied up in the fading light, there was a firework display over the marina — not necessarily a royal welcome, but it made the day even more spectacular. With the important matter of last orders still very much on our minds, we made it to a local hostelry just in time for a nightcap.
An amazing day, plenty of new experiences, and another reminder that the best days at sea are often the ones that don’t quite go according to plan.”
~Bryan, Crew
17th July
“Holy island to Blyth a full days sail we raised the anchor and cleared copious amounts of seaweed off of it in the process. Fortunately we didn’t need to use the trip line we had rigged as a precaution as advised in the almanac.
We left Holy Island around 09:30 using the transit marks from our way in as a back bearing to see us safely out again. We headed down the Northumberland coast passing historic Bamburgh castle on the way. We swapped skippers for the passage off Amble so Stefan and Malin could both get their passages logged (ahead of their upcoming Yacthmaster exam). Whilst continuing our trip we were again joined by a large pod of dolphins to while away the time.
Eventually we passed the wind farm outside Blyth and were then able to enter the harbour and the small marina within. This is the location of the Royal Northumberland yacht club who since 1952 have owned the historic wooden lightship LV50 which they use as their clubhouse. Since our skipper Yat Sing was a member of the Royal Hong Kong yacht club we were able to use the reciprocal arrangements between Royal yacht clubs around the world and take advantage of the excellent food and hospitality of the club. We were even greeted by the Vice Commodore and her husband on arrival and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.”
~David, Crew
15th-16th July 2026
“A forecast of F2 and the prospect of motoring nearly 100 nautical miles wasn’t exactly exciting. Still, sailing trips have a habit of creating memorable days even when the sails barely get filled.
We slipped the lines from Stonehaven at midnight, settling into a quiet night under engine. Well… quiet for most of us. Apparently Bryan and Stephan enjoyed some sort of burlesque cabaret during one watch, but the rest of the crew slept through it!
Approaching Eyemouth for fuel, we were treated to the sight of a whale — a welcome distraction from the steady hum of the engine.
On the fuel pontoon in Eyemouth we met a retired lifeboat helmsman, whose sea stories and nautical tales could have kept us there all morning.
Holy Island made us work for our supper. With two transits guiding us safely into the anchorage, we dropped the hook and headed ashore for dinner.
The dinghy got us there without complaint, but the outboard had other ideas. The starter cord snapped before it fired, leaving David to provide the horsepower on the return trip. A decent rowing workout just before bed!
Another 100 miles logged and a few more stories added to the voyage”
~ Bryan, Crew
14th July 2026
“Today concludes the longest leg of the around the Britain journey on Tonic. We had a comprehensive mix of weather, the wettest leg so far. I believe that everyone onboard would agree it’s an understatement to say that we had some wonderful wildlife encounters, and some of the most spectacular sceneries.
On a tight schedule, to go or not to go to Shetland was always the question. As a first timer, it’s all down to plenty of reading, knowing the forecast all the time, and with a bit of luck, pulling the trigger when the opportunity opens up. Competent and experienced crew was surely critical.
Springs are approaching as we return to mainland. Sitting the keel on the mud in a shallow marina was the decision in the end. We’re staying here for 12 hours for fuel, provisions, rest, and crew changeover.
Farewell to Axel, David, Richie, and William. Thank you to you all, have fair winds always.”
At Lossiemouth.
~ Yat Sing, Skipper
11th-12th July 2026
“Slipped moorings at Lerwick just before midday, heading back towards the Orkneys with me at the helm. Let’s just say there was room for improvement! Perhaps time for an Elite
boat handling course? Once again we had a light tail wind, which meant more motoring. We managed to make enough time for a quick stop off at the small harbour on Fair Isle. After negotiating the tricky entry we tied up to a French boat we had met earlier in Lerwick. We had a bite to eat and had time for some local exploration. Lovely scenery. Some sheep and very friendly puffins!
Departing at 2200 we caught the last of the sun and another a very calm passage to Kirkwall arriving just after 1000. We spent the day resting and had a nice evening meal in a local restaurant. Planning the passage to Lossiemouth proved to be challenging due to the low tides. The option chosen was to tie up next to the harbour wall, sitting on the mud. A first for most of the crew. Should be interesting!”
