Cheap boating across the Channel? Decent resources for navigation?

[oldgit]

Think you might have misunderstood my post - the 45’ narrowboat is staying firmly on the canals, it’s the 18’ Colvic which I intend to take across the channel, which is under 10m.

Why ?
The Tuesday Night Club Official Web Site

 

[applebadger]

Why ?
The Tuesday Night Club Official Web Site

I've taken the narrowboat to Crossness which was enough to convince me to get the Colvic! Website is a good read though, thanks.

 

[garethep]

Pb2 is a good course but you can also get an icc from doing day skipper which may be a better bet for a cross channel trip.

 

[Alicatt]

Pb2 is a good course but you can also get an icc from doing day skipper which may be a better bet for a cross channel trip.

Yeah it does get you to study tides, wind and secondary ports and how to plan your voyage, a lot more detail than in PB2, though the cost of the course is significantly higher than for PB2.
The PB2 gives an ICC for boats up to 10m where the DS does not have that restriction.

 

[applebadger]

Pb2 is a good course but you can also get a icc from doing day skipper which may be a better bet for a cross channel trip.

Thanks, didn’t know that, I was told by a couple of training centres that the only way to an ICC was to first get the PB2! I agree, Day Skipper looks like it teaches a lot more navigation and passage planning which I’d find more useful. I’ve had small powerboats of some description for over 10 years now so I like to think I’m ok at driving the things, it’s the navigation and planning I’d really like to improve on.

 

[paulbrown22]

There's multiple ways of getting an ICC, depending on what sort of craft you do the training on and what restrictions you want, or indeed you can do a direct ICC assessment with an RYA training centre on the appropriate vessel type.

Note that Day Skipper has two elements - the Theory/navigation course (which can't lead to an ICC directly, but does cover the Coastal Waters element if the practical course was taken on non-tidal waters), and the Practical course which might be taken on either a sailing yacht or motor yacht (and can be converted into an ICC). Day Skipper undertaken on a sailing yacht will only include Power up to 10m, Day Skipper undertaken on a motor cruiser will be unrestricted for power (but obviously no endorsement for sail!)

 

[Guillemot592]

I am always attracted to discussions about crossing the Channel. If you are in a small boat it is definitely an adventure no matter how many times you cross. I am a sailor (Cornish Shrimper 19) but I think there will be some elements in common with your mast-less Colvic 18.

For me the key issues are the tides and the currents. It is not only the effect of an adverse tide on your SOG, it is always wise to consider which 'side' of the tide will be a factor as you approach your destination. Getting this wrong can significantly affect the time it takes to actually get into port. Especially if there is a breeze or any level of sea state when the phrase 'wind over tide' comes into its own!

Of course, aside from the fatigue that can set in - a 30 nm trip may not seem far but the general exposure, necessary vigilance and likely bounciness can be wearing - the duration means there is plenty of time for conditions to change.

As others have said, the RYA courses will be very helpful.

Also, make sure you can send and receive AIS. Knowing that other vessels can see you you is very comforting and means that skippers can adjust their courses in plenty of time to give you space. They will if they can. Apparently the paperwork involved in the event of a commercial ship striking a leisure vessel is atrocious. Your VHF is essential for clarifying intentions.

I am not sure if you plan to cross singlehanded or with crew, nor if you have already crewed on other vessels in order to gain experience of the passage. If not I would highly recommend that you practice as crew. As you know, everything looks different from the deck of a boat - whether that is navigating the buoyage in and out of harbours, crossing the shipping corridors or finding the visitors' moorings for the first time after long, bumpy passage.

There is no doubt that once you have the cross-channel bug there is no going back. It is a satisfying and exciting experience with the added benefit of being able to celebrate in a French bistro! My last trip, a couple of months ago, was about 250 nm from the south coast, across to Normandy, westwards along the Normandy/Calvados and a jump back to the south coast via a little port near Cherbourg with the final leg slotted in between some gnarly weather systems and with 25-30 knot gusts. A blast, for sure.

I guess my main advice is to prepare and practice as much as you can so that your first experience does not scare the pants off you and then put you off doing it ever again (which I have seen happen many times).

Enjoy!

 

[applebadger]

I am always attracted to discussions about crossing the Channel. If you are in a small boat it is definitely an adventure no matter how many times you cross. I am a sailor (Cornish Shrimper 19) but I think there will be some elements in common with your mast-less Colvic 18.

For me the key issues are the tides and the currents. It is not only the effect of an adverse tide on your SOG, it is always wise to consider which 'side' of the tide will be a factor as you approach your destination. Getting this wrong can significantly affect the time it takes to actually get into port. Especially if there is a breeze or any level of sea state when the phrase 'wind over tide' comes into its own!

