Entrance to Fecamp

[daveperce]

I'm contemplating a cross-channel over to Fecamp from Porstmouth but note that both the almanac and Shell pilot recommend arriving at HW +1. As the times of HW over the next couple of days would mean something like a 0200 start (if the birds aren't singing then I'm not sailing) can anybody impart their knowledge and offer advice as to the neccessity to arrive at HW+1?

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[Spacewaist]

My recollection is that - in calm water - there is plenty of water there for most states of tide, other than LW Springs. However, the bottom shelves quite slowly and if there is any sea running it can be very lively in the approaches when the wind is strong from between SW and N. In addition, there is a strong tidal set across the entrance which combined with the wind produces breaking seas in fresh conditions.

All this is in the Almanac tho. What they dont say is that, the entrance is quite wide (about 100 yds from memory) and (provided the wind is not funnelling down the entrance) once you get in between the walls at the entrance it goes dead calm. If you are of that disposition, one can approach at high speed - provided you are not bottoming out in the approaches you can power into the harbour and stop dead - good for the adrenalin rush if that's your bag. (Make sure your engine starts though).


Worth the visit - the Benedictine Monastry is oversold tho.


<hr width=100% size=1>A pontification from the Panjandrum of orotund bloviation AD2003

 

[BalmainBug]

I arrived there last year not at HW+1 and touched the bottom (I'm 1.4M), but a hefty swing to port got me off. I think we were just too close to the side.

Sorry, but I can't remember exactly what time it was in relation to HW, but it was Sat 24th August 2002 and we arrived about 18:00 French time, if your tide tables go back that far!

Recommended though.

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[billmacfarlane]

I've been into Fecamp a fair few times, though not recently. I've always thought that the entrance was passable most states of the tide though I'd not attempt it at LWS. If there's any north on the wind and it's above 5 in strength, I'd go to Le Havre instead. There can be a fair old swell at the entrance especially on the ebb. I went in once in a NW9 which was hugely entertaining to everybody except the skipper.

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[Rob_Webb]

Was once gale-bound in Fecamp for a few days and from the harbour wall watched a superb spectacle of a large gin-palace approach the entrance in foul conditions - he made his initial approach slowly and cautiously and then he felt he was lined up he 'hit it' and burst up onto the plane and into the calm entrance like a cork out of champagne bottle - good spectator sport, especially after 5 days of monks brew

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[Stinaleader]

With Brighton as our base we sail to Fecamp regularly and have entered the harbour in anthing from flat calm to Force 10 (not recommended).

The entrance is narrow and there is a much stronger cross set than you would imagine. So be careful and take a transit on any convenient two positions to check that as you approach the entrance. Better to come in slightly from the west than the east

The jetties do not protrude far and on the East are rocks (which claimed a Barracuda 45 in the Brighton/Fecamp race 3 years ago - that was our force 10) very close to the entrance and on the west the beach. There is more room for error west than east, but there is not much in it.

First timers should probably not enter in anything above force 5, Dieppe and Le Havre being sound alternatives, depending on wind direction.

The harbour entrance is not deep and entry at low water spring is not recommended unless you have a very shallow boat. Obviously as with any harbour you will work out your tide heights on entry relative to your depth. But there is absolutely no need to stick to the timing in your message. We have entered at many states of tide and have been fine.

Fecamp is a lovely Normandy harbour - make sure you visit the Benedictine monastery and the very large church at the top of the town - you will simply be amazed at how such places could have been built in what is now a little known Normandy beach town - both are stunning.

Hope that helps.

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[Twister_Ken]

My pilot says entrance dredged to 1.5m. The advice of arriving at +1/-2HW is only in the event of strong onshore winds.

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[PhilipStapleton]

I must have read the same pilot book! - we grounded coming out an hour or so before LW (1.5m draft) about a week after springs in calm weather last year. We squeezed through by heeling the boat and had to avoid another yacht who also hit the putty on the way in! He gave up and anchored off the beach for a bit. I'll think hard before entering/leaving after 1/3 tide from now on, and certainly not in any sort of wind.

BTW what's the word for the time between neaps and springs?

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[Twister_Ken]

>BTW what's the word for the time between neaps and springs? <

A fortnight?

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