wizard
Well-known member
Thanks for the offer T - a true forumite but I unfortunately I did not log in to the forum until this morning (Sat)
Cherbourg Scuttlebutt Cruise 2014
- Thread starter Sailfree
- Start date
Thanks for the offer T - a true forumite but I unfortunately I did not log in to the forum until this morning (Sat)
Angele
Active member
Angele is back in Blighty. A character forming crossing. Note to self: wear foulie trousers next time -it is the sensible thing to do when waves are coming over the coach roof.
Thanks to everyone for great company. Special thanks to Sailfree for organising a great rally, and also to Fergus for his part (hope your Mum is recovering).
Thanks to everyone for great company. Special thanks to Sailfree for organising a great rally, and also to Fergus for his part (hope your Mum is recovering).
RadiumRob
Member
Arabis is back too, we had a fantastic return trip to Portland with the occasional cockpit drenching to remind us that exhilaration comes with a price.
This was our first scuttlebutt cruise and we enjoyed it immensely; would highly recommend anyone considering it to take the plunge next year.
Thanks, Sailfree, for organising a fantastic rally. And compliments to the yacht club for providing a great meal with service to match.
This was our first scuttlebutt cruise and we enjoyed it immensely; would highly recommend anyone considering it to take the plunge next year.
Thanks, Sailfree, for organising a fantastic rally. And compliments to the yacht club for providing a great meal with service to match.
dom
Well-known member
Yes great trip back; wind stayed in the East and blew a mid F6 which was perfect.
Many thanks to Sailfree for all of the effort - w/e worked like clockwork and I never knew that Sailfree's boat could seat 30+ people in comfort!
Many thanks to Sailfree for all of the effort - w/e worked like clockwork and I never knew that Sailfree's boat could seat 30+ people in comfort!
the-drifter
New member
We go back safely, recovered from 40knt winds large 2m swells, only to arrive in Poole with perfect conditions, very scary for a newbie to sailing , but experienced gained. thanks Roger for organizing, it was good too meet other members. look forward t the next event.
Talulah
Well-known member
Many thanks Roger for organising. Talulah back in Gosport.
Apart from the boat show next weekend that's the season pretty well over.
(I couldn't help but notice on the return trip some peoples VHF comms weren't text book.)
Apart from the boat show next weekend that's the season pretty well over.
(I couldn't help but notice on the return trip some peoples VHF comms weren't text book.)
Giblets
Well-known member
The evacuation of Cherbourg is almost complete!
Dabchick & Lady In Red have just left (followed by the Customs cutter!) leaving Kalita to carry out a rear guard action on behalf of the forum. 'Tiz a hard life but someone has to do it!
We plan one last sortie round the town and then will be slipping out tomorrow morning.
Dabchick & Lady In Red have just left (followed by the Customs cutter!) leaving Kalita to carry out a rear guard action on behalf of the forum. 'Tiz a hard life but someone has to do it!
We plan one last sortie round the town and then will be slipping out tomorrow morning.
Sailfree
Well-known member
Thanks to those that managed to attend and glad you enjoyed it. Its nice to be more inclusive but 40-50 people appears to be a good number and enables all to mix. Unfortunately there are always a few that can't make it due to either boat or family problems. For those I hope things quickly get better.
While not too hot there was enough sunshine over the weekend for most and no rain.
I think everyone appreciated the new marina shower toilet facilities and refurbished Cherbourg YC - certainly up there with the best now.
Special thanks to prv (Pete) who generously donated the two buckets of beer bottles as beer appeared in great demand this year and Janes Buoy was unusually drunk dry of beer! Will make sure we have more on board for next year.
Always welcome suggestions to improve the event but current arrangements seem to receive the approval of most. Thanks to Dom & crew (Mark & Andrea) who made the sacrifice to sample wine at both Normandy Wines and another Cave. I will check out the other Cave as it may be a better venue for 2015. In addition to trying to make sure we have the wine tasting a bit earlier next yr - say about 11.30/12.00 Whatever is arranged I will add a clear timetable/venue to the spreadsheet for 2015. A number of our party phoned Normandy wines and were given the earlier time that was intended for Parkstone YC!
