Sailfree
Well-known member
Just noticed that in starting our own forum the date was not included!! Silly Billy me
THE SCUTTLEBUTT CHERBOURG 2011 WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE WEEKEND 23/24th SEPT.
If people are interested add your names to this thread.
For the newbees and X channel virgins that are tempted. We always pick a weekend with Neap tides so that the effect of the tide and the risk of wind over tide creating bigger waves is minimised.
The Scuttlebutt Cherbourg trip has been going for some 10yrs. It has developed from a Saturday evening meal at the Cherbourg YC to also include a Saturday afternoon boat/pontoon gathering for drinks and nibbles, I usually start the larder with a selection of wines/beers and nibbles which others also contribute. We bring labels on which you write your forum name so you can put a face to a poster and introduce themselves. Obviously the latter depends on the weather but we have been blessed by the Sun God for the last few years and they have been a great sucess. I introduced the afternoon gathering to ensure it was fully inclusive and welcomed strangers otherwise there was a risk of just a few gatherings on individual boats of people that only knew each other.
After the evening meal a few do collect on a few boats and drink well into and for some through the night!!
Most go on the Friday and return on the Sunday but a few do extended stays. I have negotiated discounted berthing at Cherbourg and can also arrange it at St Vaast (providing only 1 person collects everyones berthing fees) a few go to St Vaast for Friday night.
I will finally collate a spreasdsheet and distribute it to participants, only to their personal e mails. This includes such info as you are happy to give but usually includes mobile numbers , departure port and likely time so that participants, especially newbees, can contact others and sail in company. The spreadsheet also enables some last minute ship jumpers if anyone has problems with their own boat before departure. Before my time I believe there was also a weekend where most gravitated to and sailed in the bigger boats due to the weather.
We also run a thread for crew available and crew wanted as we try to fit in everyone who want to go - its also good if you want to do your 1st X channel with someone more experienced.
Fergus helps and he has already booked the YC and we usually go for the Captains Menu. There are Vegi options. There are usually about 40-50 people for the last few years.
For many its also a final opportunity to stock up with cheap wine for the winter months. Normandy wines has a good selection of mainly French wines and many countries beers but there is also a branch of Majestic Wines in Cherbourg that has their normal new world selection (see Majestic France website). If you preorder (don't pay until you collect!) you can get a further discount from Majestic - we usually get another £90 off!!
Final decision whether to sail if up to each skipper, no deposit so no loss if weather does turn bad.
Final point in spite of some confusing advice spouted by some that want to exercise their power with the French Authorities I recommend following the RYA advice and take orginal ships registration document and passports. In 13 yrs of Xing channel I have only ever required them once by UK border agency just S of I of W but better to be safe IMHO!
Feel free to add you comments if I have missed anything or not properly described the flavour of the event. Your comments will also help keep this thread live. You never know we may get Richard Shead or Snooks to turn up one year.
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THE SCUTTLEBUTT CHERBOURG 2011 WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE WEEKEND 23/24th SEPT.
If people are interested add your names to this thread.
For the newbees and X channel virgins that are tempted. We always pick a weekend with Neap tides so that the effect of the tide and the risk of wind over tide creating bigger waves is minimised.
The Scuttlebutt Cherbourg trip has been going for some 10yrs. It has developed from a Saturday evening meal at the Cherbourg YC to also include a Saturday afternoon boat/pontoon gathering for drinks and nibbles, I usually start the larder with a selection of wines/beers and nibbles which others also contribute. We bring labels on which you write your forum name so you can put a face to a poster and introduce themselves. Obviously the latter depends on the weather but we have been blessed by the Sun God for the last few years and they have been a great sucess. I introduced the afternoon gathering to ensure it was fully inclusive and welcomed strangers otherwise there was a risk of just a few gatherings on individual boats of people that only knew each other.
After the evening meal a few do collect on a few boats and drink well into and for some through the night!!
Most go on the Friday and return on the Sunday but a few do extended stays. I have negotiated discounted berthing at Cherbourg and can also arrange it at St Vaast (providing only 1 person collects everyones berthing fees) a few go to St Vaast for Friday night.
I will finally collate a spreasdsheet and distribute it to participants, only to their personal e mails. This includes such info as you are happy to give but usually includes mobile numbers , departure port and likely time so that participants, especially newbees, can contact others and sail in company. The spreadsheet also enables some last minute ship jumpers if anyone has problems with their own boat before departure. Before my time I believe there was also a weekend where most gravitated to and sailed in the bigger boats due to the weather.
We also run a thread for crew available and crew wanted as we try to fit in everyone who want to go - its also good if you want to do your 1st X channel with someone more experienced.
Fergus helps and he has already booked the YC and we usually go for the Captains Menu. There are Vegi options. There are usually about 40-50 people for the last few years.
For many its also a final opportunity to stock up with cheap wine for the winter months. Normandy wines has a good selection of mainly French wines and many countries beers but there is also a branch of Majestic Wines in Cherbourg that has their normal new world selection (see Majestic France website). If you preorder (don't pay until you collect!) you can get a further discount from Majestic - we usually get another £90 off!!
Final decision whether to sail if up to each skipper, no deposit so no loss if weather does turn bad.
Final point in spite of some confusing advice spouted by some that want to exercise their power with the French Authorities I recommend following the RYA advice and take orginal ships registration document and passports. In 13 yrs of Xing channel I have only ever required them once by UK border agency just S of I of W but better to be safe IMHO!
Feel free to add you comments if I have missed anything or not properly described the flavour of the event. Your comments will also help keep this thread live. You never know we may get Richard Shead or Snooks to turn up one year.
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