johng39
Well-Known Member
Being a relative newbie on here, I have enjoyed many threads on trips, advice and some of the banter that goes on also. Rather than being a receiver, I thought it about time to start being a contributor. I will hopefully meet some of the forum regulars on 9th January @ LIBS also, so I hope you all like a good read!!!! I have spared you the 200 pictures we have of various fantastic coves and hopefully there is some interesting information here for anyone looking to do this one in the future. I have recently updated my boat to a Azimut 46, but this trip was done in my Oyster Powerline 390 (1 of 11 built by Oyster).
So Sunday 14th July 2013 Aphrodisiac pulled out of West Wick (Essex) at 8.00am bound for Brighton, I had planned to take the tide out to the whitaker and slack water down Barrow Deep past the Knock John Tower and out of the Princes Channel. As we rounded North Foreland we picked up a nice 2-3 knot current all the way to Brighton. Amazingly the weather was flat calm all the way and as we rounded Beachy head at 2.30 pm, having sat at 20 Knots for much of the 6.5 hours, I decided to slow to 10 Knots and take another hour into Brighton to enjoy the fantastic weather and scenery. 134 miles on the log.
Monday morning was planned to be maintenance on the boat as we seemed to have a very black transom. That revealed a split turbo hose on the port engine and a turbo hose on the starboard engine close to coming adrift of the jubilee clip. Further investigation of a strong diesel smell found an inspection hatch cover was dripping also, which was very strange as these had all been replaced 3 years ago with new nitrile gaskets!!!! (story further down). So spare pipe fitted, the other pipe refitted and a scratch of the head for the dripping fuel tank. Oils checked and a planned 7 hour journey at 20 knots to Jersey for a 9.00pm opening of the entrance over the sill meant a 2.00pm departure. So decision made to only fill the port tank and run from the starboard tank to reduce the fuel level below the inspection hatch, then switch to port to drain the fuel to roughly equal amounts before then running the fuel as normal. So plan devised and a quick splash of 200 litres in Brighton and a decision to leave.
After approx 2.5 hours and directly on our heading we spot a massive mast like object standing at least 50 metres into the air (and in 57 metres of water), so what is strange I hear you ask..... The fact that it is not on any chart, was strange and obviously un-expected.
So the plan was to be at the Alderney Race for around 7.00pm and take the strong current into Jersey around the west side. The french coast was spotted first through the sea mist and then we started to spot the strange currents around the race before suddenly at 7.15 we picked up 4.5 knots of current in some very strange swirling currents. These had me checking depths constantly, but there was over 30 metres of water!
The log would normally show 20 knots at this RPM
Sark and Guernsey off to starboard could only just be seen due to the mist that was all around us, visibility was around 3 miles maximum, but more than enough (although sadly not enough to see land clearly). 8.00pm and we spotted a cruise ship off the port bow and Jersey almost dead ahead, making our way down the west coast we turned into the North West passage and past St Brelade Bay, to be met with a very fast moving clipper out of Jersey. Tracy was filming the moment when I spotted a wash about 6 feet high approaching, so a slight turn and a slow from 20 knots to 12 made for a slightly less airborne moment.
As we pulled into to Jersey at 8.45pm, we made for the entrance as the green lights came on, perfect timing... or maybe just lucky , we were assigned a berth and having used fag papers instead of fenders, we were in. Tracy had kept me fed and watered the whole way, so a happy captain retired for the night(she makes tea also, which is more than you get on some boats....). Another 140 miles on the log.
Tuesday 16th was spent around Jersey and also fixing the inspection hatch seal. Calls to a few of the marine engineers found some rubber material and D K Collins Marine allowed me to use the workshop to punch out the holes for the bolts to pass through. Really helpful people and nothing too much trouble. So a night out at St Brelade Bay at the Oyster Box (get a table by the window) and a fantastic meal followed by entertainment, well the waitress dropping our desserts, saw the end to a very pleasant day discovering Jersey.
Wednesday 17th we pulled out of port and dropped anchor in St Brelade bay, dinghy down and off to discover the numerous bays and beaches that are not all accessible by foot. Nigel Mansell has a place overlooking the bay, as do many other wealthy individuals.... The evening meal at La Cantina and maybe the best Lasagna of all time.
