first channel crossing

[barryg]

hope to do first crossing this month to Cherburg subject to weather 25ft boat say 4 knot average
plan to leave bembridge early am on high water neaps, do I let the tides cancel out or let chart plotter correct the X track error any general advice would b welcome.

 

[sabresailor]

Barry - I have made the crossing from the solent to Cherbourg several times - my tactics were to estimate the number of hours, use the tidal atlas to work out the net effect of the tides - and use this to adjust the course. I usually update this once of twice en route (wind direct etc). have a good crossing.

 

[sabresailor]

Also worth saying is to 'aim' up tide of Cherbourg to make sure you don't get 'swept past' (adjust things once you start seeing the land).

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yup... don't sail to remove X-Track error... you'll add loads (as much as 1 or 2 hours in some cases - especially as it'll be springs) to your passage time...

I follow pretty much the same technique as sabresailor above.... given its your first crossing, and that you'll have a pretty good idea of what time you'll be clearing the IOW as your starting from Bembridge anyway, then as suggested it would be worth working out the tidal vector the traditional way.... you'll find it will largely cancel out... if nothing else, it'll be good practice!

 

[castaway]

Generaly its best with a channel crossing to let the tides cancel themselves out...with the possible exception of the TSS which you are supposed to cross at 90degrees.

I always try to work out where I want to be at the other end eg upwind or uptide (or both) of my destination at the other end. A quick look at the channel tidal atlas will show that the stream past Cherbourg is pretty strong compared to our side so factor that in.

I'm doing the same trip (hopefully) leaving Portsmouth Wednesday at 05:00 and did most of my planning yesterday so its all ready to read...I'm sure my methods are a bit rough and ready but I actually prefer that on a small boat..I have a Yeoman plotter so adjust things as I go along, but one year I didnt touch the auto pilot all the way and sailed straight in through the eastern entrance..(Cherbourg)

All best Nick

 

[Danny]

At 4kn I reckon you can save an hour or so at neaps if you take an optimum course. You could save a few minutes more by leaving at the optimum time (about 0820 BST from Bembridge Ledge) but this would get you there very late!

 

[raquet]

Other have posted excellent advice - especially the bit about arriving up-tide. Even at neaps you have a significant tidal stream which can be a beast in a small boat. It is very dispiriting to spend hours making that final few miles. It sounds as though you have electronic navigation kit so I would recommend making a course decision for the approach when you are about three hours off by which time you should have a good idea of progress. I always liked night crossings because there are powerful lights on either side which helped fix your position. I think this is now outmoded with modern kit but is comforting nonetheless. Cherbourg is fairly low lying so tends often to remain hidden until you are fairly close.

 

[Bilgediver]

I stood on deck on a Color Line Ferry as we made landfall after a night crossing of the Northsea.

We were heading for the Tyne from Stavanger on a route the ship did several times a week.

I noticed that the autopilot was just set for a compass course and not a way point and watching the wake carefully wondered how much correction would be needed to get between the breakwaters.

We were sailing across a south running tide and when looking at the coastline approach could see we were at that point aiming for the coast several miles north of The Tyne. As we got nearer the coastline was slowly slipping past my transit of two masts. with no apparent tweeking!!!!! it was impressive seeing the ferry come in line with the channel centre line as the bows went between the breakwaters at which point we started travelling along our heading and up the Tyne .

Seems even the big boys save minutes by working with the tides.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

... and probably more of a motivation... fuel too!

 

[Twister_Ken]

>with the possible exception of the TSS which you are supposed to cross at 90degrees.<

There is no TSS between Wight and Cherbourg.

 

[castaway]

You are of course correct I was refering to the Casquetes TSS off to the west a bit.

Regards Nick