First time crossing North Sea

[EdWingfield]

Way back in the 60's I was an apprentice and an older apprentice sailed from the Forth to Norway and back in a Wayfarer with his brother. I thought him mad then and nothing has altered my opinion since but they lived to tell the tale. Had problems in Norway apparently as the local officials refused to believe they'd done it.

Possibly Frank Dye and Bill Brockbank.

 

[ducked]

AIS may be helpful for spotting supply boats, but the rigs are mostly stationary!

Was on a German square rigger that left Lieth with the Tall Ships Race bound for Norway. Was helming for the first time and showing a bit of a snaky wake so it was suggested that I use a rig on the horizon as a fixed ref point. Worked well for a while but gradually went horribly wrong, and people started shouting at me in German again.

I hadn't realised that the smudge ahead of the rig was the exhaust plume of an ocean going tug taking it to Panama, surprisingly quickly for something about the size of Livingston Town Centre.

I remember the chart showing places where natural gas was upwelling to the surface, and wondering what that would be like to sail through, though I suppose that'd be the least of your problems in a small boat.

 

[Caer Urfa]

The North sea is not for Amateurs spend time studying the weather forecast looking well ahead of any of your planned crossings
Also look at 'bolt holes' if things really go wrong as to where you could go and actually 'get in' which is not necessarily the same thing

 

[Laminar Flow]

Lots of good advice from people who have never done it.

Leaving Lerwick, Shetland, you are looking at about 200 Nm. Weather reports are good for about 3 days. Moving even at a modest speed, it should not really take you more than a couple of days. You could probably do it under motor, easily. The Norwegians like to carry extra fuel on deck.

As a port of entry, Haugesund would be the best bet, immigration at the police station.

Bonus: in the Summer it practically doesn't get dark.

There are no windfarms on that route (too deep) and you'd have to literally be asleep at the wheel to hit an oil platform, they are lit up like a Christmas tree.

Out in the open, there are astonishingly few bolt holes. Tidal access is not an issue up there, on either side of the pond.

On passage: Orkney has formidable tidal currents. On leaving Wick, pick your time carefully.

Original post in 2017, if OP hasn't made it yet; time to float a wreath from the pier in Lerwick.

 

[MADRIGAL]

Possibly Frank Dye and Bill Brockbank.

Norwegian: Where from?
Frank Dye: Scotland, via Faeroes.
Norwegian: In that?
Frank Dye: Ja.
Norwegian: You are madmans.

 

[ducked]

This guys has just crossed from Norway to Shetland, but he doesn't really worry about what the weather is doing

Also spent quite a bit of time in the North Sea, If you have time in Shetland to wait for the right forecast should be a very enjoyable trip...

Seems he slept, which would be pretty hard to avoid solo, even in a 35 footer, and impossible in a 24.
I thought sleeping was a North Sea No No?

 

[noelex]

This is a very old thread, but there are likely to be many that contemplate a similar passage.

Firstly, yes, I have done this same passage, but only a few times. The distance is only short. The North Sea can be very tempestuous, but with a passage such as this, it is short enough that with a favourable weather window, it is not difficult.

Consider the wave height, direction, and period and not just the wind strength and direction.

Below is the North Sea when it becomes "sporty". Hang on to your hat .