mnorgz
Member
I'm planning to sail to ostende in a couple of weeks from the Blackwater, 1st channel crossing!. Any idea's on routes and other info would be much appreciated.
1st time sailing to ostende
- Thread starter mnorgz
- Start date
shmoo
Well-Known Member
You can't buy fuel there. If you think you may have to motor a good bit, take enough fuel for both ways.
I mention this because it comes as a bit of a shock for a big(ish) port not to have a fuel berth and it has caused embarrassment, documented on this forum, in the past.
<edit> Oh dear! Complete lack of social skills. Good luck, welcome to forum... all that stuff...</edit>
I mention this because it comes as a bit of a shock for a big(ish) port not to have a fuel berth and it has caused embarrassment, documented on this forum, in the past.
<edit> Oh dear! Complete lack of social skills. Good luck, welcome to forum... all that stuff...</edit>
Last edited:
tillergirl
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the best Forum in these Forums.
Are you intent on a single passage or intending to break the journey? Traditionally the 'broken' journey is Blackwater-Ramsgate; Ramsgate-other side (with the choices of Calais or Dunkerque for a first foreign destination) and then a pleasant trundle up the French/Belgium Coast. Direct is some 90+ odd nm. Brian Navin (North Sea Passage Pilot) sets out a passage from the Blackwater via the Spitway, Longsand Head, West Hinder, Oostende.
What do you have in mind or are you after comments regarding the pros and cons of direct or indirect passage?
Are you intent on a single passage or intending to break the journey? Traditionally the 'broken' journey is Blackwater-Ramsgate; Ramsgate-other side (with the choices of Calais or Dunkerque for a first foreign destination) and then a pleasant trundle up the French/Belgium Coast. Direct is some 90+ odd nm. Brian Navin (North Sea Passage Pilot) sets out a passage from the Blackwater via the Spitway, Longsand Head, West Hinder, Oostende.
What do you have in mind or are you after comments regarding the pros and cons of direct or indirect passage?
ChattingLil
Well-Known Member
Indeed:
to account for bad weather, wind on nose, heavy sea, etc. take THREE times the amount of fuel you'll think you need.
We used 20 litres on the direct route motor sailing in benign conditions.
On the return: motoring in pooey weather, 45 litres only got us 3/4 of the way.
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Welcome.
Buy or borrow a copy of Brian Navins North Sea passage pilot, it covers most journies in the North Sea. You will need to check the actual areas, as things like wind farms have popped up, but it is basically sound.
Fuel is available in Nieupoort, just down the coast, and is a nice destination of itself.
My bad weather family friendly route back is down the coast and hop to Ramsgate, as you have 4 options of sensibly curtailing the weather bashing, and keep the family onside.
Have a lovely time.
Buy or borrow a copy of Brian Navins North Sea passage pilot, it covers most journies in the North Sea. You will need to check the actual areas, as things like wind farms have popped up, but it is basically sound.
Fuel is available in Nieupoort, just down the coast, and is a nice destination of itself.
My bad weather family friendly route back is down the coast and hop to Ramsgate, as you have 4 options of sensibly curtailing the weather bashing, and keep the family onside.
Have a lovely time.
MoodySabre
Well-Known Member
I'm from Bradwell, currently on the boat in Holland.
We did Bradwell to Ostend in 15.5 hours 3 weeks ago. Leave near HW and go through the Spitway and up the Swin to Long Sand Head (lots of tide to get you the 30nm) and then steer 130 degrees mwhich takes you across the shipping lanes mostly at right angles. We left 0200 so only a coiuyple of hours of dark and then an arrival in daylight in time for a beer and dinner. Enjoy
Via Ramsgate gives lots of short hops but I've never done that.
We did Bradwell to Ostend in 15.5 hours 3 weeks ago. Leave near HW and go through the Spitway and up the Swin to Long Sand Head (lots of tide to get you the 30nm) and then steer 130 degrees mwhich takes you across the shipping lanes mostly at right angles. We left 0200 so only a coiuyple of hours of dark and then an arrival in daylight in time for a beer and dinner. Enjoy
Via Ramsgate gives lots of short hops but I've never done that.
mnorgz
Member
I have been reading all the posts and have ordered the books. Looking forward to the trip, just hope the weather's good, I was out on the sundat that chattinglil, had problems, the weather was very mucky, took us 7 hours of sailing to get from Brightlingsea to Millbeach, taccking the whole way. Great fun but a little hairy at times!
Thanks for all your help.
Thanks for all your help.
benw
Well-Known Member
Sound advice as always from experienced forumites. For what it may be worth we had our first trip over last summer and a memorable trip it was too. Three young children on board meant we needed a relatively calm window - which we got.
Decided on a straight crossing Harwich to Ostende which we completed with a mix of sailing and motor sailing. Wind dropped to nothing as we approached West Hinder.
