The race and the russell

[Sailorsam101]

I've been across the channel many times on a rag and stick thing but not at 20kts before.

I know to get to St Peter port you leave Cherbourg at Dover HW-3 and get fair tide all the way there.

But what if i am doing 20kts...never really looked at it and would welcome any advice from here.

 

[gjgm]

Try here
http://www.sailalderney.com/yachtguide.pdf
I think with mobo's the info is more when to be at the race (or whatever) not what time to leave port because there is a much greater speed range in a mobo, and you can always just burn some more fuel Also, I would look more at the wind than the tide, especially wind over tide around there. If coming from UK south coast, I would just go from there, west of casquettes and into SPP and miss all that overfalls and race stuff altogether.

 

[IDAMAY]

As gjgm says you want to avoid wind over tide at the Alderney Race. Ideally you would want to arrive at the Race at slack water and take the tide down to St Peter Port provided that doesn't give you any significant (say above F4) wind over tide in the Little Russell. Also don't be tempted to take the shortest route round Cap de la Hague where seas can be uncomfortable even in quite light winds. Aim to be slightly west of centre between the Cap and Alderney.

 

[Sailorsam101]

Thanks for the replies gents. I've made the mistake sailing past the cap before and went on too close...not doing that ever again.

I suppose the question is this...if i go through the race at slack water whats the little Russel like an hour later....or do i wait and go through the race slack +2?

 

[IDAMAY]

I have done the trip a number of times, passing the Race at or very near slack and haven't had any problems with the Little Russell. So long as the winds are fairly light (say F4 or less), I think you should have a good passage. Generally I would take less chances with the Race than the Russell.

No doubt some of the locals will be along soon to add their three pence worth!

 

[jrudge]

I had about 8 knots in my favour once iirc