one for the techies!
- Thread starter CalmSkipper
- Start date
Searush
Well-Known Member
Uffa Fox crossed the channel in an open 25' whaler crewed by scouts to visit the Paris exhibition. No bouyancy, no cabin, sleep under the thwarts while the other watch sail & bale.
The channel has also been crossed (as has the Atlantic) by amphibious jeep and an inflatable dinghy. Not to mention the windsurfers, narrowboats etc etc.
Don't stress, take care, prepare well and enjoy yourself.
The channel has also been crossed (as has the Atlantic) by amphibious jeep and an inflatable dinghy. Not to mention the windsurfers, narrowboats etc etc.
Don't stress, take care, prepare well and enjoy yourself.
Brierley
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone crossed the channel in a MacGregor, if so, what was your experience?
[/ QUOTE ]
We've done it several times. We chose our weather window carefully (a couple of days settled weather beforehand helps eliminate choppy seas) and had no problems. Due to prevailing winds, we tend to motor across from IoW to Cherbourg as beating to windward in a Mac for 60 miles would be a soul-destroying exercise! Sailing back has been variable, mainly due to lack of wind in settled conditions but certainly not uncomfortable or threatening. Motor-sailing has worked well.
Having said that, she performs quite well in short choppy seas - much better under sail than under engine. Our worst experience for big seas was close inshore at Salcombe - crossing the Channel was a breeze by comparison!
As usual, it's horses for courses - with a low draft and ability to dry out, we get to some lovely sheltered places and get off the beaten track a bit. I wouldn't go as far as friends of ours who sailed their Mac across the Bay of Biscay to get it to the Med (that's why it's a TRAILER sailer!), but then I don't know many yachts that can get from the Solent to the non-tidal Thames in less than 2 hours and be happily cruising through locks for a few days!
Anyone crossed the channel in a MacGregor, if so, what was your experience?
[/ QUOTE ]
We've done it several times. We chose our weather window carefully (a couple of days settled weather beforehand helps eliminate choppy seas) and had no problems. Due to prevailing winds, we tend to motor across from IoW to Cherbourg as beating to windward in a Mac for 60 miles would be a soul-destroying exercise! Sailing back has been variable, mainly due to lack of wind in settled conditions but certainly not uncomfortable or threatening. Motor-sailing has worked well.
Having said that, she performs quite well in short choppy seas - much better under sail than under engine. Our worst experience for big seas was close inshore at Salcombe - crossing the Channel was a breeze by comparison!
As usual, it's horses for courses - with a low draft and ability to dry out, we get to some lovely sheltered places and get off the beaten track a bit. I wouldn't go as far as friends of ours who sailed their Mac across the Bay of Biscay to get it to the Med (that's why it's a TRAILER sailer!), but then I don't know many yachts that can get from the Solent to the non-tidal Thames in less than 2 hours and be happily cruising through locks for a few days!