My first Channel crossing to Guernsey (pics)

Magnum

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After so much dissapointment with the weather and other crap (literally) regarding the last 7 months UK boating I've just returned from a fantastic few days onboard Magnum.

This post might be of interest to more experienced boaters but it's mainly for those who haven't done it yet - crossed the Channel. You are probably sitting there worrying about mountainous seas, pea-soup fog and running aground on submerged rocks. Well fear not, with a little planning and preparation it's actually a piece of cake. This is what we did.

Waiting for the right time to go. Just look at the forecasts and pick your time carefully. No point in making it totally unpleasant first time. Look at the inshore, shipping and local forecasts. We decided last Friday morning was the time to go. Leaving at 7am would give us access to the silled Victoria Marina at St Peter Port for about 5 hours. Got up at 6am and visibility in the marina was just 50m. Damn. Got up, had a walk around, it started to clear a bit, then got worse and yo-yo'd like that for an hour or more. But there was one reason why I decided to leave just before 9am with 300m visibility. Getting actual data from the Channel Light Vessel via www.xcweather.co.uk showing 10km+ vis. Sure enough after 5 miles it lifted and I dropped the hammer to 27 knots.

It wasn't that windy but we were going straight into it. This made it quite slammy up on the flybridge and going down below for a pee was an experience I won't forget in a hurry. Zero gravity is a strange thing when nature calls. I decided to take a slightly indirect route by crossing the TSS a few miles into it and cross at right angles then turn to port for the Little Russel. Only saw one big ship but it was big. He came quite close and I shook my fists at him - the wash was frightful /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Picked up the pace a little as it flattened off and arrived at the entrance to the Little Russel to witness boiling seas. The currents there are really very noticeable and I could feel Magnum getting pushed and pulled more than a little. In no time at all we were at St Peter Port harbour entrance and a quick radio call confirm plenty of water over the sill and we were in. Total journey time - 3 hours /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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Backed her in to a nice little slot in a fairly empty Victoria Marina. Then some bloody joker came along and pretended to be Customs and Excise. Gave him a beer anyway.

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This is what you don't want the sill to look like when you arrive.

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But when the tide rises it fairly pelts through.

That night some girls came over and said "are you from the forums?". Things like that only ever happen when you are married.

Stayed put in the marina on Saturday. As on Friday it was beautifully sunny. Went out round the islands on an overcast Sunday.

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The Barclay brothers castle on Brecqhuo.

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A cup of tea in Dixcart Bay, Sark.

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Back in Victoria Marina.

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About 40 yotties waiting for the tide to rise. The Harbour Master told me that this was nothing - in peak season there can be over 140 /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

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That's why it's called Victoria Marina.

Decided to head back on Monday. Wind was forecasted W 3-4, good vis and sunshine. Bought 400l of diesel at 41p a litre outside the marina (remember, no red diesel there so this is what you would pay for your car fuel) and did the reverse route.

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It was more like a force 2-3 for the first half of the journey and we saw about 6 or 7 big ships. They do move quick but you can see them so far away it's easy to take evasive action. In good vis it's absolutely nothing to be concerned about.

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Ah, Torquay ahead. Total journey time - 2hrs 55mins /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now I've done it I wholeheartedly agree with others who have said the worst bit is worrying about doing it. Plan your route, check the weather, know your colregs and with a reliable, fueled boat you have no worries at all. I loved every minute of it.
 

BrendanS

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Re: Ooh! a public deflowering!

Well done! and great write up with pics.

It's a great feeling of accomplishment when you finally get on and do it, and no where nearly as scary as it seems when contemplating it beforehand
 

longjohnsilver

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Great pics Magnum, well done, as you say it really isn't that difficult. A great sense of achievement when you arrive for the first time!
 
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Deleted User YDKXO

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Excellent report, Magnum. Changed your mind about the Med?
 

Magnum

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Not at all. Whilst I really loved the last few days, I have had 10 times as many dissapointing ones. The weather makes it all worthwile and whilst I'll really miss the happy times we've had here, the decision has been made.
 
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Deleted User YDKXO

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You're probably right. The best Med boating days are just that bit better than the best UK boating days
 

Dave_Snelson

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Well done Magnum. And a great post with brilliant piccies. I'm still waiting to do my first Ireland trip, which is now delayed until July. Its 144nm round trip, and yes, the worry about doing it will hopefully be dispelled by the trip itself.

Once again, thanks for a brilliant post.
 

Coupe

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Excellent report. Magnum. Looking for Powerskippers job at MBM ?/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

Coupe

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Dave,
We will make sure that your visit is an un-forgettable one (one way or the other) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Mick.
 
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