Crossing the Channel

Diver · 17 January 2006, 15:07

Hi there,

I am new a Ribnet, but it seems as if there is a bunch of competent people posting here.

Does anybody know how it is to cross the channel, from Dover to Calais? Are the marinas where You can launch and retrieve boats? Is it difficult waters to sail? My plan is, to buy a boat in Uk, have it transfered to Dover, drive my car and trailer to Calais, take the ferry to Dover and cross the Channel to the waiting car and trailer.

Can that be done without to much trouple?

Regards
Henrik

danny · 17 January 2006, 15:21

It's an one hour drive and the sea is as calm as you find out on your way.
Though I have to say that this part of the northsea is seldom flat.
Follow the weather and do it at daylight.
I haven't seen a trailerlaunch in Calais but there will probable be one.
I know there is a big launch at Gravelines and that's close to Calais.

Why don't you take her on the ferry? Do you have any experiance with this boat?

Diver · 17 January 2006, 16:05

Thanks for the quick response!

First of all It could be fun to cross the channel in my own boat, second, I will save a bit. It will cost 3 times as much to take car and trailer oneway and back again with the ferry or train, compared to the cost of getting the boat transfered to Dover.

I have just sold my old boat a Tornado 6,8/Fitch 225, so I have experince with a Rib, but not the new one ofcourse. But a day of sea trials should give some sort of confidence.

Henrik

jyasaki · 17 January 2006, 18:51

Ferry cost can't be all that much compared to the price of the boat, can it?

I'm not saying that you should or shouldn't attempt this; I'm just wondering about the wisdom of a first open ocean voyage vs. spending a few (well, here it would be bucks...) pounds? Euros? to catch a ride.

jky

MarkM · 17 January 2006, 19:30

I did the same thing as you're planning. I purchased my boat in Cornwall, drove it on a trailer to Dover, but put it on the ferry there. It was Sea France and the price was very reasonably, I bought the ticket on the internet, it's the cheapest way.
Gravelines is the place to launch. See picture:

Rogue Wave · 17 January 2006, 20:16

You can see Calais from Dover! so it's not a real Ocean crossing. Go out in the right sea conditions and you'll be fine it's quite a nice run actually.

Sea traffic is a real issue however so you really need to be on your best behaviour, there is a slipway in Dover harbour but you should be wary of the tide there is also a decent Marina in Dover,

Why don't you ask one of the Kent's ( ithink that's the word for people from those parts) to accompany you . It's a day out for them!

I'll look in the Almanac for recovery at Calais but I'd be surprised if they haven't got one. I've nipped over there a few times but never wanted to land.

I see you are from Denmark......My wife is from Copenhagen......You couldn't fkkn take her back there for me could you!

Diver · 18 January 2006, 08:10

Thanks for all the answers!

If I get a confirmed launchsite both places, then I go for it!

Roughe Wave: When one of our girls leave the country, then it´s for good, You can keep her!

Henrik

Bilge Rat · 18 January 2006, 20:08

Rogue old chap....We kenters shoot across quite a lot these days, pop over for the old vino and a bite to eat and back in time for last of the summer wine.

Dovers not a bad site to launch unless your pushing 6 metres + then it starts to get a little tricky, Ramsgate has a slip way and makes a good alternative for bigger boats, strangely running over to Dunkirk is more straight forward from Ramsgate and works out about 55 miles each way.

swginn · 18 January 2006, 21:00

If it's a new boat/engine, suggest you break-in the engine first, just so you aren't limited to revs or varying the throttle. Unless it's an etec that is.

Otherwise, good luck

Rogue Wave · 18 January 2006, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilge Rat

Rogue old chap....We kenters

sorry about calling you Kents I've only met Daniel and Jimbo so you can understand me thinking tht was the collective noun for people from the garden of england and Margate.

My thanks for clearing my obfuscation!

Mr Diver you drive a hard bargain would it sweeten the deal if I told you she was a highly trained chef and I could pay the fuel bills back to Denmark

Bilge's right I dropped a heavy 6.5 in there and It wsn't very easy. good point about the running in

Mike C · 19 January 2006, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

Hi there,

I am new a Ribnet, but it seems as if there is a bunch of competent people posting here.