The Mrs enjoying a cheeky first glass in St Brelade Bay
Oyster Powerline at anchor in St Brelade Bay
Thursday 18th We got into a discussion with a local over the sights to see on our way to Guernsey and he happened to be the Commodore of Guernsey Yacht Club (Hi Jason), who invited us to the club when we arrived. 10.00am we left Jersey and slowly made for Guernsey the long way around the east coast. We were looking for a pod of dolphins that had been spotted in the area, but sadly they were not out that day. Into Gorey harbour for a look around and then off past L'Ecehous to Guernsey. We stopped off on the southern tip in a bay called Petit Port, with a white sand beach that was fantastic. This was only 4 miles from St Peter Port, so we spent the day there before heading into the main marina for the night.
There are many restaurants along the quayside and I think we ate at most of them. The seafood, especially crab salads and lobster are superb.
Friday 19th was a not too early move out of St Peter Port (1.00pm)and 100 litres of fuel at 76ppl as I was running low, but wanted to fill up at St Samson's from the Tanker at 63ppl before leaving for home. Over to Sark via Herm and the north of Brecqhou, where the Barclay brothers have built a castle, no less. Through a very narrow gap in the rocks, with a 4 knot current and very strange swells due to the underwater rocks no doubt, into a bay called Havre Gosselin. This was beautiful and there are yellow visitor buoys that can be picked up. We climbed onto the dinghy and made our way to the steps and the 100 metre climb up the cliffs (there are steps). We visited Sark and walked across to the other side (approx 1.5 miles) for tea and cake at the Harbour Cafe. We met many locals who were very friendly and mostly imports from London, Essex, Kent & Surrey!!! They all had a story of visiting 30 years ago and never going home. The lack of any transport other than bikes, horses and tractors made it a very interesting place...
Friday night was spent in the bay and dinner that was purchased from the fresh fish seller in the marketplace. Mmmmm Crab, Lobster, King Prawns and a salad was superb. Breakfast in the cockpit with the sun rising was fantastic. I could not have been anywhere in the world better than being in that bay on that day.
Saturday morning was spent in and out of caves that were accessible by dinghy and some of them enabled bays to be accessed through the cave. 12.00pm was the start of Sheep racing on Sark, so we could not miss that.... So we didn't. Having spent most of the day on Sark and walked to Little Sark, we decided to make our way back to St Peter Port via another landmark called Derrible bay. This was an interesting journey, as the wind had got up to 25 MPH and we passed between Little Sark and another rock formation which caused massive waves to be forced between the gap. After a visit to Derrible bay we made for St Peter Port.
Sunday, we pulled out nice and early to go to a bay next to Petit Port and apart from 2 hours when some cheeky sod turned up in a Sunseeker, we were completely alone in the bay with the anchor down. More cave exploring and onto the beach to watch some soppy sod proposing to his wife to be, writing the proposal in the sand. She said yes by the way. Back to St Peter Port in the evening and another seafood restaurant .
Monday started off misty, so I grabbed my golf clubs and Tracy went off to the diamond museum (well a room at the back of the local jewellers) and by lunchtime I was back and the sun was again shining. Off to the Guernsey tunnels to explore some of the WW2 history and then back to the boat.
Tuesday Morning was a 7.00am start to get to St Samsons for 7.30am and the truck that would fill me up with 870 litres at 63ppl , so £550 for 870 litres is not bad going. Our aim was to take the outrushing tide up to Alderney, but as it was 8.00am and the trip was only 20 miles, we decided to amble up there. As we turned out of St Samson's we picked up a 4 knot current, so I decided to see what I could get SOG..... 31 knots was the answer, with full fuel and water tanks.