Of course, aside from the fatigue that can set in - a 30 nm trip may not seem far but the general exposure, necessary vigilance and likely bounciness can be wearing - the duration means there is plenty of time for conditions to change.

As others have said, the RYA courses will be very helpful.

Also, make sure you can send and receive AIS. Knowing that other vessels can see you you is very comforting and means that skippers can adjust their courses in plenty of time to give you space. They will if they can. Apparently the paperwork involved in the event of a commercial ship striking a leisure vessel is atrocious. Your VHF is essential for clarifying intentions.

I am not sure if you plan to cross singlehanded or with crew, nor if you have already crewed on other vessels in order to gain experience of the passage. If not I would highly recommend that you practice as crew. As you know, everything looks different from the deck of a boat - whether that is navigating the buoyage in and out of harbours, crossing the shipping corridors or finding the visitors' moorings for the first time after long, bumpy passage.

There is no doubt that once you have the cross-channel bug there is no going back. It is a satisfying and exciting experience with the added benefit of being able to celebrate in a French bistro! My last trip, a couple of months ago, was about 250 nm from the south coast, across to Normandy, westwards along the Normandy/Calvados and a jump back to the south coast via a little port near Cherbourg with the final leg slotted in between some gnarly weather systems and with 25-30 knot gusts. A blast, for sure.

I guess my main advice is to prepare and practice as much as you can so that your first experience does not scare the pants off you and then put you off doing it ever again (which I have seen happen many times).

Enjoy!

Thanks for all this!

I know Calais marina from the land side with all its various harbours, moorings, locks and marina fairly well - an ex partner used to live there so I spent a lot of time walking around the area, and we knew someone who had a boat in the marina. However, as you say, things look very different from the water side of it, I've only been out twice in that area.

I'll have a friend crewing with me who has about similar level of experience, and I intend to hire an AIS transponder as I don't think I'll use it very often. Most of my trips stay well out of the shipping corridors. I haven't however crewed on any vessel crossing the channel.

 

[LittleSister]

I am always attracted to discussions about crossing the Channel. If you are in a small boat it is definitely an adventure no matter how many times you cross. I am a sailor (Cornish Shrimper 19) but I think there will be some elements in common with your mast-less Colvic 18.

For me the key issues are the tides and the currents. It is not only the effect of an adverse tide on your SOG, it is always wise to consider which 'side' of the tide will be a factor as you approach your destination. Getting this wrong can significantly affect the time it takes to actually get into port. Especially if there is a breeze or any level of sea state when the phrase 'wind over tide' comes into its own!

Of course, aside from the fatigue that can set in - a 30 nm trip may not seem far but the general exposure, necessary vigilance and likely bounciness can be wearing - the duration means there is plenty of time for conditions to change.

As others have said, the RYA courses will be very helpful.

Also, make sure you can send and receive AIS. Knowing that other vessels can see you you is very comforting and means that skippers can adjust their courses in plenty of time to give you space. They will if they can. Apparently the paperwork involved in the event of a commercial ship striking a leisure vessel is atrocious. Your VHF is essential for clarifying intentions.

I am not sure if you plan to cross singlehanded or with crew, nor if you have already crewed on other vessels in order to gain experience of the passage. If not I would highly recommend that you practice as crew. As you know, everything looks different from the deck of a boat - whether that is navigating the buoyage in and out of harbours, crossing the shipping corridors or finding the visitors' moorings for the first time after long, bumpy passage.

There is no doubt that once you have the cross-channel bug there is no going back. It is a satisfying and exciting experience with the added benefit of being able to celebrate in a French bistro! My last trip, a couple of months ago, was about 250 nm from the south coast, across to Normandy, westwards along the Normandy/Calvados and a jump back to the south coast via a little port near Cherbourg with the final leg slotted in between some gnarly weather systems and with 25-30 knot gusts. A blast, for sure.

I guess my main advice is to prepare and practice as much as you can so that your first experience does not scare the pants off you and then put you off doing it ever again (which I have seen happen many times).

Enjoy!

I agree with all of that, except I disagree that AIS is needed. It is definitely a nice to have, but not at all essential.

I have crossed numerous times without it, and when later doing it with AIS had only a receiver. Commercial vessels will be able to see you on radar and will rely on that (even if they have AIS may not be looking at it), and will almost always (fishing boats being the main exception) alter course to avoid you if you are the stand on vessel.

