Margem
New member
Planning a trip to Calais then onto Bruge via Oostende from Shotley this is our first cross channel/N.Sea crossing looking for the best guide book(s) for the trip.
Thanks in anticipation
Thanks in anticipation
Calais/Oostende
- Thread starter Margem
- Start date
david_steward
New member
This is my back yard, so if you have any questions let me know. Best book for the sea bit is the 'North Sea Passage Pilot' which covers both sides of the channel.
There is a distinct lack of info on the Belgian canal system. The French publishers, Navicarte, produce a map of the Belgian waterways, and this will have most of the info you require. It includes lots of useful info, in English, on the reverse including waterway opening times.
There appears to be differing opinions on whether the Oostende - Bruges canal is open on Sundays or not so look out for that. Bruges is a superb place for a visit by boat.
If you have time, another place well worth the trip is Veurne which is on the canal which runs South from Nieuwpoort towards Dunkerque.
Lastly if you plan just an overnight in Oostende, don't bother to go right into the Mercator Yacht Harbour as it takes an age to get out again via a lock and up to 3 lifting bridges! The outer tidal marina is a much better bet.
Good Luck
Dave S
There is a distinct lack of info on the Belgian canal system. The French publishers, Navicarte, produce a map of the Belgian waterways, and this will have most of the info you require. It includes lots of useful info, in English, on the reverse including waterway opening times.
There appears to be differing opinions on whether the Oostende - Bruges canal is open on Sundays or not so look out for that. Bruges is a superb place for a visit by boat.
If you have time, another place well worth the trip is Veurne which is on the canal which runs South from Nieuwpoort towards Dunkerque.
Lastly if you plan just an overnight in Oostende, don't bother to go right into the Mercator Yacht Harbour as it takes an age to get out again via a lock and up to 3 lifting bridges! The outer tidal marina is a much better bet.
Good Luck
Dave S
G
Guest
Guest
Have done Shotley to Calais a few times but never Bruges or Oostende.
Don't use any pilot book for this trip but here is the route I use from Shotley.
Medusa to Sunk Head Tower into Black Deep
Then through Fishermans Gat to East Margate
Down Kent coast to South Goodwin and across to CA6 and the approach to Calais.
You will have to time your arrival in Calais since the bridge to the marina only opens HW -1 1/2, HW, and HW+1/2, but in my experience these timings are not very reliable and the Bridge operator is not on VHF.
My advice would be to arrive before the first opening and pick up one of the waiting bouys, then watch for the traffic lights which are supposed to show orange 20 mins prior to opening (notice I said 'supposed to'). The best indication is to watch for the traffic stopping - a dead give away.
The visitors pontoon in the marina (to starboard as you enter) is quite small and if you are forced to moor against the wall opposite beware of a surprising rise and fall. We experienced around eight feet when last there.
When you're ready to leave the bridge opening times are posted in the window of the operators tower.
All the best
Neil
Don't use any pilot book for this trip but here is the route I use from Shotley.
Medusa to Sunk Head Tower into Black Deep
Then through Fishermans Gat to East Margate
Down Kent coast to South Goodwin and across to CA6 and the approach to Calais.
You will have to time your arrival in Calais since the bridge to the marina only opens HW -1 1/2, HW, and HW+1/2, but in my experience these timings are not very reliable and the Bridge operator is not on VHF.
My advice would be to arrive before the first opening and pick up one of the waiting bouys, then watch for the traffic lights which are supposed to show orange 20 mins prior to opening (notice I said 'supposed to'). The best indication is to watch for the traffic stopping - a dead give away.
The visitors pontoon in the marina (to starboard as you enter) is quite small and if you are forced to moor against the wall opposite beware of a surprising rise and fall. We experienced around eight feet when last there.
When you're ready to leave the bridge opening times are posted in the window of the operators tower.
All the best
Neil
byron
RIP
'old up David, you ought to qualify your statement about it being your back yard. What you mean is you know every bar between Calais & Ostend and I ain't talking about sand bars either.
©2001
©2001
david_steward
New member
Re: I stand corrected.
Obviously I know most of the bars hereabouts. It is after all a requirement as most boat owners I know seem to be borderline alcoholics (at least)!
However , from informed sources, it would appear that even I would have to admit to your far superior knowledge on this issue.
Obviously you must know more about everything than me, as you have a blue dishcloth and I only have a humble red one.
Which is just as well as I am normally too plastered to remember to put it away when it gets dark.
BTW , did you see that the powers that be thought fit to remove my latest comic offering? Bad show I thought.
Ta Ta
Dave S
Obviously I know most of the bars hereabouts. It is after all a requirement as most boat owners I know seem to be borderline alcoholics (at least)!
However , from informed sources, it would appear that even I would have to admit to your far superior knowledge on this issue.
Obviously you must know more about everything than me, as you have a blue dishcloth and I only have a humble red one.
Which is just as well as I am normally too plastered to remember to put it away when it gets dark.
BTW , did you see that the powers that be thought fit to remove my latest comic offering? Bad show I thought.
Ta Ta
Dave S