Does anybody know how it is to cross the channel, from Dover to Calais? Are the marinas where You can launch and retrieve boats? Is it difficult waters to sail? My plan is, to buy a boat in Uk, have it transfered to Dover, drive my car and trailer to Calais, take the ferry to Dover and cross the Channel to the waiting car and trailer.

Can that be done without to much trouple?

Regards
Henrik

Hi Henrik,

I would recommend taking your car & trailer on the ferry. It’s not that expensive and launching at Dover and crossing the channel is not worth all the difficulties, just to save a few Euros.

Unless of course you want to cross in your boat for fun – in which case that a different matter – but you may be best doing it once you know the boat better!

Launching can be done at Dover slip – I do it in my 6.3 Humber…. But it’s the ‘Slipway from Hell’. Very narrow with a wall on one side and a drop on the other. Only about 15 cm from the trailer tyre to the edge on mine! So whoever is going to launch your boat may not be too keen!

The crossing can be flat calm or VERY rough. Being narrow, there are strong currents so in a wind against tide situation it can be very nasty – particularly an Easterly wind. Having said that I have crossed in millpond conditions! The main problem is the number of ships using the channel. I have hardly ever done it without having to ‘give way’ to a vessel in the TSS. And don’t forget about the TSS (Traffic Separation Scheme). You MUST cross this at 90 degrees… and allegedly they DO watch you on Radar! And don’t forget to get compulsory VHF clearance before you leave Dover Harbour.

So, yes it can be done. It’s a great place to cross – done it many times for both day trips and overnight stops - but probably not the best place to try out a new boat!

Unless you really want to just for fun, check out the ferry prices till you know your new boat better.

Mike C

Diver · 19 January 2006, 13:10

Rouge: Hmmmm, I do acctually need a chef!!

It is a new engine, Verado 275 on a Tornado 8,5m.... A long continously ride must be a nice break in of the engine?

Henrik

Rogue Wave · 19 January 2006, 13:16

I can't pay you more than 150 kwid a month to take her, But she is an excellent Chef (complete with temprament)

Is the tornodo coming from the factory in Hull. Why don't you just run it around the coast for 40 miles the day before.!

Diver · 19 January 2006, 13:18

Mike C:

Thanks. If it was not for the fun, then it would be easier for me to take the ferry Esbjerg (DK) - Harwich, drive to London, pick the boat up and back the same way. Expensive ferry, but I will save 1500km. But there is a few rules about moving a 7,5+m boat with the ferry...

Vhf, how do get that permit?

Henrik

Diver · 19 January 2006, 13:25

Rouge:
It´s in North London to get the engine fitted, so thats where I pick it up, or they transfer it on at trailer do Dover...

Henrik

MarkM · 19 January 2006, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

Mike C:

Thanks. If it was not for the fun, then it would be easier for me to take the ferry Esbjerg (DK) - Harwich, drive to London, pick the boat up and back the same way. Expensive ferry, but I will save 1500km. But there is a few rules about moving a 7,5+m boat with the ferry...

Vhf, how do get that permit?

Henrik

Henrik,
My boat is 7,75m, and on the trailer ofcourse longer, and I had no difficulty what so ever to put it on the ferry. That is Sea France, and that is realy cheap.

Diver · 19 January 2006, 13:53

Thanks Mark,

Well, it could be a nice experience to croos the Channel, but if its to much trouple, I´ll pay whatever it will cost, to take the Esbjerg - Harwich...

Henrik

Bilge Rat · 19 January 2006, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I can't pay you more than 150 kwid a month to take her, But she is an excellent Chef (complete with temprament)

Is the tornodo coming from the factory in Hull. Why don't you just run it around the coast for 40 miles the day before.!

Rogue i'm living in a B&B in Newbury at the moment so i'd be happy to take her for 150 kwid a month, for 200 i'll even rent you my 4.7 for the month so you can relive the glory days

Rogue Wave · 19 January 2006, 20:43

what's the address......It's 200 kwid month to take her back though!

Mike C · 20 January 2006, 02:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

Mike C:

Vhf, how do get that permit?

Henrik

You will need to do a VHF course and pass a test... in your own Country. Though you can probably advise Dover Port Control by mobile phone....

But if you don't have VHF, it really is best not to cross at that busy point in the channel. I don't know how much boating you have done but the Dover Straight is one of the busiest seaways in the world and NOT the place to learn.

TAKE THE FERRY!

Mike C