Advise for my first Trip Across the Channel (from Plymouth)

[Matt Gough]

Hi All.

I'm based near Plymouth and last season bought an Aquastar 27 with twin Penta engines. Serviced this winter and in good order.



I'm hoping to make my first trip across the channel with it this spring/summer. I've been over and back once before but was crew on a sailing yacht then.

I'm looking for any advice regarding places to visit, things to know etc. I'll have AIS receiver and transponder, Auto Pilot, and use Navionics.

It would be nice to make my first trip along with other boats. If anyone can recommend a group or local organisation that may be useful for arranging that, it would be great.

Any advice at all would be much appreciated.

 

[PlanB]

MBM used to arrange the odd cruise in company, but I suspect nobody is planning anything at the moment until we see how the dreaded Covid pans out.
Depending on your cruising speed, for the first trip I'd plan on going the shortest distance cross channel, given that you're about 80 miles away from the Brittany coast, and taking TSS into account. If you don't have too much power, tides come into play, too.
We liked St Quay Portrieux and Trebeurden wasn't bad.
Or try Jersey/Guernsey

 

[Matt Gough]

MBM used to arrange the odd cruise in company, but I suspect nobody is planning anything at the moment until we see how the dreaded Covid pans out.
Depending on your cruising speed, for the first trip I'd plan on going the shortest distance cross channel, given that you're about 80 miles away from the Brittany coast, and taking TSS into account. If you don't have too much power, tides come into play, too.
We liked St Quay Portrieux and Trebeurden wasn't bad.
Or try Jersey/Guernsey

Thanks for that. Sorry, I'm not sure what MBM is? Or, what TSS is?

I'll certainly look to make a short crossing and likely head to Guernsey at some point for fuel. My wife is a school teacher, so I'm hoping to make a trip for a couple of weeks or so and explore a little bit while I'm over there. Either down the canals or along the coast.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

If you don't know what TSS is then I'd question your ability to plan and execute a cross channel safely as skipper. It's likely to be a factor in your plans, or maybe even in staying alive if you get it wrong ...

"Traffic Separation Scheme." Here's a basic primer:
Crossing TSS

MBM is Motor Boat Monthly, a magazine. Cruises were one of the things they organised.

 

[fred247]

You'll also need your ICC and CEVNI and vhf

 

[Solent Sailor]

You'll also need your ICC and CEVNI and vhf

Pourquoi? No mention of going inland and ICC includes CEVNI in any case.

 

[fred247]

Mentions going canals #3, cevni is separate test

 

[Boathook]

I would start local and then expand cruising area as you learn how the boat works, fuel consumption, best cruising speed, etc. Previous owner could have given you fuel figures but it is much better to find out yourself.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Thanks for that. Sorry, I'm not sure what MBM is? Or, what TSS is?

I'll certainly look to make a short crossing and likely head to Guernsey at some point for fuel. My wife is a school teacher, so I'm hoping to make a trip for a couple of weeks or so and explore a little bit while I'm over there. Either down the canals or along the coast.

As it stands you’ll be very unlikely to be allowed into Guernsey because of covid. I’d strongly advise you to check before leaving.
As it happens I’ve done x channel in an Aquastar 26, single engined in January a few years back. The boat is very capable and providing she’s in good order mechanically (including fuel supply) and with a decent forecast, you should have no problems. But you do need to consider tides, and all the other items already mentioned.
Have a good trip, whenever it might be, and stay safe.

 

[st599]

Under the new rules, your first port of arrival in France has to be a Customs Port of Entry/Exit. Look at the list and choose your nearest.

After that you can go anywhere, but need to depart from an official exit port too.

CEVNI needed on inland waterways, can be added to an ICC but is a separate test.

 

[doug748]

The Channel Isles were, in effect, closed last season and my guess is it's quite possible that will be the case in the coming year. Shame because the 60M crossing to Guernsey from Salcombe or Dartmouth is quite straightforward.

No bother because Roscoff is also an easy day crossing in a boat like yours provided you can keep up 8kts and get an early start. The marina is ok on all tides, modern and the town is great. From there you can visit harbours to the east (lots) and return direct to Plymouth maybe via Salcombe. The Rance above St Malo is grand in itself or you could carry on a visit the Brittany canals from there.

It's difficult to predict the attitude of either country to the virus or/and entry and exit requirements but that may clarify as the year rolls on. At least you have time to get organized.

.

 

[ashtead]

I would toddle up to say Lymington or Portland and then aim for Cherbourg as first French destination . Reasons are all sites tide , all entry to the Rade plenty of berths, plenty of others boats doing the same trips,place to refuel,plenty of eateries and is simplest point of entry.at marina as are they helpful but not officious. Read a fewPBO articles plus those by Sir Tom in his pilot book on channel crossing. Ideally take an old salt who has done it before with you or cruise in company.