~ David, Crew
10th July 2026
“Having arrived in Lerwick on the Shetlands, we all had a sense of real achievement. So it was time to explore this amazing island at the most northern point of Britain. A few of us hired a car for the day and visited the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse with its cliffs of nesting birds including puffins and guillemots. Then it was to the Tombolo sand feature at St Ninians followed by a drive far north to the breathtaking cliffs at Eshaness in the glorious evening sunshine. A truly special day.”
~ William, Crew
9th – 10th July 2026
“We slipped lines early, 04:00 AM, in order to avoid the really strong tides that gave Stromness its name.
The sun was finally back and the visibility was really good, what a relief after a few days with a lot of rain and fog patches. All crew stayed for a long time on deck to enjoy the nice and calm weather, beautiful views of the town and surroundings, and of course, The Man of Hoy.
We enjoyed the coastline of Orkney in the morning, later we saw the Fair Isle in the distance. In the evening we got the first sight of Shetland, Sumburgh Head – far, far away.
It took us around 23 hours to get to Lerwick. A calm passage with barely any other traffic around us. At 03:00 AM Malin rafted Tonic to another boat in Lerwick Inner Marina and we all came to rest, getting ready for exploring Lerwick and Shetland.”
Fair winds,
~ Stefan, Crew
7th-8th July 2026
“Adventure sailing around Scotland can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. On our leg, going further north, leaving Stornoway behind and initially intending to stop-over at Kinlochbervie we had to abandon this route due to high wind forecast and sailed directly to Stromness on the western side of the Orkneys. A long leg, but what made it easier and inspiring was that larger pods of dolphins entertained us with an acrobatic display of their jumping skills for about an hour. Safely moored up in Stromness we experienced the first sunshine after 3 days of wet and coldish weather – what a delight. Last but not least we run into Nigel, an ex Elite powerboat instructor who wished us well for the upcoming leg to Lerwick on the Shetlands. Looking forward to a break and rest there to hopefully exploring the isles a bit. Till then your Adventure Sailing Crew from Tonic around Britain.”
~ Axel, Crew
6th July 2026
“An unusual start for the day. David and I were woken up at 4am by an AIS alarm at an anchorage ground in Plockton. The system had picked up a signal from an AIS MOB device half a mile away from us, just off a pier. As there was no noise, no lights, or any obvious rescue effort, this was relayed to the Coastguard. Launching our dinghy in force 4 at dawn was probably going to cause more troubles. The lifeboat arrived at 30 knots in half an hour. Shortly after that, the Coastguard rang and told me that they found a lifejacket with that device in the water. Perhaps they knew a little more than that, they concluded that it was a false alarm and no one was injured. “You can have some sleep now”, the Coastguard apparently didn’t know that our briefing on Tonic would be at 5am.”
Stornoway, Outer Hebrides
Yat Sing
5th July 2026
“Arrived in Oban by train, short walk to marina to muster on Tonic. Met the crew and turned in. Slipped lines 4ish Sunday. Sound of Mull then into Tobermory, a pretty coastal town worth a visit. We had fresh olive bread and cheese, cakes and home made jam, then set off with two tidal gates that was was part of our passage plan. The weather forecast was correct with rain and wind, with a moderate sea as we entered the sound of Sleat. We prepared for our second tidal gate which was planned by our crew, the skipper Yat Sing, checked the plan and we entered Kyle Akin. NE progress was pushed along with a healthy push of 10.5 knots SW flood stream, fantastic opportunity to sail through such a gate. Yat Sing our skipper had put in a lot of effort to plan the two tidal gates with such precision. The crew also made a great content to our passage plan. We sailed onto Plockton and picked up a mooring buoy for the night, great day sail.”
~ Richie, Crew
3rd-4th July 2026
“Fog and midges welcomed us to the new day at the Crinan sea lock. One of three boats crammed into the last locks we were finally released into the open sea where we headed towards Oban, paying respect to a group of small islands that derive their existence to one of the snowball earth periods some 730 million years ago when the entire planet was covered in a thick ice sheet. In Oban we said goodbye to two crew and welcomed three new ones.”
