What's the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

[Colvic Watson]

What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

New boat, new cruising horizons - we want to do our first channel crossing. We'll be going from Ramsgate in late spring and we need to choose a nice easy port on the other side. So some questions for you old hands:

1. France or Belgium?
2. Which port for an easy day-lit approach, small and quaint would suit us and the boat is bilge keel (Macwester 28)
3. As well as our charts, what's the best pilot book - or would an Almanac do the trick, if so which one is best?
4. We've got the usual safety gear of lifejackets, harnesses, flares, 2 radar reflectors and VHF; anything else to recommend? We also have a tender if a port needs it.

Thanks!

 

[Mirelle]

I doubt if there are many in Ostende...

but it is the port I would suggest - not too difficult, not too easy, and a nice place when you get there. The reason for suggesting it rather than say Calais is that the most worrying bit is crossing the big ship traffic and it is less intense on this route.

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

1. Personally - though I'm biased (keep Yanita in Ostend) - I would opt for Belgium. Food's better/cheaper, so's beer, and if you smoke fags are a lot cheaper. You can buy all that from General Stores at (real!) duty free prices.

2. Ostend's the most easily accesable port on the Belgian coast - all states of tide. Well lit at night. Beware of the "traffic lights" -> no movement when the ferry's arriving/leaving (like Ramsgate really). Mind how you go in strong NW-ly winds.
We usually do Ramsgate-Ostend in 8-10 hrs.

3. Almanac will do - I use Reeds, but CA good as well. Navigation "inside" very straightforward. First right for the RNSYC (April-Oct) & Mercator dock. Or straight ahead for RYCO.

4. Handheld VHF comes in handy - Ostend Port Control on CH9.

William

 

[mhouse]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

William,
Do they still do the all inclusive return from Ostend on the fast ferry and train to London? I am thinking of leaving Biffo there for a couple of weeks.
Thanks

 

[anglo_saxon]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

try honfleur /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
the most amazing place, very romantic just the place for a couple of virgins

 

[FullCircle]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

Boulogne is nice too, although I did my first channel crossing (and single handed too) to Calais in my Evolution25 Lift Keel from Ramsgate. I found it exciting enough arriving in a foreign land by my own hand. Calais has loads of shops and restaurants, and the marina is now much improved apparently. Boulogne does not have that much shipping, and the moorings are 'quaint' in a fishy sort of way which I prefer. Ostend is good, but can be a longer slog for your first trip. Also very recommended for eating and sightseeing.

It is no more difficult than sailing to Harwich, and far less hazardous than crossing the Thames through the banks. Go round past Deal and off Dover and aim for the Grey bit. Take a passport, Euros and ICC/SSR papers. Fly a yellow flag and a coutesy(nice feeling that). Order loads of wine from the quayside bloke, and he will deliver it to the boat. Mine sank by 9 inches less freeboard on the way home, but it was low tide at Ramsgate getting it off the boat - a bloody long trek!

Enjoy it whatever you do.


Jim

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

Jimdew -- Why to fly a yellow flag when approaching France from UK? What is your disease which requires free pratique?

 

[Anonymous]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

We like Tom Cunliffe's Shell Channel Pilot - it fleshes out what's already in Reeds; not essential, but we like it.

 

[VicMallows]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

I tend to agree with Jimdrew on sticking to a shorter crossing to Calais/Boulogne for the first time, though of course don't know what your overall experience is. Of course, those of us in the Solent generally made our first crossing to Cherbourg; easy enough but long and tiring when you're a bit stressed at the 'first time across'.

Personally I'd go for Calais ... but that's probably because I've only used Boulogne as, literally, a 'port of refuge in a storm.

If you don't mind the longer crossing to Belgium, also consider Nieuport. Very easy entrance, no locks, huge all-facilities marina, or smaller 'club' marina. Nice enough town (1m from big marina).

And yes, you don't fly a yellow any more in EU unless you specifically want to declare something!. Dont forget passports and SSR though; likely to be checked.

