Crossing channel in single engine boat

[Nick120180]

Dear all, I'm looking for a little advice.

I am currently purchasing an Antares 8.80 with 300hp Suzuki. The boat is only 2 years old but I am wondering if it is viewed as 'safe' to cross the channel to France or Jersey (from Southampton) in a single engined boat. I understand modern 4 strokes are very reliable but I have that slight nervousness of being stuck in water too deep to anchor. I have owned smaller boats but have never been further than 15 miles from shore.
The boat will have EPIRB, Life raft, Fixed VHF, Portable VHF, Flares, Satellite Phone, GPS, Tow rope, Anchor, life Jackets, Drogue and basic spares for the engine. I am relative DIY capable and will be getting basic engine maintenance training.
I will have done the day skipper course, along with powerboat 1 and 2 and VHF operator licence. Obviously the boat will be fully insured and UK registered.
Does this seem like a safe enough endeavour? Anything else I should consider?
Also, worse case scenario and the engine did conk out in the middle of the shipping lane, what is standard practice. Do I release a Pan Pan straight away?
Last but not least is there an off shore recovery service (Seastart is only 3m I believe) so I wouldn't need to call out the lifeboat?
Thanking you all in advance.

 

[sorabain]

Dear all, I'm looking for a little advice.

I am currently purchasing an Antares 8.80 with 300hp Suzuki. The boat is only 2 years old but I am wondering if it is viewed as 'safe' to cross the channel to France or Jersey (from Southampton) in a single engined boat. I understand modern 4 strokes are very reliable but I have that slight nervousness of being stuck in water too deep to anchor. I have owned smaller boats but have never been further than 15 miles from shore.
The boat will have EPIRB, Life raft, Fixed VHF, Portable VHF, Flares, Satellite Phone, GPS, Tow rope, Anchor, life Jackets, Drogue and basic spares for the engine. I am relative DIY capable and will be getting basic engine maintenance training.
I will have done the day skipper course, along with powerboat 1 and 2 and VHF operator licence. Obviously the boat will be fully insured and UK registered.
Does this seem like a safe enough endeavour? Anything else I should consider?
Also, worse case scenario and the engine did conk out in the middle of the shipping lane, what is standard practice. Do I release a Pan Pan straight away?
Last but not least is there an off shore recovery service (Seastart is only 3m I believe) so I wouldn't need to call out the lifeboat?
Thanking you all in advance.

It's commonly said that it can be a good idea to go in company, so at least the other boat can tow you away from hazards if not all the way to safety.

With regards to losing the engine in the shipping lane. It'd certainly be wise to announce your problems to all ships as soon as that happens to let the big stuff know that you will not be able to get out of their way.

 

[Oscar24]

As you say, modern four stroke outboards are very reliable.
Would I cross the channel on my own with just one, no.
Would I cross the channel in a group, yes. Safety in numbers....
I'm not sure how much 'fixing' is possible on a rolling boat in the middle of the channel, I suspect not much.
Worst case is you breakdown, but with all your comms and safety kit you can call for help.

 

[[2068]]

VHF range could be 20-25 miles depending on how high up the other station is, so there will be a zone where you won't be in range of anything apart from other ships. Add this to the "where has the land gone" effect, and I'd recommend crossing in company for the first time, as it's a confidence booster.

But a 29ft boat should be perfectly capable of channel crossing in benign weather conditions: it's a similar size to my previous Sealine S28 which went across several times, although that did have twin diesels. Fitting a small auxiliary outboard should provide enough thrust to stop you drifting into a shipping lane until a proper tow arrives.

 

[Momac]

I would feel a need to test the boat thoroughly on less adventurous journeys but including some reasonable runs. Also to fully service the engine. I would be doing this also with twin engines. Once reliability is proven I don't see a single engine as a significant risk.

Travelling in company adds confidence but preferably you need to be with another boat of similar cruising speed.
You don't list AIS or Radar .

Does the fuel tank provide adequate range? I presume it does. But just as importantly is petrol available at the waterside at your destination.

