Channel crossing in a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 24.2

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Nig1

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Can anyone confirm if a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 24.2 would be safe enough to complete a passage across the English channel, or is it more of a coast in rivers type vessel?

I would like to hear from anyone who has experience of this particular yacht or the Jeanneau Tonic 23.

Thank you,

Nigel
 
Nig1 said:
Can anyone confirm if a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 24.2 would be safe enough to complete a passage across the English channel, or is it more of a coast in rivers type vessel?

I would like to hear from anyone who has experience of this particular yacht or the Jeanneau Tonic 23.

Thank you,

Nigel
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Yes, the 24.2 is more than capable. You just need good planning. I had one for 3/4 years and it is a lively boat, but capable with respect! Is it the inboard or outboard version?

Paul
 
A square mile of sea 25 miles offshore is not fundamentally different to one 5 miles offshore. If you feel comfortable in your 24 footer five miles offshore then you should be able cope when 25 miles offshore.

Go for it when time allows a very flexible schedule. Ignore all the passage planning craap in the RYA text books because they encourage you to sail to the clock which is a common theme underpinning many a leisure boating tragedy.

Your priorities are:

Avoid fatigue because you are the weakest link.
Avoid crossing when marginal visibility is forecast.
Don't cross if the forecast wind is outside a 10 to 18 knot range.
Don't take a gaggle of inexperienced venturers with you.
Favour a neap tide crossing.
Plan for one night at sea, rather than starting at dawn after a restless night, followed by slow progress forcing a second night at sea, because the second night could be the trigger for mistakes.

With bottled water and high energy food on board you will get across and it is difficult to get lost in the Channel.
 
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jonjo summarised it perfectly.

You did not say where you would be heading - but if somewhere like Cherbourg then really, really try to be uptide when you start getting close... a 3 knot cross tide is great when it is going to be going with you for the last mile or two. Same when you get back to the UK.


BTW - I crossed many a time in my GK24. All we had then was a compass, log, dead reckoning and an old RDF. And sometimes we had friends in a Beneteau 24 nearby... that was very similar to the Jeanneau.

Enjoy the trip - as skipper, get as much rest as you can - and at this time of year there will probably be others going the same way. Have fun!
 
Preparation is the key:

a good worked up passage plan allowing for the intended average speed, good lookout when you cross the shipping lanes (also allowing for some delays here they often come along like buses all at once)
lifejackets always worn, DSC vhf radio, a good quality GPS with perhaps a portable back up, etc etc

... and most important of all - enjoy yourselves and be proud of what you have acheived
... and be just as careful on the way back!!
 
No problem, pick your weather and fit an Autohelm.
I used to do Weymouth - Cherbourg and Weymouth - St PP in a 22ft Swin Ranger

Boatsail3.jpg


This pic was taken off Cherbourg by another Swin Ranger owner, we were heading down to St PP.
 
From a Jeanneau Tonic Owner

Referring specifically to the type of boat you own...

I've done several crossings in my previous much larger boat (Westerly Seahawk 34 crossing from Solent to Normandy/Channel Islands) and, having owned my Tonic (with 8hp outboard) for a year, I have pondered on occasions about whether it would be up to a crossing. I'm a little dubious.

Undoubtedly there are weather conditions where the channel can be like a millpond and it would simply be a question of loading up several gallons of petrol for the inevitable mid-channel refueling. Others might have a view in relying on a smallish outboard for up to 15 hours non-stop (depending on the selected route). Otherwise I would be definitely waiting for a steady force 3 - 4 forecast after a period of relative calm as frankly my Tonic, being a light, short and fat boat, struggles in anything over a slight sea.

If you were planning on a return trip, especially if you were restricted on time, I would be very wary. I recall several trips back in my larger yacht which have occurred after waiting it out in port for a gale to pass. Although the wind had dropped, the residual sea state made for an uncomfortable trip which the Tonic would not have handled. Or at least it would have taken a very fit, experienced and game crew.

So if you have the time to pick your moments, go for it. But detailed planning and patience would be essential. If you don't have an inboard diesel, I'd consider carrying a small spare outboard and the means to deploy it in case of breakdown in the shipping lanes.

Regards

Glennytots

Yachtmaster Offshore
 
glennytots said:
Referring specifically to the type of boat you own...

I've done several crossings in my previous much larger boat (Westerly Seahawk 34 crossing from Solent to Normandy/Channel Islands) and, having owned my Tonic (with 8hp outboard) for a year, I have pondered on occasions about whether it would be up to a crossing. I'm a little dubious.
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This post is a useful counter point to a generally "go for it thread".