Vic

 

[Koeketiene]

Ostend ferries

There's no longer a fast ferry service to/from Ostend. Hoverspeed ceased to operate that service 2/3 years ago. The only service still in operation is Trans Europe Ferries to Ramsgate (4 crossings a day take cars - some more just freight - no foot passengers).

Driving there is the only viable option. There's a cheap Dover - Dunkerque service (+/- £54 return for a long WE) operated by Norfolk Lines. Only 40 mins drive from Dunkerque to Ostend.
There's also Speedferries Dover-Boulogne (which we use). There was a deal a while ago if you bought 5 tickets at £50 return you could buy 5 tickets at £25 return. These £375 will see us through the summer. This with the mooring fee for the RNSYC (£295 - 6 months) still leaves us with a saving of over £1,300.
And as for fuel, we would have to drive down to the boat anyway - no marinas in St Albans. £1,300 buys plenty fuel (drive a Diesel).

As from April, should you require a lift, drop me a PM. We might be able to work something out.

William

 

[roger]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

Nobody has mentioned Dunkirk yet. Its closer than Ostend and aneasy run from Dover. The Yacht Club Mer du Nord is friendly and there are two good chandlers outside.
Towards the centre theres a dock with a large sailing boat 3 masts? Duchesse Anne??. Just opposite on the quay are two very good restaurants. The town itself is only OK.
Entry is at all states of the tide.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

They are all good crossings. The point abt Calais for the first time is that it's relatively easy - go out to the last bouy east of Ramsgate, shape your course for 90 deg to the traffic seperation zone and - presuming you've chosen the right time of tide (look it up for your speed and time of crossing) you will end up outside Calais! Leaving England you can keep a back bearing on the power station behind Ramsgate, arriving there's some huge silos in Calais. Halfway across there's a lightship to point your way. You don't need to get in a big lather with the gps thingy. Good luck!

 

[Spuddy]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

The Shell Channel Pilot is worth having. If I was sitting at next table to Mr Cunliffe in a restaurant I'd move but his book is reliable.
Calais is most direct but there's the ferry traffic and I still bear it a grudge for an incident 26 years ago.
Boulogne is cuter. More fishing boats. Apparently it doesn't smell as bad anymore and there are good restaurants up in the haute ville or down by the quay.
For Boulogne you could buoy hop down to Dover inside the Goodwins nd then head across, or stop off for an overnight breather in the Granville dock before going over. Allow 4 to 5 hours. Parking in the marina is straightforward but can get crowded in summer.
Course... Dover has heavy ferry traffic as well out of the Eastern entrance but we tiddlers use the Western entrance.

 

[Greenwichman]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

Hi - agree with those who recommend Calais, Boulogne and Ostende. All easy enough and a good idea to choose the one that best suits the weather forecast.

The Cunliffe guide is a bit dated nowadays (like the author) and I would strongly recommend a new book, published last year, by Neville Featherstone: 'North France and Belgium' pilot book. Available at £24.95 from [url="http://www.nauticaldata.com/product_frame.htm"]http://www.nauticaldata.com/product_frame.htm [/url].

Have fun - it is a much better coast than people further west ever believe! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

[ QUOTE ]
If I was sitting at next table to Mr Cunliffe in a restaurant I'd move....

[/ QUOTE ]I can't think why you said that, here in a public forum. While I don't 'know' Tom, he spent a good while with me at the last London Boat Show talking through a tricky problem about how to make best use of the nav equipment I have, buying only a minimum of extra kit. In the days when I was into reading such things, I followed his 'how to' pieces in the yachting mags and enjoyed his YM(?) navigation competitions. He seems like a pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful guy. Someone else commented that he has aged, but then I suppose he would have, wouldn't he? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[bendyone]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

Calais - if you get lost just follow a ferry! Easy in both daylight and at night. Also a all weather port.

 

[sailorman]

Re: What\'s the best French or Belgium port for a pair of virgins?