~ William, Crew
2nd July 2026
“Today is very gusty, put the best person on the helm”, that’s the lock keeper’s advice for us in the morning.
Despite being inside the well-sheltered Ardrishaig Basin, I was woken up by wind noise a couple of times last night. As we motored through Crinan Canal, people on boats further uphill told us last night was rather rough.
Moving through locks can be a whole new set of skills which is not usually taught in the usual training courses – bringing fenders up and down, easing lines and taking slack, dealing with funny pontoons, etc..
There was quite a bit of traffic coming from the other side, probably due to the storm yesterday, we couldn’t get to the other end of the canal before the lock keepers were off at 5pm. Another 5 locks tomorrow… and then we’ll be sailing again.”
Between locks 10 and 11, Crinan Canal.
~ Yat Sing, Skipper
30th June 2026
“Our first day in Scotland was a treat. With foul weather coming in from the west, we headed up to the Crinan Canal from Campbeltown. The passage takes you through some beautiful waters between Arran and the Mull of Kintyre. We arrived in time for the last lock in to the Ardrishaig basin. We went in with locals who had tried to take their yacht out into the Mull but come back after seeing how rough it was. The lock keepers did a great job explaining how everything works in the canal.”
~ Richard, Crew
29th June 2026
“Bumpy ride to Bangor”
“At 01:00 we slipped the lines in Douglas Marina in Isle of Man. It was a calm and Beautiful night. But little did we know just passing the the corner outside the harbour the bumpy sea started . At the shift between 4-6 all of a sudden the depth went from 80 m to 5 m… panic at first but Yat ( always calm) ensured us that it would be at least 80 m deep since we were in the middle of the Irish sea . After an hour of fast changing depth, the depth gauge settled back to normal.
Soon we head into Bangor and we all look forward to explore the village. But first shower and food 😍. “
~ Malin, Skipper of the Day Douglas to Bangor
27th-28th June 2026
“Bidding farewell to Russell, Rafael, Mike and Liverpool Cruise Terminal as Tonic enters the 4th leg of the Around Britain adventure.
Behind the frontal systems was another beautiful day. But it was a long night.
At Douglas, Isle of Man.”
~ Yat Sing, Skipper
Update 26th June 2026
“The Sky was finally dark at 3am, perfect timing for a lightning show. The storm passed 2.5nm on our stern, and we were fully reefer. Credit to the crew, everyone was calm and enjoyed the show”
On passage Dun Laoghaire Marina, Ireland to Liverpool.
~Yat Sing, Skipper
“Adventure sailing means dealing with what nature throws at you, be that a 100mile passage without wind but accompanied by dolphins throwing shapes at 2am, be that a detour to another country, be that a thunderstorm in the middle of the night that is a beautiful sight to behold (until it rolls your way and it becomes frightening).
Things can’t always go as planned with the unpredictability involved, but when you have an experienced skipper taking care of safety, some good crew taking care of each other (shifts, assistance, cooking) then really you’re ready to take on everything.
Just don’t forget to bring your passport (for those unexpected visits to other countries) and an extra pair of underpants (for when that thunderstorm comes rolling over)”
~Crew member
Update 23rd – 24th June 2026
“After some refreshing rest, we slipped the lines in early afternoon for the much discussed passage from Milford Haven in Wales to Dun Laoghaire in Ireland!
The sea was glassy, foggy at times. The hundreds of puffins, dozens of dolphins kept us company.
We had a special delivery while sailing along the coast of Irish Sea. A 140hp RIB came alongside Tonic and fitted a made-to-measure batten on our mainsail. James Bond style, smooth.
A pleasant, satisfying 27 hours for all of us. 146 nautical miles.
Our next stop – Liverpool.”
~ Yat Sing, Skipper
Update 20th – 22nd June 2026
“Leaving Penzance late Saturday we headed into the night to the Isles of Scilly where we explored a number of islands. St Agnes didn’t want to let us leave without an anchor, probably stuck under some underwater granite boulders. After paying a visit to the Grimsby Sound with the Hangman Rock we headed into our second night sail in a row to arrive at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, sunburnt and tired.”