For some strange reason some of my crew were not all bouncy and ready to leave at 08.00BST on Sunday! Finally left a little late for an exhilarating sail back. Did most of journey a 8kts with 2 reefs in main and only a handkerchief of a Genoa out.
Bit concerned about getting to my new Poole berth at LW but scrapped in with depth alarm going off.
Passed one smaller boat that appeared to be heading in UK direction but was being bounced around a bit and it turned back to Cherbourg about 6ml outside Cherbourg Was it one of ours?
While not too hot there was enough sunshine over the weekend for most and no rain.
I think everyone appreciated the new marina shower toilet facilities and refurbished Cherbourg YC - certainly up there with the best now.
Special thanks to prv (Pete) who generously donated the two buckets of beer bottles as beer appeared in great demand this year and Janes Buoy was unusually drunk dry of beer! Will make sure we have more on board for next year.
Always welcome suggestions to improve the event but current arrangements seem to receive the approval of most. Thanks to Dom & crew (Mark & Andrea) who made the sacrifice to sample wine at both Normandy Wines and another Cave. I will check out the other Cave as it may be a better venue for 2015. In addition to trying to make sure we have the wine tasting a bit earlier next yr - say about 11.30/12.00 Whatever is arranged I will add a clear timetable/venue to the spreadsheet for 2015. A number of our party phoned Normandy wines and were given the earlier time that was intended for Parkstone YC!
For some strange reason some of my crew were not all bouncy and ready to leave at 08.00BST on Sunday! Finally left a little late for an exhilarating sail back. Did most of journey a 8kts with 2 reefs in main and only a handkerchief of a Genoa out.
Bit concerned about getting to my new Poole berth at LW but scrapped in with depth alarm going off.
Passed one smaller boat that appeared to be heading in UK direction but was being bounced around a bit and it turned back to Cherbourg about 6ml outside Cherbourg Was it one of ours?
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Pinnacle
Well-known member
Roger
Many thanks for organising another great weekend. We got back after a brisk crossing, but as we parked the boat there was almost no wind! Very odd!
Many thanks for organising another great weekend. We got back after a brisk crossing, but as we parked the boat there was almost no wind! Very odd!
PaulMcC
New member
Thanks Roger. Great to meet you and some other forumites and really appreciate the organisational effort.
We had a really fun sail back too and the crew were less ill than on the way over so it was enjoyed by the whole boat not just me. Only downside was by the time I got tied up in Southampton I was so tired that I managed to hit my head on the car door getting in!
We had a really fun sail back too and the crew were less ill than on the way over so it was enjoyed by the whole boat not just me. Only downside was by the time I got tied up in Southampton I was so tired that I managed to hit my head on the car door getting in!
Cristal edge
New member
X channel virgin completed this weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it and expect to be back for more fun in September 2015. Was lovely to meet lots of new 'sea dogs'. Highly recommend this to everyone except for the early start on Sunday to cross the channel feeling a little ropey in force 6. Made record time to get home. See ya all next year. :encouragement:
LadyInBed
Well-known member
Anchored Studland 20:00.
Tracked Chubby back to IoW on AIS.
Good sail back, E5 but it all disappeared about 10mls off Old Harry, so motored in.
Another great meet - thanks Roger.
Tracked Chubby back to IoW on AIS.
Good sail back, E5 but it all disappeared about 10mls off Old Harry, so motored in.
Another great meet - thanks Roger.
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Sailfree
Well-known member
One of my crew (that had never sailed before) was very sea sick on the way over. I was recommended Mer Calm which is anti sea sickness and added caffeine to reduce tiredness effect. I was told that they are only available in France over the counter but not sure if true or may be different constituents in UK version.
A few took them and pleased to report no one on my boat was sea sick on return journey.
