Chanel Island hopping

[Chiara’s slave]

I think a lot depends on the weather - it's all good. Don't get caught in St Peter Port in a bad southerly

In terms of planning I agree with missing Cherbourg out, maybe hold it as a plan B option. In a typical SW wind Alderney is good and gives you breathing space for the next step.
Speaking of which, as a Solent outsider, I would overnight in Studland Bay, perhaps getting there on a typical Friday night. This has the advantage of simple tide planning, a better squeak on a southwesterly and an easy, relaxed start in the morning - drop the mooring and away. It also shortens the crossing.

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Studland is a great call if it’s set in the SW. you’ve taken a port tack leg in already that way

 

[dolabriform]

Avoid St Peters port if there are any cruise ships scheduled to dock.

 

[capnsensible]

I suppose it depends on the way you like to sail. I know its not for everyone, but I would see what I think is the furthest I want to go in the time available and go there first. Shorter hops back allows for some weather interruptions when Mother Nature changes her mind.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I suppose it depends on the way you like to sail. I know its not for everyone, but I would see what I think is the furthest I want to go in the time available and go there first. Shorter hops back allows for some weather interruptions when Mother Nature changes her mind.

The tidal gates make those fragrant Isles a bit of a special case. When you’re talking 8kn of tide….. Funnily enough there are actually 5 proper ones

 

[capnsensible]

The tidal gates make those fragrant Isles a bit of a special case. When you’re talking 8kn of tide….. Funnily enough there are actually 5 proper ones

Indeed. Have sailed to most of them, most more than once. If you stay west of them on first leg, it's not so bad, then you can use tides on way back.

Fave? The Divers in Alderney.....if it still exists!

 

[st599]

Fave? The Divers in Alderney.....if it still exists!

Owned by the expensive hotel next door now.

If sailing there soon - we were there for the 70th anniversary of liberation. Massive rave in the New Forest kept us awake - so we pootled off to Braye - massive bunker party celebrating Liberation in the corner of the harbour. Then we went to St Helier where they were celebrating Liberation with a Brass Band Festival - arrived Treguier having had no sleep in the previous 90 hours.

 

[dolabriform]

Owned by the expensive hotel next door now.

If sailing there soon - we were there for the 70th anniversary of liberation. Massive rave in the New Forest kept us awake - so we pootled off to Braye - massive bunker party celebrating Liberation in the corner of the harbour. Then we went to St Helier where they were celebrating Liberation with a Brass Band Festival - arrived Treguier having had no sleep in the previous 90 hours.

i would have stayed for the rave

 

[smert]

If you do end up with weather issues, meaning a direct return to the Solent isn't desirable, but you still need to get back for work etc, Guernsey to Dartmouth is a similar distance crossing to Alderney‐Yarmouth/Lymington. You are then on the right side of the Channel and can get a train or bus home, and coast hop back when the weather is more favourable.

 

[DJE]

If you get time, North entrance to Chausey is a nice navigation challenge.

A nice walk at low water.

 

[Lucky Duck]

I think a lot depends on the weather - it's all good. Don't get caught in St Peter Port in a bad southerly

In terms of planning I agree with missing Cherbourg out, maybe hold it as a plan B option. In a typical SW wind Alderney is good and gives you breathing space for the next step.
Speaking of which, as a Solent outsider, I would overnight in Studland Bay, perhaps getting there on a typical Friday night. This has the advantage of simple tide planning, a better squeak on a southwesterly and an easy, relaxed start in the morning - drop the mooring and away. It also shortens the crossing.

.

Is this possible these days given (presumably) any pre arrival formalities won’t have been completed?

 

[Nina Lucia]

All lovely. It depends whether you want to live it up or prefer the quiet life. It will almost entirely be dictated by the tides, which can make some passages much easier than you would think, and others impossible. St Peter Port and St Helier for port facilities and shopping, and Alderney or Sark for a bit of peace, with Cherbourg as starting/stopping place if needed. Everyone has their own favourites since they are all fine, though I would rate St Helier higher than it is sometimes given credit for. Some homework needed if you are not familiar with the place, where you can be as adventurous or timid as you or your crew allow.

Thank you

 

[laika]

Definitely straight to Alderney. I used to do this to/from Studland from where it's a nice short daylight hours hop to get you into holiday mood. Not anchored in Studland since all the no-anchoring madness but you don't want to be that close to the shore anyway. Hurst spit or the moorings outside Yarmouth are the other alternatives, depending on when you're leaving Gosport. With only8/9 days depending on ahwat you've done before I'd maybe skip jersey. Everything is so wind/tide dependent I probably wouldn't make much of a plan until safely moored in braye.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Owned by the expensive hotel next door now.

If sailing there soon - we were there for the 70th anniversary of liberation. Massive rave in the New Forest kept us awake - so we pootled off to Braye - massive bunker party celebrating Liberation in the corner of the harbour. Then we went to St Helier where they were celebrating Liberation with a Brass Band Festival - arrived Treguier having had no sleep in the previous 90 hours.

My last visit to Yarmouth (one of the finger pontoons just outside the harbour office) last November was sufficiently unrelaxing that I doubt I’d consider it as a good place to set off on a longer journey from for a while yet.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

My last visit to Yarmouth (one of the finger pontoons just outside the harbour office) last November was sufficiently unrelaxing that I doubt I’d consider it as a good place to set off on a longer journey from for a while yet.

What happened? We usually have one just there as a winter berth.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Likely just unlucky with dates but the fleet from Solent Yacht charters moored up around the earlier arrivals and were annoyingly loud on their return from the pub into the early hours

The state of the some of helm and passengers on visiting RIBs post their lunchtime pub visits was an eye opener

 

[wonkywinch]

I've tried anchoring inside Hurst but found it quite rolly as the tide whips round the contours.

Alternative is Studland/Swanage as you aren't concerned about tide timings (as much) once outside the Solent. I've also anchored in Alum Bay but only for lunch. I guess if there was anything S back to E in the wind then that also might work?

 

[benjenbav]

I've tried anchoring inside Hurst but found it quite rolly as the tide whips round the contours.

Alternative is Studland/Swanage as you aren't concerned about tide timings (as much) once outside the Solent. I've also anchored in Alum Bay but only for lunch. I guess if there was anything S back to E in the wind then that also might work?

Nice if you go into Keyhaven pool though. But adding time to get out into the Channel, of course.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I've tried anchoring inside Hurst but found it quite rolly as the tide whips round the contours.

Alternative is Studland/Swanage as you aren't concerned about tide timings (as much) once outside the Solent. I've also anchored in Alum Bay but only for lunch. I guess if there was anything S back to E in the wind then that also might work?

Personallly I wouldn’t sleep well in Alum bay. Round the corner in Freshwater bay if it’s northerly though, holding is good, shelter very good. Eating and drinking just at hand, 3 cafes, the travelling tavern, the Albion, plus the pizza van on Fridays.

 

[DJE]

Is this possible these days given (presumably) any pre arrival formalities won’t have been completed?

I don't see a problem as long as you have a phone signal in Studland. The UK departure form is on a web site and on arrival at Alderney the officials just hand you a paper form to fill in don't they? They always used to.

 

[Lucky Duck]

What has happened to us in the past is we have headed off to Braye but it has been too hard on the wind for our taste and we cracked off and enjoyed a fast reach to Cherbourg.

Fine if you still have mobile data but if not I thought the French authorities required notification in advance rather than simply rocking up?