Two weeks in a bigger boat - cruise ideas

[MagicalArmchair]

We now have a 40 foot Bav that we will be keeping on the river Medway. We have a two summer week cruise booked in, assuming the weather is clement enough, where would you suggest?

We love the East coast and have made a yearly pilgrimage to Suffolk every year for the last six years in Triola (30 foot Albin Ballad), however, we’d like to try somewhere else. We were thinking Holland perhaps? Or are there any French ports within reasonable range? I would be happy delivering the boat with a rag tag band of sailers before the cruise begins.

Cruising crew consists of a 2, 5 and 8 year old, all have dealt well with the nine hour passage to the Orwel each year in most weathers, as well as the first mate of course.

 

[Elessar]

We now have a 40 foot Bav that we will be keeping on the river Medway. We have a two summer week cruise booked in, assuming the weather is clement enough, where would you suggest?

We love the East coast and have made a yearly pilgrimage to Suffolk every year for the last six years in Triola (30 foot Albin Ballad), however, we’d like to try somewhere else. We were thinking Holland perhaps? Or are there any French ports within reasonable range? I would be happy delivering the boat with a rag tag band of sailers before the cruise begins.

Cruising crew consists of a 2, 5 and 8 year old, all have dealt well with the nine hour passage to the Orwel each year in most weathers, as well as the first mate of course.

Cross to Boulogne then coast hop
Dieppe
Honfleur
then optionally Caen via the canal depending on time

Cross back to the Hamble and leave there (MDL)
sail it back with the rag tag when you can
rag tag could deliver to Dover to reduce the 1st leg.

You’ll eat miles in a 40 fter compared with the old boat.

Jealous!

 

[davidej]

From the East Coast, try south Holland. Start at Vlissingen, up the canal to Middleburg and Veere. Onwards to Wilmnshaven and Dordrect (some stops in between ) then home cia Ijmuden and Lowestoft

 

[johnalison]

Other things being equal, you are less likely to be held up by bad weather and your return home delayed when going to Normandy compared with Holland, but both are feasible. For Holland, either a tour of the South or a round trip from the IJsselmeer south are possible but the Frisians probably a bit too far. For Normandy, again, if you are new to the area, there is plenty to enjoy from perhaps Caen/Deauville area to home without stretching things, though a rush to St Vaast and back is possible.

 

[lw395]

With two weeks, wanting to get back to the East Coast, it's a possibly a bit of a rush to get anywhere nice West of Cherbourg?
Heading the other way seems more attractive.
Either way you can end up beating home or waiting for some 'statistically unlikely' wind to move off.

Obviously, I'd advise not 'starting from there' or going back.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Look at Normandy and the Channel Isles an easy cruise although the tides, deep blue water might frighten you It will be an easy introduction to cruising outside of your comfort zone and give you a taste for pastures new the following year.

The Suffolk rivers are a wonderful location but there is so much more just waiting over the horizon.

 

[westhinder]

Considering the age of your children, the Netherlands is a wonderful destination: lots to see, sheltered sailing, locks and bridges to keep them entertained. The downside is that you’re most likely to have the wind against you on the return trip..
The north of France and Normandy are very nice as well, less sheltered than the Netherlands, but the return trip is highly likely a reach home.
We did it in both directions with young kids. There was one year we were aiming for the Solent but we got stuck in Calais due to bad weather and after three days we turned tail and had a wonderful couple of weeks in the Netherlands. Be prepared to adapt your plans to the weather.

 

[LittleSister]

Gravelines (N. France, close to Belgian border) is a very nice stop, and only about 32 NM from N. Foreland or Ramsgate.

Perhaps a possibility if you are still undecided whether you're going north-east or south-west. Note tidally restricted entrance, perhaps about HW + or - 2 hours for you.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I spent 3 or 4 months in the Netherlands last year before buying my boat there.

I stopped at Antwerp on the way up, and thought it one of the scenic highlights alongside Willemstad and Lauwersoog, where there is an excellent café-restaurant with freshly caught fish. You would cruise the West Frisian Islands on the way there, or back - I'm sure they're lovely.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I like the idea of Normandy Beaches and walled towns (and the French food!), and as a child my family cruised Holland a lot (I think we did five summers there??) and the sheltered waters and Swallows and Amazons bits for the kids appeal (boot them out in the dinghy and let them row about - no tides to sweep them over the horizon!). I'd love to do South Brittany, I did the Cowes/Dinard race crewing on my fathers Gaff Cutter Wanda and I have cracking memories of St Malo from that, however, I think that's a bit far for this adventure - that will be 2021!

