Crossing North Sea from Southern Norway to UK South Coast?

[Tim Good]

We're in Stavanger at the moment and considering routes back to the Uk south coast. We're only two on board and weather isn't looking amazing to get a window to go the 450 miles direct.

Option 1: head over to Denmark and hop the coast along with longer passages should the weather play ball.

Option 2: head over to Scotland (Aberdeen) and hop the UK East Coast.

Has anyone done option 1 and is it worth while? Decent places in Denmark / Holland to visit and await weather to keep going South?

 

[davidej]

I have never done either but would tend to option two if you can get a window for the crossing. And go to Peterhead rather than Aberdeen.

The German Bight is a notoriously unfriendly coast especially in strong westerlies. very few ports of refuge.

However if you do go that way, Helgoland is worth a visit - for the bird life and cheap booze.

You can hop into the Dutch canal system at Delfzil, which we did when there was a F8 outside

 

[johnalison]

Although the Geman bight can be awkward, the bit from the Elbe is something we have done many times, mainly in July, August and September. At that time, a decent proportion of fair weather can be expected, though we have occasionally be delayed for up to five or six days. I don't know that bit of Denmark but the German Jutland islands are said to be friendly but need careful navigation and I don't ink here are good refuges to approach in bad weather, though the Elbe and Cuxhaven is always a safe option, if a bit out of your way. Norderney is attractive and the entrance is fine in anything except northerly six or more, though I have been in in a westerly six with no difficulty. Helgoland is interesting and the duty free may appeal to you after Norway. West of Norderney you have a choice of sea or inshore passages, so progress can be made even in the worst weather. There should be enough of interest in Holland to occupy anyone for a day or two.

 

[westhinder]

Much will of course depend on the weather window you get, but if you want to go via Denmark, Tyborøn is the obvious choice. It is about 150 NM from Stavanger, accessible at all states of the tide, but of course on a lee shore to all westerly winds and not attractive in more than a 5 Bft.
From Tyborøn to Helgoland is another 150 NM, from there to Vlieland 120, to Den Helder 150.
If the 250 NM from Stavanger to Peterhead is no issue, given a favourable wind, you are most likely to have a lee shore along the NE coast of England, which is almost certain not to be the case going via Denmark and the Netherlands. The coast on the English Side of the North Sea is more attractive than on the continental side, which is low lying and sandy all the way, so you won't see much of it. From the Dutch Wadden, you have the option of the inland Standing Mast route if the weather looks unfavourable.
You will of course have realised that the route back from Norway was always highly likely to be upwind.

 

[Woodlouse]

It's a surprisingly long detour to go via Denmark etc. I'd be inclined to cross over to Scotland and then depending where on the south coast you want to end up either hop down the east coast or go through the Caledonian canal then down the west coast through the Irish Sea.

 

[temptress]

When I did that trip I went to Denmark, then Hopped down to Holland, went up the canals to Amsterdam, then down to Belgium, over to Dover and along the south coast. Very enjoyable trip - I took 2 months....

Also sailed the Scotland/East coast England -- I did not like that route. Not going south anyway.

 

[Tim Good]

Ok as a matter of update decided to just go direct from Stavanger to Lowestoft. 3 days and a few hours door to door. Minefield of rigs coming up to East Anglia though! Glad I installed AIS before leaving.

 

[pagoda]

Ok as a matter of update decided to just go direct from Stavanger to Lowestoft. 3 days and a few hours door to door. Minefield of rigs coming up to East Anglia though! Glad I installed AIS before leaving.

Look up notices to Mariners for recent updates to the rig list. Most fixed installations do NOT transmit AIS. However SOME mobile rigs - and their standby /support vessels do. Unless you are blind you will find any installation well lit up. They all have U light signals (short short long) pretty obvious. Don't pass close or the rather bored standby vessels will chase you off. They may well come out for a look anyway.
Very little of the North Sea is ever "pleasant" and the window for long passages closes down in mid August quite appreciably. Lots of low pressure systems are lining up to bash the UK.....