Salcombe to Channel Islands

[chris-s]

Inspired by a great trip to the Scillies from Falmouth at half term in our Pegasus 700, we are thinking about where to go for two weeks in August.
Initially we thought about up to, say, Teignmouth and then harbour hopping back to Falmouth but also the idea of Salcombe to the CI is appealing. We will most likely have our dogs with us so this would avoid all the French complications.
Once at Salcombe we can see what the weather looks like and decide on whether to go or not.
So, any advice on that crossing and, without crystal balls, is the last half of August a reasonable time to think about going?
Thanks

 

[john_morris_uk]

I returned from Cherbourg with daughter in her Pandora 700 last night. My only gripe is that 7 metre boats can be slow (lack of waterline length…) and her outboard is NOISEY! Do your dogs cross their legs on long passages? We took 14 plus hours for Portsmouth to Cherbourg and Cherbourg to Portsmouth. Salcombe to Guernsey is a very similar distance. Crossing the channel is not difficult. It was quite fun doing without AIS and Radar and using the HB compass to assess risk of collision.
My main advice would be to choose your weather window for the crossing carefully. Calm after strong winds have left a nasty choppy sea is very uncomfortable in a 7 metre boat.

 

[chris-s]

I returned from Cherbourg with daughter in her Pandora 700 last night. My only gripe is that 7 metre boats can be slow (lack of waterline length…) and her outboard is NOISEY! Do your dogs cross their legs on long passages? We took 14 plus hours for Portsmouth to Cherbourg and Cherbourg to Portsmouth. Salcombe to Guernsey is a very similar distance. Crossing the channel is not difficult. It was quite fun doing without AIS and Radar and using the HB compass to assess risk of collision.
My main advice would be to choose your weather window for the crossing carefully. Calm after strong winds have left a nasty choppy sea is very uncomfortable in a 7 metre boat.

Thanks for the reply, yes just read of your trip in the Pandora, similar size boat. Dogs (mini dachshunds) are quite content on board and happy to use a bit of artificial turf in the cockpit. Falmouth to Scillies was 12 hours and I agree outboards are noisy! Weather, as ever, is the key element to watch.

 

[LadyInBed]

We will most likely have our dogs with us

Pet dogs can be imported into the Bailiwick of Guernsey directly from the Republic of Ireland but they do require a valid Pet Passport. However there is no need for the dog(s) to travel on an approved route with an approved carrier and dogs do not require treatment for tape worms.
Travelling to and from Guernsey in the Channel Islands with your dog
Assume the same from UK.

 

[chris-s]

Pet dogs can be imported into the Bailiwick of Guernsey directly from the Republic of Ireland but they do require a valid Pet Passport. However there is no need for the dog(s) to travel on an approved route with an approved carrier and dogs do not require treatment for tape worms.
Travelling to and from Guernsey in the Channel Islands with your dog
Assume the same from UK.

From the UK nothing is needed.

 

[ashtead]

I have this recollection they always ask if you have dogs on board in Guernsey though?

 

[Just_sayin']

I have this recollection they always ask if you have dogs on board in Guernsey though?

Never been asked that.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Never been asked that.

Nor me,

The west country to Guernsey is one of my favourite runs. So often a beam reach, which on our boat is living the dream.

 

[ashtead]

Thank you - maybe I imagined it.

 

[ashtead]

Thank you - maybe I imagined it.

 

[Bobc]

Yes. West of Casquets and down the ig Russel to SPP. Great passage.

 

[humbug716]

They never used to allow dogs in Victoria marina but that may of changed.

 

[Laminar Flow]

August should be fine. We have done this run twice; from Dartmouth to Alderney and to SPP, Guernsey on the second.

On both occasions we found that the Wind would shift as we approached the CIs, so that on our first crossing we were no longer able to lay a course around the Western approach to Guernsy and we changed course to reach SPP from the East, but when we could look in towards the Cascettes, all we could see was white water. Rather than cut my wife's new found sailing career short, we opted for Alderney instead.

The second time we did the run from Dartmouth to Les Hanois, Gurnsey, in ten hours (DWL 28'). Don't forget to visit Sark, Havre Gosselin with its spectacular anchorage (free moorings) surrounded by cliffs.

 

[Iliade]

August will be awful! We will be bringing the tone of the islands down for much of the month.


There can be some severe storms but the are almost always well forecast nowadays (Michael Fish has probably retired!)

 

[Mudisox]

Easy peasy entry and dogs OK into Guernsey without anything. Twice across this year from Dartmouth.
Considering a quick belt across today and back, to get cheaper fuel.