Alderney to Dartmouth best route?

[stuartwineberg]

The straight line course for this takes you through the Casquets TSS and naturally I want to set a course at right angles to that. I am sure I am not the first to do this - am I better aiming for the central South point of the TSS and then turning to cross it or aiming to clip the top right hand corner of it (if you see what I mean) and then slant over to Dart - or something else?

 

[Playtime]

It mostly depends on the tide. It's always best to get the tide to assist your desired direction of travel or to take adverse tide where it has least effect. There is therefore no single best answer. Start with the date and desired time of arrival and then work the optimum for the tides.
On the day, you may also have to factor the wind into your calculation.

 

[Appledore]

Hi Stuart,

I've not done this but I would suggest it depends on wind direction/force. I might try to leave Alderney and get West as far as I could, then cross th East going TSS and again in the Seperation Zone, get West again, and then cross the West going at right angles as you say. Whatever you do you are going to cross the paths of the ships either in the TSS or as they enter or leave it. Just my thoughts.

Geoff

 

[stuartwineberg]

Thanks both. That kind of lines up my thinking. I have Neptune passage planner and for the dates I need, I put in Bray to a point at the SW tip of the TSS and then up to Dartmouth. That was by far the fastest route because of the west going 25 miles from Alderney. However as you say, if its a bash on the nose with prevailing westerlies it aint going to be fun wind over tide. I like the idea of a quick zag (or is it zig) to the West in the separation zone

 

[Appledore]

I've been to Alderney twice from Plymouth, once from St Peter Port to Braye, and once direct from Plymouth. The first time I had a very bumpy passage South of the TSS with strong SW winds. No fun at night in a 22 footer! Second time I went more or less the same route in reverse (South of Alderny this time) and it was so much easier, leaving St PP for Plymouth, being that much farther West on the return passage. Not that this will be of assistance to you.

Geoff

 

[[70521]]

I usually leave Braye and head to the NE point of the TSS then turn towards Dartmouth or in my case the Exe.

 

[stuartwineberg]

Thanks, all useful stuff