~ William, Crew
Update 18th June 2026
“Day began by standing off the pontoon to let out the inner yacht that we were rafted to. Waived Goodbye to them with a jolly smile, and wishing them fair winds. 8.30am was the crew meeting, held by Richard, our skipper of the day, who explained the passage plan. Leaving the pontoon was very tricky due the space and wind direction, but we managed it, with good teamwork. Then we motored up the beautiful Fowey river to the entrance where we could put the sails up, and head on out to Helford. The Journey was about 23 miles, and after a short distance we could turn the motor off and sail the rest of the way. The sea was pretty calm but unfortunately the visibility wasn’t too good so we needed to keep a RADAR, watch as well. About 1 o’clock we could see the entrance, and visibility improved, so we could easily enter the river. A short way up we looked out for visitors buoys and picked on one for mooring to. With Dave’s help we picked up the tether and hauled the chain aboard to secure us for the night. Rich cooked a delicious sausage & tomato pasta dish, whilst Adrian & Mike took the dinghy to get the drinks. The day was finished off with sharing experiences and few hands of cards for fun.”
~ Mike, Crew
Update 17th June 2026
“Breakfast on board today for an 8.00 crew meeting organised by Mike & Adrian, our skippers of the day. All engine checks done and we slipped the lines at 8.30. to set off on the next leg of our adventure. After travelling to the harbour entrance – time to put the sails up. Then we swiftly rounded Bolt Head, and could set a heading directly for Fowey, turn off the engine and enjoy F4/5 winds, giving us a speed of 5 to 6 knots. All was good, but then after lunch the fog closed in, so we needed to keep a close eye on the radar. As we approached Fowey, well ahead of schedule we could see some other boats heading in so we slowed right down and kept a very close eye on the navigational aids to bring us safely into port. Dave organised a berth for us close to all the amenities and shops in Fowey. After a freshen up we went for a stroll into the charming village, with shops and cafes lining the narrow main street. After Dave completed some essential maintenance tasks on Tonic, we all convened at the local yacht club for a debrief, drinks and a hearty dinner then back to Tonic for our next day of adventure…”
~ Mike, Crew
Update 16th June 2026
Foggy approach Sailing into Salcombe
“Breakfast on board today for an 8.30 crew meeting organised by Malin, our skipper of the day. Then after a brief stop for some essential chandlery we had to say farewell to Dartmouth and set sail for our next port of call. The wind strength was good, but due to the direction we needed to tack on through Start Bay. However visibility deteriorated due to fog, so Dave showed us how to use the Radar, and we all kept out a good watch for other boats. Rounding Start point we had a great course and the visibility improved so we made good time. In the end we arrived early, and with a bar to clear (No beer at this one!), we edged on carefully with a close watch on the Echo sounder. We had enough water to clear it, so motored on into the estuary, passing Salcombe on our left. The harbour master had space for us on the visitors pontoon in a part of the river called The Bag. After a debriefing from Dave we ordered a water taxi to take us to Salcombe where we enjoyed a stroll, delicious dinner and a well earned pint or glass of wine!”
Update 15th June 2026
“After a hearty Breakfast, in the historic fishing village of Brixham we set sail for Dartmouth. A relatively short passage of about 10 miles. Out of the Marina we hoisted the sails & rounded Berry Head to find enough wind to sail onto Dartmouth. After a couple of hours we saw the entrance to Dartmouth with hills either side and fortifications built over centuries. It was a fantastic sight. After a short wait Dave secured a mooring slot on the town quay, just a short walk from the pubs and cafes. The day was rounded off with a fantastic meal at a local restaurant, serving sharing platters of delicious, locally sourced produce, and of course a pint of beer!”
~ Mike, Crew
Update 14th June 2026
“Relaxed start today from the historic harbour of Yarmouth on the IOW. Then fantastic views of the iconic needles onto Portland Bill, with sunshine and calm seas. Due to weather conditions decided to press on past Weymouth to Brixham. In the afternoon we were treated to seeing Dolphins jumping out the water close to the boat. Arrived at stunning Brixham with the sun low in the sky contrasting the brightly painted cottages on the hillside. Enjoying an evening pint with the crew, local beer in hand in a traditional fishing pub on the quayside.”