Although I was positive above, I viewed the original query in the context of a one-off venture. A light displacement high volume 24ft hull is not the right design for routine Channel crossings, hence my advice on a flexible schedule and criteria of a suitable weather window.

At least leaving a 23ft yacht in Cherbourg for a couple of weeks inflicts less ££ pain.
 
ooof... the old rdf (with it's strange headphones) was quite accurate... and comforting!

We used to, if I remember correctly, get a fix on both Barfleur light and on a point on the breakwater... even in less than perfect visibility they'd let you know exactly what direction the radio beacons really were. Enough for a two point fix on the paper chart. That's as comforting as you could get.. and that's just 20 years ago! For speed you'd sometimes throw bits of biscuit off the foredeck and time them to pass 24 feet...

You'll have much more technology now.... and the GK24 only had a single outboard.. that needed a tank refilling (or reconnecting to the other tank) three quarters of the way across!

and btw.. just steer a straight cpmpass course all the way. take account of the tides before you set the course and if you keep up the right speed you'll be spot on.. just check for arrival maybe 15-20 miles or so off the far coast..
 
Nig1 said:
Can anyone confirm if a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 24.2 would be safe enough to complete a passage across the English channel, or is it more of a coast in rivers type vessel?
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From a quick shufti at the specs, I don't see why not. It's only about sixty miles, isn't it, and sixty miles at right angles to the coast is probably safer than sixty miles along the coast! heavy traffic, of course, but on the bright side you're a smaller target to miss!
 
Its been done by dozens of swimmers, in kayaks, windsurfers, top gear amphibious cars, WW2 amphibious jeep (see Ben Carlin's book Half-Safe) narrowboats (Terry Darlington's Narrow Dog to Carcassonne), and Uffa Fox took a scout troop to the Paris exhibition in an ex-Admiralty open sailing & rowing whaler. Sure you can do it, but allow for a longish passage; 60 miles at 3kts is 20 hours. With the right weather it could be as little as 12 hours, but don't bank on it.

You need pre-prepared food & drink, plenty of snacks/ finger food etc. Ideally you need at least 2 capable crew. 20 hours is a long time to stay awake if single-handing & the Channel is generally not a good place to heave-to for a kip. An auto pilot will help but is not essential. Tiller lines should allow you to leave the helm for short periods while your colleague sleeps - or heave to for a short while for a pee/ put the kettle on etc. Remember the big ships can come up over the horizon & sink you in about 20 mins.

Treat it as a big adventure & prepare sensibly & you will get such a feeling of pride when you get there that you will be high as a kite. Enjoy.
 
As Searush says... Plan to go behind a ship... don't ever try and race in front of one.

You might plan to go behind the next ship in the shipping lane.. you'll probably end up with about another four passing by before you even get to the lane... they travel faster than they look like they're going.

BTW - have you said where you're planning on crossing from and to... . once known you might see even more hints and tips.
 
Muddy Paws said:
And Dover to Calais means a maximum of 11 miles offshore - that makes in coastal in my book.
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I remember seeing an analysis of sea states in the Channel by season - unfortunately I can't find a link. In summer the channel is statistically an RCD Cat C environment (Inshore - 2m waves max) well within the capabilities of LadyinBeds 22"er. In winter there is a significant chance of hitting conditions that will disrupt car ferries.

Maybe somebody else has the link to Channel sea state data.
 
Nig1 said:
Can anyone confirm if a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 24.2 would be safe enough to complete a passage across the English channel, or is it more of a coast in rivers type vessel?

I would like to hear from anyone who has experience of this particular yacht or the Jeanneau Tonic 23.

Thank you,

Nigel
Click to expand...

When fetching Den Helder from the Medway a few years ago, 10 or 20 miles out from the top of Holland there was a small gaggle of Wayfarers - presumably crossed from Scotland. Very humbling when all snug in a 'proper boat'.

It's usually the people that chicken out well before the boats gives up.
 
Crossing the Channel

You failed to say where you were crossing from and to.

First time I sailed across was in a Cruising Dragon Class, early sixties, no navigation equipment just a pair of bins and a chart.
Uffa Fox did it on sliding seat sailing canoe Brynhilda, now in Falmouth Museum.

As has been said chose your weather window, start early, lots of snacks and liquid.

Apprehensive ? of course you are and good that you are too, it helps with concentrating the mind. No alcohol until tied up in port though.

Good sailing and a fair wind.
 
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