Sailing across the channel

[ukjamie]

To be fair, I am looking at doing a crossing from Dover to Calais or Boulogne in May 2012, there will be 2 x Catamarans going both with a 2 man crew, the Cats are a Dart 16 and a F18. All crew have done and skippered Yachts from the Humber to Holland several times, as well as Cat racing around UK coast . I don't see a problem with doing it. The only thing that I am not sure about is can you sail into Calais harbor/Marina or would we have to drop our sails and row in?

 

[al.carpenter]

To be fair, I am looking at doing a crossing from Dover to Calais or Boulogne in May 2012, there will be 2 x Catamarans going both with a 2 man crew, the Cats are a Dart 16 and a F18. All crew have done and skippered Yachts from the Humber to Holland several times, as well as Cat racing around UK coast . I don't see a problem with doing it. The only thing that I am not sure about is can you sail into Calais harbor/Marina or would we have to drop our sails and row in?

Just do it... do not worry about authorities sailing into Calais or Boulogne (Boulogne might be trickier if you have to tack in the middle of the fishing fleet traffic hour as there is a long way to the marina and "chenal" not wide, Calais has many ferries but marina easily accessible with many buoys to wait for locks operation). It is France... so the law can be "argumented" if done politely, this is what makes this country so much fun to live in... just ask yourself if you can do it or not... do you think getting out of the way of a ferry boat on board a sport cat is easier done/safer by sail or oars??? I suppose you will not cross without a handheld vhf... just address all stations and harbor control telling them you are sailing in before entering and you will be fine, every one will keep an eye on you. You might get a few grunts from the odd fisherman who got back a day earlier than scheduled from his fishing trip and found his wife in bed with her lover that very same day, or from the pilot who had too much saucisson and his piles are bothering him, but no much aggro from anyone else.. You might want to hitch a tow to clear the Calais Marina lock as there always are a lot of yachts getting in and out (in May... winter is not so busy). If authorities make a fuss, just tell them you do not have an engine... no law about having to have one...and a harbor is a haven, a place you enter to escape the rigors of the sea and nobody can prevent you from getting in. Good trip and fair winds to all. Al

 

[Pye_End]

To be fair, I am looking at doing a crossing from Dover to Calais or Boulogne in May 2012, there will be 2 x Catamarans going both with a 2 man crew, the Cats are a Dart 16 and a F18. All crew have done and skippered Yachts from the Humber to Holland several times, as well as Cat racing around UK coast . I don't see a problem with doing it. The only thing that I am not sure about is can you sail into Calais harbor/Marina or would we have to drop our sails and row in?

If you go to Gravelines there will be no issue with sailing in and getting in the way of ships. All you have to do is make sure there when there is enough water, and not too much of an onshore breeze. However, I agree with Al - just do it, as long as you are sensible on the day.

 

[Sea horse]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread.
I google sailing across the Channel and found this.
I would love to do. I am 50, and got the sailing bug 3 years ago. I own a dart 15 but don't worry I am not so foolish to attempt it in that.
I sail on the IOW and often crew on Yachts, winch and rail man. I have sailed round the Island 3 times done Cowes week twice.
I have done a bit of the short JOG races.
So I would love to crew across the Channel with sailors who know what they are doing and at the mo am just doing some research to get up to speed so if I did get the opportunity I would know what I was letting myself in for.
Really useful and knowledgable discussion. Hopefully I will get to do it one day.
All the best Seahorse