 

[Nick_H]

VHF range could be 20-25 miles depending on how high up the other station is, so there will be a zone where you won't be in range of anything apart from other ships. Add this to the "where has the land gone" effect, and I'd recommend crossing in company for the first time, as it's a confidence booster.

Is there anywhere in the Eastern or central Channel where you can't talk to either UK or French coastguard? I'm sure I remember listening to Solent coastguard not long after leaving Cherbourg?

 

[oldgit]

Suspect the boat is more than capable of doing the journey especially due to the time that the boat would actually be at sea.
A boat as quick as yours could do that trip in fraction of the time it would take me @ 8-10 knots and all you need would be decent weather forecast.
Probably all down to your personal confidence.
A year or so ago on a crossing from Ramsgate to Dunkerque with a comforting group of 50 odd boats for company , we noticed a small rather ancient cabin cruiser about 7m long bobbing out of the harbour at a stately 5 or 6 knots.
We came past him very shortly afterwards not far off shore, on the same heading as us. Perhaps doing a bit of fishing.
Long after our arrival on the other side,this same boat with its solitary skipper chugged into the port at the speed he set out at. !
Talk about confidence.
Agree about doing it company,for more relaxing trip and try to go with a boat capable of keeping up with you.
Poss off to Holland in the summer and making sure that we go in the 8 knot old wheezers group.
Nothing worse than slowcoaches trying to keep up with the pocket rockets or conversely being forced to wait for me when its cutting up rough and all you want to do is to get the hell out of it.

 

[Nick_H]

Also, worse case scenario and the engine did conk out in the middle of the shipping lane, what is standard practice. Do I release a Pan Pan straight away?
Last but not least is there an off shore recovery service (Seastart is only 3m I believe) so I wouldn't need to call out the lifeboat?
Thanking you all in advance.

If you break down in a shipping lane then yes, a Pan Pan straight away imho, unless there's a ship bearing down on you in which case a Mayday. It can always be downgraded. You wouldn't call out a lifeboat, you'd talk to coastguard and they would decide how to rescue you. They may ask another vessel to tow you, or send a lifeboat. I'm not aware of any subscription service that provides offshore rescue.

 

[Keith-i]

Absolutely do-able in a single engined boat imv. Have done similar trips in both a semi displacement 10m mobo and also in my single engined 6.5m rib with Suzuki 200. If you are happy with the condition and reliability of your equipment then go for it. Nice to do it in company though not essential if you are prepared and practical. I know people who have crossed to Alderney from Southampton in 5.85m ribs.

 

[alant]

Dear all, I'm looking for a little advice.

I am currently purchasing an Antares 8.80 with 300hp Suzuki. The boat is only 2 years old but I am wondering if it is viewed as 'safe' to cross the channel to France or Jersey (from Southampton) in a single engined boat. I understand modern 4 strokes are very reliable but I have that slight nervousness of being stuck in water too deep to anchor. I have owned smaller boats but have never been further than 15 miles from shore.
The boat will have EPIRB, Life raft, Fixed VHF, Portable VHF, Flares, Satellite Phone, GPS, Tow rope, Anchor, life Jackets, Drogue and basic spares for the engine. I am relative DIY capable and will be getting basic engine maintenance training.
I will have done the day skipper course, along with powerboat 1 and 2 and VHF operator licence. Obviously the boat will be fully insured and UK registered.
Does this seem like a safe enough endeavour? Anything else I should consider?
Also, worse case scenario and the engine did conk out in the middle of the shipping lane, what is standard practice. Do I release a Pan Pan straight away?
Last but not least is there an off shore recovery service (Seastart is only 3m I believe) so I wouldn't need to call out the lifeboat?
Thanking you all in advance.

Sailing boats do it all the time, when no wind.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I've crossed the channel many times in a single engined boat without many of the items you list in your post. The most important aspect for me was ensuring the engine was in as good a condition as possible.

