Is this the tightest marina entrance?

[Firefly625]

some 25 years ago we were holed up in Baucette Marina for a few days waiting for the winds to abate (blowing steady F8). Had a gone there with a another boat who had in tow a 4m Avon Searider with a 50hp merc (was prettty new at the time...) and we played for 3 days popping in and out of the entrance.... was pretty wild but great fun.... not sure I would do it today though!

[bendyone]

On our return leg of last weeks Channel Islands trip we stayed the last night at Baucette Marina, in the north eastern tip of Guernsey.
I'd been told that the entrance could be tight and shouldn't be tackled in anything but good conditions and the guy that told me this was a local and he wasn't joking!
The entrance, wall to wall is about 10 metres maximum, ( it may be more or less - someone feel free to correct me!) and leaves little room for manouvere.
As you can see the sea was flat and very little wind so it wasn't too bad.
What greets you when you get on dry land is well worth the effort - it was beautiful.
We would have stayed longer but the weather was predicted to turn sour over the weekend.

Gets worst with a low setting sun

[Firefly625]

Charlestown, Cornwall. A bit tight..

[Questor]

On our return leg of last weeks Channel Islands trip we stayed the last night at Baucette Marina, in the north eastern tip of Guernsey.
I'd been told that the entrance could be tight and shouldn't be tackled in anything but good conditions and the guy that told me this was a local and he wasn't joking!
The entrance, wall to wall is about 10 metres maximum, ( it may be more or less - someone feel free to correct me!) and leaves little room for manouvere.
As you can see the sea was flat and very little wind so it wasn't too bad.
What greets you when you get on dry land is well worth the effort - it was beautiful.
We would have stayed longer but the weather was predicted to turn sour over the weekend.

Looks scarier at low water.

I remember going in, after a rough crossing with KevB in our T34, with my heart in my mouth, only to be greeted by the sight of "you know who's" Squaddie 74, and then wondered what all the fuss was about.

It is a lovely spot.

[hlb]

Charlestown, Cornwall. A bit tight..

But do able though.

[Piers]

We went into Perros Guirec with about a foot to spare either side - no room for fenders!

On arrival, we came around the breakwater and saw the marina off to the right. All looked fine until we realised it was enclosed with a wall which was submerged, rather like an infinity pool, with the entrance hard to starboard through two concrete pilings.

Have a look here.

http://www.digimap.gg/perros_guirec

[johnalison]

I'd like to put in a vote for Vlieland. Although fair-sized vessels use the harbour it can be a bit unnerving when the tide is running across the entrance at 4 knots.

[parsifal]

I have only been into Beaucette once but it was certainly an interesting experience. The HM guides you in by vhf and when I first called him up he said "do exactly as I say, and don't touch your VHF, just raise your arm to show that you understand my directions". He then guided me towards a wall of rock but at the last minute the entrance appeared and in we went.

Inside it's like something out of a James Bond movie.

[npf1]

Went into Beaucette last year with winds in the high twenties - brown trouser moment that I won't be in a rush to repeat!

[Thepipdoc]

Went into Beaucette last year with winds in the high twenties - brown trouser moment that I won't be in a rush to repeat!

I really can't imagine what that would be like!
It was virtually flat calm with a hint of swell when we went in and even then I was saying to myself "This is not for the faint hearted".
Its the threat of jagged rocks piercing the hull that makes it unlike any harbour entrance I've encountered. There's no nicely finished masonry in site at the point of entry, just a bloody great hole where the explosives have been used to blast the entrance. It's just not natural coming so close to bare rock!
If the number of people that were stood at the entrance is anything to go by, it would seem that the locals consider a boat coming into their marina a spectator sport!