Honfleur Access

Chris_Robb

Chris_Robb

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 Jun 2001
Messages
8,075
Location
Haslemere/ Leros
Visit site
Does Honfleur still have a holding pontoon outside the lock? No mention is made on the current almanac, but I am sure there used to be one there.

We will be going up the Seine and the + - 2 hours LW exit over the mud outside looks like it could mean an early exit before low tide, or an exit 2 hours after - which will leave a shorter day - Start of April so only 12 hours daylight.

Most comentators seem to say that you need a full 12 hours to transit to Rouen. However it's 60 miles, say at 6 knot - we would norally cruise at 7.5 with clean bottom, which is 10 hours. Add the current in favour - say 2 knots so average 8 knots = 7.5 hours

So exit at 10.45 = 8 hours gives an arrival time of 18:45 - Sunset is at 20.30

To give more leaway locking out before LW would be at 6.30, far too early for the tide up river, so hence the question about the holding pontoon.

Any clues gratefully received!
 
Chris_Robb said:
Does Honfleur still have a holding pontoon outside the lock? No mention is made on the current almanac, but I am sure there used to be one there.

We will be going up the Seine and the + - 2 hours LW exit over the mud outside looks like it could mean an early exit before low tide, or an exit 2 hours after - which will leave a shorter day - Start of April so only 12 hours daylight.

Most comentators seem to say that you need a full 12 hours to transit to Rouen. However it's 60 miles, say at 6 knot - we would norally cruise at 7.5 with clean bottom, which is 10 hours. Add the current in favour - say 2 knots so average 8 knots = 7.5 hours

So exit at 10.45 = 8 hours gives an arrival time of 18:45 - Sunset is at 20.30

To give more leaway locking out before LW would be at 6.30, far too early for the tide up river, so hence the question about the holding pontoon.

Any clues gratefully received!
Click to expand...

Nothing there last summer.
 
I think the holding pontoon you recall is for the bridge lift to the inner harbour ?
The lock is a commercial lock and doesn't have a waiting area as I recall .

The current is incredibly strong for the first 5-10 miles , there is no point in attempting to punch it.

River Flood and ebbs don't follow usual tide patterns and some rivers only flood for 2-3 hours after which time you will be punching the ebb and your 7 knot cruise will be reduced.

There are dozens of River Ferries that you have to give way to, which can cause delays.
 
no holding pontoon... just tie up to the wall and wait. but you re need to exit the commercial lock before going up river.
 
Last edited:
Chris_Robb said:
Does Honfleur still have a holding pontoon outside the lock? No mention is made on the current almanac, but I am sure there used to be one there.

We will be going up the Seine and the + - 2 hours LW exit over the mud outside looks like it could mean an early exit before low tide, or an exit 2 hours after - which will leave a shorter day - Start of April so only 12 hours daylight.

Most comentators seem to say that you need a full 12 hours to transit to Rouen. However it's 60 miles, say at 6 knot - we would norally cruise at 7.5 with clean bottom, which is 10 hours. Add the current in favour - say 2 knots so average 8 knots = 7.5 hours

So exit at 10.45 = 8 hours gives an arrival time of 18:45 - Sunset is at 20.30

To give more leaway locking out before LW would be at 6.30, far too early for the tide up river, so hence the question about the holding pontoon.

Any clues gratefully received!
Click to expand...

I was there in October. No holding pontoon.
 
dacarak said:
I think the holding pontoon you recall is for the bridge lift to the inner harbour ?
The lock is a commercial lock and doesn't have a waiting area as I recall .

The current is incredibly strong for the first 5-10 miles , there is no point in attempting to punch it.

River Flood and ebbs don't follow usual tide patterns and some rivers only flood for 2-3 hours after which time you will be punching the ebb and your 7 knot cruise will be reduced.

There are dozens of River Ferries that you have to give way to, which can cause delays.
Click to expand...

There is actually 12 hours of flood - not over all of it, but it "rolls" up the river to Rouen, so speed must be in excess of the 7 knots basic. It starts flowing around 2 hours after low water - ie when you exit the lock - the tables say a 90 coeficient is 3-4 knots in the lower half. So I think we will have to leave at 10 am, and push on.

Just wondered if anyone else had done it and whether my calcs are all Cr4p.
 
AIDY said:
no holding pontoon... just tie up to the wall and wait. but you re need to exit the commercial lock before going up river.
Click to expand...

Aidy - didn't quite follow. We will be in the Basin de Carnot to get the mast down, so we will have to get through the road bridges the previous evening and moor up in the Avant port before the lock. When you say, I really need to exit the commercial lock before going up river -do you mean before low tide? and wait outside, is there anywhere to wait outside the lock?- which on the day planned will the the 6.30 lock (exit)(dark till 7 am)
 
We could be talking at crossed purposes ?

I have been up the Seine to Paris twice and into Honfleur twice but I wouldnt use Honfleur as a stage for the Seine due to the reasons you have high lighted.
Le Harve makes more sense with 24 hour access.

As you say the flood runs for a long time if you are just behind the 'Bore'.
If you leave too late you run the risk of missing the 'bore'.

You mentioned leaving at 1045 2-3 hours after the 'bore' has passed you which looses a lot of daylight.

Getting ahead of the bore half way to Rouen isnt an issue as not much is going on current wise but if you get left behind the start of the ebb is more of an issue for you.

Sorry I have inadvertently managed to get involved with floods and ebbs on the seine from a mobo prospective which most likely has no bearing on your plans, I just noticed Honfleur get a mention which is one of my favourite harbours.

Its a great trip, very rewarding, have fun :)
 
DAKA said:
We could be talking at crossed purposes ?

I have been up the Seine to Paris twice and into Honfleur twice but I wouldnt use Honfleur as a stage for the Seine due to the reasons you have high lighted.
Le Harve makes more sense with 24 hour access.

As you say the flood runs for a long time if you are just behind the 'Bore'.
If you leave too late you run the risk of missing the 'bore'.

You mentioned leaving at 1045 2-3 hours after the 'bore' has passed you which looses a lot of daylight.

Getting ahead of the bore half way to Rouen isnt an issue as not much is going on current wise but if you get left behind the start of the ebb is more of an issue for you.

Sorry I have inadvertently managed to get involved with floods and ebbs on the seine from a mobo prospective which most likely has no bearing on your plans, I just noticed Honfleur get a mention which is one of my favourite harbours.

Its a great trip, very rewarding, have fun :)
Click to expand...

Daka, LW Honfleur is 9 am local time, apparently the bore starts 1:45 after low water, so this is about the optimum - apparently.

The reason I do not want to do from le Harve is that I will be carrying a 15 meter mast on deck, and the estuary can get quite rough! Other who have done it say do it in in Honfluer. I guess everything is a compromise!
 
Chris_Robb said:
Daka, LW Honfleur is 9 am local time, apparently the bore starts 1:45 after low water, so this is about the optimum - apparently.

The reason I do not want to do from le Harve is that I will be carrying a 15 meter mast on deck, and the estuary can get quite rough! Other who have done it say do it in in Honfluer. I guess everything is a compromise!
Click to expand...

My mistake, you have clearly done your homework, sounds perfect :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top