A few took them and pleased to report no one on my boat was sea sick on return journey.
KREW2
Well-known member
We saw the customs following Chubby and Nigel, then it turned and headed for us. At one stage it looked as though they were going to pull along side. At 30/40 meters off our stern they swung to port and headed off, so we didn't have to dump our stash.
Got back safely at 17.30. set off at 07.00 bst, but had trouble raising the main sail, so didn't leave the harbour until 08.00 had a lively start with 22 knot gusts, and a few soakings, 10 miles south of the Shambles so little wind we dropped the genoa and motored the rest of the way.
Lovely time, and thanks to Roger for all his effort.
Sailfree
Well-known member
Just realised I did not raise a toast for all (not just skippers) Cross channel Virgins - Must tie a knot in something to remind me for next year.
Glad you and so many others enjoyed it - makes the organisation effort worthwhile
chubby
Well-known member
Roger, thanks for organising a great event, I am sure we all appreciate your efforts as well as running your own ship. It was great to have a cross channel trip to look forward to having done our main cruise in early July and without an organised event I probably would have stayed on his side of the channel. You were a great pontoon party host and the YC did us proud, so much so that the rear guard when back on Sunday evening, just don`t ask Nigel about the Androulette!
Dabchick, having outrun the customs cutter off Cherbourg had an uneventful trip back with F4/5 reach to begin dropping off near the English shore, a quiet night back in Totland bay and a lie in until the tide turned to the east mid morning. A bit off a slog up the Solent, despite a fair tide the wind over tide slop kept stopping the boat when beating and with Topcat47s advice gentlemen don't beat to windward in my ears, on came the engine!
Whilst refuelling at Gosport marina treated to the RN ding circuits and bumps with HMS Westminster, just like a sailing school and the priceless comment of the presumed trainee pilot controlling the tug in a crisp school marm female voice until: tug XXXX push on slow....push on dead slow.....push on a little less than dead slow but not quite stopped....stop...an audible tutt from the tug skipper...guess that is what fenders are for!
Anyway back in time to visit the boat show to day dream!
Dabchick, having outrun the customs cutter off Cherbourg had an uneventful trip back with F4/5 reach to begin dropping off near the English shore, a quiet night back in Totland bay and a lie in until the tide turned to the east mid morning. A bit off a slog up the Solent, despite a fair tide the wind over tide slop kept stopping the boat when beating and with Topcat47s advice gentlemen don't beat to windward in my ears, on came the engine!
Whilst refuelling at Gosport marina treated to the RN ding circuits and bumps with HMS Westminster, just like a sailing school and the priceless comment of the presumed trainee pilot controlling the tug in a crisp school marm female voice until: tug XXXX push on slow....push on dead slow.....push on a little less than dead slow but not quite stopped....stop...an audible tutt from the tug skipper...guess that is what fenders are for!
Anyway back in time to visit the boat show to day dream!
Topcat47
Well-known member
I know I already posted under "Cherbourg Wash up" but we're back now, too. Left Monday morning, accompanied by a pod of harbour porpoises. Snark's 5 knots was obviously not enough to interest them for long but when they were with us, passing under the boat, riding the bow wave and broaching ahead and to the side, it was a magical end to a great weekend. Monday was obviously a good day to chose as the wind over tide effect was much less than on the Thursday crossing and we had a reasonably comfortable trip back to the Needles. Could have slept through the whole crossing on autopilot for all the other vessels we saw. The wind died a little on the UK side so we had to motor-sail the last few hours to make the tidal gate at Needles Fairway but I was pleased to note we hit it on the nose with about half an hour spare.
Thanks again, Sailfree for your hard work in setting it up and running the festivities. The penalty for success, is you get to do it again. Hope we can make it again next year.
By the way, if any of you see Snark in harbour, and I usually fly the scuttlebutt pennant, please come by and say "hi". I usually have a couple of beers on board and a chinwag is always welcome.
