Yarmouth - Cherbourg

StormNorm said:
Without being pedantic, Yarmouth to Cherbourg needn't include a separation zone as such. You need to cross the shipping lanes, where large ships are self-organised, but the special rules for the Separation Zones such as north of the Casquets don't apply. One less worry.
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I welcome the correction. Serves me right for not looking at a map. Still OK, I think, to say that "higher shipping density" is the main additional risk on that crossing,
 
I like Cherbourg as well. There's still a couple of trad "zinc" bars in the back streets; watched the footie in one with my eldest lad and the locals were very welcoming. Might not apply but there's a couple of material (ie cloth) shops which pleased the memsahb. Got an outstanding sausage in the Saturday market. Rains a lot of course - "Les Parapluie de Cherbourg". Hope you have a good trip.
 
Advice for a handheld plotter was based on experience and the cost of say a Navionics programme for an iPad is modest ( and apparently non iPad versions exist) so I would thought any form of back up to a basic GPS might remove stress if fog is encountered approaching the cost. Ideally you would get some form of AIS capability as well although appreciate many shun such technology . The only worrying thing with AIS is when you encounter that small vessel which hasn't fitted in all that fog as you make the approach to harbour. Cherbourg is as has said so what utilitarian but the Marino staff are always helpful although I did notice the local restaurant seems to have improved at Port .
 
fjweaver said:
I note no mention of a liferaft - is that because it's assumed or do others not take them? on the 3 or 4 occasions I've done a cross-channel I've hired one
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Personally I feel quite happy crossing the channel in sensible weather with no raft.
Where other people draw that line is their choice.
 
ashtead said:
Advice for a handheld plotter was based on experience and the cost of say a Navionics programme for an iPad is modest ( and apparently non iPad versions exist) so I would thought any form of back up to a basic GPS might remove stress if fog is encountered approaching the cost. Ideally you would get some form of AIS capability as well although appreciate many shun such technology . The only worrying thing with AIS is when you encounter that small vessel which hasn't fitted in all that fog as you make the approach to harbour. Cherbourg is as has said so what utilitarian but the Marino staff are always helpful although I did notice the local restaurant seems to have improved at Port .
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There's nothing wrong with chartplotters, but they aren't essential. It's entirely possible to cross the channel safely and enjoyably without one. A back-up GPS is a good idea, but a smartphone will do that. I like to keep things as simple as possible, and not rely on electronics.
 
Apologies if already mentioned but you must have the original ships registration document to prove you are entitled to fly the red ensign.

Photocopies not accepted although they can make exceptions for charter boats.

Never been stopped myself in 20 yrs but some are and marched to cash point to pay fine.

Cherbourg is less of a risk IMHO than Carteret or Pampoil but this based on my visits.
 
StormNorm said:
There's nothing wrong with chartplotters, but they aren't essential. It's entirely possible to cross the channel safely and enjoyably without one. A back-up GPS is a good idea, but a smartphone will do that. I like to keep things as simple as possible, and not rely on electronics.
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Personally I've seen so many people have their tartphones go flat after a channel crossing I'd not regard one as any sort of backup.
As you get away from shore, the things are transmitting at full power trying to raise the basestation I think.
Plus, when things get messy, non-waterproof consumer toys are not to be relied on.
An old Magellan or Garmin and a couple of spare AA's is a far better idea.
 
lw395 said:
Personally I've seen so many people have their tartphones go flat after a channel crossing I'd not regard one as any sort of backup.
As you get away from shore, the things are transmitting at full power trying to raise the basestation I think.
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I can treble the life of my Android smartphone by turning off mobile data, and I can extend it almost indefinitely by activating flight mode. When I'm sailing I normally have it on flight mode unless I actually want to make calls (signals are often poor on the West Coast and, as you say, that eats power) and I only turn mobile data on when I need it.
 
lw395 said:
Personally I've seen so many people have their tartphones go flat after a channel crossing I'd not regard one as any sort of backup.
As you get away from shore, the things are transmitting at full power trying to raise the basestation I think.
Plus, when things get messy, non-waterproof consumer toys are not to be relied on.
An old Magellan or Garmin and a couple of spare AA's is a far better idea.
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Even the worst Iphones should retain charge for long enough to get across the channel unless the owner is using it heavily - se earlier comments re boredom!

I agree that an old HH GPS is far better but we need to be pragmatic. I suspect that very few people will have a spare HH GPS so your suggestion would mean OP buying a new to him GPS just in case his main one breaks. IMHO this is overkill when so many people already carry something that is capable of doing the job. Yes you will need to manage battery but i think all smart phone owners already do that every day and OP may have an on board charger anyway. Worst case - buy one of the stand alone smart phone chargers that cost £10 and will give 2 or 3 further charges.

Even if that does die he's only got to sail 30 miles tops if he has total GPS meltdown. That's doable by DR, especially if supplemented by firing up a phone once an hour to get lat and long to plot on a chart.
 
If worried about iPad or phone going flat and that you cannot charge via onboard 12v system you can also invest in small portable batteries to recharge which are often given away as corporate gifts btw the way and are easily also recharged by USB ports. I agree that a dedicated handheld Garmin might be better but I would have thought an expensive option given need to also buy a map cartridge and they are also battery dependent and that if you can afford cost of a berth in Cherbourgh that the Navionics package for pads and phones for 39 pounds approx might bring considerable peace on mind for a first time crossing . If your phone battery cannot last cross channel then might be worth considering another model though surely?
 
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