Day Skipper to France?

[prv]

it is a soul less place imo, just a staging post for better places.

True - we tend to refer to it as "French Basingstoke-on-Sea". But still exciting the first time you get there in your own boat.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

True - we tend to refer to it as "French Basingstoke-on-Sea". But still exciting the first time you get there in your own boat.

Pete

Calais was our first in own built boat from Harwich, we were destined for Oostende but our sister boat had issues, so Calais it was, came back from Oostende though via Niewpoort with a Oppy on deck in case we sunk

 

[KellysEye]

We went ocean sailing with a dinghy certificate but had spent over 20 years chartering three times a year. What I would do is some coastal passages equivalent to the distance to Cherbourg to build up experience. Obviously watch the forecast carefully.

 

[JumbleDuck]

We went ocean sailing with a dinghy certificate but had spent over 20 years chartering three times a year. What I would do is some coastal passages equivalent to the distance to Cherbourg to build up experience.

Once you're afloat the coast is the dangerous thing ... much more sensible to do a few cross-channel passages in preparation for coastal pottering.

 

[Fantasie 19]

True - we tend to refer to it as "French Basingstoke-on-Sea". But still exciting the first time you get there in your own boat.

Pete

Just for balance, I'd disagree... we've been a few times now (by ferry )... good places to eat, a hypermarket for supplies to bring back, stuff to see (the Nuclear sub and the Aquarium were excellent), and a pleasant enough place to wander round... I fully accept it takes all sorts though....

 

[Poignard]

Just for balance, I'd disagree... we've been a few times now (by ferry )... good places to eat, a hypermarket for supplies to bring back, stuff to see (the Nuclear sub and the Aquarium were excellent), and a pleasant enough place to wander round... I fully accept it takes all sorts though....

+1

Also markets, art galleries, shops, events, concerts, parks, museums.

Also good bus and train services to other places of interest; and car hire.

We have never been lost for something to do in Cherbs. (As for Basingstoke .... :ambivalence

 

[Sybarite]

+1

In 18 years of visiting France by boat nobody has ever asked me to show any documents at all, or asked to see flares or other equipment. Neither am I on the SSR.

Are you registered on Part 1? If not you are taking a (potentially expensive) risk. I spoke to the Douane at the Salon Nautique and the guy said that they are interested in one thing: "What is the justification for the flag?" The fact that in UK waters you don't need an SSR is neither here nor there as far as they are concerned. International régulations are clear that the ship's papers must be on board.

 

[Mudisox]

One solution would be to start from Alderney and take the tide eastways. Then anchor off the marina and sort yourself out for free, before you start spending the euros.






Tongue remove from cheek

 

[alant]

One solution would be to start from Alderney and take the tide eastways. Then anchor off the marina and sort yourself out for free, before you start spending the euros.






Tongue remove from cheek

Better to start with Cherbourg for a first trip, Alderney & surrounding tides, can be problematic even for those experienced.

 

[Tintin]

Once you're afloat the coast is the dangerous thing ... much more sensible to do a few cross-channel passages in preparation for coastal pottering.

+1

 

[Poignard]

Are you registered on Part 1? If not you are taking a (potentially expensive) risk. I spoke to the Douane at the Salon Nautique and the guy said that they are interested in one thing: "What is the justification for the flag?" The fact that in UK waters you don't need an SSR is neither here nor there as far as they are concerned. International régulations are clear that the ship's papers must be on board.

Thanks for the warning; I'd better look into this. The boat is quite old (built 1967) and she is registered and I carry her valid Certificate of Registration on board. Won't that do? I don't want to get involved with any more bureaucracy than I have to

 

[Tim Good]

One way is to take a crew with you who has sufficient experience for you to trust and is supportive. You still are skipper and make the decisions, he/she is there to give you confidence in those decisions. Of course, you may want to do it single-handed.

I quite agree with the above. Choose you conditions and don't be pressured into going just because you arranged the date and crew. More importantly don't be in a rush to get back. That is what usually causes problems.

Given that people sailed singlehanded to Greenland in 26ft boats I am sure your craft will be perfectly fine. I'm also sure that once you have done the trip, you'll wonder what the fuss was about.

Good luck and give yourself bags of time to return in the best conditions.

 

[sailorman]

I quite agree with the above. Choose you conditions and don't be pressured into going just because you arranged the date and crew. More importantly don't be in a rush to get back. That is what usually causes problems.

Given that people sailed singlehanded to Greenland in 26ft boats I am sure your craft will be perfectly fine. I'm also sure that once you have done the trip, you'll wonder what the fuss was about.

Good luck and give yourself bags of time to return in the best conditions.

The OP might read the Jester |Challenge Forum & follow the links there. 26 ft is large in JC circles

 

[han34]

Thanks for the warning; I'd better look into this. The boat is quite old (built 1967) and she is registered and I carry her valid Certificate of Registration on board. Won't that do? I don't want to get involved with any more bureaucracy than I have to

I have been boarded on occasions is French and Dutch waters. I have only been asked for two things. Passports for wife and me and ships registration. No interest at all in diesel, flairs or anything else. I am part three registered with red ensign. As an aside, we have also sailed several hundred miles on inland waterways and never been asked about ICC, CEVNI, or holding tank. This might just be sod's law as I am fully compliant.

 

[Poignard]

Never again

(...) and don't be pressured into going just because you arranged the date and crew. More importantly don't be in a rush to get back. That is what usually causes problems. (...)

That's very true. The most frightening crossing I have had was made in thick fog that descended when we were crossing the SW-going shipping lane. Mist patches were forecast and I should have waited but The Old Guvnor had a golf match next day. We ran into a 'mist patch' about 10 miles across!

 

[prv]

Thanks for the warning; I'd better look into this. The boat is quite old (built 1967) and she is registered and I carry her valid Certificate of Registration on board. Won't that do? I don't want to get involved with any more bureaucracy than I have to

If that's Part One registry then that's absolutely fine, it's a notch above the mere SSR.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

If that's Part One registry then that's absolutely fine, it's a notch above the mere SSR.

Pete

BUT the tax man requires it to be "Up-dated" every 5 yrs these days " to keep the record straight" if nothing has changed then there is nothing to "up-date"

 

[Poignard]

If that's Part One registry then that's absolutely fine, it's a notch above the mere SSR.

Pete

Thanks. :encouragement:

 

[prv]

BUT the tax man requires it to be "Up-dated" every 5 yrs these days " to keep the record straight"

Can't see why the taxman cares, but Parsifal says his is valid which I assume includes being up to date.

Pete

 

[JumbleDuck]

The OP might read the Jester |Challenge Forum & follow the links there. 26 ft is large in JC circles

People used to do all sort of things in twenty-something foot long boats (and smaller), until it was found to be impossible.