I'll write up a two itineraries (one East, one West) and post them here to see if I have missed anything or not spotted a hazard.

Ha, and it all frightens me Fr J Hackett! New boat and a new cruising ground out of a very well trodden comfort zone, but it wouldn't be an adventure if that wasn't the case. Lots of passage planning and studying of charts and pilot books going on, as well as fettling Mirage, new AIS transponder, new Knox anchor, lots of servicing. We will have delivered her by then (Poole to Medway) and I would have done some heavier shakedown sails with her in river to figure out where her limitations are so we will be well prepared.

Thanks again all.

 

[Elessar]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I like the idea of Normandy Beaches and walled towns (and the French food!), and as a child my family cruised Holland a lot (I think we did five summers there??) and the sheltered waters and Swallows and Amazons bits for the kids appeal (boot them out in the dinghy and let them row about - no tides to sweep them over the horizon!). I'd love to do South Brittany, I did the Cowes/Dinard race crewing on my fathers Gaff Cutter Wanda and I have cracking memories of St Malo from that, however, I think that's a bit far for this adventure - that will be 2021!

I'll write up a two itineraries (one East, one West) and post them here to see if I have missed anything or not spotted a hazard.

Ha, and it all frightens me Fr J Hackett! New boat and a new cruising ground out of a very well trodden comfort zone, but it wouldn't be an adventure if that wasn't the case. Lots of passage planning and studying of charts and pilot books going on, as well as fettling Mirage, new AIS transponder, new Knox anchor, lots of servicing. We will have delivered her by then (Poole to Medway) and I would have done some heavier shakedown sails with her in river to figure out where her limitations are so we will be well prepared.

Thanks again all.

My suggested trip will give you walled towns and French food aplenty. For actual kid beaches add Deauville after Honfleur. Short stroll to buckets and spades.

Some tips which may aid your plan. Navigationally its easy along the first bit of coast. Enguage brain as you go past Antifer as you are not allowed too close (check pilot) and in the Seine there is traffic and strong flows to consider - but it’s not difficult in a big modern yacht with a decent engine as you now have!

Lock into Honfleur then tie up to wait for the lifting bridge to get into the stunning inner harbour.

Deuville is tidal and has a lock. Beware sifting reducing depths below those charted at the entrance. Also beware the training wall between Honfleur and Deaville.

If you like WW2 history then the Caen canal and Pegasus bridge is worth a visit. Also if it’s calm, further along the coast you can get into the remaining mulberry harbour at Arramnches. Anchoring for lunch in there is awe inspiring but don’t attempt it if it’s bumpy.

 

[PhillM]

I really enjoyed a few days in Oustreham this year. The beach is beautiful and full of activities to keep the kids happy. I also went up the canal to Caen, which has a great castle and activity centre, again the kids will like it, as well as a museum and art gallery. I could have done the whole WW2 thing, but instead chose to walk the beaches instead as there is enough information on the coast path to make it interesting / thought provoking, but without having to do the whole "history-misery" thing. After all I was on holiday.

I was a little less impressed with St Vaast. OK nice village but I felt lacked charm (and decent shops - yeah I know one very expensive one but some of us like cheap wine). I meant to take the amphibious boat to the island, but didn't get around to it. Although I am sure the kids would like that.

Also, while many on here don't appear to like Cherbourg, I really liked the town and was glad I got there a few days ahead of the boats I was sailing in company with afterwards.

 

[Refueler]

Not for the two weeks you are asking about now - but a later more distant cruise ?

The Baltics - particularly the East Swedish Archipelago islands .... I cruised UK and Channel a lot and then moved my boat to Baltic. The change was stunning ... virtually tideless, 99% of the islands are free of charge to moor ... its an explorer / boaters heaven.









Water is brackish ... clean and warm in summer.

I can honestly say - its the best cruising I have ever had and will again ...

 

[johnalison]

Sailing with children means that everything has to take second place to their needs, not that the little sods deserve it but because they have the power to make your lives miserable if you don't accede to their wants. Holland is good for them but perhaps not ideal for the youngest who will want what I believe is called 'fun'. The French Coast, from Calais to Ouistreham and beyond has plenty of beaches, some sand and some pebbles and I think they will prefer it to inland Holland.

