pros and cons of various routes: Ramsgate to Dunkerque/Nieuwport/Oostend/Zebrugge

[ChattingLil]

I'm off to Holland next week. We intend to leave from Ramsgate on Wednesday and need to end up in Zebrugge on Thursday evening for a rally. We could leave on Tuesday from the Medway. I am preparing some passage plans and can't decide which would be best. Advise please - whether it would be better to just go direct to Zebrugge from Medway, or whether to stop off and coast hop.

I was considering: Day 1 - Medway to Ramsgate, Day 2 - Ramsgate to Dunkirk (or other), Day 3 to Zebrugge. Navin's Pilot Book suggested Ramsgate to Dunkirk, but can't see why that would better than Nieuwport.

Have only done two return crossings before, so a little anxious.

thanks!

 

[Joker]

If you've a good crew and can do a night passage, then do it direct - but cross the TSS in daylight!

 

[bendyone]

Nieuwport is very nice better than Dunkirk.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

We did Calais to Breskens so Zebrugge should be fine. I've heard nice stuff about Niewport but I was never enamoured of Dunkerque. Stick to the channels between the sandbanks and the tide should do a lot to help!

 

[sailorman]

I'm off to Holland next week. We intend to leave from Ramsgate on Wednesday and need to end up in Zebrugge on Thursday evening for a rally. We could leave on Tuesday from the Medway. I am preparing some passage plans and can't decide which would be best. Advise please - whether it would be better to just go direct to Zebrugge from Medway, or whether to stop off and coast hop.

I was considering: Day 1 - Medway to Ramsgate, Day 2 - Ramsgate to Dunkirk (or other), Day 3 to Zebrugge. Navin's Pilot Book suggested Ramsgate to Dunkirk, but can't see why that would better than Nieuwport.

Have only done two return crossings before, so a little anxious.

thanks!

Ramsgit > Niewpoort or Oostende. i have been to Dunkirk once, that was sufficient.

 

[Cantata]

If you just want to get there rather than take a few days over it, I suggest you do Ramsgate to Ostende (about 55 miles?), pretty much in a straight line apart from crossing the lanes. Last time we did it (all in daylight) we ended up early and carried on to Blankenberge although the tide was setting hard against us for the last hour. Only a few miles from there on to Zeebrugge.

 

[westhinder]

It can be done in one passage, but much will depend on weather and tides. Bear in mind that the current accelerates quite perceptibly around Zeebrugge harbour, so it is advisable to have the tide with you for the final miles, or they may be a slow and bumpy affair.
If you want to break up the trip, I would prefer Nieuwpoort to Dunkirk. Oostende is also a possibility, but only ten miles from Zeebrugge. If you are going to get an adverse tide for the last miles, putting into Oostende is much more pleasant.