All my crossings were by myself, i.e. just my boat, all from Exmouth to either the CIs or Cherbourg, cruising at about 12 kts, I guess if I'm truthful I always felt a bit apprehensive when mid channel but that feeling was far exceeded by the sense of achievement in reaching my destination safely.

So I would say go for it, check the weather and give yourself a large enough weather window to make the return crossing in good conditions. One of my most memorable crossings was about 16 years ago, I had my son and a friend of his aboard, his friend was making his first ever foreign trip. We had fabulous conditions, they had just finished their O levels, they thoroughly enjoyed Cherbourg and Alderney, and the return crossing was made truly memorable by encountering a pod of about 20 basking sharks mid way between the shipping lanes. We stopped and they ambled around the boat for about 10 minutes or so, one of those sights I'll never forget.

Have fun.

 

[Nick_H]

One thing I would add is the likelihood of fog in the channel. Several times we left UK or France in clear blue skies and hit heavy fog mid channel. I'd certainly have AIS available, as that picks up all the ships, and if planning to cross regularly by yourself then maybe consider adding a small radome to the roof, if your plotter is compatible.

You'll want very calm conditions to go in a 8m boat, which often coincides with fog.

 

[[2068]]

Is there anywhere in the Eastern or central Channel where you can't talk to either UK or French coastguard? I'm sure I remember listening to Solent coastguard not long after leaving Cherbourg?

Maybe your aerial was mounted higher than mine, but there was a period in the middle where things went very, very, quiet for me. As a test, once I heard Solent CG transmissions, I tried calling them on C67 for a radio check. Again, no response for a while longer. So even if you can hear them, they might not be able to hear you.

The fog is a good point: trying to make your way across a shipping lane in Fog without Radar isn't a good idea. AIS will show up the larger ships, but not many other leisure vessels.

 

[jfm]

A good single engine will be fine. Millions of people do this in twin engine boats, and both engines keep working for the whole trip, so QED.

On radio range I don't think you can answer it generically because it depends on the installation.

I had a factory installed garmin VHF on my current boat and could hear the local signal stations within say 30 miles. 2 yrs ago ago I changed all the cables for uber high quality coax, with new connectors etc, and raised the VHF antenna (when I fitted a hard top), and instantly I could hear stations 100 miles away (ie I can hear Corsica signal stations while I'm in Antibes and vice versa).

Actually for the first ten minutes I was quite impressed with my little DIY upgrade, but now I find it a sodding nuisance!

 

[alant]

A good single engine will be fine. Millions of people do this in twin engine boats, and both engines keep working for the whole trip, so QED.

On radio range I don't think you can answer it generically because it depends on the installation.

I had a factory installed garmin VHF on my current boat and could hear the local signal stations within say 30 miles. 2 yrs ago ago I changed all the cables for uber high quality coax, with new connectors etc, and raised the VHF antenna (when I fitted a hard top), and instantly I could hear stations 100 miles away (ie I can hear Corsica signal stations while I'm in Antibes and vice versa).

Actually for the first ten minutes I was quite impressed with my little DIY upgrade, but now I find it a sodding nuisance!

The Kriegsmarine managed quite well with single engined boats, crossing all the way to Florida, so the Channel should be a doddle.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

You don't mention whether the boat has a get me home engine? A 2nd small outboard, say 5hp or better 10hp, fixed to its own mounting plate on the transom, would be insurance in case your main engine failed. I've crossed the Channel many times albeit in twin engined boats and IMHO the biggest danger you will face is avoiding the big ships in the shipping lanes. The big ships will likely not even see you and probably be unable to avoid you if you come to a halt in front of them so a small outboard that can be quickly deployed might save the day. It would be a good idea to have an independent fuel tank for this engine too in case fuel contamination is what causes the main engine to fail. It goes without saying that you should test this set up before you cross the Channel