Thanks again, Sailfree for your hard work in setting it up and running the festivities. The penalty for success, is you get to do it again. Hope we can make it again next year.
By the way, if any of you see Snark in harbour, and I usually fly the scuttlebutt pennant, please come by and say "hi". I usually have a couple of beers on board and a chinwag is always welcome.
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prv
Well-known member
So does this make us the last ones back, then? 
After leaving Cherbourg at lunchtime on Sunday, we sailed round to Beaucette for our first ever arrival in Guernsey. Had dinner on the rolly moorings outside while waiting for enough depth to enter. Got taken for a recce of the entrance by the harbourmaster in his dory, then in we went. I wasn't bothered (just pictured the entrance as a marina lock) but Chris said afterwards if he'd been on the helm he'd have bottled it and gone to StPP
From Beaucette to Herm, and then Sark, both lovely. Worried my crew by looking at the old ladder at Havre Gosselin, till we discovered the little quay round the corner. Outran the grockles on Sark, had the place to ourselves until we turned to come back.
Couple of nights in St Peter Port. OK, but decided we should have spent the time at Herm and Sark instead. New walk-ashore bridge to the harbour pontoons very welcome.
Up to Alderney on Thursday; with very light wind and dead neaps I decided to have a first trip through the Swinge even though we weren't at slack water - turns out it still manages some respectable overfalls even with only 2 knots
Night in Braye. Dinner at the aptly-named First and Last - a box now ticked, but at the price I doubt we'll be back. Moorings mega-rolly after a week of easterlies, but since we weren't trying to do anything on board except drink hot chocolate, look at the stars, and then go to bed, this didn't bother us at all.
Crossed back on Friday with limited visibility for most of the way - varying between 1 and 1.5 miles as measured by radar range to other vessels. First real proper use of radar (was using AIS as well) and feel a little more practiced with it now. In through the Needles, with our stopping place mostly determined by the progress of dinner - the dauphinoise potatoes (inspired by the Cherbourg dinner) started looking nearly done as we were approaching Beaulieu, so that's where we anchored for the night. Along with the potatoes was roast gammon and broccoli, followed by apple crumble - we'd originally brought a bag of apples as snacks but instead mostly eaten unhealthy stuff, as was ever the way.
This morning we chugged round Calshot and up Southampton water, moored up and boat thoroughly cleaned and put away by 1pm. Now back home, washing in the machine, and looking forward to my own bed tonight
Thanks for another good Scuttlebutt Cherbourg (which seems ages ago now ) - and if you didn't carry on to the Channel Islands for the following week (which I don't think anybody did) then I think you've missed out!
Pete
After leaving Cherbourg at lunchtime on Sunday, we sailed round to Beaucette for our first ever arrival in Guernsey. Had dinner on the rolly moorings outside while waiting for enough depth to enter. Got taken for a recce of the entrance by the harbourmaster in his dory, then in we went. I wasn't bothered (just pictured the entrance as a marina lock) but Chris said afterwards if he'd been on the helm he'd have bottled it and gone to StPP
From Beaucette to Herm, and then Sark, both lovely. Worried my crew by looking at the old ladder at Havre Gosselin, till we discovered the little quay round the corner
. Outran the grockles on Sark, had the place to ourselves until we turned to come back.Couple of nights in St Peter Port. OK, but decided we should have spent the time at Herm and Sark instead. New walk-ashore bridge to the harbour pontoons very welcome.
Up to Alderney on Thursday; with very light wind and dead neaps I decided to have a first trip through the Swinge even though we weren't at slack water - turns out it still manages some respectable overfalls even with only 2 knots
Night in Braye. Dinner at the aptly-named First and Last - a box now ticked, but at the price I doubt we'll be back. Moorings mega-rolly after a week of easterlies, but since we weren't trying to do anything on board except drink hot chocolate, look at the stars, and then go to bed, this didn't bother us at all.
