Channel crossing

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Kittycarter

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Right. Finishing work tomorrow and planning first crossing from Chichester to Cherbourg. Boat is Sunseeker Comanche 40. Looking at various forecasts and trying not to look for the best one. Was planning to leave about 8:30 form marina to keep the wind and tide heading in same direction. Forecasts showing 4 and then either dropping to a 3 or occasional gusting to s low 5 depending on where you look. Advise would be appreciated. My gut feeling is crossing should be ok but there are much experienced skippers on here.
 
As no one else has pitched in.

With winds as stated the sea state should be fine, and there have not been high winds the past few weeks I wouldn't expect too much Atlantic swell.

I would estimate average speed expected then divide this into the distance to gauge travel hours, then study the tidal streams to gauge how much east or west tide hour by hour, then according to the tidal offset distance steer up or down from the rhumb line course to compensate, then check periodically the track is roughly over the rhumb line, but a drift of say 2-3 miles is not that big a deal, just adjust your course to compensate.

If this was a sailing boat on a 12 hour crossing then that is one full tide cycle, so you can simply head across and go with the tidal flow, offsetting for the wind as necessary. With a Mobo then allow say a mile of so for wind on the beam over the distance.

Cherbourg is an easy entrance, but a horrible place. St Vaast around the corner to the east is far nicer IMHO.

Essentially from Chichester about the same distance as a run to Weymouth, just out of sight of land for most of it.
 
Thank you for that. That makes sense to me and my plans. I think it's just the out of site of land that will be the nervous part to be honest. I don't plan on being in Cherbourg any longer than I need to. Will head to Guernsey at the earliest possible time, the next day if weather permits.
 
Nigelpickin said:
We crossed today, (Falmouth to St Helier), and it was fine. There's a bit of swell, it will be coming on your Stbd beam tomorrow but should be fine. 8:30 is perfect and gives you a big window to get across. Enjoy :)
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Thanks again. A friend of mine left this morning at just after 3, but he was using the wind to get across instead of thirsty engines....... It will be my longest single run, but there must always be a first time.
 
Are you ok with the shipping lane? Just keep a good watch, don't under estimate the speed of the big ships...
Best strategy is to keep a very close watch on AIS, sight and discuss every contact and if in ANY doubt, head for the back of the boat that's crossing your path, never try to cut in front. They tend to move in clusters, just be patient and don't take any risks.
Not sure if you will be in the TSS but best to behave as if you are either way. Sorry if that's a bit too egg sucky :)
Looking at the forecast, Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday look suburb and would be great days for being on the water,so if you have a rough/stressful crossing tomorrow, wait a couple of days before you make the reach for the CI's....
If it's of any comfort, we ran past a 25 foot single handed trimaran half way across today, kind of put our 'achievements' into context! :)
 
Kittycarter said:
Thank you for that. That makes sense to me and my plans. I think it's just the out of site of land that will be the nervous part to be honest. I don't plan on being in Cherbourg any longer than I need to. Will head to Guernsey at the earliest possible time, the next day if weather permits.
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I assume you are diesel? Fuel direct from the Fuel Supplies tanker t St Sampsons is big chunk cheaper than the other suppliers b almost 20p, tel 01481 200 800 you need to book I advance by a day or so, min 300 litres.

If you need any other local help give me a pm.
 
Your likely worst part is Cherbourg and on...
tbh miss Cherbourg,go round the outer casquettes west of Alderney,so missing the race ,and timings,and straight to Guernsey from Chichester.
If you do go to Cherbourg,cap de hague may well be the grim bit and then you have the timings of the race/swinge limiting you.
Forecasts around Ci,s have mixed fog warnings at the moment so check Jersey shipping forecasts too.
 
Left Sunday morning to an exiting force 6 out there. Was soaked within 10 minutes as 26 knots of wind made it very uncomfortable. Diverted to lymington and heading of Tuesday morning instead. Not giving in and weather looks a lot nicer
 
We are crossing back tomorrow as well, hopefully won't see you as things would have gone quite wrong with our course!
Should be fine, a bit of swell but you should have tide and wind with you if you leave in the am. Won't be so good for us but forecast 6 to 8 it's of wind and very fair...

Good luck :)
 
Kittycarter said:
Left Sunday morning to an exiting force 6 out there. Was soaked within 10 minutes as 26 knots of wind made it very uncomfortable. Diverted to lymington and heading of Tuesday morning instead. Not giving in and weather looks a lot nicer
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Good call on the divert - and good luck for Tuesday's crossing.
 
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