Nina Lucia
Well-Known Member
I am planing to skipper first time our Vancouver 27, Long Keel Sailing boat to France, Calais or Dunkirk ...
end of May.
Any advice appreciated.
end of May.
Any advice appreciated.
Sailing Medway to France
- Thread starter Nina Lucia
- Start date
Marmalade
Well-Known Member
Following the regrettable incident at New Year - be very wary of the overland route (Gore Channel) and if the weather's at all iffy keep ouside Margate Sand until the E Margate buoy at the least before turning.
I'd get a channel pilot or North Sea pilot that covers the crossing for timings (ie optimum leaving time etc). We Use Brian Navin's North Sea Passage Pilot which has a couple of options for Southend Pier to Calais
I'd get a channel pilot or North Sea pilot that covers the crossing for timings (ie optimum leaving time etc). We Use Brian Navin's North Sea Passage Pilot which has a couple of options for Southend Pier to Calais
ChattingLil
Well-Known Member
we did it for the first time last year. Went via Ramsgate on the way over - from Ramsgate in the morning it was a quick and straightforward hop.
Coming back, we did it non-stop back to MYC and there was no wind so we had to motor all the way and it took 14 hours. Very boring.
Coming back, we did it non-stop back to MYC and there was no wind so we had to motor all the way and it took 14 hours. Very boring.
Nina Lucia
Well-Known Member
Thanks, all information's came really useful.
Athene V30
Well-Known Member
If you go to Ramsgate, just watch the tidal set on leaving if you are planning to go North of the Goodwin Sands. My first time I didn't realise how far I was being set towards the sands until the depth dropped (quite rapidly) to 5m and I then had to stem the current to work my way round the tip. Not sure if the chymneys in Pegwell Bay are still there but if so take a back bearing on them to monitor sideways set.
Depending on the tide times for Calais I do sometimes take the last of the SW stream from Ramsgate & go inside the Goodwins almost to Dover then turn to cross the TSS at right angles as the tide turns to start taking me back up towards Calais.
I am planning to be in Calais for the end of May BH. I only go into Ransgate if I absolutely have to, quite often I go straight from Brightlingsea to Calais.
Depending on the tide times for Calais I do sometimes take the last of the SW stream from Ramsgate & go inside the Goodwins almost to Dover then turn to cross the TSS at right angles as the tide turns to start taking me back up towards Calais.
I am planning to be in Calais for the end of May BH. I only go into Ransgate if I absolutely have to, quite often I go straight from Brightlingsea to Calais.
Otter
Well-Known Member
We quite like Ramsgate It's become a sort of tradition to stay there, marks the beginning and end of the cruise.
First time tip - don't worry! We got ourselves all spooked by the thought of being out of sight of land for many hours. Not only was land never even vaguely out of sight, we could see both sides for most of the trip. It took us a couple of crossings to sort out our nerves about the TSS. Until it dawned on us that when crossing traffic "if it's coming toward us, we go behind it". Many times we'd wondered if we had time to nip in front of some distant ship headed our way. We do 6 knots max so no, we don't have time!
It's become a sort of tradition to stay there, marks the beginning and end of the cruise.First time tip - don't worry! We got ourselves all spooked by the thought of being out of sight of land for many hours. Not only was land never even vaguely out of sight, we could see both sides for most of the trip. It took us a couple of crossings to sort out our nerves about the TSS. Until it dawned on us that when crossing traffic "if it's coming toward us, we go behind it". Many times we'd wondered if we had time to nip in front of some distant ship headed our way. We do 6 knots max so no, we don't have time!
Cantata
Well-Known Member
As others have suggested, it's a good idea to break the journey at Ramsgate, depending on your (and the crew's) experience.
From here to Calais I'd go south inside the Goodwins and past the S.Goodwin before striking across.
For Dunkirk I'd go N of the Goodwin Knoll (and for heavens sake take notice of Karourise's advice re the tidal set - I see the cox of the Ramsgate l/boat every now and then and he always gleefully tells me about the latest yacht he's plucked off there) and route down towards the Sandettie LV (well, no longer a LV but now a big buoy) reaching there about HW Dover.
From here head towards E.Dunkirk and slide along just outside the buoyed channel along the coast to the W.Dunkirk entrance.
Looks a long route on the chart but miles through the water will be about the same as taking a straight line, and you don't have the possible bouncy experience across the offshore sandbanks on the French side.
From here to Calais I'd go south inside the Goodwins and past the S.Goodwin before striking across.
For Dunkirk I'd go N of the Goodwin Knoll (and for heavens sake take notice of Karourise's advice re the tidal set - I see the cox of the Ramsgate l/boat every now and then and he always gleefully tells me about the latest yacht he's plucked off there) and route down towards the Sandettie LV (well, no longer a LV but now a big buoy) reaching there about HW Dover.
From here head towards E.Dunkirk and slide along just outside the buoyed channel along the coast to the W.Dunkirk entrance.
Looks a long route on the chart but miles through the water will be about the same as taking a straight line, and you don't have the possible bouncy experience across the offshore sandbanks on the French side.
Last edited:
P
Peegee
Guest
Cally Rally!
Last weekend of the month is the "Calais Rally". If the weather is clement there will be upwards of 150 boats from the thames estuary descending on the town for the weekend.
If you dont like crowds it may be best to divert to Gravelines or Dunkirk
. Any way, there should be plenty of boats to tag along with......... and if you see any boats from Benfleet....take them with you to Dunkirk ...he he
Last weekend of the month is the "Calais Rally". If the weather is clement there will be upwards of 150 boats from the thames estuary descending on the town for the weekend.
If you dont like crowds it may be best to divert to Gravelines or Dunkirk
. Any way, there should be plenty of boats to tag along with......... and if you see any boats from Benfleet....take them with you to Dunkirk ...he he
Fr J Hackett
Well-Known Member
On the question of Ramsgate it would be worth ringing the marina in advance as they are dredging or suposed to be. I called in two weeks ago and stuck untill 11/2Hrs after low water I draw 1.5 M. The long visitors pontoon is currently occupied with survey vessels for the wind farms apparently there will be more of them next year when the London array starts in earnest.
Cantata
Well-Known Member
Scheduled to start today and finish by the end of the month.
Pretty essential to book ahead, I reckon.
MrCramp
Well-Known Member
Watch out for the Dunkirk 2010, 70th aniversary event, 27 to 31 May 2010.
http://www.ot-dunkerque.fr/uk/pageDyn/detail.aspx?ID=784
Athene V30
Well-Known Member
Didn't know about a Type 23 going to Dunkirk. There is a smaller grey vessel often berthed in Ipswich likely to be about, probably acting as a Senior Officer's run about!
aquaholic
Well-Known Member
I am planing to skipper first time our Vancouver 27, Long Keel Sailing boat to France, Calais or Dunkirk ...
end of May.
Any advice appreciated.[/QA]
Almost perfect tidal passage if you plan to do it in one hit.
PM Sent
