I've broken this topic down into a few posts to make it easier to read, hopefully.
To set the scene. This all started a few months ago when my neighbour and I got chatting (with wives) about a trip to the Channel Islands in his newly acquired (new to him) Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 called Crazy Ivan (if anyone has seen Hunt for Red October it explains the name, if not I’ll tell you later). He wants to eventually take it to the Med for the sunshine but has only been around boats for 6 years with no previous experience. Not that I am particularly an expert but accumulated knowledge of all sorts over 50yrs plus (blooming heck is it that long and I still know very little ) well at least I know a few knots and can pull a few ropes, maybe some help with engines etc. and oh yes I know how to sail, a bit.
I worked out a preliminary passage plan from Lymington to St Peter Port on the days everyone could make it although Andy had to be back by Sunday as they were flying to Ireland to see family on the Monday. Considering tidal streams and tidal gates, specifically the infamous Alderney Race, not so much a problem for a fast cruiser, but anything below 11 kts would have a problem once the streams accelerated and if its windy it can be positively dangerous. Half an hour before HW Dover (calculated at Dover in the UK Almanacs and Shell Channel Pilot) is the safe time to enter the race going SW, as it turns it gradually assists any slow-moving vessels and helps them on their way to Guernsey or Jersey. On our departure day Friday 24th Aug., this would have meant leaving at 11.30pm the previous evening, which was impossible for some of the crew. Consequently, we settled for a channel crossing to Alderney. My better half surprisingly wanted to do the trip but F3-4 was pushing it so decided not to, however Andy’s wife pushed herself to be onboard for the experience even though she gets seasick.
To make Alderney at a reasonable time, have a mooch around and to get the Channel tides to roughly the same each way it still meant an early start, unfortunately, it also meant a couple of knots of foul tide to the Needles from Lymington, so with a little fossil fuel burned, sails and a light WNW we made the Needles in an hour and a half, to set a course to steer of 200°.
Lymington Yachthaven 05:00 ish
Lights of the Isle of Wight
Following the Lymington to Yarmouth Ferry out