Oostend questions.

[Slow_boat]

The good ship White Magic will be joining the jaunt over the bank holiday, weather permitting, but this being my first time and my first channel crossing for a very long time, I have a few questions;

Which marina are we meeting at and is it 24 hr access?

What are the mooring arrangements? I seem to recal a picture of some sort of stern to mooring.

Is it loops or cleats on the pontoons?

It is about a 100 mile trip, so 24 hrs. It looks like it's a good idea to leave the Crouch on the first of the ebb, about 2230 Friday but will the bar be open when we arrive at 2230 Sat?

What time are other folk reckoning on sailing?

Is it any quicker or easier to cross to and from Shotley?

I know it's all daft questions but in my defence, my mate is doing the passage planning and has all my charts and books so can't check until he joins us on the Friday. His comment was 'Two one hundred mile channel crossings in three days is a bit ambitious, isn't it?'

 

[sailorman]

1/ Montgomery Dock ( RNSYC first on Stbd ) 24 hr tidal
2/ some along side but mainly Bouy to moor either bow or stern ( your choice)
3/ cleats on the pontoons
4/ 72 Nml from Landguard it should take less than 14 hrs in a S 29
5/ we leave when we get up thursday morning
6/ nav straight forward ( mind LSH )

 

[Koeketiene]

http://www.rnsyc.be/ostend/en/clubinfo/facilities.htm

 

[MoodySabre]

Hi Duncan

This is the photo you saw

This is in Montgomery Dock (nearest the sea). 24 hr access. You can berth bow or stern to but you need a long rope - mine was 30metres and we had to tie it off on the bow roller! There are cleats on the pontoon.

It's nearer 75-80 miles from Shotley. Look at the passage info on this thread

Departure times to suit personal circumstances - very early morning and a daylight afternoon arrival seems popular. We are planning but will prob leave on Friday morning from Shotley because we can. Daylight through the TSSs is my aim.

Ambitious? You ain't Slow Boat no more /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

Definately need a long line to reach, did it last year with Niel and he had to bring me another line to extend the first one.
I hear best bacon is also quite popular with God this year, so if I remember it will mean a trip to the butcher here before leaving.
Plan is to meet Alan at Harwich or around there, and set off early Saturday. Beer on arrival will no doubt go down very well but no idea why mate says 24hrs, hasn't taken that long with either Jim or Niel and we were only calculating it at about 36hrs from here
Not intending doing it on Sixpence this year, but as it's my special birthday year in 2010 and we should have more experience by then, we do intend going for it if for no other reason than I can't think of anywhere better to celebrate it. Did Hamburg for my 40th and don't intend going back there too soon

 

[sailorman]

Re: Oostende questions.

i have done the trip once or twice & i log when conditions allow ( ie can lay the course ) sub 73 mls Oostende Pr Hd > Languard By

 

[eastcoastbernie]

Re: Oostende questions.

It takes around 15 hours from Suffolk Yacht Harbour to Ostend in my 25 footer.

Navigation is very easy, you will see a big black looking tower on the horizon when land comes into view. It's a big hotel at Ostend, so just point your boat at that.

Second the need for very long mooring rope.

Also, use a strong rope to tie onto the pontoon. The rope holding Beyond Reason to the pontoon (pictured next to Moodysabre in Roger's photo) ripped into two pieces after the photo was taken. Luckily Morgana saved the day with his quick thicking and heroic boat grasping skills.

 

[sailorman]

Re: Oostende questions.

Thanks Bernie /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
if i aim 4 the Block of Flats will i get "taken" by the Tide /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[eastcoastbernie]

Re: Oostende questions.

I took it for granted that an old seadog like yerself would make allowance for the tide!!!!

And my comments weren't aimed at you, as you probably do it with your eyes closed, but at Duncan who was asking for navigational tips

 

[sailorman]

Re: Oostende questions.

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
see you in the Bar /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[eastcoastbernie]

Re: Oostende questions.

No you won't, cos I ain't going!

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: Oostende questions.

What's this tide thing /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Do I need it and where can I buy it?

Anyway, I just follow the ferry and hope it knows where it's going /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[sailorman]

Re: Oostende questions.

It Goes Up & Down see dunit /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[eastcoastbernie]

Re: Oostende questions.

used to be a washing powder ...... maybe it still is ..... i know nuffin'

 

[sailorman]

Re: Oostende questions.

i have 3 crates of MT Duval bottles to take back /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: Oostende questions.

[ QUOTE ]
used to be a washing powder ...... maybe it still is ..... i know nuffin'

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the pointer - I'll ask the wife, she's the brains of this outfit /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Leighb]

Re: Oostende questions.

[ QUOTE ]

Anyway, I just follow the ferry and hope it knows where it's going /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
That would be a problem as the ferries go to the Hook /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sailorman]

Re: Oostende questions.

try Ostend or Anglian Way /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Wunja]

Re: Oostende questions.

Two further questions.

Was that mooring cable 30 meters single or doubled up? Don't want to put a loop through the buoy and only get half way to the pontoon!

Are the little Morgana's and CPD's/Tinkles' coming?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: Oostende questions.

A 30m line will be long enough.... just!.... (you might want an extra 5m just to be safe.... although frankly, you can do what we did last year, and tie two lines together without too much trouble.... you just need to remember which way to pull it when you depart....

And yes... the little Morganas are coming, but I don't think the little CPDs are... but not 100% sure on that...