First voyage advice

[New Boater]

Hi all,

As collection of my new boat is not too far in the future I am after some advice.

The journey will be from Beaucette Marina, Guernsey (or very near by) to Dover.

At present I plan to do it in two parts. Guernsey to point A then point A to Dover the following day.

My question is regarding point A. I will want to refuel and stay the night (onboard) and was thinking Poole, Southampton etc.

Which one would you choose as the easiest? Easiest to navigate to, easiest to fuel up, easiest to find a guest berth and so on.

Also can anyone think of the absolute must haves to make the journey.

I will have someone with experience with me but I want to be as prepared as possible myself without putting all the prep onto my Pal.

The Boat has a Garmin 5012 chart plotter, VHF Radio (I have a hand held as well) life jackets, flares and a Dinghy on the back. Engines will have been serviced and sea trialed. I will have Savvy Navvy on the phone (incase)

One thing I did notice on the way there and back on the Ferry was a patch of very rough and confused sea. Will aim to go around that.

All advice welcome.

 

[Seastoke]

Spare fuel filters , tool kit

 

[mil1194]

This may have been overkill but we got back in one piece and definitely needed some of them.

 

[Seastoke]

Passage plan.

 

[Seastoke]

Poole to Dover is a long trip in one day, for two crew.

 

[mil1194]

Poole to Dover is a long trip in one day, for two crew.

I agree - even without knowing what boat it is - it must be 150+ miles which is a very long trip IMHO.

Edited to change distance. Still a long way

 

[Seastoke]

Spare engine oil.

 

[New Boater]

Ok thanks for the input.

Will add more tools, filters and belts.

There doesn’t seem to be much in between guernsey and the UK.

The boat is a Hardy Seawings 305.

Lots of food and drink. Happy if it takes all day. Won’t be in a rush. Will aim to pick very nice weather window and allow 4 days for drama recovery.

 

[New Boater]

And Oil.

There might even be the option to follow someone back too but that is up in the air at the minute.

 

[New Boater]

Savvy navvy has Guernsey to Poole at about 75nm

Has anyone done the trip?

 

[New Boater]

I agree - even without knowing what boat it is - it must be 150+ miles which is a very long trip IMHO.

Edited to change distance. Still a long way

Going to do it in two stages.

 

[mil1194]

Savvy navvy has Guernsey to Poole at about 75nm

Has anyone done the trip?

I’ve done Jersey to Salcombe - which IIRC was 110nm. Managed it in about 10/11hours in horrible conditions in a Fairline 50 Fly.

Going to do it in two stages.

Sorry - but I was going by your OP which was point A to Dover which you were only planning a day for.

 

[colhel]

How much experience does your pal have? Is he/she familiar with any of the ports along the south coast?

 

[Tranona]

Pretty straightforward once you have cleared Alderney.

Assuming you bought it in Guernsey presumably you are going to clear customs and pay VAT, in which case makes sense to talk to customs at Portsmouth as to the best port to do this. Here is th Government guidance for entering the UK www.gov.uk/guidance/sailing-a-pleasure-craft-that-is-arriving-in-the-uk

 

[Seastoke]

Going to do it in two stages.

Can you clear up , you said you was doing Guernsey to Poole one day and Poole to Dover which is twice the distance, one day as well .

 

[New Boater]

Sorry to all that I have confused.

Guernsey to point A (point A being southampton or Poole etc)

Then from there to Dover the following day.

But will probably make it Portsmouth now seeing as that will make the VAT part easier.

 

[mil1194]

Sorry to all that I have confused.

Guernsey to point A (point A being southampton or Poole etc)

Then from there to Dover the following day.

But will probably make it Portsmouth now seeing as that will make the VAT part easier.

Portsmouth to Dover is still a long way -apparently 148nm

Port Distance Calculator - Cruise Britain

 

[New Boater]

How much experience does your pal have? Is he/she familiar with any of the ports along the south coast?

Haven't asked him specifically yet as he is abroad. He has decades of experience sailing boats so I assume he has a fair amount of knowledge.

 

[New Boater]

Portsmouth to Dover is still a long way -apparently 148nm

Port Distance Calculator - Cruise Britai

Oh. Savvy navvy has it at 102nm.

Maybe three days then. Haven’t made a proper plan yet so all this info is great.

I will get my pal to sit down with me with some good old fashioned charts and a cup of tea to get it sorted.

 

[mil1194]

Oh. Savvy navvy has it at 102nm.

Maybe three days then. Haven’t made a proper plan yet so all this info is great.

I will get my pal to sit down with me with some good old fashioned charts and a cup of tea to get it sorted.

Well I stand to be corrected but that seems very short. someone here must have done it but I’ve only been West from the Solent and the Bristol channel/Welsh coasts.