2 1/2 hours
That's cracking on a bit. When we were planning the Guernsey trip I was allowing for 4 hours. Mind you that was from Southampton so deduct an hour to the Needles I suppose.
No that's about right, its almost exactly 60nm from Bridge Buoy to Braye Harbour, Alderney, so at about 25knts average, 2 hrs is 50nm, the extra 10 nm is a bit less than 30mins but its there or there abouts.
I still think there's a level of satisfaction in travelling 150 miles there and back for free.
You're right, but it is very very slow and a little tedious at times. Max comfortable speed from that boat is about 9knts but generally 7knts. I think she will go a little faster but the wind would make it very uncomfortable. I take your point about adjusting for minute reward but it is very easy to lose the wind when not trimmed correctly and therefore the adjustments can make a huge difference over a longer passage. As you know from your sailing days Colin it's quite easy with either a wind shift or increase/decrease to lose or gain 4-5knts.
I still haven't had time to edit all the footage as my daughter and family are down on holiday.