St Peter port pilotage

[njamesphoto]

planning a trip from torquay to st peterpost next month (7thJuly), i have ordered all the charts and a pilot book. Its been a while since my yachtmaster and have been busy with tidal charts etc. Whats the best time to enter little russel? slack or with the tide? Its our first crossing and will only go if the weaters good (2 small children) any other tips would be appriciated.

 

[bilbobaggins]

You might consider routing down around the southwest corner, entering the Little Russell from the south. It's easier, you avoid the Off Casquets TSS by enough miles, and there is less likelihood of wind-against-tide rough seas at the south end than at the north.

Correct identification of seamarks is a lot easier 'down south', so if there is fog or rain-reduced visibility ( strong likelihood ), there is less chance of making an important mistake.

Enjoi!

 

[jamesjermain]

Perversely the best time to enter the Little Russel is against the week north going tide about three and a half hours before high water. This will give you sufficient water to get over the sill into the Victoria Marina.

 

[bendyone]

If your coming round the north consider using the Dolye passage, cuts about 1 hour off the trip and bring you to the entrance to Bueaset? marina where there are bouys so you could wait for the right tide down the little russel.

 

[jonjo]

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any other tips would be appreciated.

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If you hear a foghorn when approaching from the north in good visibility be prepared for a rapid loss of visibility. Happened to me last week, one minute we were taking photos of the sunset, next moment vis was down to 300m.

After the stresses of a 1st time passage down the Little Russell it would be easy to loose the plot once inside the harbour particularly if a ferry is making smoke and wants to leave. Keep left.

The teenaged staff that man the harbour master dory during the evening shift are impatient miserable gits, don't let their attitude spoil your arrival.

With a family on board you may as well go into the marina since the offshore pontoons are no cheaper.

The shower plumbing in the northern satellite showerblock seems faulty, best trek round to the main block in the SE corner of the marina.

If you need to fuel up for the return journey, with a pair of bins you can read the tidal gauge over at the fuel pontoon from the marina harbour wall. (Cheap per litre).

The cafe/bistro facing the marina on the northern wall provides a pleasant spot for an arrival drink, if the tide is in and the sun out then opt for the north facing terrace.

 

[Skyva_2]

Did the same trip from Brixham last week. The Doyle passage is shorter but needs care when you reach Beaucette. OK in good visibility, but the channel out to the Little Russel needs planning, and get well out into the Russel before turning south. There is a transit behind you but this can be hard to use when the sun is low in the west.

It its your first time I would stick to the Little Russel or go south of the island past Les Hanois as BB says.
The bus ride round the island is good and the beaches on the west coast are fine for children. We ate at Crabby Jack's at Vazon and it was excellent and child friendly!.

 

[boatmike]

The timing on the crossing is difficult to predict to enter St P at an ideal time which is, for a first time visit, when the tide is slack. Low water you will arrive and have to wait on the outer pontoons if you want to get into the marina but that's not a problem as you can go ashore by tender. You can do it with a good run of tide through Little Russel but you have to remember to turn right at the right place or you will very quickly visit Jersey instead! Fog is a problem around there so don't attempt to approach at all if you can't see.... and keep a look out behind for the fast ferry. It comes up very quickly!
If it's your first time I would suggest you study the tidal streams carefully and try to arrive at slack water which is NOT at HW or LW St P. (The SW stream starts at +3 1/2 hrs and the NE stream at -2 3/4hrs) If you have good vis arrive at slack low water and you will see all the dangers very easily and not be tempted out of the channel. If you need to divert because of fog there are good anchorages around Sark or carry on to St Helier which is much easier in bad vis... Enjoy!

 

[georgeo]

have forwarded comments re 'miserable gits' to the harbourmaster! Dont like to see bad publicity re our local facilities, particularly as 'the more mature' harbour staff have always been exceptionall helpful to me. have a good trip and lets hope the fog keeps at bay. PS do you really reckon approach to St helier better in bad vis? Corbiere/ Noirmont can be hairy at times

 

[doug748]

.... St Helier always makes me nervy, stand on too far coming from the west and you are quickly in trouble. On the topic of heading for Guernsey from the S Coast, I must agree with the others, a south about approach recommends itself esp for a first visit, and bound from the South West.

 

[duncan]

personally I would prepare both routes pretty fully, aim to leave in time to permit either, and make a final decision based on conditions as they firm up.

it is certainly a lot easier for me with 20 knots on hand but even with 3 plotters and radar at the helm the visibility the saturday before last in the Little Russel was not exactly relaxing boating!

 

[Troutbridge]

I think given the crew compliment you would find the Doyle passage a bit stressful. Go South-about. Once clear of the Hanois you can go quite close in shore. Take the tide up the Little Russell and worry about getting into the Marina when you get there. Have a good trip. About the fog, yes it does happen so either stand well off to the south or anchor in the bay just before you turn up the LR. Watch out for fishing floats and other assorted buoys cleser inshore but don't get paranoid, a lot of visitors seem to think the C.I. are really tricky. All you really need to remember is that you have to work with the tides.

 

[ebbtide]

Done it many times from Dartmouth and Salcombe: no question, South-about clear of Les Hanois is the safest because cliffs on the South side are steep-to with no off-lying dangers - you see 'em before you hit 'em!
If vis is good, then Little Russell is fine once you've found it. But IMHO never, never wind against tide anywhere in the CI's .