RALLY INFORMATION
** Rally Leader Required please email portsolentyc@gmail.com if you can help**
Friday 20th June to Thursday 3rd July 2025 13 Nights returning to the UK on Thursday 3rd July.
The Cross Channel itinerary is booked as follows (all for 20 vessels):
- 20th June 1 night Premier Gosport (foc for Premier Berth Holders)
- 21st June 2 nights Cherbourg
- 23rd June 4 nights St Peter Port
- 27th June 4 nights St Helier
- 1st July 2 nights Cherbourg
Our annual cross channel cruise 
is a must do rally for those wishing to gain experience of crossing the channel. It is also close to the longest day so there is approx 15 hours of daylight.
This rally is designed for both Power and Sail, but we can't control the weather. Individual skippers will make decisions 'on the day' depending on their boat, crew and weather conditions. Berthing nights can also be amended to accommodate the weather on the day.
It is proposed the rally will visit Cherbourg, Guernsey, Jersey and back to Cherbourg before returning to the UK, however, this is a Pick’n’Mix Rally and it is not obligatory to necessarily visit all 4 marinas, you can just book the ones you choose.
Just 77 nautical miles to Cherbourg from Gosport this 24 hour marina offers safe harbour to cross channel sailors. Ideal for a 2 night stay ready for an onward sail to the Channel Isles.
St Peter Port offers many opportunities for beautiful coastal walks, ferry trips to Herm Sark and onwards. There is a really excellent bus service for getting around the island, or you can hire an e bike. Also, the picturesque town itself is awash with a fabulous selection of restaurants and eateries.
St Helier. Approx just 25 miles south east of Guernsey has many beautiful beaches and places to explore, again offering a good bus service to explore the island.
We then return to Cherbourg before returning to Blighty.
Border Control:
Online Forms do have to be completed to leave and re-enter UK (via Border Force) and to enter and leave France for each vessel.
These are quite straightforward and easily available online (Or in Cherbourg Marina office for French document).
Whilst all skippers are responsible for their own paperwork, guidance freely available by Rally Liaison if assistance required.
Channel Islands forms are supplied by the Local Marina on arrival.
(Please note that, whilst they can be taken out of the UK by yacht, pets can only re-enter the UK by Commercial means and not on a small craft.)
Documentation:
All vessels must carry ORIGINAL documentation including bills of sale (inc original bill of sale as proof VAT has been paid) and current insurance certificate. It is also advisable to carry RYA/ICC certificates and VHF licence etc.
Note: The above Border Control and Documentation information is given in good faith and may not be up to date and/or correct.
Skippers are responsible for ensuring they fully comply with the Border Control Requirements for the UK, EU and Channel Islands and are carrying the correct documentation.
The below websites should be reliable sources of the latest regulations and requirements :
UK Gov - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sailing-a-pleasure-craft-that-is-departing-from-the-uk
Cruising Association - https://www.theca.org.uk/news/entering-leaving-france-for-cruisers
RYA - https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge/abroad/entry-exit-formalities
Social Programme:
TBC
IMPORTANT NOTE: when navigating from Cherbourg to and from the Channel Islands it is important to be aware of the very strong tide flows of the Alderney races when passing to the east of Alderney. Skippers advised to check their tide charts and flows carefully before proceeding.
Harbours Contact Information
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VHF Calling Channels
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Cherbourg 09, St Peter Port 80, St Helier 80
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Phone
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Will be provided in a full briefing plan - See websites below
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Websites
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See above links
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Voyage monitoring on Channel 16. Ship to Ship Channel 77 to talk
Useful Links for Onward Travel
St Cast Le Guildo
St Malo Marina