jersey/guernsey from southampton trip planning virgin

[S75rich]

good day all
we are planning a trip during the summer from southampton to the channel islands ( which is yet TBC)

other than the obvious navigational considerations getting from soton to the needles channel , are there any words of wisdom from people who have made this passage before that they would like to instill in a relative newbie to this route?

the trip will be undertaken in a 75ft motor yacht, so other than sea conditions, wind isnt really a factor for planning.

any advice welcomed.
Rich

 

[Blue Sunray]

good day all
we are planning a trip during the summer from southampton to the channel islands ( which is yet TBC)

other than the obvious navigational considerations getting from soton to the needles channel , are there any words of wisdom from people who have made this passage before that they would like to instill in a relative newbie to this route?

the trip will be undertaken in a 75ft motor yacht, so other than sea conditions, wind isnt really a factor for planning.

any advice welcomed.
Rich

If going that way don't forget to consider arrival time at the Alderney Race.

 

[madabouttheboat]

In a 75 footer, my advice would be to book ahead. Other than that, aim to get to the race at slack water, or if not at least with the wind and tide in the same direction.

 

[Piers]

Hi S75rich. You ask for some pointers. here goes:

1. The pinch point will be the Alderney race which you should enter at slack.
2. Instead of the Alderney race, you could route to the west of the Casquets if the wind is from the west, but avoid routing over the shallow bank to the south of the Casquets.
3. Book ahead. You won't be allowed in the Victoria Marina, but you should be allowed to use the outer harbour. Either that, or book into Beaucette Marina. Check the marina's website for how to enter.
4. If this is your first time, I'd choose a day with no wind, and at neaps.
5. Don't route through the Swinge (between Alderney and Burhou.

If you have any queries, PM me. Piers.

 

[Bandit]

Book ahead at 75ft berthing limited number in both Jersey and Guernsey.

Covid restrictions apply still but relaxing slowly.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Hi S75rich. You ask for some pointers. here goes:

1. The pinch point will be the Alderney race which you should enter at slack.
2. Instead of the Alderney race, you could route to the west of the Casquets if the wind is from the west, but avoid routing over the shallow bank to the south of the Casquets.
3. Book ahead. You won't be allowed in the Victoria Marina, but you should be allowed to use the outer harbour. Either that, or book into Beaucette Marina. Check the marina's website for how to enter.
4. If this is your first time, I'd choose a day with no wind, and at neaps.
5. Don't route through the Swinge (between Alderney and Burhou.

If you have any queries, PM me. Piers.

Ooh Piers, you are naughty! Will you be selling tickets to watch a 75 footer entering Beaucette for the first time?

 

[Piers]

Ooh Piers, you are naughty! Will you be selling tickets to watch a 75 footer entering Beaucette for the first time?

Ha! In fact, the longest recorded and photographed to enter, was a 110' tall master. Now that must have been a challenge.

 

[tetleys]

Good luck with your trip Rich
The CIs offer fabulous cruising grounds together with Brittany and Normandy ( once normal service is resumed )
We base our boat in Jersey. Please note the Albert Pier pontoon in St Helier for arriving visitors is currently having major works
carried out so space is often very limited on arrival. The marina office staff are most helpful so give them a shout .

Cheers
Tetleys

 

[longjohnsilver]

Ha! In fact, the longest recorded and photographed to enter, was a 110' tall master. Now that must have been a challenge.

Any pics you can post here of the 110 footer entering/leaving? I’d love to see them.

 

[Piers]

Any pics you can post here of the 110 footer entering/leaving? I’d love to see them.

The pics used to be on the Beaucette website before they changed it. Here it is, in the visitor pool.

 

[tico]

Wasn't 'Grey Bear' Squaddy 74 based at Beaucette?

 

[Piers]

There was a 76' Azimut at one point. With a large boat you should only think of entering at HW for max draught and width. And with standing water you don't have to contend with a head or tail tide.

 

[longjohnsilver]

The pics used to be on the Beaucette website before they changed it. Here it is, in the visitor pool.

Thanks Piers, that must have been a very long time ago!

 

[Piers]

It was. The word on the street is that they used ropes to bring her in, rather like Nelson would have done at English Harbour, Antigua.