Day Skipper to France?

[LadyInBed]

I did it for the first time with probably less experience than you. Mrs was my crew, even less experienced then. Just make sure you pick a good weather window, it's an easy crossing.

Same here, though wife was more a passanger.
Our Comrade and some others have it right, the weather window is all. So much so that several of my early crossings were motored or motorsailed across, but fuel was cheap then, around 16p per ltr and Cherbourg cost 38ff per night for a 22ft boat! Those were the days

 

[alant]

Forget the tickets mate !
With or without them only you can decide if you should or not .... Often having these pieces of paper gives people the idea they are able to do things they clearly should not.
I would think that because you have to ask the question you already feel you are not up to the trip but the fact some self appointed authority has issued you with a piece of paper everything will be ok.
I would far rather go to sea with an experienced sailor with no qualifications than some of the highly qualified people I have had the displeasure of sailing with.
One of who I would never get on a boat with again.
Why not have a go (as acting skipper) with someone who has done it a few times, from there you will start to know if you can do it alone (at this point you don't need someone else to say you are qualified).
They say if you can't do it yourself ....TEACH IT

What a load of carp!
What makes you think any instructor does it, because they can't do it themselves?

Reference the OP, it is down to you.
If, you think you can do it, go for it, but as many have already stated, only do it if you are happy with the weather etc.
Bits of paper, particularly the 'progression' from DS to CS/YM, are only important as a state of mind, when it comes to leisure sailing, they don't necessarily make you a better sailor, but you will gain more experience getting them. If not sure, invite someone, who does have the experience to go with you. You don't need to worry about any fancy navigation, unless you are making for somewhere difficult. Make sure you arrive with plenty of daylight left, use your GPS to put in a waypoint up tide of destination, monitor carefully when crossing the shipping lanes (not just if in a TSS), have plenty of snack/drinks (no booze) & enjoy. Keep an eye out for ferries, they might be going to same port.
Somewhere like Cherbourg is a good one to start with & foreign enough to make it worthwhile.
Have fun.

 

[Gordy M]

Thanks again for all the great advice,

I am not questioning what you say but just another side question on the following:
"Bits of paper, particularly the 'progression' from DS to CS/YM, are only important as a state of mind"

How does it affect insurance? am sure I stated to my insurance company (GJW) that I would only be local to UK?

Thanks
Gord

 

[KevO]

Thanks again for all the great advice,

I am not questioning what you say but just another side question on the following:
"Bits of paper, particularly the 'progression' from DS to CS/YM, are only important as a state of mind"

How does it affect insurance? am sure I stated to my insurance company (GJW) that I would only be local to UK?

Thanks
Gord

Ring up GJW and let them know what you want to do. I had x channel/northern europe included for no extra cost (although this was at annual renewal time rather than mid-policy term)

 

[LadyInBed]

"Bits of paper, particularly the 'progression' from DS to CS/YM, are only important as a state of mind"

I would go along with that, in general.

How does it affect insurance? am sure I stated to my insurance company (GJW) that I would only be local to UK?

A good point, some forget to get their insurance extended for new areas, but a quick phone call or email and they will do it for you, either free or with a small charge.
The other thing not to forget is to put your boat on the SSRegister if it isn't already.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Good point about insurance.
I'm based in Wales so crossing channel is not very likely but I have been over to Ireland several times. The first time I was skippering a boat with a novice crew but we sailed in company with two other boats which was reassuring and a good idea for your first long passage

 

[TonyBuckley]

Lots of good replies and some less so like always. Wish there was a 'like' button on here.

Personally I think just two people is a little boring even if a Brother. Four is great with rotating watches though these tend to be ignored at the start and end.

Last time I went, we were twenty mins out of Cherbourg and could see the light towers on the Isle of Wight - very strange!

This is a reasonable site... http://www.sailingalmanac.com/Almanac/Navigation/crossingchannel.html but I don't bother plotting any more if you can keep your speed up. Weather window for the boat and crew most important and then assume it will not be correct.

I actually like Cherbourg! Although you could always head for St Vaast.

Good luck.

 

[alant]

Lots of good replies and some less so like always. Wish there was a 'like' button on here.

Personally I think just two people is a little boring even if a Brother. Four is great with rotating watches though these tend to be ignored at the start and end.

Last time I went, we were twenty mins out of Cherbourg and could see the light towers on the Isle of Wight - very strange!

This is a reasonable site... http://www.sailingalmanac.com/Almanac/Navigation/crossingchannel.html but I don't bother plotting any more if you can keep your speed up. Weather window for the boat and crew most important and then assume it will not be correct.

I actually like Cherbourg! Although you could always head for St Vaast.

Good luck.

Wouldn't suggest St Vast as a first time crossing.
Would have the added complication of tide down the peninsular & when the lock gate was open.

 

[Poignard]

I reckon Cherbourg is a good destination. Easy to get into (day or night), and very clearly marked. If you arrive late and tired, and don't fancy traipsing up and down the marina looking for a vacant berth, you can anchor just outside the marina and go in next morning when there's usually a lot of people leaving.

