Cherbourg to Guernsey

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Trying to plot a "sensible" route from Cherbourg to Guernsey, where the major objective is no spilt drinks.

I see HW +2 1/2 hours suggested as the best time to hit the race, but what about Cap de la Hague (as in: what distance to aim to go around: how far off makes sense?)

ta,
dv.
 
Aim to reach Cap de la Hague at slack water with the tide about to begin its SW run.

Don't handrail the Cap - there are overfalls on that side of the mid channel between the Cap and Alderney, so travel westish over towards Alderney, turning SW to bypass Race Rock and Alderney South Banks.

The SE coast of Alderney points towards the Little Russel, as does the current.
 
If I arrive early at the Cap I take the inshore route between the land and the lighthouse.
You don't see many Brits going behind the lighthouse but lots of French do.
Invariably it is close to high tide when going South so plenty of depth.
Not for the fainthearted but it is very calm with no overfalls.
 
FlowerPower said:
Trying to plot a "sensible" route from Cherbourg to Guernsey, where the major objective is no spilt drinks.

I see HW +2 1/2 hours suggested as the best time to hit the race, but what about Cap de la Hague (as in: what distance to aim to go around: how far off makes sense?)

ta,
dv.
Click to expand...
Phone Alderney HM and ask them. They can look out the window and see whats going on ! Just remind them you are power and not sail.
To give a bit more flexibility, you could always head for Braye, take a break and wait for the tide and then nip through the Swinge, keeping CLOSE into the island. Pretty amazing seeing the race from up the hill if you've never seen it. I waa thinking, holy cow, I am not going into that !
F4-6 had been blowing when we left Cherbourg back late Spring, and never mind about spilling drinks off the Cap..pee*ng your pants was a more likely event that day ;)
Mind you, that was just the intro to the next few weeks boating, so perhaps it was a good training day.
 
don't forget you can leave cherb early as there is a back eddy close inshore.

Oh ! i've never managed to have a smooth ride down the race. best bet is to use your eyes to see where the worst part is and miss it. it doesn't last long.

ormonville (sp) between the cap and cherb is a nice place to stop for a bit of lunch if you have time.
 
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Well, that didn't go to plan at all.

23 miles out, bouncing along at 20kts into a F4, bit of a swell running, but nothing that an S28 can't handle comfortably.

Then ...

Swmbo says "What's that noise?"

It sounds like someone blowing a novelty whistle. In fact it's the bilge alarm. Lift the hatch, and O dear, it's awash with lots of salty water :eek::eek::eek: Quick recce and the source of the water is identified as the heat exchanger end cap AGAIN. Choices are to shut down the sick engine and take hours getting back, or pump as you cruise.

To swmbo: "We're not exactly sinking, but you drive the boat and I'll man the pumps"
To mini-swmbo: "One of our engines is poorly, so we're going back home"

Currently back safely in Sparkes, getting somewhat inebriated.
 
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