First Cherbourg Crossing from the Solent - what do we need?

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albionahoy

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So we have searched the forum and got a few helpful hints on Channel crossing , but wondered if the Assembled Wisdom can help out. We've crossed the Channel several times in others' boats, but we're aiming to go for the first time in our own Sadler 29 next Wednesday (if the weather holds). We're kitted out for coastal sailing - lights all correct, safety equipment all RYA compliant - have Raymarine Europe chart plotter, man overboard retreival system, liferings, etc. But we haven't had a liferaft, but were told by Cruising Association friends that they rent one whenever they cross (once a year), and so we are going to do that. So it feels like we're ready, but is there anything you all would add/suggest not to forget/think about? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
 
albionahoy said:
So we have searched the forum and got a few helpful hints on Channel crossing , but wondered if the Assembled Wisdom can help out. We've crossed the Channel several times in others' boats, but we're aiming to go for the first time in our own Sadler 29 next Wednesday (if the weather holds). We're kitted out for coastal sailing - lights all correct, safety equipment all RYA compliant - have Raymarine Europe chart plotter, man overboard retreival system, liferings, etc. But we haven't had a liferaft, but were told by Cruising Association friends that they rent one whenever they cross (once a year), and so we are going to do that. So it feels like we're ready, but is there anything you all would add/suggest not to forget/think about? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
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stock up on the free shower "jetons" from the marina as they are the type as used in Ouisterham that cost €1.60 each :D
 
albionahoy said:
So we have searched the forum and got a few helpful hints on Channel crossing , but wondered if the Assembled Wisdom can help out. We've crossed the Channel several times in others' boats, but we're aiming to go for the first time in our own Sadler 29 next Wednesday (if the weather holds). We're kitted out for coastal sailing - lights all correct, safety equipment all RYA compliant - have Raymarine Europe chart plotter, man overboard retreival system, liferings, etc. But we haven't had a liferaft, but were told by Cruising Association friends that they rent one whenever they cross (once a year), and so we are going to do that. So it feels like we're ready, but is there anything you all would add/suggest not to forget/think about? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
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Euros, passports, relevant boat paperwork, VHF cert etc.
 
I suggest taking a head torch (cost < £10) to read the chart at night (even if planning to sail only in daylight) - much easier than trying to hold a light whilst trying to read the chart. Just remember that, if the helmsman asks a question, you need to turn off the head torch before turning to direct the beam into his eyes.
 
Tip 1: Forgive me if you know this already but it's a fallacy to take the 'short cut method' of calculating the effect of tidal streams - that is to say 'The Needles to Cherbourg takes about twelve hours, give or take, so whenever we set out that's approximately one complete tidal cycle and therefore the east- and west-going tides will cancel each other out'.

The problem is that the tides are stronger on the French side, and of course if it's cold and wet that's just the time you don't want to end up 10 miles downtide with the crew turning ratty when you could be nicely off Cherbourg entrance already. So it's worth working out your tidal vectors in advance on an hour-by-hour basis to get your course to steer. If you can time to leave though Hurst and down the Needles Channel with the ebb it will get you off to a flying start. I don't know why but it always seems much further to get down there than I expect and if you don't have the tide with you it can seem to take forever until you can turn south by the Bridge buoy, so psychologically it feels as if you've been going for hours and the cross-channel trip hasn't even started.

Tip 2: On the return trip be ready to route eastabout via Bembridge if the weather is poor from the west as it's much more sheltered and safer than the Needles Channel in those conditions (or if it's really poor leave the boat and come back on the ferry!).

And as a previous post says, do be ready to enjoy yourselves. Have a good trip.
 
Don't moor in the first available visitor's berth - go to the shore end where there are usually more spaces. It's already a long walk to the Capitainerie. Reversing into the lane can be a good idea.
 
benjenbav said:
I suggest taking a head torch (cost < £10) to read the chart at night (even if planning to sail only in daylight) - much easier than trying to hold a light whilst trying to read the chart.
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I'm sure a well-found Sadler 29 will have a light above the chart table!

Pete
 
Sailfree said:
where are you headiong Cherbourg or Aldernay or where?

Remeber the tides are stronger the french side aim to make your landfall uptide
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Agreed - good tip this.
Landfall offset by a good distance/time

Also, when in sight of coast, do not follow the ferries - they have engines which can beat the tides.
 
navigation - its good to plan your course and plot your predicted S curve Xchannel. Then plot actual positions and figure out why they vary!!

It makes you think about including leeway, tide effects into your predicrted course. Perfection is when you do this, set the autohelm to the bearing necessary and don't change it until you enter the harbour entrance!!
 
A few more odds and ends

A powerful spotlight that can substitute for collision flares if played onto the sail. French courtesy flag. Euros. Thermos in case the weather is a bit jumpy and you would rather have a hot drink prepared than wrestle with the cooker in a seaway. If someone does use the kettle when under way, have them wear sailing trousers in case of a spillage of boiling water and never fill the mug more than half full. I don't like night sailing (rotten eyesight) so used to leave the Solent around 3am as dawn breaks, we always went round Bembridge. I would hand over the boat to crew after we had the course set for France, go to bed instructing them to wake me when they saw the first big ship. That way I was rested on arrival mid afternoon. Otherwise you are nackered at the most complex bit when arriving. Always aim to arrive about a mile uptide of Cherbourg otherwise you can spend a miserable hour plugging against the stream to make the entrance. Plot your position every hour or at least get the crew to put it in the log and then you make it up when you are awake. That means your position is never more than an hour out when all the electrics fail for some reason!

And - as everyone says - enjoy the adventure :)
 
Binoculars !

AlbionAhoy,

I've found the handiest kit by a long way is a set of binoculars !

Bino's with a compass ideally, - or with a hand bearing compass - but really just for seeing what's going on, the old rule still applies, ' if a boat / ship is on the same bearing / above the same point on the guardrail / for more than a few minutes, you're on a colision course.

Personally I go behind ships if there's the slightest doubt, just as I don't cycle in front of lorries.

You'll actually find the trip good fun as long as you choose the tides & weather right, and get a real sense of achievement; lots of people less skilled than yourself have done it, including me !

Do be aware of physical & mental fatigue, an autopilot is worth it's weight in gold, especially if short-crewed with just a girlfriend / wife.

Have fun,

Andy
 
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We've always found AIS very useful when crossing the TSS areas. Otherwise reg. cert and proof of VAT, VHF cert, Ofcom reg. paperwork and ATIS agreement (see RYA) also very important, last receipt for purchase of red diesel in UK showing tax paid. Keep a log with engine hours.
Take a laptop, most marinas have Wi-fi although you may have to pay a small charge in some. Its a must for up to date weather reports. Goggles and a wetsuit (prop wraps if VERY unlucky).
But, as a previous correspondent said, once you've ticked all the boxes forget them and have fun! Go where the wind suggests and don't be fixed on a particular direction of travel. We are sitting in Oostend on the way back. Started by going to Boulogne aiming for Honfleur but ended up going North to Antwerp (lovely city) and staying in Linkerover marina. Had fantastic sailing by going the opposite direction to that intended!
 
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