Topcat47
Well-Known Member
Methinks you meant “Bon voyage”. As usual, it was a great pleasure to attend (Thank you Dom& co) and meet the faces behind the names. When’s neaps next year?
Cherbourg Scuttlebutt September 2018
- Thread starter Angele
- Start date
SimonFa
Well-Known Member
My family get together was as dreary as expected and made a by more tolerable by the weather being so grim, still I'd rather have been with your guys.
For security I've reset everyone to "withdrawn" and disabled login and registration until the 2019 dates have been confirmed.
Neaps next year are Sunday 8 Sept & Tue 24 Sept.
I'm guessing Sat 21 Sept will be the preferred date as early Sept tends to clash with things like getting kids back to Uni.
For security I've reset everyone to "withdrawn" and disabled login and registration until the 2019 dates have been confirmed.
Neaps next year are Sunday 8 Sept & Tue 24 Sept.
I'm guessing Sat 21 Sept will be the preferred date as early Sept tends to clash with things like getting kids back to Uni.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
Well it was quite a fast ride. Left The Folly at about 3.15 and arrived at the Cherbourg entrance at 5am. Would have been faster if I did not have to punch some time at Hurst.
Currently berthed in Q22. Where are you? I am having problems with internet on my phone so will be reliant on the free wifi.
Currently berthed in Q22. Where are you? I am having problems with internet on my phone so will be reliant on the free wifi.
Topcat47
Well-Known Member
SimonFa;6556503 Neaps next year are Sunday 8 Sept & Tue 24 Sept. I'm guessing Sat 21 Sept will be the preferred date as early Sept tends to clash with things like getting kids back to Uni.[/QUOTE said:
colhel
Well-Known Member
That is a good time! How was the crossing?
PhillM
Well-Known Member
Its more the other way around. Speaking as a now Uni teacher .... for example induction started 17th September this year at some institutions and this week at others. So the earlier date would work best for me (with work) and with settling in the kids to their Uni's.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
Not the most comfortable as the wave motion was quite eratic. But that what I expected as running in a breeze will always involve some motion. At time the waves were 1 to 1½ meters on the quarter and made the autopilot come off course. Getting food and using the loo were never going to be easy. The biggest challange was how cold it got overnight. Being well wrapped up and in wet weather gear, I never felt cold. As usual my Fulmar handled the wind and waves beautifully, and perhaps if it had been a daylight trip I could have cut some time out of the passage.
Topcat47
Well-Known Member
Bon Voyage home.......
Jemini
New Member
the earlier date gives us more daylight hours - I can post the date of the RORC race to Cherbourg if needed, as I receive their Annual yearbook for 2019.
chrishscorp
Well-Known Member
Yes the earlier date would be more suited to us.
chubby
Well-Known Member
I would go for the earlier date: likely better weather, ferries still running, more options re leaving the boat and surely uni term starts later in September in most places?
chubby
Well-Known Member
Thanks to everyone for their company and organisation!
I had a great time despite the weather, indeed if not for the rally I would not have gone near the boat last weekend, yet it was good practice coping with adverse weather and quite cosy battening down the hatches during the rain! As it was I had a brilliant sail on Sunday afternoon from Cowes to Newtown and back to Portsmouth on Monday, actually sailing not motor sailing, which I would have missed if I had stayed at home.
Thanks for your hospitality and hope to meet you all next year!
I had a great time despite the weather, indeed if not for the rally I would not have gone near the boat last weekend, yet it was good practice coping with adverse weather and quite cosy battening down the hatches during the rain! As it was I had a brilliant sail on Sunday afternoon from Cowes to Newtown and back to Portsmouth on Monday, actually sailing not motor sailing, which I would have missed if I had stayed at home.
Thanks for your hospitality and hope to meet you all next year!
Blue Sunray
Well-Known Member
Freshers' week seems to have been last week in a few and this week in the majority so not by much even for the start of lectures.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
For those who were at the rally. I have sailed to Le Havre and am now in Dieppe (well mainly motor sailed due to lack of wind). Tomorrow I am heading for Calais, but may duck into Bolougne if the 75 mile beat is tough. Should be home at Chatham on Sunday.
DJE
Well-Known Member
Have a good trip. See you next year?
chrishscorp
Well-Known Member
Have a safe trip.
KREW2
Well-Known Member
Three boats, and six crew, four of whom are forum members manged our own little rally in Cherbourg last week.
We hoped to stay for 4/5 days but the forecast was not encouraging for a later return, and we all needed to be back for different reasons.
I would prefer an earlier trip, as our club liftout is done over a three day period on the first spring tide of October, thus the dates are cast in stone.
We hoped to stay for 4/5 days but the forecast was not encouraging for a later return, and we all needed to be back for different reasons.
I would prefer an earlier trip, as our club liftout is done over a three day period on the first spring tide of October, thus the dates are cast in stone.
chubby
Well-Known Member
have a good trip and thanks for your company and advice
Concerto
Well-Known Member
Well I am back home now. The trip to Calais was shortened to Boulogne as the tide was against me and I finally arrived at 23.30 (UK time). The beat itself was lumpy to start with and the winds ranged from 18 knots to 33 knots over the deck, so reefs were the order of the day until later. For the end of September it was relatively warm and enjoyable sail, even though I decided to and steer for about 80% of the time.
