Leaderboard

I've had a couple of visits to St Pete in May in recent years and probably a couple of dozen before. The outer pontoons have fresh water and electricity now, and as Steve says are walk-ashore. They used to be quiet, but many English, French and Channel Island boat owners visiting have preferred staying "outside" with the ability to depart when they want. I would suggest that in good weather in May you could be rafted 2 or 3 deep on all of the outer pontoons, with boats being assigned slots on a first-come first-berthed basis, filling up all of the the alongside berths in the U-shaped blind alleys first, then rafting up, with the furthest berths rafted first. When it's 2 deep all over, they'll assign a 3rd boat both sides, and block the U-shaped slot if necessary. I arrived early in May 2017, was met by a Harby in a dory as usual, and ended up with two French boats outside, and several boats "in" in the U-shaped blind alley. It was a pig to get out, and needed other boat crews to move, and my planned 6 a.m. departure for Brittany turned into 7 a.m. Friendly warnings the night before had been forgotten with meals and wine ashore. Knocking loudly, smiling, and a bit of French definitely helps, and makes the exit more bearable for all. No Harbys were seen to aid departure! Suggestion: Talk to the harbourmaster. Explain you're leaving early and need a good position to depart. Two or three PBSBAC boats arriving together might be able to berth together, but still might get hemmed in. Failing that, try to tie outside of a larger boat, and hope no-one comes alongside you. St Pete is definitely an experience, and I wouldn't let the berthing hassles put you off. My personal preference if fishing the Schole Bank or area south of the Alderney Race would be Dielette and sleeping aboard. In good weather (with no wind in the NW). The outer marina is quiet, accessible 24*7 for shallow draughts, with a little commercial traffic only. Walkashore berths, decent showers, and straight to a popular restaurant. There's not much there, but it is spectacular and welcoming!

Joining instructions posted in competitions section - thanks for the reminder. 63

Oh go on then. Better add us to the list. Lol. Will have to check with the boys first then other crew. Charlie

I will be berthing in Alderney, to save cost for the crew and less distance to cover also the B&B's are very understanding about cancelling. No pre- booking in Guernsey I think, you are not likely to need it in May, a call to the harbour master before you leave should put your mind at rest about berth availability.