Make sure you have a radar reflector, as large and high as practicable; working nav lights and torches (even if you're intending to cross in daylight - 'the best laid plans . . .'); and a VHF radio (with aerial as high as practicable).

More generally, you must be familiar with
- the ColRegs, and especially the rules about crossing, overtaking etc between vessels, and the restrictions in and about crossing the Traffic Separation Zones;
- the layout, signals and any permissions required for leaving and entering at your intended ports;
- having a Plan B (or more likely a series of Plan Bs) for what you'll do if/when your Plan A doesn't work out for any of various possible reasons;
- the sandbanks off the French coast, which can be restrictions to your route because of depth or (more likely) effects on sea state;
- the routes of the ferries - they're fast and frequent, you don't want to be in their way (especially while they're going in and out of ports), but they can also help you orientate yourself en-route. They are also much more constrained by the sandbanks than you.

 

[Alicatt]

I agree with all of that, except I disagree that AIS is needed. It is definitely a nice to have, but not at all essential.

I have crossed numerous times without it, and when later doing it with AIS had only a receiver. Commercial vessels will be able to see you on radar and will rely on that (even if they have AIS may not be looking at it), and will almost always (fishing boats being the main exception) alter course to avoid you if you are the stand on vessel.

Make sure you have a radar reflector, as large and high as practicable; working nav lights and torches (even if you're intending to cross in daylight - 'the best laid plans . . .'); and a VHF radio (with aerial as high as practicable).

More generally, you must be familiar with
- the ColRegs, and especially the rules about crossing, overtaking etc between vessels, and the restrictions in and about crossing the Traffic Separation Zones;
- the layout, signals and any permissions required for leaving and entering at your intended ports;
- having a Plan B (or more likely a series of Plan Bs) for what you'll do if/when your Plan A doesn't work out for any of various possible reasons;
- the sandbanks off the French coast, which can be restrictions to your route because of depth or (more likely) effects on sea state;
- the routes of the ferries - they're fast and frequent, you don't want to be in their way (especially while they're going in and out of ports), but they can also help you orientate yourself en-route. They are also much more constrained by the sandbanks than you.

AIS and VHF is going to be compulsory for motorised vessels of 3m or longer on the water controlled by the Vlaamsewaterweg after 6th April 2026, from 1st January 2026 the Waterweg App to use on a smartphone will be released that can be used instead of AIS.

There is a slight resistance to the introduction in Belgium, as people are just realising that it is happening an email was sent out to all boat owners registered last month

 

[LittleSister]

AIS and VHF is going to be compulsory for motorised vessels of 3m or longer on the water controlled by the Vlaamsewaterweg after 6th April 2026. . .

Fortunately, perhaps, for the OP, he was only talking about going to Calais. (Though I guess it's all FOREIGN, and scary and bureaucratic like that! )

Fred Drift alert!
The mention of the 3m minimum length for the AIS requirement (which I guess will be handy for barges being able to see small craft round bends and corners, and vice versa) somehow reminds me of a small slipway on a side creek leading to an an inland waterway (with no commercial traffic) I used to sometimes use to launch my Canadian canoe. A notice by the slipway said it was only for vessels up to 12 feet in length (I guess they were thinking in terms of conventionally proportioned hulls). I had in mind that if I were ever challenged by the Navigation Authority's Rangers, I would claim my canoe was only 2ft LOA, albeit 15ft beam! I never got to find out how that would go down, luckily.

 

[Guillemot592]

I agree with all of that, except I disagree that AIS is needed. It is definitely a nice to have, but not at all essential.

I have crossed numerous times without it, and when later doing it with AIS had only a receiver. Commercial vessels will be able to see you on radar and will rely on that (even if they have AIS may not be looking at it), and will almost always (fishing boats being the main exception) alter course to avoid you if you are the stand on vessel.

Make sure you have a radar reflector, as large and high as practicable; working nav lights and torches (even if you're intending to cross in daylight - 'the best laid plans . . .'); and a VHF radio (with aerial as high as practicable).

More generally, you must be familiar with
- the ColRegs, and especially the rules about crossing, overtaking etc between vessels, and the restrictions in and about crossing the Traffic Separation Zones;
- the layout, signals and any permissions required for leaving and entering at your intended ports;
- having a Plan B (or more likely a series of Plan Bs) for what you'll do if/when your Plan A doesn't work out for any of various possible reasons;
- the sandbanks off the French coast, which can be restrictions to your route because of depth or (more likely) effects on sea state;
- the routes of the ferries - they're fast and frequent, you don't want to be in their way (especially while they're going in and out of ports), but they can also help you orientate yourself en-route. They are also much more constrained by the sandbanks than you.