Then I changed my plans and decided to head back to Ramsgate. This meant a short time to walk in the Saturday market. The sail turned out to be one of the most enjoyable of the season. It was much warmer, sunny, with a gentle breeze from the NE and I remained on one tack all the way. After rounding the SW Goodwin, I had a 40 ft yacht to my windward. Naturally I took a photo and some video as it seemed he was also heading for Ramsgate. He took a long time to pass me as I went into race mode. When we were off Sandwich he was about 30 boat lengths ahead, then the wind dropped and became variable. With concentration I managed to play the wind and slowly closed the gap and finally passed him. Once we were about 3 miles from Ramsgate he was about 30 boat lengths astern and he then decided to motor. About a quarter of an hour later I started motoring. Once berthed I went and had a chat with them. It was a sail training boat from Calais and he admitted I was sailing extremely well to keep up with them. He had never been given any photos, let alone any video, of his boat sailing - it made his day. He even asked me to join them for a Thai meal, but alas I had fresh food I needed to cook, so had to decline his generous offer.
The final day was one of agrivation. I went to pay my harbour dues, only to find the office at the top of the ramp was now closed for the winter. It directed you to the marina office, which again was locked. So I then walked to the Harbour Office and that only opened weekdays. Then I tried phoning the telephone number and no one answered. What a way to run a marina! So I left without paying. This delay meant I had to punch more tide to North Foreland. The wind was reasonable to sail by but not fast. My route was to head north, roughly my close hauled course, to pick up the Princes Channel up the Thames. This took longer than planned due to more tide to punch and finally tacked westward, but laying the course I needed. With plenty of distance before I needed to tack, I decided the make a sandwich. The wind unexpectedly backed about 50 degrees to roughly due west. Oh bugg...... Naturally I was now approaching the narrowest part of the channel and as several ships coming from both directions, decided to use the iron sail. It had turned quite bitter in the wind now, such a change from the previous day. Eventually the wind veered to NW and I could just hold a close hauled line for Sheerness. However the wind was not kind and I was forced to do a 200 meter tack just to get round Garrison Point. The wind had then increased to 22 knots over the deck and cracking the sheets meant a woosh in speed, then the wind just dropped to 7 knots. The tide was flowing out the Medway at about 2 knots and it was getting dark, so on went the engine again. Finally arrive back in Chatham at 8.30. After locking in, tidying the boat, packing my bags and getting to my car it was now 10pm.
My fortnight away was enjoyable despite having adverse winds most of the time. I met some wonderful people, Scuttlebutts included. Will I try for the next event, try and stop me.
Then I changed my plans and decided to head back to Ramsgate. This meant a short time to walk in the Saturday market. The sail turned out to be one of the most enjoyable of the season. It was much warmer, sunny, with a gentle breeze from the NE and I remained on one tack all the way. After rounding the SW Goodwin, I had a 40 ft yacht to my windward. Naturally I took a photo and some video as it seemed he was also heading for Ramsgate. He took a long time to pass me as I went into race mode. When we were off Sandwich he was about 30 boat lengths ahead, then the wind dropped and became variable. With concentration I managed to play the wind and slowly closed the gap and finally passed him. Once we were about 3 miles from Ramsgate he was about 30 boat lengths astern and he then decided to motor. About a quarter of an hour later I started motoring. Once berthed I went and had a chat with them. It was a sail training boat from Calais and he admitted I was sailing extremely well to keep up with them. He had never been given any photos, let alone any video, of his boat sailing - it made his day. He even asked me to join them for a Thai meal, but alas I had fresh food I needed to cook, so had to decline his generous offer.
The final day was one of agrivation. I went to pay my harbour dues, only to find the office at the top of the ramp was now closed for the winter. It directed you to the marina office, which again was locked. So I then walked to the Harbour Office and that only opened weekdays. Then I tried phoning the telephone number and no one answered. What a way to run a marina! So I left without paying. This delay meant I had to punch more tide to North Foreland. The wind was reasonable to sail by but not fast. My route was to head north, roughly my close hauled course, to pick up the Princes Channel up the Thames. This took longer than planned due to more tide to punch and finally tacked westward, but laying the course I needed. With plenty of distance before I needed to tack, I decided the make a sandwich. The wind unexpectedly backed about 50 degrees to roughly due west. Oh bugg...... Naturally I was now approaching the narrowest part of the channel and as several ships coming from both directions, decided to use the iron sail. It had turned quite bitter in the wind now, such a change from the previous day. Eventually the wind veered to NW and I could just hold a close hauled line for Sheerness. However the wind was not kind and I was forced to do a 200 meter tack just to get round Garrison Point. The wind had then increased to 22 knots over the deck and cracking the sheets meant a woosh in speed, then the wind just dropped to 7 knots. The tide was flowing out the Medway at about 2 knots and it was getting dark, so on went the engine again. Finally arrive back in Chatham at 8.30. After locking in, tidying the boat, packing my bags and getting to my car it was now 10pm.
My fortnight away was enjoyable despite having adverse winds most of the time. I met some wonderful people, Scuttlebutts included. Will I try for the next event, try and stop me.
laurie the sailer
Active Member
Well done mate
Left you for Brighton. Got in 2300. I let the tide set me towards owers then picked up the early tide
Left Brighton 0530 and carried the tide all the way to ramsgate
Sat out the ne 6 . Left 0600 Saturday home in Rochester by 1500. Total year trip 2.6 km
Pleased your home home ok
See you on the water some time
And thanks for the chat
Have fun
Left you for Brighton. Got in 2300. I let the tide set me towards owers then picked up the early tide
Left Brighton 0530 and carried the tide all the way to ramsgate
Sat out the ne 6 . Left 0600 Saturday home in Rochester by 1500. Total year trip 2.6 km
Pleased your home home ok
See you on the water some time
And thanks for the chat
Have fun