So a slow to 1000 RPM and a 12 knot SOG all the way to Alderney saw us arrive at 9.30 am. We passed Puffin Island (some of them were swimming around us) and heard the Gannets on the colony just off Alderney to our starboard. The mist was heavy and low but the sun was shining above. Very strange to be surrounded by a sea mist, but glorious sunshine also. The harbour master takes his £15.00 for a mooring buoy in the harbour (or you can drop the anchor for a fiver) and dinghy down for exploration of the Island. We hired electric pedal bikes for the journey and they were probably the funniest moment of the holiday, Alderney is stunning, fantastic bays and beaches that are deserted. Lunch at one of the only establishments outside of the capital St Annes and off past the airport to see the Gannets. You hear them long before you see them as they sound like a big diesel engine ticking over and hunting. However, as we approached the cliffs the sea fog came over the cliffs and completely surrounded us. The airport that was 500 metres away was now invisible.
Another earlyish start on Wednesday 24th July we were heading for Lymington and the south coast. We had planned to visit Lulworth cove, but in fairness the channel islands had revealed more coves, bays and caves than we ever imagined, so a free night at Lymington and a meal out with a friend who lives in the New Forest beckoned. We made our way the 65 miles across at a mix of speeds and pulled into Lymington at 12.00pm.
Thursday 25th July 11.00am and heading for Brighton Marina again, taking the tides most of the way this was a fairly un-eventful trip with fine weather again making the trip very pleasant. Another 65 miles on the log and 5 hours mainly at slower speeds, although at 20 knots around the very uninspiring Selsey Bill part of the journey. A dredger in the entrance to Brighton, made a very tight entry with vessels going both ways. We berthed in the visitor area behind a sailing boat with an American Flag. He had spent 30 days travelling from New York via the Azores and had some interesting tales to tell. He is now working in Bury St Edmunds and moored in Pin Mill.
Friday 26th we made for Eastbourne at 10 knots, again milky calm seas off Beachy head and a nice 2 knot current to help us on our way. 2 hours later we pulled into the lock at Eastbourne. These close every 30 minutes on the hour / half hour and handily they have 2 locks, 1 in and 1 out. Eastbourne is accessible at all states of the tide also, so there are no real restrictions here. Nice facilities, but in fairness I would not want to spend more than 1 night here.
Eastbourne has a sizeable retail park and many restaurants, so as the Saturday had rain forecast for our trip home I decided to buy a waterproof jacket; as I did not take one due to the forecast when we left.
Saturday morning and I wanted a lock at 10.30 ideally to make our trip up to Dungeness at 10 knots then speed up to catch the tides around Dover. I filled with 100 litres of fuel to be on the safe side and got into the 10.30am lock .
We made our way as planned around Dungeness at 12 knots and arrived at slack water, 15 minutes and we sped up as I wanted to get off North Foreland by around 3.30pm. Any earlier and I would not have benefitted from the current and the fact that I effectively wanted to use the High Tide in the Estuary to straight line across to the Whitaker without needing to worry about the sands. Everything going to plan until we crossed the Ramsgate entrance at the East Brake buoy. The fog descended in seconds and suddenly I was slowing to 8 knots. Radar on and a 30 second lesson to Tracy on how to read it, we were off again. Visibility went from 50 metres to 150 metres and anywhere in-between. Suddenly 2 small fishing boats appeared on my bow less that 50 metres away, unseen on the radar........ That was scary. We made our way around North Foreland and across the Princes Channel where the fog suddenly cleared. After having her eyes glued to the radar for 30 minutes, Tracy realised that it was now clear and her pulse rate reduced again !! Increasing the speed to 22 knots to make up time and get to the Whitaker for close to the 4.30pm high water was the plan and then punch the tide down the Crouch. No choice really as we made the benefit of the tides all the way there, but the slowing due to the fog had cost us 30 minutes. When we pulled past the Whitaker I called up some friends as they pulled out of the River Roach and we all met and stopped over at Essex Marina. Eventually the forecast rain came, but I had no need for my jacket as the sun (apart from the fog bank) had followed us the whole way.
Sunday morning we made our way back to West Wick. I would recommend everyone attempt this journey, it was fantastic. If I did it again I would take the opportunity to visit St Malo and other french ports that I was recommended to by the many friendly people we met in harbours, marinas and coves we visited. A big thanks to Tracy for feeding me as that is all I want really, feeding... I would also like to thank her for making the boat considerably lighter for the journey home, having consumed several bottles of wine.... sorry cases of wine .