The other item I would not cross the Channel without is radar. As NickH says, the likelihood that you'll meet fog mid Channel is quite high especially early in the season and especially since you'll be looking for a calm day to make the crossing anyway. One of the scariest boating experiences I've ever had was coming back from the Channel Islands in fog and the radar packing up in the shipping lanes. Trying to listen for the sound signals of big ships and encountering the wakes of big ships which you didnt know were there was terrifying especially as this was one of our first crossings. If you do get a radar learn how to use it and practice in good viz so you get a perspective of how far away targets you see on the radar at various ranges actually are

Also excellent advice to find somebody to go in company with, either a friend or join a RYA or club cruise

 

[alant]

You don't mention whether the boat has a get me home engine? A 2nd small outboard, say 5hp or better 10hp, fixed to its own mounting plate on the transom, would be insurance in case your main engine failed. I've crossed the Channel many times albeit in twin engined boats and IMHO the biggest danger you will face is avoiding the big ships in the shipping lanes. The big ships will likely not even see you and probably be unable to avoid you if you come to a halt in front of them so a small outboard that can be quickly deployed might save the day. It would be a good idea to have an independent fuel tank for this engine too in case fuel contamination is what causes the main engine to fail. It goes without saying that you should test this set up before you cross the Channel

The other item I would not cross the Channel without is radar. As NickH says, the likelihood that you'll meet fog mid Channel is quite high especially early in the season and especially since you'll be looking for a calm day to make the crossing anyway. One of the scariest boating experiences I've ever had was coming back from the Channel Islands in fog and the radar packing up in the shipping lanes. Trying to listen for the sound signals of big ships and encountering the wakes of big ships which you didnt know were there was terrifying especially as this was one of our first crossings. If you do get a radar learn how to use it and practice in good viz so you get a perspective of how far away targets you see on the radar at various ranges actually are

Also excellent advice to find somebody to go in company with, either a friend or join a RYA or club cruise

Not sure membership of the RYA would be much use mid channel, with a bloody great tanker bearing down on you.

 

[Promarine11]

Great advice in particular Deleted User. Plan to enjoy taking all reasonable precautions. First trip in company highly advisable, Auxiliary outboard and radar if possible. You have a decent list of additional equipment. If you can cover 'in the event of' you and your passengers will thoroughly enjoy the trip. Any investment in additional safety equipment, weather, tidal information and needs across commercial shipping lanes along with poor vis condition plan is money and time well spent. Prep well you'll see a whole lot more.

 

[Montemar]

One engine good - two engines better.
It is not just engine maintainance but things like blocked filters caused by diesel bug, a rope or net around the propeller or hitting something solid like a log that causes propeller damage.
Fog would affect one regardless of the number of engines.
For me a rope around the propeller would be bad news - one could change a filter mid channel but sweating away next to a hot engine in a rolling boat would not be pleasant.
Go in company.

 

[gjgm]

The big advantage in joining a cruise for a week or so is that you will gain alot of experience, probably be "pushed" a bit as you will possibly be at the smaller boat size end of the scale and someone else is calling the shots.
That said, if you have an empty calendar, wait for clear sky, fine weather, an F2 and head for Cherbourg. The main challenge will be boredom, including Cherbourg I would add AIS, assuming you have a plotter..takes alot of stress away seeing where the ships are and tells you where to look out for them! From Needles it is about 70 miles..so knock off 20 miles each end for inshore and you are only at sea for 30 Just to warn though...the land just never seems to appear until you are alot closer than you imagine. Radar? Just choose fine weather and check the forecasts.
Just remember that you need to get back and the sea doesn't need to kick up that much before you might be down to 10 knots and suddenly the trip is very long in a smaller boat.
The crossing-Big ships..sometimes there seem alot, other times none at all. Mobos..hardly ever, but usually there is a lone sailing boat crawling across. Pick him out on the AIS/plotter first and it gives you a good feeling that you are not so alone after all.
Watch the weather forecasts some days in advance and check they are looking predictable; I have found Passageweather good for "waves".
CI's is a bit more of a challenge, especially as a first trip on your own. Thre is alot of water moving around there. If you do Cherbourg, then you could check the race timings at Barfleur and the lock times at St Vaast. That will make the crossing worth while.