Cherbourg - Alderney-Poole

Agree X tides do not cancel. Look at weather and guess average speed of Xing in 43 I would estimate 6 to 7kts. Draw straight line destination (Theoretical Heading). Work out leaving time and Plot expected position along line every hour. Look up tial vectors and plot them at each hour. Then plot S curve of how the tide takes you sideways and see where you end up! Look at which way the tide is then taking you at Cherbourg and adjust your Theoretical heading to an actual to end up at entrance.

I plot my expected COG on a chart and then plot actual and as Jimi says compare after 6hrs and then again at 9hrs. If they don't agree I half any error and adjust heading. When I first Crossed the Channel I was suprised just how far "sideways" the course is. Try to get it right and you won't lose any boat speed trying to stem the tide.

Cross tides outside Cherbourg are stronger than the equivalent ones off the UK.

I would not go to Alderney if wind likely to be NE. If you leave the needles on the ebb you hit the race at the right time and it shoots you down to Guernsey in another 3 hrs. We enjoyed walking around Alderney though.
 
Yes, we worked out course to be 166, allowing for a net tidal vector of just over 3, so not much difference really. Intending to leave at around 7.30 a.m. This is if the weather is favourable of course, too early for forecasts!
 
To emphasize what others have said, and at the risk of repeating much of it.

We have almost always crossed directly from Chichester, which has often meant motor sailing to avoid tacking but if the wind is from w or sw it is much better to leave the solent via the Needles, but you do have to hang on tightly sometimes, or even better from Poole.

You should work out your tides but you will normally find they will almost cancel each other out. (certainly works like that from Chi)

Cherbourg is a good destination for the first time across as it it is very visible and compared to Alderney easy to approach and enter. There were recently some warnings about walking about the town at night though.

When going from Cherbourg to Alderney you can leave Cherbourg before the ebb starts and make use of a reverse eddy close inshore to start with but you must head for a point well north of the race, especially on springs, to avoid being sucked down it. Careful use of tidal stream data is called for although you will find that particular "hop" is regularly described in the magazines, including the current (august) PBO. You would be well advised to read that. It is by Roger Oliver who comes across as a very thorough and competent navigator. The September issue (out this week I think) contains another article by Roger taking an in depth look at Alderney. (it's a pity the two articles could not have been published a month or two earlier!)
When approaching Braye make use of a bearing on the entrance and the day marks or lights when you can see them to avoid being carted past by the tide. Also be aware that close in there is an eddy going against the ebb for most of the time.

When leaving Alderney to head back leave as soon as the flood starts as that will carry you well away from the race before the ebb starts but don't be tempted to start too soon or you'll go down the Swinge and back, or at least stand still outside Braye until the flood starts

Do not go to Alderney if there will be strong NE winds, in fact always be prepared to change your plans if the weather makes your intended passage at all doubtful.


When you get a bit more (a lot more) adventurous there is a marked passage close in to Cap de La Hague, just inshore of the lighthouse in fact, that makes an interesting way of rounding the corner into the race if heading for Jersey in calm conditions. Details were published by Robin Brandon in the Jan 1978 edition of YM and subsequenly, I believe, in his "North France Pilot".

Also there is an interesting trip around Alderney close inshore that was described by Malcolm Robson in his Channel Island Pilot. Again for calm conditions and under power.
 
Don't get caught downtide of Cherbourg enterance.
Don't attempt to cross the shipping lanes in fog (even with Radar)

For Alderney.....
double check your tide timings, you cannot punch the tide
Give Cap de la Hague a good offing.
Do not go if there is anything above F3 with North or East in it.

It is all much more forgiving and less lumpy at neaps rather than springs
 
Don't forget either that there are two entrances to the Grande Rade....... which can be helpful for changing plans in the last 10 miles or so.
 
I'm still a X-Channel virgin, at least as skipper, but in my musings, I thought that it mightn't be a bad idea to bung in a couple of waypoints, a mile or so out and a mile east of the east entrance and west of the west entrance, then at about 10 miles out decide which way the tide's going to be running at eta and aim for the uptide waypoint, changing to eyeball pilotage as I approach.

In a boat that cruises around 4kts, it that sensible?
 
Personally, I'd just use Fort de L'Ouest and Fort de L'Est as the waypoints rather than adding extra ones....... no point making things too complicated, especially if something goes pear-shaped and you need to change the plan in a hurry.

