Channel crossing - East end

[AHoy2]

I'm doing some passage planning for a trip from the Solent to Vlissingen, single-handed and small boat so at 4.5kts ish. My current plan is Solent > Eastbourne (Sovereign Hbr); Eastbourne > Bolougne; Boulogne > Dunkerque; Dunkerque > Vlissingen rather than cross the eastern Channel at Dover. Not having sailed that area of the Channel or continental coast before I would appreciate any views on crossing and harbour choices. Only one lay-day in the schedule at present (Boulogne) subject to weather.

AHoy2.

 

[jerrytug]

Personally I would cross further east, as the tides are helpful all the way up the English coast to the S Foreland and it's less mileage. Can you make it to Dunkerque on one and a half tides from Dover or Ramsgate, I would have thought so.
Unless you want to visit Boulogne of course. That's my €2 worth, without a chart in front of me. (I plan for 4 usually) cheers Jerry

 

[Joker]

I did exactly that route last April [and in reverse last September], except I went Dunkirk>Zeebrugge>Scheveningen. How far is Dunkirk>Vlissingen?

 

[AHoy2]

I did exactly that route last April [and in reverse last September], except I went Dunkirk>Zeebrugge>Scheveningen. How far is Dunkirk>Vlissingen?

55 Nm according to my route planner.

 

[AHoy2]

Personally I would cross further east, as the tides are helpful all the way up the English coast to the S Foreland and it's less mileage. Can you make it to Dunkerque on one and a half tides from Dover or Ramsgate, I would have thought so.
Unless you want to visit Boulogne of course. That's my €2 worth, without a chart in front of me. (I plan for 4 usually) cheers Jerry

The tides work fairly well for both coasts and not a lot to choose in total distance. Trying to keep the daily legs reasonably balanced and doable in daylight. Dover/Ramsgate to Dunkerque is manageable but possibly a lot busier for a single-hander, but only supposition on my part. The crossing to Boulogne appears to offer more low traffic density time. No particular commitment to any port, although I wouldn't mind doing the inshore route to Dunkirk as a follow-up to the ones my father made during the evacuation.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

The tides work fairly well for both coasts and not a lot to choose in total distance. Trying to keep the daily legs reasonably balanced and doable in daylight. Dover/Ramsgate to Dunkerque is manageable but possibly a lot busier for a single-hander, but only supposition on my part. The crossing to Boulogne appears to offer more low traffic density time. No particular commitment to any port, although I wouldn't mind doing the inshore route to Dunkirk as a follow-up to the ones my father made during the evacuation.

+1 on density across to Boulogne, plus chance to cross each lane at narrowest point by working up the exculsion zone- mind the Fv's tho.
Get the tide deadright for Gris Nez or you will stop/go backwards-ow do we know? Only 30 mins late too

 

[AHoy2]

I did exactly that route last April [and in reverse last September], except I went Dunkirk>Zeebrugge>Scheveningen. How far is Dunkirk>Vlissingen?

Joker,
I expect to emerge from the Dutch inland system at Den Helder and probably use Scheveningen on my return trip, any good/bad points I need to look out for?

 

[vyv_cox]

Personally I would cross further east, as the tides are helpful all the way up the English coast to the S Foreland and it's less mileage. Can you make it to Dunkerque on one and a half tides from Dover or Ramsgate, I would have thought so.
Unless you want to visit Boulogne of course. That's my €2 worth, without a chart in front of me. (I plan for 4 usually) cheers Jerry

That was my preference on our many trips Holland - UK. Out of Ramsgate, or Dover, go east around the Goodwins or just to the south of them, then across aiming for Sandettie lightship. Always seemed like the least exposure to shipping and once across very straightforward up the channel to Dunkerque.

 

[johnalison]

Boulogne is a bit nicer than Calais but also a bit out of your way. You are going to have to cope with shipping whichever way you go, so it's not really worth changing plans just for this reason. I would start from Dover and go wherever my whim took me. I've never been into Gravelines and might be tempted there.

 

[Joker]

Den Helder>Scheveningen is doable in a day. Scheveningen is very straightforward altho likely to be very crowded. Easy trams to the Hague.

 

[johnalison]

The Hague is possibly the dullest town in the world. On the other hand, it contains the Mauritshuis, one of my all time favourite galleries. If the the Girl with the Pearl Earring doesn't impress you, the View of Delft should knock off your socks.

 

[westhinder]

+1 on density across to Boulogne, plus chance to cross each lane at narrowest point by working up the exculsion zone- mind the Fv's tho.
Get the tide deadright for Gris Nez or you will stop/go backwards-ow do we know? Only 30 mins late too

Ccoming from the Solent I also favour this crossing for the reasons stated.
Dunkirk-Vlissingen will not be possible on one tide. You will have to avoid arriving off the mouth of the Schelde once the ebb has started. Trying to work up to Vlissingen against the ebb is a painfully slow business.

 

[sailorman]

Den Helder>Scheveningen is doable in a day. Scheveningen is very straightforward altho likely to be very crowded. Easy trams to the Hague.

but also likely to be to windward, better to go up the outside & back via inland