ICC not Req.


i would opt for Oostende, fantastic atmos. right in the action as it were, Harbour Master /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif( Robert- tel 003259505912) most helpfull & will INSTRUCT WHICH BERTH U WILL USE /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif can be usefull to pre-book some times but never yet turned away, beer ect delivered to the boat by Alain
Honflour is rather like being in a goldfish bowl /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif & 2 locks to negotiate in & out, best bit is the Pont du Normandy Bridge well worth a look. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
good luck
we will be there on Whit week-end /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
roger

 

[kingfisher]

Belgian ports

From west to east:

1) NIEUWPOORT
Approach: can be approached day and night, head for the wooden pier. The off-lying banks do make the approach to Nieuwpoort a bit tricky in rough weather, certainly with wind over tide at low water. In N-quadrant gales, watch the wave action as you enter between the pier heads. There will be three large breaking waves and then three smaller ones. Wait for the right moment.
Marina: Largest marina in Belgium, actually made up of three marinas. VVW is the biggest and cheapest. Royal airforce the smallest. The royal yachtclub is the most expensive
Town: 15-20min walk from the marina and everything closes at 23:00
2) OOSTENDE
Approach: can be approached at all tides, all times, all weather. Watch for the port lights: no traffic is allowed when ferrys are entering or leaving the port.
Marina: the tidal marina hads limited space, the pontoons are midget-sized and ferry wash comes in at all times. But still people use it, because you need to count an hour and a half to leave and enter the lock. So for an overnight stay before you move on, this is the option to choose. Otherwise, head through the lock. The lock is right underneath the walkway from the train station to the city centre, and attracts quite a crowd of onlookers. Make sure you know what you are doing and keep the stage fright under control.
Town: Oostende is the queen of beach side towns. it has always lived on its reputation as the holiday place of the royal family. Even though that reputation is a bit surpassed, it is a lively town. All night.
Food: the "Kombuis" (=galley), close to the casino, if you want some belgian mussels and fries at family/crew friendly prices. But there are many other posh places, if that is what you need.

3) BLANKENBERGE
Approach: DO NOT APPROACH in N-quadrant gales. You will get broached by the surf. The entry has a sill at -1,5m at LLWS. That's the theory. Unfortunately, dredging is carried out at the beginning of the season, and the channel sills up quickly, so do not count on getting your 1,5 m of dept in September.
Marina: Same once you are inside the marina. Watch your depth meter, follow the instructions of the harbour master and look for berths with similar boats as yours. But even if you get stuck, it's all soft mud, so either reverse out of it, or wait for the tide. Cheapest marina, 12€/night for my 31footer.
Town: Blankenberge is the Blackpool of the Belgian coast, so don't expect to find refined entertainement. Bring trainers, wear basket ball caps backwards and observe the local population for a laugh. Still, it is my favourite port of call.
4) Zeebrugge
Approach: Best storm hole on the Belgian coast, closest similar have of safety is the Westerscheld Estuary, followed by Ijmuiden (!). Watch the harbour lights. All traffic will be stopped if the Methania (an LNG-tanker) is approaching. Keep an eye out for the heavy shipping travelling to and from the port. The harbour moles lay 2 miles of the coast and cause a disturbancing wave pattern. If they don't get seasick there, they never will. So when passing Zeebrugge, stay 2 miles out from the mole heads, 4 miles out to sea. If the sea is strangely more choppy, go more off-land.
Marina: Good facilities, but expensive. Like Nieuwpoort: in the middle of nowhere.
Town: if you can find it, let me know. Zeebrugge is an industrial port, so you know what you are getting. The greek restaurant at the marina is open till late and not bad.

Other than that, there is the whole Scheld estuary, where you can sail right up to Antwerp, after having visited Vlissingen (see tis months YM) and Terneuzen.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Re: Belgian ports

Thanks for all the fantastic advice!!!

If the Shell guide is out of date, what do you recommend as the best port and channel guide?

 

[sailorman]

Re: Belgian ports

i think that the Macmillan really should be enough
u could look at Calais > Den Helder Pilot by Delmar Morgan ( i think )
scan the swindlerys read through them choose the one that suits u best