I'd think Nigel Calder's book would be one to have. I've never sailed across the channel, like Val I've only ever done it by ferry, but from what I've read it is one of the most restricted waterways on the planet. There are strict traffic lanes and any craft crossing these lanes do so at their own peril. Traffic withing the lanes has absolute right of way. again, from what I've read, the idea is to enter the lanes at full speed under power and play nautical dodgems until you are through. The very idea scares the daylights out of me.
