Guernsey to Salcombe

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Paddydog`1

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I've worked out how to get from PSalcombe to Guernsey going south of island to utilise flood tide to St Peter Port. But I cant decide on the timing and course of the route back especially with regard to tides. Help and advice preferably from those who have done it would be greatly appreciated.
 
If you mean Guernsey to Salcombe, I've done this several times and it works out very well.

I don't remember the tides and the books are on the boat, but I went North up the Little Russel then angled off for Salcombe.

In prevailing south westerlies the wind angle is great, a beam reach with luck, so a fast passage.

For interest or emergency nav', I found the clouds above Salcombe replicate the headlands and inlets below amzingly accurately, giving a 'landfall' long before one can see land; never seen this phenomenon so accurate anywhere else, but noticed it a few times on this route.
 
As Seajet says go North from St. PP up the Little Russell and round the northen tip of Guernsey.

Leave in time to catch just the last of the north going tide . So about 3 hours before HW Dover ( 2 hours after HW St PP)

Dont go any earlier or the tide will cart you half way to Alderney before it turns and you will likely end up getting yourself uncomfortably close to the Casquets TSS.

If you go later you will have to go south about round Guernsey and then the tide will take well to the west. That might be a good plan if there is good west , south west or south wind that will get you back to Plymouth or Salcombe on one tack
 
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As Seajet. But be aware that if there's wind over tide in the Little Russel, it can get extremely lumpy, so make sure you're well stowed for sea before you leave. (Having been caught out twice that way)
 
We used the northern approach (but from Dartmouth) last year and came back the same way, as the tides worked better for the slot we had to cross. Lumpy in the Little Russell as earlier post said, but it was fun doing 14 kn over the ground!

Heading for Salcombe you may be able to avoid the TSS; we passed about a mile East of the CLV, but no problem.

Bon voyage!
 
If you are a little delayed setting off back it may be convenient to leave southabout as well, you will still get a good shove down channel. However I appreciate it is nice to try both routes.
Similarly, in case you are delayed on the way there, do your homework on the Little Russell; it is a long slog if you take the west way against the tide. Hark the voice of experience.
By the way the Little Russell is not very little. The rather daunting pilotage instructions are left over from a pre GPS age, all you have to do is aim up the middle.
 
A couple of additional points to watch:

If you're leaving at HW StPP + 2 or so, make sure that you can get out of the marina OK. There's a local pastime of watching the visitor hit the sill, which you don't want to be the star in.

Also make sure that you get enough tidal stream in the Little Russell - you don't want to get to the top and find yourself going backwards.

Tidal streams in the area are a major factor for a yacht - they're not particularly difficult, but they are important: if you try to fight the tide in the Little Russell you'll lose.
 
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You might well consider using the 'Doyle Passage' shortcut, turning left near the top of the Little Russell as though heading for Beaucette Marina, then right 346°T from between the Red/Green seamarks outside the marina.

Details are in the almanac.

Straightforward if visibility permits easy identification of the seamarks, and usually saves rather more than half-an-hour - especially if the ebbtide has started against you.

I make a point of routing well clear of the western ends of BOTH lanes of the Off Casquets TSS. Merchant shipping is often changing direction to enter, and on exiting, just about there and their attention will be largely on other merchant traffic.... ;)
 
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oldbilbo said:
I make a point of routing well clear of the western ends of BOTH lanes of the Off Casquets TSS. Merchant shipping is often changing direction to enter, and on exiting, just about there and their attention will be largely on other merchant traffic.... ;)
Click to expand...

Thats more of an issue that the little russel channel. Last time we did the trip back to Salcombe there were 13 commercial vessels on our radar as we crossed the approaches to the traffic lanes, because of course the lanes have a funnelling effect and vessels start coming together miles before the lanes start and are still close together miles after they finish.
 
Do consider going South from St PP, and along the southern coast of Guernsey. Less nasty rocks, tides should be weaker (?) and you will be that bit further west for the crossing. Just make allowance for strong tides in the Les Hanois area.
 
update on salcombe to guernsey

Thanks for all your advice. Just got back after 2 weeks in the channel islands. Went south about Guernsey from Salcombe to St Peter Port in force 6 W by NW. Rough off hanois light house but cracking sail. Dog on board so wouldn't let us in to marina at St Peter Port despite having Dog passport for rabies.Moored in Harbour pontoon. Then off to Jersey where we were allowed into Elizabeth marina with dog. Very helpful staff and great facilities. Thanks Simon. Back to Guernsey after 4 great days on Jersey. Went to Beaucette Marina which welcomes dogs. Really beautiful place with excellent Restaurant. Ricky the harbourmaster is such a can do guy and very helpful. Advised us to leave 3 hours before HW to get a lift north via Doyles passage
. Great sail to Dartmouth which was magnificent in the sunshine. Nobody can complain about this summer weather . It was wonderful . Then back to Plymouth via Salcombe on the nose force 5 but good sail.
 
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