Solo Channel crossing in convoy? First solo passage

If you arrive late in the evening or at night it's worthwhile anchoring just outside the marina. That way you don't have to spend time hunting for a possibly non-existent berth and mucking about with warps and fenders when you're tired. Next morning, after a good sleep, you'll find that many boats leave the marina so you'll have plenty of choice of berths. Also it saves you a night's berthing fee.
 
parsifal said:
If you arrive late in the evening or at night it's worthwhile anchoring just outside the marina. That way you don't have to spend time hunting for a possibly non-existent berth and mucking about with warps and fenders when you're tired. Next morning, after a good sleep, you'll find that many boats leave the marina so you'll have plenty of choice of berths. Also it saves you a night's berthing fee.
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Wot in November :rolleyes:
 
horatio_nelson said:
I want to sail to France single-handed :) I've done many crossings but always with company, and having finally bought my own boat I want to do it alone - boat and me both plenty able, but it's daunting nonetheless, and it occurred to me that sailing across in convoy could be good, just for complete peace of mind, the first time. So if anyone's doing a crossing before Christmas and doesn't mind me tagging along, please let me know :encouragement:

Any advice or stories about a first solo passage appreciated :) Thanks
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So what do you think any other boats cruising in company are going to do?
If you fall in they probably will not know in time to save you. They will not stop you getting run down if you decide to play rabbit with a ship.
if it is rough they will not be able to get to you. Although what would you want them to get to you for.
I have done loads of channel SH crossings & assure you that the first time is stressful- but never forgotten. Pick good reliable weather times - not this late in season, make sure you can pick the day of your return journey so do not have to be back for work etc as a forced departure is bad.
Do not worry about berthing, Most marinas have people walking about who will catch a line if you ask them although experience tells me that helpers can quickly become hinderers. Go & do it it is a great feeling. Good luck
 
parsifal said:
If you arrive late in the evening or at night it's worthwhile anchoring just outside the marina. That way you don't have to spend time hunting for a possibly non-existent berth and mucking about with warps and fenders when you're tired. Next morning, after a good sleep, you'll find that many boats leave the marina so you'll have plenty of choice of berths. Also it saves you a night's berthing fee.
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So what marina are you going to anchor outside of?
Boulogne, Dieppe, Fecamp, Le Havre, Cherbourg etc.
Forget that one & just go straight in - Adrenaline is enough to keep you awake. Aim for a 24 access destination
 
Daydream believer said:
So what marina are you going to anchor outside of?
Boulogne, Dieppe, Fecamp, Le Havre, Cherbourg etc.
Forget that one & just go straight in - Adrenaline is enough to keep you awake. Aim for a 24 access destination
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Well Cherbourg, I suppose. Seems to be generally accepted that that's the one he's got in mind. But if anchoring holds too many terrors then by all means go in and hunt around for a berth.
 
I look forward to a solo fleet going across next spring. Would deffo be up for it, with of course a proper lay over to help the local economy.

There's a lot to be said for Billy no Mates sailing, much more sociable on arrival.
 
Some 25 odd years ago, I was stood by the Captinaire building watching a boat arrive. A French chap, on his own, boat around 25 feet or so. He calmly bumped alongside and used the end of his mainsheet as a dockline. Nipped off down below to return with two fenders about the size of milkbottles. Tied them on then strolled off up the pontoon puffing away on a cig.

Did have a sort of 'flair' though.
 
capnsensible said:
Some 25 odd years ago, I was stood by the Captinaire building watching a boat arrive. A French chap, on his own, boat around 25 feet or so. He calmly bumped alongside and used the end of his mainsheet as a dockline. Nipped off down below to return with two fenders about the size of milkbottles. Tied them on then strolled off up the pontoon puffing away on a cig.

Did have a sort of 'flair' though.
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Thats how the French look after their boats :D
 
Ok so there's me, Sugar Kane, Danbury, ronsurf so far - we got ourselves a convoy :)

A month's warning enough? How about a weekend mid to late Nov?

I am totally serious about this, I think it would be awesome. Let's do it!

First hurdle is agreeing a date. I can make any time within reason. Assemble the fleet in the Solent? I'm the flagship, obviously :D
 
parsifal said:
Well Cherbourg, I suppose. Seems to be generally accepted that that's the one he's got in mind. But if anchoring holds too many terrors then by all means go in and hunt around for a berth.
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There is always the nice long waiting pontoon just inside the marina entrance at Cherbourg. Not walk-ashore but very welcome arriving in the dark after a rough-ish 15 hour crossing! Move to a finger in the morning. :encouragement:
 
Giblets said:
There is always the nice long waiting pontoon just inside the marina entrance at Cherbourg. Not walk-ashore but very welcome arriving in the dark after a rough-ish 15 hour crossing! Move to a finger in the morning. :encouragement:
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That's true. I'd forgotten about that. We haven't used it for many years but last time we did we rafted up on an English boat with two men on board, one of whom kindly rowed ashore early next morning and returned with bread and pain raisins for us.
 
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