first time across channel

Re: First time cross-Channel

funnily enough that's exactly what I did a couple of weeks ago too - just aimed it at Cherbourg and opend the throttle............. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

sorry if this isn't seen as helpful in the context of this thread
 
I should'nt worry to much, poor old BARRYG has most likely be put off crossing the channel for life! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
You might be right. If you're still with us, barryg, do it as they tell you how to in Day Skipper. It's pretty easy, really. Play around with the calculations a few times first because what happens is you do your calculations to go then the weather changes, or the dog is sick, or.... and you have to do the calcs over again. It pays to get quick at doing them.

The fog issue is serious. Look carefully at the forecast and don't go if there is a hint of fog unless you are experienced and have radar. It is really spooky and disorienting the first few times.
 
Re: First time cross-Channel

[ QUOTE ]
sorry if this isn't seen as helpful in the context of this thread [ QUOTE ]


Shame on you Duncan. I know, but not everyone does, that you only took 3 hours. Not much time to adjust anything except your flies in that time! I gather the chicken vindaloo kept making an appearance . . .
 
Re: Struth, there can\'t be more than one surely??

[ QUOTE ]
Wonder why he can't get a crew? Maybe they are fictional too

[/ QUOTE ]

How weird . . that skipper on page 18 of August's Yachting World must be a doppelganger then. That I don't need.

You neither.
 
Re: First time cross-Channel

If you are on neaps the track back might look like this.



crossing.sized.jpg



enjoy it
 
Re: First time cross-Channel

Hi Neil

I've no plans for doing the East Coast in the near future. It initially took me months to set up the mapping for the central bit of the Channel. I now wish I'd started a little further west and I may get around to extending the coverage that way (to include Salcombe, Plymouth, etc.). Even that will be quite a task. Certainly won't be done this year, though. I'll have to get moving on next year's edition soon and that'll take a while... And we want to move house soon... and we want to change the boat soon... etc. etc.
 
Re: First time cross-Channel

Thanks for clarifying my post.......and the skipper did have charts, just not of a useful scale of the harbour. Talk about following a wall.. we couldn't even see a wall!!! The rocks I believe are in the outer harbour, more boulders to stop erosion, around by the naval base ? It was a long time ago.....
I seem to have cut my teeth in these situations.....I could recount the time I was crewing on a wooden Stella, 26 ft, no lights and dodgy engine that failed, attempting the Walton Backwaters to Gravesend in the Thames in one hit, blew up a force 7, tide turned and we sat it out beating in the Estuary until it turned, through the night. Had charts and a large torch.....
 
Re: First time cross-Channel

A channel tidal atlas is about a tenner and easy to use. A leisure folio is about £35 and an almanac £40. In September it took me a whole 20 minutes to plot the stuff on the chart and mark up the tidal atlas. I checked it off with the GPS every hour (5 minute job) and made some minor adjustment about an hour out of cherbs.

There are plenty of ways of navigating or guessing your way accross as long as you and your crew are happy with varying level of risk you then adopt. A passage plan, paper back up and GPS is the safest.

I don't agree with Chuggin is right about leaving in the middle of the night. You are more likely to be run over by a ferry if you rigidly leave at 3 in the morning knackered, having put in a full 9-6 day in the office the day before. Like most sailing advice its also about having a bit of common sense.
 
Re: First time cross-Channel

[ QUOTE ]
A channel tidal atlas is about a tenner and easy to use

[/ QUOTE ]

Reeves Foukes tidal atlas, a very usefull tool.

[ QUOTE ]
You are more likely to be run over by a ferry if you rigidly leave at 3 in the morning knackered

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats if you make it past the lobster pots.
 
Re: First time cross-Channel

[ QUOTE ]
You are more likely to be run over by a ferry if you rigidly leave at 3 in the morning knackered, having put in a full 9-6 day in the office the day before. Like most sailing advice its also about having a bit of common sense.

[/ QUOTE ]As far as it goes, that has to be true, but a cross-channel is getting close to using all the daylight available in one day - i.e. if you don't get there by dusk you are in the dark, trying to enter a strange harbour and maybe in fog. However, if you leave in the dark (actually we normally leave in daylight after dinner) you can potter over slowly, comfortably, in the dark and timing it for landfall at dawn you have the harbour approach in daylight. If you get fog you have a full day's daylight to sort yourself out.

Fog is scary first time in the best conditions. In unfamiliar water, in the dark, with strong tides and a rocky coast, it could be quite terrifying for someone without a great deal of experience. I count myself as experienced with many times the required sea miles in day, night, and fog needed for a yachtmaster qualification yet I never deliberately put myself in the position that some here are recommending to a guy asking for advice about his first solo X-channel. The dark isn't scary if you have plenty of time and have planned things through.

In any case, if anyone is likely to get run-down by a ferry just because they have been on the go for 18 hours then they really should step down from making this passage solo (i.e. as the only competent skipper aboard), and either get far more experience as crew, and/or get medical advice.

Sailing at night, in the open water and under ideal conditions, is easier than driving a car at night and anyone who does not agree with this statement should consider themselves a novice. It just takes experience to recognise what your are seeing; sea-miles in the dark. Probably around 40 to 80 hours in darkness, I guess, before you are at home. Meanwhile, do your sailing in the dark on YOUR terms, i.e. leave at or just before dusk so you know that the forecast and conditions are suitable not leave it to the end of the passage, maybe nearly 24 hours later, when the weather might have altered considerably.
 
Re: Hard day at the office?

[ QUOTE ]
I don't agree with Chuggin about leaving in the middle of the night. You are more likely to be run over by a ferry if you rigidly leave at 3 in the morning knackered, having put in a full 9-6 day in the office the day before.

[/ QUOTE ]

SORREE, not thinking outside my own habits, for I've rarely slipped on a Friday night even for a bog-standard Solent weekend. Cruises would start Saturday midday earliest, so plenty of time before final departure.

Besides, would a skoolteech know what you're talking about??
A hard day in the classroom doesn't quite have the impact . .

But point made, the scenario would be foolhardy. Unless of course you captains of industry take the day off. Didn't a few score peeps get to St Vaast on Friday evening recently?
 
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