Dear Sir, Greetings from Switzerland,
 
I have read with interest certain items about sailing from UK to France / Channel Islands.
 
I have a query. If I want to use a motorboat or even a jet ski  to get from Cap Hague to Alderney, across this strip called The Race, how powerful should it be and how long would it take to cross the 15 kilometres?
 
I notice that a lot of information is about sailing boats and getting caught in the wind and swept down The Race. But to take a small speed vessel there and back how would that be?

Christopher Cenneide

Dear Christopher,

Thank you very much for your email.  I know the Alderney race very well and my advice is that you should not undertake this passage unless you are experienced and with a minimum of having completed an RYA Day Skipper theory course and an RYA Day Skipper Practical Motor Cruising course.

I would not recommend using a jet ski for this trip, if you are going to do it in a motor boat I would suggest using one of not less than 8 meters and with a planing hull plus an engine of around 100 HP.

If the forecast for wind is more than 12 knots I would not do the trip. Your biggest worry is not wind but the strength of the tide which can be as much as 9 knots, then in a situation where wind and tide are going in opposite directions it will be extremely rough and even dangerous for a small motorboat. I would not advise your using a jet ski.

Given calm conditions you should be able to do the trip in about  an hour.

Finally make certain that you have distress flares with you, a life jacket for each person and telephone someone when you leave with an arrangement that if you don't telephone them within two hours to report your safe arrival they will contact the coastguard to report that you have not arrived. To do the return trip would also be fine, but take some advice as to the timing of your trip each way so that you do not have a strong tide against you.

I hope that the above is helpful.

Best wishes, Martin Northey.