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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Build-Up
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As many of you know, this tour has been months in the planning. The crew met the evening before in Dover, with a final update from Dominic Burns confirming skipper Andrew was ready and waiting to meet us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew was due to be joined by two extra female crew – more women on the water! Andrew was delighted to discover he would be joined by a few honouary men, David our Vice Commodre, Dominic and Delyan. (He thought he was going to be the only man).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The night before was classic tour prep: Travelodge check-in, team meeting at Nando’s, custom tour t-shirts & hoodies handed out [navy with our burgee, French tricolour and the Dover \u21c4 Boulogne 2026 logo], foul weather & off shore kit checked and divid up. Stugeron tablets at the ready, and one last look at the weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The forecast was showing stronger winds for crossing day. Decision – we go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Casting Off
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The Morning in Dover Marina. The SailLink catamaran looked fantastic against the White Cliffs. After selfies on the pontoon, lifejackets on, and a thorough safety brief from Andrew, we slipped the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You could feel the excitement on the pontoon walk – and a few nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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At Sea
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Once clear of the harbour wall and past the Varne lightvessel, we were in the Strait of Dover proper. Conditions were lumpy with a good breeze and spray over the bows, the wind was up, exactly as forecast, giving us a proper Channel crossing, the swell was big, the wind was great, the spray, even bigger deploying a few life jackets, a proper \u201cpuffa fish moment\u201d- perfect for showing what our lake sailors can do at sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone mucked in, handling lines, grinding winches, helm time, and holding on tight. Our skipper Andrew was brilliant, calm and encouraging throughout. There was plenty of laughter, a lot of waterproofs, and some very windswept selfies that prove we were really there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The catamaran with her distinctive SailLink branding, a Lagoon 57 x racing yacht is called \u201cEchoes\u201d – handled it beautifully, and we made good progress towards France, leaving the Kent coast behind us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We crossed in 3 hours 20 mins, the wind was 28kn with gusts even more, we were all in off shore gear and still managed to get soaked to the undies. The sea spray was huge, a few life jackets even deployed, a real \u201cpuffa fish moment\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once in France we had a brief pit stop. A quick lunch, a trip to the Boulangerie before we had to do it all again for the return journey to Dover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coming back was just as exciting, 4 hours, the wave height was 2.5 metres but seriously felt about 5 with the swell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nhebsc.org.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Port-Boulogne-Calais-logo.jpeg\"){kind=logo}
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy SailLink?
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