On way out religiously hit way pts which actually slowed us down. Ventured up to Middleburg which was super.
On return we were more relaxed and sailed on single heading for majority of route departing from Blankenberg - admittedly it was a F5 but cut the trip by 3hrs.
Our engine seems to average 2lts per hour whatever it is doing Bukh 20. Always carry spare as sight glass useless. At the time we could get fuel at the tope end of the basin - Royal Ostend YC, but have noted the Texaco garage now gone.
By the way Blankenberg was a great stopover - choice of marinas helpful staff re weather forecasts etc and easy refuelling pontoon. It's not too much further than Ostende and makes for straight forward exit into West Hinder shipping lanes. The entry can seem a bit daunting but once in amongst the groins and sea break depth seemed ok at all states of the tide last year.
Beware of shopping in Holland as we were caught out by the cards not being accepted in supermarkets. Plenty of cash machines mind you but a bit of pain.
Highlight of trip - seeing Dolphin on way out and navigating the shipping lanes at 2am out of Blankenberg! Pretty much singlehanded on return as other half was pretty sick.
If you fancy going further Nth recommend picking up a local tide plotter for tides into Vlissingen. We thought we had worked it all out OK using tide tables but speaking with the locals they suggested a plotter available in the chandlery in Blankenberg. Much easier to use with dials etc and shows the tidal flows too. The tide stonks in and out by Vlissingen so beware of timings!
Have a great trip.
Decided on a straight crossing Harwich to Ostende which we completed with a mix of sailing and motor sailing. Wind dropped to nothing as we approached West Hinder.
On way out religiously hit way pts which actually slowed us down. Ventured up to Middleburg which was super.
On return we were more relaxed and sailed on single heading for majority of route departing from Blankenberg - admittedly it was a F5 but cut the trip by 3hrs.
Our engine seems to average 2lts per hour whatever it is doing Bukh 20. Always carry spare as sight glass useless. At the time we could get fuel at the tope end of the basin - Royal Ostend YC, but have noted the Texaco garage now gone.
By the way Blankenberg was a great stopover - choice of marinas helpful staff re weather forecasts etc and easy refuelling pontoon. It's not too much further than Ostende and makes for straight forward exit into West Hinder shipping lanes. The entry can seem a bit daunting but once in amongst the groins and sea break depth seemed ok at all states of the tide last year.
Beware of shopping in Holland as we were caught out by the cards not being accepted in supermarkets. Plenty of cash machines mind you but a bit of pain.
Highlight of trip - seeing Dolphin on way out and navigating the shipping lanes at 2am out of Blankenberg! Pretty much singlehanded on return as other half was pretty sick.
If you fancy going further Nth recommend picking up a local tide plotter for tides into Vlissingen. We thought we had worked it all out OK using tide tables but speaking with the locals they suggested a plotter available in the chandlery in Blankenberg. Much easier to use with dials etc and shows the tidal flows too. The tide stonks in and out by Vlissingen so beware of timings!
Have a great trip.
shmoo
Well-Known Member
Slightly off topic, but there you are...
Notes on variability fuel use, and consequent difficulty of planning right amount to carry. These notes are based on a philosophy of "sail when you can, but motor when you need to".
Our boat (36ft, 28HP) takes 1lt/h motor sailing, 2lt/h motoring under reasonable conditions, and 3lt/h or more under "difficult" conditions.
Because the fuel tank is flat bottomed, and the feed pipe is slightly to one side, there can be as much as a quarter of a tank's worth of fuel in the tank when it "runs dry", if the boat is healing the "wrong way". Similar problem applies in rough weather when the feed pipe is repeatedly uncovered.
On a run from Orwell to Oostende and back we take a full load of fuel, which for us is 110 lt.
I start to get nervous when we have less than about 40 lt fuel.
Notes on variability fuel use, and consequent difficulty of planning right amount to carry. These notes are based on a philosophy of "sail when you can, but motor when you need to".
Our boat (36ft, 28HP) takes 1lt/h motor sailing, 2lt/h motoring under reasonable conditions, and 3lt/h or more under "difficult" conditions.
Because the fuel tank is flat bottomed, and the feed pipe is slightly to one side, there can be as much as a quarter of a tank's worth of fuel in the tank when it "runs dry", if the boat is healing the "wrong way". Similar problem applies in rough weather when the feed pipe is repeatedly uncovered.
On a run from Orwell to Oostende and back we take a full load of fuel, which for us is 110 lt.
I start to get nervous when we have less than about 40 lt fuel.
Last edited:
wingdiver
Well-Known Member
And a similar distance North East is Blankenberge where the fuel berth is down the entrance to starboard as you arrive. Also a nice place (which we use as first port of call on trips across from Ipswich) although their policy of charging by beam rather than length hurts us at 4.5m!
Last edited:
mnorgz
Member
Thanks again to all who have posted replys to my questions, i feel better prepared for my upcoming trip.
