Trip to Guernsey

I agree with all that you have said, i live in shropshire, but we are moving to dorset in september, and intend on making some smaller trips around the solent. I understand the fixing of one date is foolhardy,and after reading many articles in MBY one of the most important things is to know when to cancel/ turn around etc. With all of this in mind i was only thinking about it, but like the bloke in JAWS realised, maybe you need a bigger boat!
 
[ QUOTE ]
... So if mine is too small, what would your recommended size of boat be?

[/ QUOTE ]

Thirty feet, at least. And with four on board as you suggest, it'll be overloaded.
 
OK, time to be very careful.

Yes, it is feasible. The risks will be considerably higher than in a larger boat, and any 'safeguards' must be effective. Going in company with a similar boat will be no help, as weather is the greatest hazard, and both boats will suffer equally, with no opportunity for one to recover the crew of the other (as this would lead to significant overloading). The crew are almost insignificant, so having lifeboatmen on board is little help except that they will make sensible decisions, be able to helm competently and navigate, and be able to fix basic problems (if the problems are fixable and you have the spares and tools on board).

Personally, I wouldn't dream of doing it.
 
Foolhardy is the only word I can think of! Don't do it even in company! If the weather kicks up your boat will be swamped and even in company of larger boats you will be in trouble. Its extremely difficult to pick up people from the water in heavy seas, this will not only put you in grave danger but could also put others in danger as well.
I have traversed these waters a number of times in my 37' boat and I can tell you when the seas kick up I felt very small indeed! My advice? wait until you have a larger vessel or travel in a larger boat with your friends.

Barry
 
This sort of attitude seems to stem from the fact that people are buying bigger and bigger first boats, and have never travelled far in smaller boats.

It used to be common years ago for powerboaters to go cross channel in sub 20' powerboats in reasonable conditions, and think nothing much of it. After all, they do it in amphibious cars and powered bath tubs, and even swim there.

Then people started getting bigger boats as first time purchases, and decided that small boats going anywhere at all was dangerous.

It's not, if you plan well, and know your boat.
 
[ QUOTE ]
There would be a four man crew, i am the least experienced of all four, the others are one ex RNLI lifeboat crew, one very experienced sailor.

[/ QUOTE ]

Surely, you should have asked you proposed crew first and with their combined experience, I'm sure you would have come up with the right answer.

On the other hand, watch "The Perfect Storm" and consider that's what the channel could look from your Chris Craft in a gale!
 
It's perfectly feasible but the question is more, is the level of risk sensible?

People have rowed across the Atlantic and survived but the vast majority of them had extensive training, lots of safety equipment on board and backup cover keeping an eye on them as far as possible.

Have you ever travelled several miles directly off-shore? What seem like calm benign conditions close to the coast can quickly become choppy swell and gusty winds further out. Calm waters for a mega-ton ferry can be dangerously rough for a small craft. We have also encountered heavy fog in the middle of the Channel in July having left glorious sunshine in France and arriving in sunshine at the Isle of Wight! You need to be prepared for such conditions so it would be wise to get some experience of being off-shore whilst still being close enough to run for a safe haven if necessary before attempting such a trip.

I would suggest Alderney is not a particularly good place to aim for as a first cross-channel trip if you are inexperienced. It has a very exposed entrance and the tidal streams can be extremely dangerous, particularly at Springs. The tidal access is fairly limited which puts pressure on your arrival time. It's probably more of a concern for sailing yachts than power boats, but will still make entering extremely difficult if you miss the tidal window.

On the question of fuel, you can get petrol from Alderney though access is limited (inner harbour dries at low water) and I seem to recall using jerry cans at a petrol pump rather than seeing a proper fuel berth with a long hose.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would suggest Alderney is not a particularly good place to aim for as a first cross-channel trip if you are inexperienced. It has a very exposed entrance and the tidal streams can be extremely dangerous, particularly at Springs. The tidal access is fairly limited which puts pressure on your arrival time.

[/ QUOTE ]

I find this quite an interesting observation as I would have said exactly the opposite!

I turn right at Old Harry (out of Poole) onto 210 degrees on my compass and tie up in Braye some hours later........

What tidal window? The main harbour is full tide? The only tidal element is the inner for fuel - but no use to a petrol boat as highlighted.

The rough bits (tide/weather creating) are either side of Alderney, to avoid having to take them into serious consideration you need to pass 3 miles SW of the Casquettes light - which is a big diversion from anywhere East of Weymouth. If Weymouth or West then you have a direct route to the head of the little Russell - however tidal planning in relation to the prevailing wind etc will be important here again.

Anyway this is of course achademic as I have now been told I can't go again as my boat is too small........ /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
minimum 30ft? Oh please...

We are planning on doing a Channel Island trip for 7-10 days in the summer in our 22ft cuddy.

We plan on doing it in company. Confident as i am in my and the boats abilities i do think it would be a little silly to go so far offshore on our own.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'll be bricking myself throughout

[/ QUOTE ] I moored next to a guy with an Aquador 23 in Yarmouth about 18 months ago. He'd been to the Scillies, Channel Islands and France (the latter trip on an MBM cruise in company, I think). He was full of praise for the boat and said she'd never given him a moment's worry, though I gathered that the fog going cross-Channel once came close to besmirching his undergarments.

I'd be wary of listening to Duncan by the way; he's been known to take his boat to Cherbourg, just to get a drink with a bunch of Raggies..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

boatmike
Merry Fisher 695
Replies
3
Views
208
Bouba
Bouba

Share this page

Top