Sailing the Netherlands inland is easy but a bit of bad weather can leave you stuck in Ostend with the wind howling F7 from the SW and nothing to look forward to except a veer and days of F5-6 from the NW.

 

[LittleSister]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I like the idea of . . . walled towns (and the French food!),

Did I mention that Gravelines was a walled town? (I can recommend renting a canoe or pedallo for a couple of hours and circumnavigating the town in the moat that surrounds the walls.)

There is also a beach - 'Plage du Petit Fort Philippe', adjacent to the entrance to Gravelines from the sea. That's a fair walk from the marina, but you can hire bikes at the marina.

 

[stu9000]

Fascinating thread.
I'm on a trot just outside Chatham marina.
I did Harwich, Scheveningen, Zeebrugge, Ramsgate, Medway in a week last year. Good fun but lots of marinas.
France is appealing this year.
The JimB site suggests the best cruising is past Cherbourg so I'm currently musing how much of a dash down that way I want to do in one bite. 24 hours direct to Cherbourg from Ramsgate but tempted to break it up a bit. If only I had more than a week.


S

 

[dolabriform]

We now have a 40 foot Bav that we will be keeping on the river Medway. We have a two summer week cruise booked in, assuming the weather is clement enough, where would you suggest?

We love the East coast and have made a yearly pilgrimage to Suffolk every year for the last six years in Triola (30 foot Albin Ballad), however, we’d like to try somewhere else. We were thinking Holland perhaps? Or are there any French ports within reasonable range? I would be happy delivering the boat with a rag tag band of sailers before the cruise begins.

Cruising crew consists of a 2, 5 and 8 year old, all have dealt well with the nine hour passage to the Orwel each year in most weathers, as well as the first mate of course.

Congrats on the new boat

We've just done a similar thing a bought an Elan 36 to go further afield with our two so thanks for the perfect timing of your post !

As we're based on the Orwell, our thoughts are to head down to the Solent area via Ramsgate, and if time / weather permits take a jaunt across to Cherbourg and the Channel Islands ( or maybe just the CI depending on what happens with the unmentionable )

If we can't make it across the channel then the backup plan is to just potter around the south coast as there are plenty of beaches and entertainments for the kids to do that thing the John refers to as "fun"

 

[johnalison]

Fascinating thread.
I'm on a trot just outside Chatham marina.
I did Harwich, Scheveningen, Zeebrugge, Ramsgate, Medway in a week last year. Good fun but lots of marinas.
France is appealing this year.
The JimB site suggests the best cruising is past Cherbourg so I'm currently musing how much of a dash down that way I want to do in one bite. 24 hours direct to Cherbourg from Ramsgate but tempted to break it up a bit. If only I had more than a week.


S

We cruised both Normandy and Channel Isle/N Brittany fairly regularly and I would not agree that going west is 'better'. Around the CIs and Brittany you get more rocks and interesting tides, so the sailing is more technical and the scenery more varied. Normandy is mainly chalk cliffs, which are beautiful in themselves, especially when drifting along in the evening sun. The towns in Normandy are much more interesting, with Dieppe, Honfleur, Deauville and St Vaast to mention only a few, and for two weeks I would be happy to go no further. For the Channel Isles, we preferred to haste there via Brighton, and did it several times in three weeks in a Sadler 29.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

From the Medway you are in easy reach of marinas on Dublin's north and south sides, all on the rail line into the city, for some sightseeing etc. From there you could head south in easy daysails and explore the popular south coast, or go north, taking in some of Northern Ireland and Scotland's coastline and islands. Both options provide excellent experiences without having to contend to much with heavy marine traffic. TSS's, etc.

 

[Refueler]

From the Medway you are in easy reach of marinas on Dublin's north and south sides, all on the rail line into the city, for some sightseeing etc. From there you could head south in easy daysails and explore the popular south coast, or go north, taking in some of Northern Ireland and Scotland's coastline and islands. Both options provide excellent experiences without having to contend to much with heavy marine traffic. TSS's, etc.

??

I think the Medway OP is referring to is East Coast England .... be a bit of a trip to get round to Dublin from around 'Chatham' ??