Does anyone have any advise on crossing the shipping lanes?
Mik
Does anyone have any advise on crossing the shipping lanes?
Mik
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Good look-out + a H/bearing compass
the track from Long Sand Hd on a course of 130 will take you at right angles ( ish ) to the TSS. we cross the Hinder Inshore as best angle we can on that heading
Marmalade
Well-Known Member
Don't hit any ships?
Seriously - good look out. Hand bearing compass or good transits on the boat to check bearings and take no chances. If no radar avoid in fog.
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
eastcoastbernie
Well-Known Member
130 degrees is the course to steer. On a passage from Harwich to Ostend, rather than the Blackwater to Ostend, you can get onto 130 degrees once clear of the sands. Since what you experience is cross tide, your course over the ground won't be 130 degrees since you will be swept by the tide both one way, then the other. This is why it is important to plot your actual position on your chart every hour to see where you are and that you are still OK for the next hour.
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
On approaching Ostend you will see a lot of harbour work and temporary buoyage which you must follow closely to avoid heavy machinery. A night appropach could be confusing.
The Ramsgate ferry service operates into Ostend and has priority, of course.
The North Sea Club harbour - immediately to the right as you enter - is very convenient but when the pontoons are occupied it's the dreaded rear buoys that you have to grapple with - unless you feel confident in your crew, pass on down to the Royal Club pontoons at the end of the harbour (bear right at the fork) A short walk back to town is healthy and there are shops opposite, as well as a petrol station where you can ferry fuel onboard - since as others have pointed out, there is no pontoon service in Ostend (there is in Nieuwport)
Great town Ostend - excellelent grub in all catgories and nice shops for the ladies!
Good sailing!
PWG
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Petrol Station no longer there Peter.
millbeach
Well-Known Member
MNOGZ, Sorry to hijack post.
Isail out of Millbeach marine club, also have caravan on Millbeach caravan site,
My tub called Fantasy on swing mooring opp caravan site.
Where you moored and name off your boat?.
I have done Brightlingsea few times,prob sail abroad next year.
(After bit more practise
)..
Isail out of Millbeach marine club, also have caravan on Millbeach caravan site,
My tub called Fantasy on swing mooring opp caravan site.
Where you moored and name off your boat?.
I have done Brightlingsea few times,prob sail abroad next year.
(After bit more practise
)..
benw
Well-Known Member
Confirm Peter's thoughts re Royal Ostend Yacht Club a the end of the basin if the North Sea Yacht Club is full.
When we arrived the NSYC seemed very full with yachts rafted up on the inner approach pontoons. However it is worth poking your nose in as there are inner pontoons and the dreaded stern to buoys. In day light it is quite achievable but we arrived around 10.00pm and it all looked abit chocker. Great berth at ROYC with reasonable facilities.
Walk into town 20 mins but alas no garage!
When we arrived the NSYC seemed very full with yachts rafted up on the inner approach pontoons. However it is worth poking your nose in as there are inner pontoons and the dreaded stern to buoys. In day light it is quite achievable but we arrived around 10.00pm and it all looked abit chocker. Great berth at ROYC with reasonable facilities.
Walk into town 20 mins but alas no garage!
mnorgz
Member
Millbeach
Is Fantasy a red and white beneteau?
I sail Silver Ann, a 26' Westerley, moored at the other slip way end of the club and possibly next to you're yacht.
Funnily enough the other weekend, i was sailing back from Brightlingsea in a F6-7, gusting 8, the wind was on the nose and with wind over tide the whole experience was well an experience!
It took 7 hours of tacking to get us to the mooring and there weren't too many over boats out on the water,
As we tacked our way from the bench head bouy in along the Blackwater, there was yacht behind us which turned out to be a cat motor sailing in, it took the whole way to the millbeach end of Osea island for the cat to overhaul us. Something we were quite pleased about.
It turnout though that they were infact sailing to Millbeach too, theyd sailed from Walton.
Its a small world and Millbeach is a nice friendly sailing club.
Rather like this forum.
Is Fantasy a red and white beneteau?
I sail Silver Ann, a 26' Westerley, moored at the other slip way end of the club and possibly next to you're yacht.
Funnily enough the other weekend, i was sailing back from Brightlingsea in a F6-7, gusting 8, the wind was on the nose and with wind over tide the whole experience was well an experience!
It took 7 hours of tacking to get us to the mooring and there weren't too many over boats out on the water,
As we tacked our way from the bench head bouy in along the Blackwater, there was yacht behind us which turned out to be a cat motor sailing in, it took the whole way to the millbeach end of Osea island for the cat to overhaul us. Something we were quite pleased about.
It turnout though that they were infact sailing to Millbeach too, theyd sailed from Walton.
Its a small world and Millbeach is a nice friendly sailing club.
Rather like this forum.