So 2200 litres of fuel and an average of 1.2 MPG with some fast cruising and some slow. Many marinas, coves, harbours and restaurants visited. Would I do it again..... in a heartbeat.
Happy reading.
So Sunday 14th July 2013 Aphrodisiac pulled out of West Wick (Essex) at 8.00am bound for Brighton, I had planned to take the tide out to the whitaker and slack water down Barrow Deep past the Knock John Tower and out of the Princes Channel. As we rounded North Foreland we picked up a nice 2-3 knot current all the way to Brighton. Amazingly the weather was flat calm all the way and as we rounded Beachy head at 2.30 pm, having sat at 20 Knots for much of the 6.5 hours, I decided to slow to 10 Knots and take another hour into Brighton to enjoy the fantastic weather and scenery. 134 miles on the log.
Monday morning was planned to be maintenance on the boat as we seemed to have a very black transom. That revealed a split turbo hose on the port engine and a turbo hose on the starboard engine close to coming adrift of the jubilee clip. Further investigation of a strong diesel smell found an inspection hatch cover was dripping also, which was very strange as these had all been replaced 3 years ago with new nitrile gaskets!!!! (story further down). So spare pipe fitted, the other pipe refitted and a scratch of the head for the dripping fuel tank. Oils checked and a planned 7 hour journey at 20 knots to Jersey for a 9.00pm opening of the entrance over the sill meant a 2.00pm departure. So decision made to only fill the port tank and run from the starboard tank to reduce the fuel level below the inspection hatch, then switch to port to drain the fuel to roughly equal amounts before then running the fuel as normal. So plan devised and a quick splash of 200 litres in Brighton and a decision to leave.
After approx 2.5 hours and directly on our heading we spot a massive mast like object standing at least 50 metres into the air (and in 57 metres of water), so what is strange I hear you ask..... The fact that it is not on any chart, was strange and obviously un-expected.
So the plan was to be at the Alderney Race for around 7.00pm and take the strong current into Jersey around the west side. The french coast was spotted first through the sea mist and then we started to spot the strange currents around the race before suddenly at 7.15 we picked up 4.5 knots of current in some very strange swirling currents. These had me checking depths constantly, but there was over 30 metres of water!
The log would normally show 20 knots at this RPM
Sark and Guernsey off to starboard could only just be seen due to the mist that was all around us, visibility was around 3 miles maximum, but more than enough (although sadly not enough to see land clearly). 8.00pm and we spotted a cruise ship off the port bow and Jersey almost dead ahead, making our way down the west coast we turned into the North West passage and past St Brelade Bay, to be met with a very fast moving clipper out of Jersey. Tracy was filming the moment when I spotted a wash about 6 feet high approaching, so a slight turn and a slow from 20 knots to 12 made for a slightly less airborne moment.
As we pulled into to Jersey at 8.45pm, we made for the entrance as the green lights came on, perfect timing... or maybe just lucky , we were assigned a berth and having used fag papers instead of fenders, we were in. Tracy had kept me fed and watered the whole way, so a happy captain retired for the night(she makes tea also, which is more than you get on some boats....). Another 140 miles on the log.
Tuesday 16th was spent around Jersey and also fixing the inspection hatch seal. Calls to a few of the marine engineers found some rubber material and D K Collins Marine allowed me to use the workshop to punch out the holes for the bolts to pass through. Really helpful people and nothing too much trouble. So a night out at St Brelade Bay at the Oyster Box (get a table by the window) and a fantastic meal followed by entertainment, well the waitress dropping our desserts, saw the end to a very pleasant day discovering Jersey.
Wednesday 17th we pulled out of port and dropped anchor in St Brelade bay, dinghy down and off to discover the numerous bays and beaches that are not all accessible by foot. Nigel Mansell has a place overlooking the bay, as do many other wealthy individuals.... The evening meal at La Cantina and maybe the best Lasagna of all time.
