1st Channel crossing

[Rob_karen]

We are hoping to make our first channel crossing in July from Dover to Calais and would be greatfull for any advice you may have. We have heard that Dover is not yacht friendly but as this is our shortest route across is it the best option for east coast based yatchts ? As we are a crew of 2.
Many thanks
Rob & Karen

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[snowleopard]

dover is fine for yachts, loads of room in the marinas, good facilities, not too far to walk to the shops and cheap diesel.

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[Evadne]

Never had any bad experiences with people in Dover, nice folk in the HM office and launch, just make sure you listen to the harbour traffic on VHF so you don't get in anyone's way.

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[tony_brighton]

What sort of boat do you have? The major difficulty is the shipping traffic - maybe a different but slightly longer route might be more leisurely? At 5kts the 22M isn't too onerous.

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[gtmoore]

You definitely need to get permission from Port Control (once described here I think as ever patient - an excellent description for them!) before entry, exit or crossing of the harbour.

The Marina staff and facilities are excellent. I never found very much too exciting in Dover town however although there is a good restaurant on the shopping wharf there.

My limited experience of sailing from there as a newcomer to sailing big boats was not good - there can be quite a swell around the harbour entrances and I think it is the Western entrance that should not be attempted by small vessels at certain states of tide - best to check your pilot.

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[Evadne]

You're right about the swell, I'd forgotten that. And the tide (esp. East going) is pretty fierce across the entrances, I think I'm right in saying that the pilot recommends slack water for arriving or leaving? The pier affords good shelter from S'westerlies, where you can anchor, as you sometimes have to, Wellington dock being available HW+/- 2 or 3 hours when I was last there.

BTW, I've never been to Calais but Bologne isn't much farther and, although smelly at LW, has a charming old town up the hill and may have less commercial traffic. In calmish weather we caught the tide in the afternoon down to Dungeness, anchored behind it until midnight, then it's about 6 hours to arrive at Bologne after dawn. Just a suggestion.

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[Neil_M]

I'm likewise considering a crossing this Summer from the East Coast (River Deben) - plan is to cross Thames Estuary to Ramsgate & then make the crossing to Boulogne, then on to St Valery sur Somme. Dover - Calais is the shortest route across but Ramsgate - Boulogne seems to make more sense starting from the E Coast & offers slightly better facilities with no locking-in/out time restrictions.

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[claymore]

I've made many many crossings and so can give you a few tips.
If you go for the priority booking it costs an extra fiver but does get you to the front of the queue. This has a knock on effect of getting you to the front of the queue in the restaurant and again you'll be first off over the other side.
I normally write the booking reference down in very big print as by the time we've got down there its usually dark and it makes it easier for the one who is in the passenger seat to deal with it all.
If you go over on a Friday night at holiday time the boat will be full of the most awful children all running around and screaming and generally being a pain. I did write to P&O to ask if there wasn't a hold or somewhere where they could be put but they never got back to me, that reminds me...must chase that one up.
Off skiing are we or just a spot of the old sightseeing and top up on the cheap booze?
Hope that helps.
Oh yes - and make sure the ferry captain does a radio check - I always insist on this, they get a bit funny with you but you really can't be too careful. I never ask him to do one of those passage plan things though - I mean, after all - you can see the other side and if it all went pear shaped there's plenty of other ships around, perhaps just ask him to watch out fo those BMWs and Mercs that they've parked out there?

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[tome]

Claymore

yoos off yir hid mon!

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[Rabbie]

Oan the contrery ma man!.Efter the day ah've hud at work, he's ge'in me the furst laugh the day. Ye ken!.

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[Rob_karen]

hi Claymore
thanks for the tips.
but how the hell will i get my Snappy 747 on the bloomin`ferry.
cheers rob............

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[Rob_karen]

Thanks guy`s that is something to think about, Boulogne sounds like a good option .
The boat is 7.5m and 5kn is an average "good"speed

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[Twister_Ken]

Misunderstanding

No, no, Rob. You don't need to get it on the ferry. Just lasso it as it goes past.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Gunfleet]

I had a Snappie 24 and you shouldn't count on more than 4 kn top speed for crossing the estuary or Dover straight and realistically a bit less for average speed. East Coast to Ramsgate is easy and familiar enough, but then there's no need to go on to Dover. From Ramsgate the best route to Calais is to head due east to the furthest green starboard bouy off Ramsgate (sorry - can't remember the name or number - charts are on the boat), getting there just as the south going tide starts. If you aim to cross the shipping lane at rt angles from this point and at this time of the tide you will end up outside Calais with about 1-2 hrs to wait before the lock opens to the marina. Perfect. The pilotage is in Peter Cumberlidge's 'channel crossings', out of print now but your library or the CA should be able to find it for you. People who advise you to go Dovor Boulogne are just recommending a similar route but a bit further down channel! Have a good trip

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[BalmainBug]

If you're going July 5th you can follow me!

leaving Ramsgate about 08:00

Mark

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[AndrewB]

The important thing about Dover ...

... is you MUST call Port Control on ch 74 when you get within 1 mile of the harbour. Do that and they're all sweetness and light. Forget, and get in the way of the ferries, and you are in for an ear-full.

The entrances (you can enter by either) both get quite rough at certain stages of the tide, specially the western. This can be rather off-putting when you actually set out for the crossing, but you are through it within ½ mile.

The crossing takes about 4 hours. It's normal to cross on the ebb, specially on spring tides, but that can mean quite a long wait when you arrive for the Calais marina lock gate to open towards high tide, though there are plenty of sheltered waiting buoys inside the 'avant port' and a dinghy pontoon for getting ashore. (For this reason some east-coasters prefer the longer crossing from Ramsgate, which is done on the flood tide. It is best to leave around 4 hours after HW and take the route round the outside of the Goodwins. Takes 6 hours).

The main thing on the crossing is keeping clear of the ships in the Dover Straights TSS. Good visibility is a must, even if you have a radar. First time you feel like a rabbit crossing the M25, but be reassured that everyone is careful and to the best of my knowledge there have never been instances of yachts run down on that route since the TSS was established.

When arriving at Calais, you MUST call 'Calais Port Traffic' on channel 12 before entering. English is expected. Keep north of the buoyed ferry channel as you approach the harbour.

P.S. While in Dover, try Cullin's restaurant by the Wellington dock, where the White Cliffs Yacht Club meets. They may be able to give you local advice. The nearest supermarket is a little way away so best not to count on stocking up (cheaper in Calais anyway).

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: The important thing about Dover ...

Does rather assume that all boats now carry VHF.

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[AndrewB]

Re: The important thing about Dover ...

You are permitted to signal Dover by other means. But signal you must. Prior to VHF, we used to hoist code flags SV (permission to enter harbour). Reply is by Aldis lamp, morse 'OK' or 'WAIT'. I guess these days you could just call them on the mobile.

It would be most inadvisable to cross the Dover Straights TSS these days without being able to contact the MCA by VHF if necessary. For example broken engine, light wind, it would imperative to get a warning out. It's not always possible to get mobile reception right the way across.

 

[claymore]

Re: The important thing about Dover ...

From the complaints about radio checks can it not be safely assumed that all do carry vhf!!?

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[BalmainBug]

How did your trip go?

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