Portsmouth - Le Havre Tides

[mikecontessa26]

Hi,

Planning on doing this crossing in tomorrow's weather window. Just wondered if anyone does the trip regularly what resourses they use for tidal information.

Mike

 

[DJE]

I've done it once in the opposite direction. I found all the tidal information I needed in "The Yachtsman's Tidal Atlas: Central Channel and the Solent" by Michael Reeve-Fowkes.

 

[Pete7]

I use Tide Plan, at £18. Gives you the course and offers to optimise the times.

http://www.compasscard.co.uk/index.asp

Can you make 5 knots, if so it is predicting a 17 hour crossing and optimised to a 12.15 start which will see you arriving at the French coast as dawn breaks.

Pete

 

[Tranona]

If you are using a chart plotter then chances are all the tidal information is in there. Cross channel as a general rule the tides cancel out eachother (well almost), but the streams are usually stronger on the French side. Key thing when planning the passage is to ensure that you arrive the other side in a position to take advantage of a favourable tide. That is arrive up tide of your destination so you don't have to make back against it to get into the approach channel or harbour entrance. Basic navigation stuff really.

 

[billmacfarlane]

Mike,
Since you're going from deep water port to another deep water port I wouldn't be too concerned about the tides. Just use a basic Channel tidal atlas and make sure your approach to Le Havre is made from an uptide position. As somebody said it's all good basic stuff. Looking at the winds tomorrow I'd find it difficult to plan what time I'd arrive an Le Havre anyway, as if the predicted S/SE wind kicks in, it'll be difficult to predict when I'd arrive. Hope you enjoy the trip.

 

[VicS]

As suggested Michael Reeves-Fowkes or the Admiralty Tidal atlas.

In reality you'll find the tidal streams just about cancel each other out so even the chartlets in an almanac will suffice.