How big a boat would I need to safely cross the channel from poole to the channel islands?

Question

or rather what is the smallest size motor boat that would be safe for that area, and how much would it cost for fuel to cross e.g., poole to guernsey? apart from the fun, would it be cheaper than crossing as a passenger on a ferry for example, much dear, or what? thanks

Answer 1

The real answer does depend on your navigation skills and how "safe" you want to be.  The different channle islands have different hazards.  The famous Alderney race and the swinge for example can run up to 9 knots or more in places and few boats can battle against that sort of tide.  However, ride the tide in with you by way of good planning and there is no problem.  For any offshore work in a motor boat it is a safety issue to have two engines of some kind.  Some have twin engines and some have one big one and one reserve, usually an outboard.  Whenever I have done the CI I have always been in a sail boat which has auxiliary motor if needed.  You will find it uncomfortable in a boat of less than 20 feet but not impossible.  25 feet is comfortable and over 30 feet is even better.  You will need good navigation equipment and to cross the busy East-West channel shipping lanes in any small boat you benefit from radar to plot the big shops often doing 20 knots or so across your path. And of coure you need to have the navigation skills to handle the boat and stay out of trouble. The shortest route across is from the point of Portland Bill but from Poole you have around 100 miles to go which at a slow 5 knots is 20 hrs or at a fast 20 knots is more like 5 hrs.  Either way you can reckon on using around 20 gallons or 90 litres one way so you can do the maths on cost of fuel.  As to being cheaper than a ferry, you have to pay for the boat in the first place, pay for insurance, pay for maintenance, and pay to moor it up wherever you go. The old adage does hold true that a boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money.  But that does not stop me enjoying mine.

Answer 2

Minimum size should be 21 ft, minimum horse power should be 20 horses , wrap up warm , take a gps and a mobile and enjoy!

Answer 3

your question has too many factors to consider, you could cross in a rowing boat with a tiny outboard motor, but I would not advise it, As long as the boat is sea worthy, and you have an experienced sailor aboard don,t consider it , there are some very strong tide races and rocks on the north side o Guernsey, I did this the first time going through Hoyles passage , when I arrived in Beaucette Every one was amazed that I should take such a precarious route, you should go via St. Peters Port on the South side of the Island.  At about 9  knots it will take you about 11 hours, fuel consumption will depend on the power of the boat, 1/2 pint per HP hour,  I have done it from Southampton, Be careful  Hope this has been of use to you

Answer 4

Do not attempt this unless you have a qualified sailor with you.  You need charts, navigation equipment, and knowledge of the tides and the currents.  Guernsey has a bad race, (very choppy sea).  You also need to know the ferry routs as you can be heavily fined if you get in the way of a ferry boat.  How would you manage if a thick mist or sea fog came down?

The size of the boat is immaterial you could do it in a rowing boat if the conditions were right.