The Mrs enjoying a cheeky first glass in St Brelade Bay
Oyster Powerline at anchor in St Brelade Bay
Thursday 18th We got into a discussion with a local over the sights to see on our way to Guernsey and he happened to be the Commodore of Guernsey Yacht Club (Hi Jason), who invited us to the club when we arrived. 10.00am we left Jersey and slowly made for Guernsey the long way around the east coast. We were looking for a pod of dolphins that had been spotted in the area, but sadly they were not out that day. Into Gorey harbour for a look around and then off past L'Ecehous to Guernsey. We stopped off on the southern tip in a bay called Petit Port, with a white sand beach that was fantastic. This was only 4 miles from St Peter Port, so we spent the day there before heading into the main marina for the night.
There are many restaurants along the quayside and I think we ate at most of them. The seafood, especially crab salads and lobster are superb.
Friday 19th was a not too early move out of St Peter Port (1.00pm)and 100 litres of fuel at 76ppl as I was running low, but wanted to fill up at St Samson's from the Tanker at 63ppl before leaving for home. Over to Sark via Herm and the north of Brecqhou, where the Barclay brothers have built a castle, no less. Through a very narrow gap in the rocks, with a 4 knot current and very strange swells due to the underwater rocks no doubt, into a bay called Havre Gosselin. This was beautiful and there are yellow visitor buoys that can be picked up. We climbed onto the dinghy and made our way to the steps and the 100 metre climb up the cliffs (there are steps). We visited Sark and walked across to the other side (approx 1.5 miles) for tea and cake at the Harbour Cafe. We met many locals who were very friendly and mostly imports from London, Essex, Kent & Surrey!!! They all had a story of visiting 30 years ago and never going home. The lack of any transport other than bikes, horses and tractors made it a very interesting place...
Friday night was spent in the bay and dinner that was purchased from the fresh fish seller in the marketplace. Mmmmm Crab, Lobster, King Prawns and a salad was superb. Breakfast in the cockpit with the sun rising was fantastic. I could not have been anywhere in the world better than being in that bay on that day.
Saturday morning was spent in and out of caves that were accessible by dinghy and some of them enabled bays to be accessed through the cave. 12.00pm was the start of Sheep racing on Sark, so we could not miss that.... So we didn't. Having spent most of the day on Sark and walked to Little Sark, we decided to make our way back to St Peter Port via another landmark called Derrible bay. This was an interesting journey, as the wind had got up to 25 MPH and we passed between Little Sark and another rock formation which caused massive waves to be forced between the gap. After a visit to Derrible bay we made for St Peter Port.
Sunday, we pulled out nice and early to go to a bay next to Petit Port and apart from 2 hours when some cheeky sod turned up in a Sunseeker, we were completely alone in the bay with the anchor down. More cave exploring and onto the beach to watch some soppy sod proposing to his wife to be, writing the proposal in the sand. She said yes by the way. Back to St Peter Port in the evening and another seafood restaurant .
Monday started off misty, so I grabbed my golf clubs and Tracy went off to the diamond museum (well a room at the back of the local jewellers) and by lunchtime I was back and the sun was again shining. Off to the Guernsey tunnels to explore some of the WW2 history and then back to the boat.
Tuesday Morning was a 7.00am start to get to St Samsons for 7.30am and the truck that would fill me up with 870 litres at 63ppl , so £550 for 870 litres is not bad going. Our aim was to take the outrushing tide up to Alderney, but as it was 8.00am and the trip was only 20 miles, we decided to amble up there. As we turned out of St Samson's we picked up a 4 knot current, so I decided to see what I could get SOG..... 31 knots was the answer, with full fuel and water tanks.
So a slow to 1000 RPM and a 12 knot SOG all the way to Alderney saw us arrive at 9.30 am. We passed Puffin Island (some of them were swimming around us) and heard the Gannets on the colony just off Alderney to our starboard. The mist was heavy and low but the sun was shining above. Very strange to be surrounded by a sea mist, but glorious sunshine also. The harbour master takes his £15.00 for a mooring buoy in the harbour (or you can drop the anchor for a fiver) and dinghy down for exploration of the Island. We hired electric pedal bikes for the journey and they were probably the funniest moment of the holiday, Alderney is stunning, fantastic bays and beaches that are deserted. Lunch at one of the only establishments outside of the capital St Annes and off past the airport to see the Gannets. You hear them long before you see them as they sound like a big diesel engine ticking over and hunting. However, as we approached the cliffs the sea fog came over the cliffs and completely surrounded us. The airport that was 500 metres away was now invisible.
