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

[Cantata]

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

I'm glad nobody has mentioned Gravelines yet. A gem. Don't want everybody going there.

 

[Greenwichman]

Re: Gravelines

Quite right. Terrible place. Avoid. Please.

 

[samuel]

Re: Belgian ports

Ostend
Done it about 28 times . Used to be a good red light district & fun to go to 30 years ago when the east anglian & the Stella rally races were well subscribed. Does anyone remember the old harbour master who never wore a shirt & had a bald head? Used to get up early each day to net any rubbish out of his harbour. The duty frees were good then too. King Edward cigars were the best bet.
One night we were there & a couple of theives were caught robbing the North Sea yacht club. the resulting gun battle had us all ducking for cover. The local police just opened up with machine guns & fired right through everyones rigging & didn't hit a single boat. Next day the yacht club sported a beautiful line of bullet holes then a splodge of blood
Now I take the wife & family & if you hit the right weeks the street entertainment is fantastic. Can be a bit of a so & so if wind is in the north for a few days. Then you have to leave Robert & lock in to the upper harbour. The Dutch tend to fill it up in season & they can be fun. Had a whole fleet of them singing Rule Brittannia when I left once when single handed. I was the only Brit & Robert cordened off a corner which he announced to the world that it was the British sector & was not to be invaded. Well worth a visit if only to see Robert in action when he has a load of Dutch kids & blasted pet dogs running havoc with him.

Dieppe
Only been there twice but liked it second time ( First was early May 2004 & weather horrid. Town had not woken up then). Returned a few months later & the sun shone. Will definately give it another go.

 

[stephenmartin]

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

I bought my first boat in march last year and did the channel crossing two months later to Fecamp....12 hours later out of Shoreham we arrived at night....the lights are easy to pick out at night....and I felt well chuffed....mark your position on your chart every hour cos we had the gps play silly buggers for 10 mins which was scary....at least you can take a compass bearing from there

Take engine spares and flasks of coffee and sandwiches...no fun brewing up on a rolle coaster....and tie everything down or put it in the sink...........done it three times so far and love it everytime

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: Belgian ports

[ QUOTE ]

Dieppe
Only been there twice but liked it second time ( First was early May 2004 & weather horrid. Town had not woken up then). Returned a few months later & the sun shone. Will definately give it another go.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree completely - Dieppe's very nice. Spent 5 days there 3 years ago - only an overnight stop was intended.

However, NOT exactly a day's sailing from Ramsgate.

 

[squidge]

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

Hi , your going to love it, your first cross channel adventure! i did mine only a few years ago and i will never forget the feelings of excitement and achievement in getting there. I crossed at the narrow bit .First we sailed down to ramsgate from the crouch and then after a day in the marina untill the weather was just right we sailed to the goodwin light ship and bouy hopped our way to Dunkirk and got into the first marina on the left its state owned , therefore cheeper and just over the hill to the east a really great beach that runs for miles(most beaches over there are great). I also recomment Neville's book lots of navigation and a bit of local info.He didnt like Blankenburg but if you get that far up its not to be missed.
Wish i was going with you. Please tell us how you get on. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Best regards
Squidge

 

[david41]

Re: Ostend ferries

I am very interested with your message, my home port is Ramsgate, I am in the process of buying an Atlanta 31, and toying with the idea of using it in the summer based at Ramsgate and wintering her in Ostende. Do you have any info re the winter rates in Ostende ???

Many thanks


David.

 

[sailorman]

Re: Ostend ferries

you might concider Niewpoort it would be a lot more sheltered,
why not Middleburg its very inexpensive if your a club member

 

[Koeketiene]

Wintering in Ostend

The RNSYC - where I keep Yanita in summer - has no winter facilities. The dock is "closed to yachts" 15 Oct - 1 Apr for safety reasons.

There is however, always the RYCO -> back of the harbour, oposite the ferry terminal. Last October I paid a very reasonable €2.50 per day (£1.75) for 38ft.
Their pontoons are currently being replaced - all new by early May. Oldest YC in Belgium - very friendly.

There's also the Mercator Marina. To work out their rates a degree in rocket science comes in handy. Website http://www.mercatormarina.be/dok/defaulteng.html
Look for rates under info - very sheltered.

Need any further info? Feel free to PM me

 

[Koeketiene]

Nieuwpoort

Dredging operations all through winter - you may need to "shift" quite a few times during the course of the winter.