Crossed back on Friday with limited visibility for most of the way - varying between 1 and 1.5 miles as measured by radar range to other vessels. First real proper use of radar (was using AIS as well) and feel a little more practiced with it now. In through the Needles, with our stopping place mostly determined by the progress of dinner - the dauphinoise potatoes (inspired by the Cherbourg dinner) started looking nearly done as we were approaching Beaulieu, so that's where we anchored for the night. Along with the potatoes was roast gammon and broccoli, followed by apple crumble - we'd originally brought a bag of apples as snacks but instead mostly eaten unhealthy stuff, as was ever the way
.This morning we chugged round Calshot and up Southampton water, moored up and boat thoroughly cleaned and put away by 1pm. Now back home, washing in the machine, and looking forward to my own bed tonight
Thanks for another good Scuttlebutt Cherbourg (which seems ages ago now
) - and if you didn't carry on to the Channel Islands for the following week (which I don't think anybody did) then I think you've missed out! Pete
Angele
Active member
Thanks for another good Scuttlebutt Cherbourg (which seems ages ago now
Pete
... well we did it the other way round: CI and ports on west coast of the Cotentin peninsula first, ending up in Cherbourg for the rally. I would like to do the same next year.
I understand that the choice of dates for the rally has traditionally been determined by a weekend with neap tides. Just picked up the Cherbourg 2015 tide times at the boat show yesterday, so here are the tidal coefficients next September so that the (non-)organisers can pick the date (or will this forevermore be determined by Parkstone Yacht Club rally dates
):Sat 5 September 2015: AM coefficient 71, PM 62 (so midway between springs and neaps. Large springs on Monday 31st August, mean neaps on Monday 7th)
Sat 12: AM 79, PM 82 (nearer mean springs)
Sat 19: AM 67, PM 62 (midway)
Sat 26: AM 82, PM 90 (close to mean springs, with a big spring tide on the following Tuesday)
Personally, the tidal conditions for a Channel crossing aren't really an issue, but I understand the logic of going for neaps for newbies. The tidal conditions round Cap de la Hague for an extended cruise are, however, a big issue and so my choice as to whether to have my week's cruise before or after the 2015 Scuttlebutt rally will be heavily influenced by them. If trying to avoid big springs, then the tidal coefficients above suggest that the middle two weekends are best; the spring tide on Monday 14/Tuesday 15 is a relatively small one.
The sooner Sailfree and Fergus select the dates for 2015 the sooner I can get on with arranging crew. If I can give people more than a month or two notice, hopefully there will be more than just the two of us next time.
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Sailfree
Well-known member
... Well we did it the other way round: Ci and ports on west coast of the cotentin peninsula first, ending up in cherbourg for the rally. I would like to do the same next year.
I understand that the choice of dates for the rally has traditionally been determined by a weekend with neap tides. Just picked up the cherbourg 2015 tide times at the boat show yesterday, so here are the tidal coefficients next september so that the (non-)organisers can pick the date (or will this forevermore be determined by parkstone yacht club rally dates
Sat 5 september 2015: Am coefficient 71, pm 62 (so midway between springs and neaps. Large springs on monday 31st august, mean neaps on monday 7th)
sat 12: Am 79, pm 82 (nearer mean springs)
sat 19: Am 67, pm 62 (midway)
sat 26: Am 82, pm 90 (close to mean springs, with a big spring tide on the following tuesday)
personally, the tidal conditions for a channel crossing aren't really an issue, but i understand the logic of going for neaps for newbies. The tidal conditions round cap de la hague for an extended cruise are, however, a big issue and so my choice as to whether to have my week's cruise before or after the 2015 scuttlebutt rally will be heavily influenced by them. If trying to avoid big springs, then the tidal coefficients above suggest that the middle two weekends are best; the spring tide on monday 14/tuesday 15 is a relatively small one.
The sooner sailfree and fergus select the dates for 2015 the sooner i can get on with arranging crew. If i can give people more than a month or two notice, hopefully there will be more than just the two of us next time.
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