Crossing the Channel, Need some Info

[UberKrieger]

Hi, i'd like to cross the English channel in a (Dinghy) small motor boat. Heading from France to England. I'm not sure exactly where to depart from, any suggestions?

What do I need to cross,

I'll need my British passport right? Do I need any kind of special paperwork to fill out? Thanks

 

[Solitaire]

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What do I need to cross,



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Might I suggest the ferry! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[UberKrieger]

I like a challenge, swimming is too big of a challenge /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi, i'd like to cross the English channel in a (Dinghy) small motor boat. Heading from France to England. I'm not sure exactly where to depart from, any suggestions?...

[/ QUOTE ]
France?

 

[UberKrieger]

''Exactly'' France has ports doesn't it? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Which ones do you suggest? Oh yes of course, there is port France

 

[fireball]

How long do you want it to take? What sort of speed do you recon to get out of your small mobo?

 

[BrendanS]

If you depart from somewhere near Calais, you should be able to get a few fee paying customers to pay for your expenses, though I believe the Sangatte camp has been closed down now.

 

[tillergirl]

Doesn't it depend where you are or where you want to get to? Or the range of your vessel (I'll ignore the seaworthyness aspect) Cos you could do Cherbourg to Poole 60nm - in a dinghy - bonne chance mon ami! Or you could do Calais to Dover 26nm - in a dinghy pick your weather, mind the ferries, mind the tide, mind the shipping and don't bring anybody offering you cash to come alone! Bonne chance. Then you could leave from Dunkirk or Graveline or Boulogne, or Fecamp or Trouville or Dieepe or Le Havre or ...... oh I've got bored

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
''Exactly'' France has ports doesn't it? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Which ones do you suggest? Oh yes of course, there is port France

[/ QUOTE ]
If you have a dinghy, you don't need a port, leave from whichever bit of France you like,

 

[fireball]

I know ... but I was just curious as to what this Dinghy with an engine is ... I mean - I've got a small powerboat ... but it is a Walkerbay 10 ... and even with the 6hp on the back I wouldn't consider taking it out of the harbour let alone across the channel!!!

 

[tillergirl]

Sorry I didn't mean to link to your post - carelessness I'm afraid. I agree with you. I started from Ramsgate once in little wind and a good forecast, got halfway across and it blew up to 30 knots wind over tide and it was pretty wet and nasty and that's in a 32 ft yacht - sorry interloping - but the pictures are so much better on this forum.

 

[JKay]

you need a toaster ,rubber plant and a juicer

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

cheers Joe

 

[fireball]

and a long power lead?

 

[BrendanS]

the toaster will run off the generator on the pontoon just fine.

 

[old_salt]

Find some details on the trip Frank Dye did he went from the UK to Iceland in a Wayfarer dingy some wears ago documented in his book.
Sorry I have not got the name but some one on here might know.
I did meet a young guy in Fa-camp France who came from Macclesfield Cheshire who crossed the channel in the 70s in a mirror dingy he went over by the shortest bit 21mls or so the coast guards where not impressed yet they monitored him in those days he had to use the land line telephone it made a good story it the local French papers as I remember.

 

[UberKrieger]

Okay excellent, thanks guys. By the way, I have not decided upon the Dinghy yet, anyone recommend any sea worthy ones that can seat up to at least 5 people?

Dinghy aside, I only need my passport right? Is it likely that I will get checked by any kind of immigration officer on either side. If I don't sail to any major ports? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[SovereignDiver]

Try the Pride of Bilbao out of Calais, part of the P&O fleet. Passport control will be able to identify your duff passport! French? More like Brit wind-up merchant. Nice one Joseph.

 

[bendyone]

[ QUOTE ]
you need a toaster ,rubber plant and a juicer

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

cheers Joe

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you reconn GC1 has come down in the world /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[DAKA]

Calais is your best departure plan.

There is a nice beach at the side of the Ferry terminal.

I assume you havent much experience which is why I recommend Calais.

Navigation can be tricky even on that 26 mile crossing especially if the fog comes down so all you need do is follow a ferry.

If you can not keep up with it dont worry as another one will be along shortly.

Best do a bit of research into what a cross channel ferry looks like, after all you dont want to follow a Fred Olsen cruise the the Depths .

Once you have Dover in sight turn left to land on the beach, dont worry if it is foggy, it is a restricted zone so no other boats will be in that area, using this beach should help avoid all that silly nonsense and delays with pass port control.

Dont forget you will need plenty of beer and maybe whiskey as it can get cold after dark.


edit

Most important is the essential need for special clothing

Wearing a black Hijab will ensure you are welcomed with free luxury accommodation for as long as you want it, just explain how you were persecuted by YBW forum members /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

 

[gjgm]

nice to see a serious boater on here at last. Far too many armchair types twittering about sea worthiness,safety equipment and all that stuff. I think an Optimist should comfortabley hold five crew and with a couple of honda 225 on the back. I dont think you ll need to worry about the ferries. Typical nanny state comment, really.
Passport and snorkle is all you need, I think. Dont forget to leave your plans with a close relative , though.