Another earlyish start on Wednesday 24th July we were heading for Lymington and the south coast. We had planned to visit Lulworth cove, but in fairness the channel islands had revealed more coves, bays and caves than we ever imagined, so a free night at Lymington and a meal out with a friend who lives in the New Forest beckoned. We made our way the 65 miles across at a mix of speeds and pulled into Lymington at 12.00pm.
Thursday 25th July 11.00am and heading for Brighton Marina again, taking the tides most of the way this was a fairly un-eventful trip with fine weather again making the trip very pleasant. Another 65 miles on the log and 5 hours mainly at slower speeds, although at 20 knots around the very uninspiring Selsey Bill part of the journey. A dredger in the entrance to Brighton, made a very tight entry with vessels going both ways. We berthed in the visitor area behind a sailing boat with an American Flag. He had spent 30 days travelling from New York via the Azores and had some interesting tales to tell. He is now working in Bury St Edmunds and moored in Pin Mill.
Friday 26th we made for Eastbourne at 10 knots, again milky calm seas off Beachy head and a nice 2 knot current to help us on our way. 2 hours later we pulled into the lock at Eastbourne. These close every 30 minutes on the hour / half hour and handily they have 2 locks, 1 in and 1 out. Eastbourne is accessible at all states of the tide also, so there are no real restrictions here. Nice facilities, but in fairness I would not want to spend more than 1 night here.
Eastbourne has a sizeable retail park and many restaurants, so as the Saturday had rain forecast for our trip home I decided to buy a waterproof jacket; as I did not take one due to the forecast when we left.
Saturday morning and I wanted a lock at 10.30 ideally to make our trip up to Dungeness at 10 knots then speed up to catch the tides around Dover. I filled with 100 litres of fuel to be on the safe side and got into the 10.30am lock .
We made our way as planned around Dungeness at 12 knots and arrived at slack water, 15 minutes and we sped up as I wanted to get off North Foreland by around 3.30pm. Any earlier and I would not have benefitted from the current and the fact that I effectively wanted to use the High Tide in the Estuary to straight line across to the Whitaker without needing to worry about the sands. Everything going to plan until we crossed the Ramsgate entrance at the East Brake buoy. The fog descended in seconds and suddenly I was slowing to 8 knots. Radar on and a 30 second lesson to Tracy on how to read it, we were off again. Visibility went from 50 metres to 150 metres and anywhere in-between. Suddenly 2 small fishing boats appeared on my bow less that 50 metres away, unseen on the radar........ That was scary. We made our way around North Foreland and across the Princes Channel where the fog suddenly cleared. After having her eyes glued to the radar for 30 minutes, Tracy realised that it was now clear and her pulse rate reduced again !! Increasing the speed to 22 knots to make up time and get to the Whitaker for close to the 4.30pm high water was the plan and then punch the tide down the Crouch. No choice really as we made the benefit of the tides all the way there, but the slowing due to the fog had cost us 30 minutes. When we pulled past the Whitaker I called up some friends as they pulled out of the River Roach and we all met and stopped over at Essex Marina. Eventually the forecast rain came, but I had no need for my jacket as the sun (apart from the fog bank) had followed us the whole way.
Sunday morning we made our way back to West Wick. I would recommend everyone attempt this journey, it was fantastic. If I did it again I would take the opportunity to visit St Malo and other french ports that I was recommended to by the many friendly people we met in harbours, marinas and coves we visited. A big thanks to Tracy for feeding me as that is all I want really, feeding... I would also like to thank her for making the boat considerably lighter for the journey home, having consumed several bottles of wine.... sorry cases of wine .
So 2200 litres of fuel and an average of 1.2 MPG with some fast cruising and some slow. Many marinas, coves, harbours and restaurants visited. Would I do it again..... in a heartbeat.
Happy reading.
