How big for a channel crossing?

[ThreeSummers]

What's the smallest boat you have crossed or would cross the channel with?

Is a 17' boat crossing a no-go? On a calm day at 35 knots? Dover to Calais... (how I get to Dover is another matter).

Answers on the digital post card please...

 

[JKay]

Do not be so silly /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

How could you possibly fit all your risk assesment folders in

cheers Joe

 

[mobo1]

Should be ok if you have all the safety gear and are confident in your ability to do the navigation. It would be a good idea to only cross when the forecast is good with smooth to slight seas.

Mobo1

 

[sailorman]

a 19 footer sailed the atlantic
" Willing Griffin" a Hunter 19 sailed by David Blagden

 

[duncan]

Any sized power craft with sufficient fuel range will do it if the weather plays ball - on the other hand even the ferrys have had to wait for conditions to improve before docking!

Overall I think you are asking the wrong question - want to try again?

 

[BrendanS]

Years ago, before boats started getting bigger and bigger, 16'-20' boats were common and normal, and many of them went cross channel. Just make sure it's flat calm, with an excellent weather forecast.

Always go when the weather window is suitable, don't try and plan a date then fall into the trap of going anyway cos you've planned it, even tho conditions are marginal

 

[oldgit]

The smallest boat have crossed the channel in weights 10,000 tons and is called the Pride of Calais. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[totopalm]

PaH!! thats nothing i've done Biscay Fred, in the Pride of Bilbao

 

[Chris_d]

Perfectly possible on the right day, but more to the point why would you want to go to Calais, its a bit dreary /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ThreeSummers]

[ QUOTE ]
Overall I think you are asking the wrong question - want to try again?

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you be a little more specific?

 

[ThreeSummers]

[ QUOTE ]
Perfectly possible on the right day, but more to the point why would you want to go to Calais, its a bit dreary /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It's the shortest crossing, and from there hopefully to relax and cruise canals and rivers in France... The other option is to trailer to France, but I don't really want to leave the car and trailer unattended for two weeks or so...

 

[BrendanS]

Planning a holiday around the crossing is going to fall into the trap of going on a set date, rather than when the weather and sea conditions are suitable.

Weather and sea state conditions for a 17' boat crossing are not frequent and highly unlikely to occur near when you need to cross for the holiday.

 

[oldgit]

Your mate started up that italian thing up at The Victory moorings the other week,you could see the smoke from my front room.Hows that old Ranger of yours?.Think we saw another addition to the Medway fleet,at least didnt recognise the name on the boat.Praaps they all come here to pass their twilight retirement years in a peaceful backwater. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ThreeSummers]

[ QUOTE ]
Planning a holiday around the crossing is going to fall into the trap of going on a set date, rather than when the weather and sea conditions are suitable.

[/ QUOTE ]

Fair comment, and taken into consideration. But, weather (and forecast) permitting is it considered OK, or reckless?

 

[Chris_d]

So probably the answer to the question then "How big for a channel crossing" is that 17' is too small. Trouble is going Dover Calais you could get swamped by a Seacat in a flat calm sea.
If you want go in most weather conditions, say up to F5 in a moderate sea, then I would say you need a seaworthy boat at least 25-30ft, but there are just too many variables really.

 

[BOATKID]

why not hitch a lift on someones davitts (or engine compartment !!!)

 

[ThreeSummers]

[ QUOTE ]
why not hitch a lift on someones davitts (or engine compartment !!!)

[/ QUOTE ]

I was waiting for that... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

As for the engine compartment - It doesn't fold up!

 

[JKay]

GC1 will cut it half with his fan belt then it'll fit /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

seriously good weather go for it

cheers Joe

 

[GC1]

Please leave it out /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[hlb]

Well nearly all the RNLI call outs are to small boats, either short of experience or equipement. It's not so much whether they can cross the chanel, more, can they cope if things go wrong. You only have to go a few hundred yards off shore to meet fog or other problems. Theres hardly anything to go wrong in the middle. Loads of little boats go only a few miles away, then cant get back.

Read my September Cruise report. Not yet posted.