Yep - all good points. I suspect that, as @Alicatt implies, there will be an ever stronger push towards on board AIS and similar. I have been amazed by how the cost has come down and the ease of installation has gone up. Like you, my first crossings (as crew) where pretty low tech - not much more than a compass, binoculars and paper chart. Of course, @applebadger has not got a mast - so the radar reflector, VHF and visibility (for example in poor light) will be less effective. Commercials do have radar but I am not sure that in a very small vessel I would be confident in their effectiveness. Your wider point about proper passage planning, including alternative scenarios and arrival and departure protocols, is bang on. There is a reason why people use the expression, "worse things happen at sea"!

The practicalities will become more evident once boat insurance is obtained - which the French authorities can and do ask to see.

Crossing on your own boat (or as crew) is still a blast and well worth the effort, so do not let us worriers put you off! @applebadger

 

[applebadger]

I agree with all of that, except I disagree that AIS is needed. It is definitely a nice to have, but not at all essential.

I have crossed numerous times without it, and when later doing it with AIS had only a receiver. Commercial vessels will be able to see you on radar and will rely on that (even if they have AIS may not be looking at it), and will almost always (fishing boats being the main exception) alter course to avoid you if you are the stand on vessel.

Make sure you have a radar reflector, as large and high as practicable; working nav lights and torches (even if you're intending to cross in daylight - 'the best laid plans . . .'); and a VHF radio (with aerial as high as practicable).

More generally, you must be familiar with
- the ColRegs, and especially the rules about crossing, overtaking etc between vessels, and the restrictions in and about crossing the Traffic Separation Zones;
- the layout, signals and any permissions required for leaving and entering at your intended ports;
- having a Plan B (or more likely a series of Plan Bs) for what you'll do if/when your Plan A doesn't work out for any of various possible reasons;
- the sandbanks off the French coast, which can be restrictions to your route because of depth or (more likely) effects on sea state;
- the routes of the ferries - they're fast and frequent, you don't want to be in their way (especially while they're going in and out of ports), but they can also help you orientate yourself en-route. They are also much more constrained by the sandbanks than you.

Thanks, I'm fitting a new little mast thing to hold the anchor light and VHF antenna, I didn't think about a radar reflector, I'll do a bit of research and pop one on there. Familiar with COLREGs through reading up on it and navigating the lower Thames and estuary, but I'm also going to do the RYA course. Luckily I'm familiar with the ports I'll be leaving/entering from the land side, does look very different from the water though!

AIS and VHF is going to be compulsory for motorised vessels of 3m or longer on the water controlled by the Vlaamsewaterweg after 6th April 2026, from 1st January 2026 the Waterweg App to use on a smartphone will be released that can be used instead of AIS.

There is a slight resistance to the introduction in Belgium, as people are just realising that it is happening an email was sent out to all boat owners registered last month

My backup chart plotter is an iPad running SavvyNavvy, which is able to pull down AIS data from the internet via 4G. Works very well but in the Channel, once out of range of an LTE antenna it'll stop. Should be fine inland in continental Europe though! I don't intend to go inland at the moment however.

Yep - all good points. I suspect that, as Alicatt implies, there will be an ever stronger push towards on board AIS and similar. I have been amazed by how the cost has come down and the ease of installation has gone up. Like you, my first crossings (as crew) where pretty low tech - not much more than a compass, binoculars and paper chart. Of course, @applebadger has not got a mast - so the radar reflector, VHF and visibility (for example in poor light) will be less effective. Commercials do have radar but I am not sure that in a very small vessel I would be confident in their effectiveness. Your wider point about proper passage planning, including alternative scenarios and arrival and departure protocols, is bang on. There is a reason why people use the expression, "worse things happen at sea"!

The practicalities will become more evident once boat insurance is obtained - which the French authorities can and do ask to see.

Crossing on your own boat (or as crew) is still a blast and well worth the effort, so do not let us worriers put you off!

As mentioned above, I'm fitting a little mast/light bar for the VHF antenna, anchor light and now radar reflector which takes it to around 3m above the waterline. Not quite the 4m figure I've seen recommended, but should still be better than nothing?

 

[LittleSister]

. . .
As mentioned above, I'm fitting a little mast/light bar for the VHF antenna, anchor light and now radar reflector which takes it to around 3m above the waterline. Not quite the 4m figure I've seen recommended, but should still be better than nothing?

Yes, much better than nothing. You are trying to keep them above the swell and waves, to give consistent 'visibility'.