Join us for a relaxed cross-Channel cruise-in-company, exploring Cherbourg and the beautiful Cotentin Peninsula. The May Spring Bank Holiday is the perfect chance to cross the Channel, gorge on seafood and Norman cuisine, and stock up on wine and cheese for the rest of the season.
Crossing from home ports on Friday or Saturday, we’ll aim for all boats to check in to France at Port Chantereyne by late afternoon or early evening on Saturday. Cherbourg is a large, well-protected port, accessible in almost all conditions and states of tide — an ideal first hop across the Channel.
Cherbourg is well placed for boats from the Solent and surrounding areas: typically a 12–13 hour passage, around 75NM from Portsmouth and 60NM from the Needles.
There are formalities and declarations required when entering and leaving France and the UK. In practice these are generally straightforward — guidance on current requirements, forms and procedure will be shared with skippers ahead of time, and covered in the Voyage Briefing.
The French border authorities (PAF) will be told our itinerary in advance, and usually prefer to handle passport control at a pre-arranged time — likely communicated on Friday, taking place at the marina office.
Crossing dates, timings and activities are intentionally flexible — we’ll follow the outline above unless weather or conditions call for a change.
Participation is entirely flexible too: boats are welcome to arrive early, leave late, or join for only part of the rally. A small deposit will be required to secure marina berths at Port Chantereyne; this may be non-refundable if plans change, so please keep us posted.
An optional Voyage Briefing on Zoom will be held on Sunday 17 May at 19:00 BST.
Your organiser is George Bliss, who can answer any questions about the event (see the membership list for his contact details).