~ Mike, Crew
Update 12th June 2026
“Today we said goodbye ‘for now’ to Dom, and welcomed two new crew members. We gave Tonic a good clean down so she’s nice and fresh for our new crew-mates. After a safety brief it was time to get out on the water for some boat familiarisation and a few MOB drills before heading over to Banana Wharf for some snacks and downtime. It was great to reflect on the last weeks adventures – what a first week it has been… he miles crunched, the wind… the relentless wind (!), but most of all the great company and team-spirit onboard. I’m proud of all we’ve achieved. I’m sad to be leaving Tonic and this awesome crew myself tomorrow, as I hand over the baton to Dave who is replacing me as skipper for Leg 2, and it will be my turn to read the daily blogs and wish I was onboard!”
~ Hodge, Skipper
Update: 11th June 2026
UK-bound…
“A wet and windy day at sea! We slipped lines at first light and pointed our bow north, headed for Southampton – the crew were rewarded with a beam reach having spent the last few days beating! The wind was higher than forecast and so the crew got a few lessons in heavy weather sailing, with all rising to the challenge.”
~ Hodge, Skipper
Update: 10th June 2026:
A very French lunch of Baguette and Brie
“Honfleur to Saint-Vaast… An early start, from the charming French town of Honfleur, which is perhaps the most picturesque of all Norman ports. The lock on free-flow allowed for swift access to the Seine, and onwards to the bay. Time was of the essence, due to the lock window at our destination of Saint-Vaast. Stefan and Malin (Fast track Yachtmaster students) had everything worked out on our passage plan. Heading out, we had full sails out, but heading into the wind and tide prooved challenging. After a fabulous lunch, we needed to tune our sails and course to get the best possible arrival time which was essential to have the required depth of water for Tonic. Approaching Saint-Vaast, in the evening we kept a close eye on the depth, as well as the navigation marks to stay in the channel. Rounding the harbour wall we all breathed a sigh of relief to see the lock still open, enabling us to enter the fishing village harbour. After a curry dinner, we all headed on into a quaint harbour side bar where the day was perfectly rounded off by chatting amongst ourselves and other groups of boaters sitting in the bar. Then back to Tonic for a good night sleep and and early start for our passage across the Channel, back to Blighty!
~Mike, Crew
Update: 9th June 2026:
Honfleur – Adventure Sailing port stop
Crew helming on around Britain sailing adventure
“After a long night from Dieppe we finally arrived at Le Havre in the morning. A well deserved shower and some rest we set sail to Honfleur. Very cute town. Some escargot, du vin avec noveaux amis – life can’t get much better than that.”
~ Malin, Crew for Around Britain Circumnavigation / Yachtmaster Fast Track Student
Update: 8th June 2026:
Around Britain – Leg 1 Crew in Dieppe
“We’ve had a great day today in Dieppe. We’ve done our admin (checked in to the Shengen), been to the shops and supermarket, had a lovely lunch at Tout Va Bien – in my view the best all-round restaurant in Dieppe and a must visit, and we popped up for some site seeing at the mariners church. The crew have been enjoying the down-time, but now we’re ready to set off again. We’re slipping lines at 6pm DST for an upwind, overnight passage to Honfleur! We’ll be in a watch system overnight for the 65nm passage and should arrive into Honfleur in time for Croissants and fresh orange juice for breakfast”
~ Hodge, Skipper
Update: 7th June 2026:
A crew member on an Around Britain Sailing leg
“While we were initially relieved to be out of the gnarly weather, but disappointed not to have made the progress we planned for, Ramsgate turned out to be an absolutely fine situation. Little did we know that the 6th of June was national Pirate day at Ramsgate and after showers, a power nap and a lovely warm meal on Tonic, we headed into town for a couple of quiet beers before getting some well earned and much needed sleep. The Town was absolutely buzzing with every bar and pub having full fancy dress Pirate outfits and some live music. Knowing we had some challenging weather the next day and an early start, we stayed for one in a very lively pub and then moved onto a much quieter bar in the Archers by the Marina for a final drink and a chat with the locals to recruit some sailors to this amazing community.