 

[fergie_mac66]

I reckon Cherbourg is a good destination. Easy to get into (day or night), and very clearly marked. If you arrive late and tired, and don't fancy traipsing up and down the marina looking for a vacant berth, you can anchor just outside the marina and go in next morning when there's usually a lot of people leaving.

Absolutely

 

[LadyInBed]

I reckon Cherbourg is a good destination. Easy to get into (day or night), and very clearly marked.

and two enterences, if you miss one

If you arrive late and tired, and don't fancy traipsing up and down the marina looking for a vacant berth, you can anchor just outside the marina and go in next morning when there's usually a lot of people leaving.

You don't need to anchor, as there is a 'waiting' pontoon just inside the marina entrance.

 

[Sybarite]

Hi all,

I attained my day skipper certificate a couple of years back, and have been sailing my boat around the Solent all season.

I am keen to sail my 25ft motorsailer from the Solent to Cherbourg in May, is this folly? should I hold back till I have more training "Coastal Skipper"?

Looking around the web, I found this, it doesn't sound that daunting, or am I fooling myself? http://www.sailingalmanac.com/Almanac/Navigation/crossingchannel.html

Thanks
Gordon
Waimanu

The first crossing I did was from the mainland to Corsica >100nm. I have never had any lessons. The only instruments I had were a compass and a log and so the crossing was by DR.

The joy and sense of accomplishment I had when not only did I find Corsica but I was plumb in front of Calvi which was my planned destination.

Your boat is not going to sink because you are out of sight of land and you know you will find France by heading south.

As the others have said: check your weather reports, especially visibility (which for me is more important than windspeed in the channel) check your gear and think ahead of things which might go wrong and how you would tackle them. Then go for it.

 

[Poignard]

and two enterences, if you miss one

It has been known to happen.

You don't need to anchor, as there is a 'waiting' pontoon just inside the marina entrance.

That's true. I had forgotten that.

 

[colvic987]

I would go along with that, in general.


A good point, some forget to get their insurance extended for new areas, but a quick phone call or email and they will do it for you, either free or with a small charge.
The other thing not to forget is to put your boat on the SSRegister if it isn't already.

while on the subject of ssr register, all you cherbouger's better tell him about red diesel checks, flares, customs check etc etc........

that should definitely put a spanner in the works, just before he decides not to call the insurance company, as he has decided to stay put..........

 

[sailorman]

while on the subject of ssr register, all you cherbouger's better tell him about red diesel checks, flares, customs check etc etc........

that should definitely put a spanner in the works, just before he decides not to call the insurance company, as he has decided to stay put..........

The last time i was in CB there was a delivery yacht beside us with a 25lrs clear container full of RED, the rest of your post is hear say

 

[han34]

Simple crossing this, I would have thought that a trip like this is well within the capabilities of any day skipper. Surely the definition of day skipper is to take a boat from one harbour to another during the day. Or have I missed something. I can not think of an easier harbour in the Channel to arrive at than Cherbourg.

 

[prv]

Surely the definition of day skipper is to take a boat from one harbour to another during the day.

Strictly speaking it's "in familiar waters" by day, but as Tom Cunliffe points out in his Day Skipper book, that does pose a bit of a question of how you're supposed to become familiar with said waters .

But yeah, perfectly reasonable Day Skipper passage.

Pete

 

[prv]

while on the subject of ssr register, all you cherbouger's better tell him about red diesel checks, flares, customs check etc etc........

Cherbourg is so full of British yachts that they generally don't bother with any of that. The first time I went I took my SSR card up to Reception; the lady on the desk found it useful to copy down the spelling of the boat's name, but she certainly had no interest in it as a document per se. Likewise never needed to show passports etc, never even seen a Douanier.

I guess a spot-check is always possible, but it's rare.

Pete

 

[Tintin]

But what anchor should be taken?

 

[PhillM]

I intend to do the same trip this year. 24'6 MAB. Day skipper, 3 and a bit years experience around the Solent, round the island and Hamble to Poole and back. I suspect we have a similar level of experience.

My boat needed a bit of TLC when I got her, so each new adventure means checking her over and improving what I have. Last year's run to Poole and back ended with F6 gusting top 6 or 7 and I really regretted not getting a 3rd reef in the main. I sorted this this winter. I have also strengthened the forward chain plates and extended them to spread the load across a wider area because they looked like they needed it. My VHF also died so when I replaced it I added one with GPS and AIS receive. I dont think this is crucial to the trip but if it seemed a worthwhile addition when replacing the radio. I now feel that the boat is ready so with proper planning, I should be able to do this trip.

I have planned the trip a few times, with different options for Springs or neaps and starting and ending from various places including Gosport, Yarmouth (North passage or Needles) and Studland. But I like planning and "pretend" dry sailing - it's something to do on boring Sunday afternoons!

Good luck with your trip.