Guess it all depends what sort of nav-aids you're using. Our first X Channel trip was made using paper charts, a tidal atlas and a Dinghy Decca, which only had a single waypoint. Somehow, we got there just as easy (if not easier) than when we use multi waypoints on the present Garmin 128.....
 
[ QUOTE ]
Don't attempt to cross the shipping lanes in fog (even with Radar)


[/ QUOTE ] You may not cross shipping lanes in fog with radar but I would never give that advice. When you are there and 'in it' you just have to get on and deal with it. Some people are very competent in the use of radar.
 
This has been covered quite a few times, and some good advice here. Best time for departure for a novice crew may be an hour before sunrise so that you don't have to contend with night sailing which can be an anxious time for some

As others say, set a course and don't worry about keeping to the track. An XTE of 12 miles is ok springs and about 7 miles neaps. The biggest challenge apart from it being a bit boring is the shipping lanes. Make sure the helm knows how to use a hand-bearing compass to assess whether a collision risk exists

Start navigating for Cherbourg once through the shipping lanes and stay uptide - use either entrance to Cherbourg but stay uptide. Don't follow a waypoint into Cherbourg, but anticipate what the tide will do for the last few hours and compensate - aim to be a mile uptide until you're in about 30m depth when you can straighten the approach and head direct in the slackening tide

Fog is a worry so use the time between now and the trip to become competent using it in fair weather. We've entered Cherbourg outer harbour in blind viz without seeing either side and without undue concern

Good luck, you'll be pleased with yourself! Here's a crossing we did at spring tides by way of illustration

Channel10_10.jpg
 
Sorry Lady in Bed, for my imprecise use of english. I assumed too much from the context of the question

Delete " do not attempt to cross shipping lanes in fog, (even with Radar)"

Replace with " as a first timer do not attempt to cross Channel in fog, or forecast fog, because of the danger of crossing shipping lanes (even if you have radar, unless of course you have competent radar operator on board who can be spared from all other crew duties to concentrate on the radar screen, in which case it may or may not be safe to cross dependent on whether you, and your Radar targets, fully understand the subtle variations of the Col Regs as they apply in poor visibility )
 
You don't say if you have ever been into Cherbourg before but if not you should be aware that the pontoon fingers are very low and short and at 43' will not even reach your beam They do not have cleats just a hoop at the end.

Most inexperienced crews rig long lines from the stern and then have all sorts of trouble as the boat blows off before they can get sorted out.

The best thing is to use a short 4m or so line from a centre cleat that can be quickly threaded through the loop and back to the cleat. Then when you are secure you can sort yourself out with springs etc

Rig fenders much further forward and lower than you would normally use but also have a couple on the beam and higher to protect craft alongside

Finally water hoses at Cherbourg are like hens teeth, be sure to take your own.

Apologies if you knew all this, I wish someone had told me before we went the first time many years ago
 
Thank you all for such wonderful advice. This is so helpful and allows me to pick up so many hints and tips.
Subject to safe journey I will report back in after the trip with all my tales of daring do.
All your helpful replies just demonstrate and highlight the full value of such a sailing forum
 
Good point about the short pontoons and hoops at end. With our 43 we use bow rope and mid cleat but instruct crew to take the doubled up rope around the hoop and do a half hitch to quickly secure the boat in any cross wind. with just 2 of us we don't bother initially taking the rope back. Once secured with breat ropes then sort out springs and take breast ropes back on board.

Last time there an identical 43' tied up alongside us but they came stern to. With the walk through rear platform crew gently stepped ashore with the stern rope, quickly tied it to cleat then walked forward to take the bow rope. No jumping off high topsides onto short wobbly pontoons! Guess which way we will be doing it this weekend?

You never too experienced or too old to learn!!
 
Reversing in is fine if the wind is aft of the beam, but potential for very red face if its at all strong and forward of it!!!
 
While we're on the subject can somebody remind me of the customs formalities and courtesy flag etiquette for a British yacht visiting the Channel Islands either directly or via France.
 
We thought so too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

SWMBO would be flattered at your description! Mind I'm not sure we would have tried it with only one berth to aim at, two empty berths was not too bad. But it is much easier to step ashore at the stern at all times. Just one precaution - make sure the seat is clipped on very securely when you leave, they are £250 each. Guess how I found out?
 
Many thanks for your most comprehensive reply.
Managed to get a copy of August PBO yesterday and it really is a great article on planning the trip
Will also look out for the September edition but I am finding that the replies from the readers are so informative.
Kind Regards
 
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