Saturday day did indeed bring the tasty weather we’d expected and we had an incredible run down to the TSS where our 90 degree track took us to just outside Calais. A little further up the coast than we had hoped for but the wind simply wasn’t going to play ball despite the tide being perfect to sweep us down the coast. Some agonising tacking outside of the channel got us round the corner and past the ferries to get us on our way. With a reefed main and some engine support, we made good progress down towards Dieppe.
Sweepstakes for arrival time ranging from 9 pm to 11:30 pm. UTC looked all out of whack for a while because the wind finally came round to the West as promised and the tide started to sweep towards
the coast. Hopes of a timely arrival began to build. ‘Twas a day of constant monitoring of wind, tide and speed – continuous adjustments to the vessel and the course as well as expectations around progress.
Hodge knocked out a Chilli con Carne while we sat and relaxed in the cockpit with some good chat from this beautiful crew. We progressed to the Dieppe wind farm at best speed making between six and 8 kn for most of the remaining journey, finally arriving at 11:30 pm. It was a long day out with close to 100 miles being travelled, a 6am start, an 11.30pm finish, with just enough time to run up the ramp into Au Bout La Bas Bar for a celebratory drink before heading to bed. Looking forward to a day off in Dieppe tomorrow for some sightseeing, restocking and planning the next part of our adventure. It’s funny how some of the longest days feel like the most successful when you gel as a crew and achieve something fantastic. Today was one of those days. “
~Paul Emery. Crew
Yachtmaster Fast Track Students Sailing Around Britain
Update: 6th June 2026:
“What a start to Around with some very very British weather! We gathered onboard yesterday and I took the crew through a safety briefing and plan for the next week. Everyone is awesome, such a great crew and team. We had a gentle amble down to Stangate creek late last night where we slept on anchor which was very peaceful. This morning however has been the opposite of peaceful, as the weather god had a plan up his sleeve by way of a huge storm barrelling towards us down the English Channel. With this in mind, we opted for an early start and a relatively short hop along the coast to Ramsgate (before the wind built too much). The ride along the coast this morning was pretty rapid, triple reefed and with no foresail we still saw speeds of up to 9 knots, as we made passage through the Princes Channel on a beam reach – whilst tucking into some delicious ‘eggy bread’. It’s not quite as far as we’d hoped to get today, but that is sailing – you have to be flexible, and play the hand you are dealt. So for now, we are resting up in Ramsgate and will wait for the wind to blow through before we head to Dieppe tomorrow.”
Fair winds. – Hodge, Skipper.
Update: 3rd June 2026: The Ultimate Voyage: Tonic Takes on Britain ⛵️
Our premier adventure sailing yacht, Tonic, is officially preparing to slip her lines for an epic, full circumnavigation of the British Isles! Covering the entire coastline of the UK and parts of Europe, this is the ultimate mix of challenging blue-water passage making, tidal navigation, and unforgettable landfalls. For the crew on board, it’s bound to be the adventure of a lifetime.
Can’t join us on deck? You can still trace our wake. Bookmark this page to follow the journey in real-time as our crew shares regular tracking updates, news, photos, and stories straight from the open sea.
Some of the crew are taking on the whole circumnavigation, others are joining for various ‘legs’ of the route. The itinerary is as follows:
Leg 1: Esprit de France – 7 days. Friday 5th June – Friday 12th June 2026
Leg 2: Western Idyll – 8 days. Friday 12th June – Saturday 20th June 2026
Leg 3 – Irish Jig – 7 days. Saturday 20th June – Saturday 27th June 2026
Leg 4 – Emerald Express – 7 days. Saturday 27th June – Saturday 4th July 2026
Leg 5 – Northern Lights – 10 days. Saturday 4th July – Tuesday 14th July 2026
Leg 6 – Eastern Adventure – 8 days. Tuesday 14th July – Wednesday 22nd July 2026
