Barfleur race inshore

[deep denial]

Does anyone know anything about the inshore passage around Pointe de Barfleur, to avoid the race? I am planning to go from Cherbourg to St Vaast on Wednesday morning, and would be keen to avoid the large seaward detour. Is the inshore passage a pussy-cat?

 

[Fergus]

In a word yes. Can get a bit choppy and one or two small rocks to steer clear of but not a big deal (I draw 2.25m). Hope this helps

 

[deep denial]

many thaks I'll give it a go

 

[VicS]

Next time you are going the other way you might like to try the inside passage round Cap de la Hague

 

[chubby]

Do you mean the very inshore passage from Cherbourg to st vast, you will be going on a rising east going tide to get to St V at the right time and rather than go outside the various cardinal bouys, there is a very close inshore passage marked on the charts once past cap levi that brings you out right next to the light house, I have done it several times in good weather, shorter, interesting navigation, more scenic, not difficult, try it if good conditions!

 

[Angele]

I assume you are referring to the route that Chubby describes. I have only done that once when I arrived off Barfleur earlier than expected on a down channel passage from Le Havre, before the tide turned to the west. So, I chose the inshore route to get out of the worst of the foul tide. Easy to do with a chartplotter, but there are countless pots to avoid, many of which can be all but submerged in the stronger currents.

All other times I have rounded Barfleur, I have done so through the race, passing close to the cardinal marks. At times it has been a little rough, but nothing scary. I have done it once in a force 6, but it wasn't "wind over tide". On the other occasions when I have had wind over tide, I don't think it has been above F4.

I don't know what type of boat you have and how happy she is in rough weather, but I think you should have nothing to fear in the race from the forecast conditions. The forecasts I am looking at are saying NW F3-4, and I assume you would set off with the tide going eastwards. Should be quite a nice sail.