Swale towards Calais

[Athene V30]

In a few weeks am off to Calais, if the weather is settled I will have a bit of time in hand so rather than going direct am thinking of sailing down to Swale, stopping at Harty Ferry then going on to Calais.

I dont have any charts in Yorkshire so have been trying to work out a rough plan from an old alamnac!

Rough plan looks like leaving Swale about HW Dover to be off North Foreland HW Dover +5 to catch the tide south, outside Goodwins heading 135 or thereabouts. If late on tide I can then run down inside Goodwins to be off Dover by time tide turns and cross over straights.

Question I have is getting out of Thames do I go for easy in the Princes / Queen's Channel or have a look at the apparently tiny gap between East Last and Hook Spit. As it will be a falling tide this isnt the best option and if there is any sea running will definately go north of shallows! What do others use?

 

[tillergirl]

Not at home at the moment myself but the copperas channel is now buoyed not the East Last and Hook Spit. Have a look in my NtM or indeed last months East Coast Sailing Magazine (www.eastcoastsailing.co.uk) where both the Copperas and Rock Berms are discussed.

I have done some tables for Swale to Ramsgit via Princes/Queens (mind the rock berms!) which I am trying to get round to adding to my site as a free supplement. I am sure Dick (Cantata) will eb along in a minute to add local knowledge.

 

[Cantata]

Only to add there should be no issues with depth in the Copperas Channel if you leave at the time you suggest. Would be interested to hear how much water you do find there. There is advice on how to transit that section in the Updates page for 'North Kent Coast' on the ECP website.
When are you doing this? I plan to go that way from Harty on 3rd June.

 

[Athene V30]

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When are you doing this? I plan to go that way from Harty on 3rd June.

Probably the Thursday / Friday before. Planning to be in Calais Sat 2 / Sun 3 then maybe heading up to Gravelines on Mon then back home. All depends on weather - get little enough sailing these days so it has to be fun!!

Had a look at your great website today and downloaded several bits - excellent help.