Your First Channel Crossing

matthewriches

matthewriches

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www.matthewriches.co.uk
Preparation time whilst I wait a few days for my newly varnished bulkhead to dry..... Where did you go on your first channel crossing?

I'm looking for ideas and it needs to be accessible for a ham fisted all or nothing forwards and just about can go backwards kind of person :rolleyes:

Motorboat, 2 huge engines and a thirst for red diesel. Nothing going to happen until after end of April as coming out of the water for some maintenance and stern gear works soon.

I guess half the riff raff from the yard will be coming with me so needs lots of pubs and pretty things to stand and look at in awe.

Suggestions on a postage stamp :encouragement:
 
If I could find Europe in 1978 in fog with no GPS or Decca and a petrol engine motoring at 4 1/2kn, I think you may be worrying about nothing much.
 
Matthew, how about a run up the coast to Lowestoft to test the crew and then when the weather is right, (I don't suppose tides will bother you too much by the sound of your power) head east and you should bump into Holland somewhere near Ijmuiden. There's a good marina there if you need a rest, then Amsterdam is 15Nm up the canal. Then you can go into the inland seas, Markermeer and Ijselmeer and loads of inland waterways off there. Then there are the islands to explore. Or you could just stay in Amsterdam and explore what that has to offer!! Andy
 
matthewriches said:
Preparation time whilst I wait a few days for my newly varnished bulkhead to dry..... Where did you go on your first channel crossing?

I'm looking for ideas and it needs to be accessible for a ham fisted all or nothing forwards and just about can go backwards kind of person :rolleyes:

Motorboat, 2 huge engines and a thirst for red diesel. Nothing going to happen until after end of April as coming out of the water for some maintenance and stern gear works soon.

I guess half the riff raff from the yard will be coming with me so needs lots of pubs and pretty things to stand and look at in awe.

Suggestions on a postage stamp :encouragement:
Click to expand...

Do make sure you know your range on full tanks, using 2/3 of your capacity, at a sustained (all or nothing!) cruising speed to a destination you know has a refuelling pump. And the answer is?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Yes. I have a slight plumbing problem at the moment with leak off pipes (both engines return to 1 tank for some weird reason), but we essentially travelled from ipswich harbour to st kat's and back last year having used the 2/3 limit so to speak. Slight issue being 1 tank was nearly bone dry and the other pretty much still 2/3 full! :eek:

So good for about 180 miles in "normal" weather. I do also carry 120 litres of spare fuel in cans as a rule.

Somewhere Holland would be my best choice as not really interested in France. The ferry is there for France.

Plum said:
Do make sure you know your range on full tanks, using 2/3 of your capacity, at a sustained (all or nothing!) cruising speed to a destination you know has a refuelling pump. And the answer is?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Click to expand...
 
matthewriches said:
Somewhere Holland would be my best choice as not really interested in France. The ferry is there for France.
Click to expand...

I am not an expert on the Netherlands but i did go accross last year to Vlissingen (Flushing) which is not everyones choice but it is the closest harbour. You can go into the harbour (via a lock, no diesel pump) there or, as i did, go straight into the canal (via a different lock) and go up to Middelburg where there is a good lively yachtclub and loads of bars and restaurants. Recommended. You can get diesel there too. Once you go through the lock to go to Middelburg there are about 6 bridges. They now operate a "Blue Wave" system whereby the first bridge opens every 2 hours from April to October (check 2018 times) and then boats go in convoy and each subsequent bridge will open when you get to it without waiting. All very efficient. You can navigate the inland waterways using google maps/earth!

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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Thanks for the info. Would you know if all bridges are opening ones or will I run out of air draft at some point? Flybridge motorboat with radar arch and a load of stuff on top.

Any books worth buying?


Plum said:
I am not an expert on the Netherlands but i did go accross last year to Vlissingen (Flushing) which is not everyones choice but it is the closest harbour. You can go into the harbour (via a lock, no diesel pump) there or, as i did, go straight into the canal (via a different lock) and go up to Middelburg where there is a good lively yachtclub and loads of bars and restaurants. Recommended. You can get diesel there too. Once you go through the lock to go to Middelburg there are about 6 bridges. They now operate a "Blue Wave" system whereby the first bridge opens every 2 hours from April to October (check 2018 times) and then boats go in convoy and each subsequent bridge will open when you get to it without waiting. All very efficient. You can navigate the inland waterways using google maps/earth!

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Click to expand...
 
Matt - when you get to your first stop in Holland you will be able to pick up the free DELTAGIDS
which lists all the places you can get diesel.

My 2016 lists these places in the Southern Delta are Breskens, Flushing, Middelburg, Kortgene, Wolphaartsdijk and Zierikzee to name a few.
 
Holland will be OK with your red diesel in the tanks, unless something changes, but don't think of having any red in cans. If you must take 120l in cans make it white. Not yet been in a southern dutch marina that doesn't have a fuel berth.
 
Matthew. Let's have a chat when you are back in Ipswich. We've covered most of the Dutch area from Den Helder to the Westerschelde.
If we can get through with 20m air draft...so can you!!
 
Our first crossing was ostend which may be an issue with red diesel. We also went to Dunkirk which was lovely but a bit of a walk into town.
 
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mariadz said:
Maybe it was the company I took with me then! We had fun and games getting in and going home though...

https://mariadz.com/2012/06/02/arriving-in-dunkirk/

https://mariadz.com/2012/06/04/the-return-from-dunkirk-part-2-of-3-pan-pan/
Click to expand...


An illustration of just how much difference the weather can make to your impressions of a place, We’ve been to Boulogne more than once but the weather has always been poor and when we’ve been to Calais its always been good. Result-we like Calais but not Boulogne.
 
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