Best route from South Netherlands to Chichester in September?

[Whitelighter]

All things going according to plan, Whitelighter should be close to home by september. By close, I mean Kats marina in the Netherlands (40 miles south west of rotterdam). I will have to go and get her on the 9th/10th/11th of September, and just wanted to know what the prevailing weather is like out there. Is it best to hug the coast down through Belgium then hop across to Chi, or can I safely come out of the canal bit, set the compass and go straight across? I know you have to make a descision on the day, but the experience of the forum plus any advise you might like to offer would be great (Crewing offers will also be considered /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

 

[Vagabond]

Came back from Stockholm last year, kept in close to the coast and crossed the channel just passed Dunkerque. Stopped in at Brighton for a well earned rest.

Shouldn't take you long in a MOBO and it'll be a nice trip.

 

[jimg]

Have done the same!

 

[Hurricane]

Hi Jez

Refuel in Zeebrugge
Depending upon tides there is an inshore channel you can take to Dunkerque. Involves going close in.
Use Dunkerque, Calais and Dover as safe havens.
Watch the wind over tide - we didnt and had to run for cover.
You should be able to contact Dover Coastguard when you get to the exposed areas so safety available if you need it.
We crossed the TSS slightly west of Calais - this will keep you away from the Goodwins.
I'll show you the route we took next time you are in the pub.

Mike

 

[Lozzer]

Personally I would stay close to the dutch and belgium border as you will not benefit by heading straight across.

The dutch and belgium coastline is not great but a stop over at Ostende could be worthwhile, had many nights of fun there. There used to be a great restaraunt called Le Grillon on the quayside.

Having had a night there you could quickly nip over to dover, then the rest is history I guess.

I would love to over crewing but busy at work on the costa del sol.

Safe journey.

By the way the wind should I guess still be SW but this could change depending on where the highs and lows are at the time.