got the summer off

[Rob_karen]

We are lucky enough to have the summer off work, problem is he wants to go up the east coast and she wants to cross the channel..........we are thames estuary based.......Any must go places ? Where to avoid....
thanks for your help

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[pandroid]

Blimey. If you've got the whole Summer off, then you can go almost anywhere, including the Med. The obvious answer is either Holland (loads of Canals, full of Dutch) or Brittany (loads of rocks, tides, and Brits). If you fancy the Baltic you can see what it is like and how we did it last year <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kissen.co.uk>here</A>

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[Rowana]

It depends on what you want to achieve. What are the chances of getting the whole summer off again? If the likelyhood of this happening again is minimal, then I suggest that this is the time to look at where you have never been before, or are ever likely to get the chance again.

The Baltic is lovely in the summer as has already been said. No tides to worry about. You could come right up the east coast as far as Orkney/Shetland, cross to Norway, and back down via Denmark, Holland, Etc. All dpends how much sailing you want as opposed to time in harbour. Or do you like places which are buisy & full of Brits?

If it were me, I would write down (and be honest!), all the pros & cons of your options, then weigh them up and then decide.



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[roger]

Try the Baltic

Try the Baltic if you are able to do without a lot of booze. In Scandinavia alchohol prices vary from highish to dreadful - but you dont have to get your booze in a hotel bar and its much cheaper at source. If you are addicted then dont go there.
The problem is getting there. Its much easier from the Thames than from my home port Dartmouth. Whats more you'll be in good food country immediately - France and Belgium. We made it from the Dart to Stockholm with no night passages at all last year. Its not difficult.
You have to watch the weather particularly along the north Dutch and German coast but once into the Kiel Canal your problems are mostly over.
I suggest a slowish start because the weather in May for example at Gothenberg is cool and will be more so on the east Swedish coast. Thats a good time to explore Holland before the water there gets too crowded.
The Danish islands are beautifully civilised though the water is shallow. For real beauty and fascinating pilotage the East Swedish coast from Kalmar to Stockholm would keep you busy for the rest of your life.
You can easily purchase Baltic charts at Kapitan Stegman in the Holtenau lock on the Kiel Canal.

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[hairbox]

Re: Try the Baltic

Read the book The Baltic with BOB Griff Rhys Jones

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[Rob_karen]

hi paranoid
visited your site for a quick look see.
i noticed you have a much larger boat than we have,we currently sail a jeanneau fatasia 27, is this sort of trip achievable in a smaller lighter yacht than yours.
we would like to avoid night passages,can we coast hop in daylight hours?.
the only sailing certificates we have are dayskipper shore based,although i have been sailing the thames estuary for twenty years.
this would be our first major trip.
cheers rob.......

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[pandroid]

We used to have a Contessa 28, and the furthest we got in that was Holland. Living on a boat for 3 months you ideally want a bit more space but its possible, depending on how many mod cons you need, and whether you can sleep at night without continually trashing her. You may find it tedious without a fridge or hot water if you dont have those.

It perfectly possible to day sail to the Baltic - apart from the hop from Harwich to Ijmuden, which is about 20/22 hours. We travelled the rest of the way last year just 2 up, and you can see our hours at sea on our <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kissen.co.uk/log.htm>log</A> page. The main hazards are (apart from the North Sea hop), across the top of the Frisians and the Elbe estuary. For this you'll have to wait for quiet weather, particularly to come back. Apart from that there are no problems - the bulk of boats in Denmark and Sweden (apart from the Germans) are your size or smaller.

Rememember that apart from the Elbe, there are no serious tides, and the Thames Estuary is dangerous by comparison. You dont need any tickets - the wife has a DS, but all I have is an ICC!

If this is your first major trip, then I suggest the Dutch canals. Apart from being a little busy at the height of the season, you can go from one end of the country in totally sheltered waters. There's enough variation with lakes and locks, and places to go. My old man has a Hustler 25.5 (smaller than yours) and loves the area.

PM me if you want more info

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[extravert]

The East coast of the UK is a bit lacking in features and vistas north of Lowestoft. (I might even be tempted to say dull and boring, but I wouldn't dare, because the Lincolnshire types would start shouting at me). It doesn't improve much until you get to Northumberland (Grimsby excepted, which is really rather quaint), which is lots of miles of looking at a low straight coastline until you get there.

But if you have a whole summer, start up the East coast, go all the way round, and come back along the French coast, keeping everyone happy. You can chop the top off by using one of the Scottish canals if you don't fancy boaty-Russian-roulette in Pentland Firth.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep trying.