Two weeks in a bigger boat - cruise ideas

[stu9000]

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.

Thanks.
This is music to my ears.
Is there a pilot book or website you can recommend for this area?

 

[Concerto]

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 you are thinking of the Mersey, not the Medway.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

Thanks.
This is music to my ears.
Is there a pilot book or website you can recommend for this area?

I’m currently working my way through the Shell Channel Pilot - it’s a good source of information for planning our holidays. I’m struggling to find a similar book that covers the Netherlands though!

Thanks for all the help here

 

[ashtead]

We cruised Normandy and Brittany in a Bav 34 of similar year. For what it’s worth maybe you might move the boat round in advance to say Eastbourne or Brighton sans junior crew and then cross to Cherbourg with junior crew .for hols Once there explore sub marine and castle say at Cherbourg plus carrefour and then down to St Helier jersey (circa 7 hours so subject to tides leave around 10 for evening meal at Jersey) with lovely beaches, zoo , tunnels etc for a few days plus good buses and bike hire and then on to St Cast with large beaches etc . All three locations have good all states tide entry , large marinas and helpful staff etc. On return can make guernsey if variety required . We met a Dutchman in jersey who had sailed there and his wife flew out with children to join him which is of course another option.

 

[Elessar]

We cruised Normandy and Brittany in a Bav 34 of similar year. For what it’s worth maybe you might move the boat round in advance to say Eastbourne or Brighton sans junior crew and then cross to Cherbourg with junior crew .for hols Once there explore sub marine and castle say at Cherbourg plus carrefour and then down to St Helier jersey (circa 7 hours so subject to tides leave around 10 for evening meal at Jersey) with lovely beaches, zoo , tunnels etc for a few days plus good buses and bike hire and then on to St Cast with large beaches etc . All three locations have good all states tide entry , large marinas and helpful staff etc. On return can make guernsey if variety required . We met a Dutchman in jersey who had sailed there and his wife flew out with children to join him which is of course another option.

Interesting idea. To me it makes no sense to do a 110 (guess) mile crossing with junior crew when Dover to Boulogne is a hop, skip and a jump. But whatever.