first time to Channel Islands !

Keith-i said:
With a boat of your size you will need to stick to proper harbours and marinas overnight, but if you want a nice bay for the afternoon then head for Beauport on the south coast of Jersey. Dixcart in Sark and Shell bay in Herm are also really scenic in the right weather. I'd recommend Carteret or even dielette for a night if you want to try the Normandy coast. Very reasonable rates and not too busy during the week.
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Keith, you're absolutely right, i'd much prefer the comfort (and safety!) of a proper harbour or marina overnight - I wouldn't have the local knowledge that I think is needed in order to 'relax' and get a good nights sleep....especially if the conditions changed during the night!!!

Thanks also for the day anchorage tips - with regard to the tides this trip will in some ways prove how spoilt we are by being solent based with not having to clock-watch - with such a large tide range and entrances to some marinas only available +/- 2 hours HW i think this will be an education!
 
I think we're the ones who are spoiled, tides are there to be used and are a huge advantage when used correctly!
And having 40ft of water drain out of the area in 6 hours...it's like having 2 cruising grounds in one :)
 
JSYmartini said:
I think we're the ones who are spoiled, tides are there to be used and are a huge advantage when used correctly!
And having 40ft of water drain out of the area in 6 hours...it's like having 2 cruising grounds in one :)
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that's an amazing volume of water..... no wonder some of the tidal streams are so fast, especially on the springs!

Could be some interesting SOG figures recorded on this trip! :)
 
Robg71 said:
try Gouliot passage for a quick extra ten knots on a spring. :)
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Rob, that is some stream!

As a Jersey local, do you have a favourite wind forecast site?

I mainly use XC weather for the Solent. This does also show the channel islands but if you know of a better one i'll use that - thanks
 
Around here I use mainly XC weather along with looking out of the window.

Widguru is better fro predicting swell and wave height.

The Officil site for CI weather is http://www.jerseymet.gov.je/ then follow the left hand menu for Forecasts and then Shipping forecast.
 
I've been using Windfinder for a few years, but only for wind speed and direction, ignore anything else it says.
Jersey Met can be a bit more vague and often pessimistic, between the two you get a good idea.

Still takes a lot of experience to combine these with tides and which route you're on to know exactly what to expect.
 
There is a theory that Jersey met shipping forecast is pessimistic and sometimes adds a force Beaufort in the summer to keep the yachties safely tied up in the harbour.

XC is great for wind direction and force and for being specific to Guernsey or Jersey or Carteret or Alderney and quite different for each at the same time whereas Jersey met is a blanket large area with pretty much the same forecast.

XC is also more specific and accurate for wind shifts around the clock and for rising and falling again where as Jersey met is pretty vague for a 12 or 24 hour period.

Jersey met again give you 14, 48 and 72 hours where as XC gives a pretty good 10 day tendancy.

However XC is carp for fog, sunshine and rain.
 
Totally agree with all of that, its really helped with these newish weather sites that are prepared to stick their neck on the line and give us the specifics
 
Good to know you guys use XC as much as I do......

The tidal atlas should arrive tomorrow - that'll raise the eyebrows!

With streams that strong I guess going anywhere wind over tide is a big no-no!!

We have been allocated a berth in Elizabeth Marina for the trip, having a 'proper' berth assigned at Elizabeth will I hope eliminate the summer mayhem of the main St Helier marina...! :cool:

Just need the weather gods to do their thing for the crossing now!!

Have just booked the boat lift for the week prior to departure - clean bum & props will save a few ££££ over those miles!
 
Rob,

Going anytime from Sat 3rd August....subject to weather window.

Thanks for the offer, i'll PM you nearer the time for sure....

I'm sure between us and that dedicated beer cooler I fitted we're covered! ;)

Not really formulated any type of plan, but all you guys have giving me some good info on the bays to visit etc, i'll study these more when the charts land.

Would like to do as much as poss whilst over there, including some 'on-land' stuff....but I have 2 weeks! Very tempted by the French ports of cateret & St Malo - only issue is the little one's passport may not arrive by then, and i'm not sure whether this will be an issue when visiting the French ports! are they strict with customs checking etc?? do I need to 'smuggle' him in the bilge!!!!! :D
 
SBUK said:
With streams that strong I guess going anywhere wind over tide is a big no-no!!
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The 10 kts in the Gauliot passage that Rob mentioned is a tiny 100 yard wide channel between Breqhou and Sark. During normal passage making you'll never see anything like that.

The main bits to watch as you probably already know is the Alderney race and the Swinge on the other side of Alderney.

When you get your tidal atlas you'll notice that the streams get stronger the further away you get from Mont St. Michel (the corner of the "bay"). At the same time the range also gets smaller too.

Basically anywhere where rocks and islands restrict the flow of water, the velocity will increase so before you undertake any passage, bear the above in mind, look at the atlas and your tide book and the forecast - with a little bit of planning you'll wonder what the fuss is all about :rolleyes: And seeing an extra 3 or 4 knots on your SOG is very satisfying :cool:
 
JSYmartini said:
The 10 kts in the Gauliot passage that Rob mentioned is a tiny 100 yard wide channel between Breqhou and Sark. During normal passage making you'll never see anything like that.

The main bits to watch as you probably already know is the Alderney race and the Swinge on the other side of Alderney.

When you get your tidal atlas you'll notice that the streams get stronger the further away you get from Mont St. Michel (the corner of the "bay"). At the same time the range also gets smaller too.

Basically anywhere where rocks and islands restrict the flow of water, the velocity will increase so before you undertake any passage, bear the above in mind, look at the atlas and your tide book and the forecast - with a little bit of planning you'll wonder what the fuss is all about :rolleyes: And seeing an extra 3 or 4 knots on your SOG is very satisfying :cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks JSYmartini.......all noted. Very grateful for any tips you have to offer....:)
 
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Ref Passport for little one.

I get checked about once every two or three years so once in say 20 or 30 trips but it is a risk in France, I don't know what French customs view would be , equally there is the possibility of requiring passports in Guernsey, Jersey or Uk on your return from France.

Don't worry too much about tides , set your waypoints, use track mode on your autopilot and for Alderney race or swinge make sure you hit slack water especially in any wind.

If passports arrive Carteret is great and St Cast is nice St Malo a bit busy for me but interesting none the less.
 
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