17 foot boat across the channel...Possible?

[Tucana]

Could it be the same Chap?

Quote

The man was rescued by a lifeboat crew after he ran out of fuel off the Isle of Sheppey, whose shore he had been hugging all day and night.

The amateur admiral had been trying to get from Gillingham to Southampton but took a ‘wrong turn’ on the road map he was using to navigate.

‘Because he had no chart and he didn’t even know what navigational charts were, his general principle was to keep the land on his right, except he didn’t realise Sheppey was an island,’ said lifeboat volunteer Tom Ware.

Navigation was not the silly sailor’s only problem. His motor cruiser, which he bought online, was not designed for sea use and he had no provisions.

He also seemed to think that because he could drive to Southampton on a single tank of fuel, he needed only one tank for the boat.

He had a VHF radio but did not know how to use it. The man was told by coastguards at Queenborough, on the isle, that engine size and therefore fuel consumption differed – and the coast route was longer than the road distance anyway.

It can't be him surly?

 

[duncan]

OK, so leaving the issue of this being a troll for a moment, let's get some facts straight...

1. VHF Operators Certificate / Ship's Radio License. I have no idea if you need one or not in international waters, but as both the UK and French territorial waters extend 12 miles offshore, and the crossing is only 20 miles, you will never actually be in international waters. Get stopped inside the 12 mile limit and you will require both.

2. Paperwork. The French authorities require, and may wish to inspect, your vessel's registration certificate (SSR / Part 3 Registration = Small Ships Register details here: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/ukr-home/pleasurecraft-smallships.htm). They will also require you to be in posession of an International Certificate of Competence, proof of insurance (insurance certificate with a French translation), proof of VAT status and to have your ICC CEVNI endorsed if you wish to use the inland waterways. You may also require an ATIS enabled VHF for inland use, but I'm not 100% on that one. You will also need passports and I suggest you take EU medical cards.


As others have said, this trip is quite feasible for a couple or three experienced people with the right gear in the right conditions. For the wrong crew on the wrong day, it's a tragedy waiting to happen.

purely because of your header....

1. whilst you would need a Ships Radio License for a fitted VHF there is no requirement for an operators license per se. The OP seems very (surprisingly) well versed in this area from an earlier post.

2. again as has been pointed out already there is no requirement for an ICC in coastal waters, but, as you go on to say, there is a requirement for a CEVNI endorsed one for the inland waterways.

Whilst not a 'fact,' I totally agree with your final assessment

 

[Major Catastrophe]

I want to see a picture of this boat. A google for "Marina 17" shows a pic of a raggie.

 

[Searush]

One of my favourite stories (again)

Uffa Fox took an open, rowing & sailing whaler from Poole to Paris, crewed by a scout troop to attend the Paris Exhibition. They lived aboard, sleeping by watch on the floor boards under spare sails. Individuals were assigned baling, lookout, steering, navigation, sail handling & cooking duties as necessary. Probably wouldn't be allowed in today's "Nanny State" environment, but the vessel & captain were well up to the challenge.

OP is a different kettle of fish altogether. Mind you, Uffa wasn't known for accepting advice either. They told him sailing dinghies couldn't plane & that prop-riders were a daft idea & that cold-moulded construction wouldn't last. I think some people also thought that airborne lifeboats were a silly idea too.

 

[Nautibusiness]

What an enjoyable thread.

One of the first multi pagers that I have actually read from end to end!

I love his optimism. He never said it would plane with a 9.9, but thinks it will with 25... Not with 6 people onboard it won't.

Hilarious thread, I really hope it isn't a serious one!

 

[CX54WEK]

This cant be a serious thread. The OP cant lack that much common sense, can he?

 

[PaulGooch]

Noone said it would get on the plane. I would need a 25hp at least for that.

If it won't plane, it won't do 10-12 knots. If you have no nav kit onboard, how the hell do you calculate your speed ?

I would demand life jackets to be worn by all on board as a manditory requirement for such a voyage but the rest of the kit mentioned is not really essential.

This is either a windup, or you are an idiot.

Currently my backup engine is a Suzuki 3 1/2 hp 2 stroke outboard but the 9.9hp four stroke on the boat now was originally its back up engine when its main engine was an 85hp 2 stroke outboard. I am looking for a bigger outboard so that the 9.9 can be relagated to backup duties again.

Another windup ? If you had to use the aux in the channel, chances are you'd be going backwards.

Fuel consumption is'nt really an issue. At the very worst, such a voyage is unlikely to take more than 7-8 hours. My 9.9 four stroke can run for 24 hours straight on 5 gallons of fuel leaving a huge reserve and I will have a second full 5 gallon tank in reserve anyway.

You need to do some sums, my tender uses more fuel than that. Crossing the channel, you'll find a big change in consumption.

No, but you dont need a license to use one in international waters.
I can get a cheap used on on ebay easy enough and in any case the coast guard would rather a boat set to sea with an unlicensed radio and be safe than set to sea without one and perish.

With the UK and France both having 12 mile limits, how do you work out, on a 20 mile crossing, that you ever get to be in international waters ?

I dont see why not but in any case should I need to register it, who exactly do I register it with?

Doesn't matter if you see why or not, it's a French requirement.

Why?...Do the French authorities see it as compulsary? Or does it become compulsary in the UK should I wish to register my boat?

Yes, they do. Would also be a good idea to have some here too. Many slips will ask to see insurance.

I have used my boat against the tide on the Thames several times, and fuel consumption has never been a problem, speed has though.

Of course consumption is a problem. If you are going slower, you will use more fuel to cover the same distance. Doh! If i hit some rough weather, my consumption can easily increase by 50%. If i set off on a 5 hour trip, with enough fuel for 6 hours, what happens when i hit bad weather and the journey takes 10 hours ?

True, the tide at Dover runs North to North East up to HW + 4 1/2 but after that it reverses, so allowing for this, plotting a clockwise course from Dover should take us across ok, if taking somewhat longer than I'd like.
Thanks for your help as many replies on here have not been very helpfull.

Your last comments, as much as any others, suggest to me this is a windup. On that basis, i wish you luck on your voyage. Could you please PM me you name and address, so that i can take some life insurance out on you, oh and your friends too

 

[Chris_d]

This cant be a serious thread. The OP cant lack that much common sense, can he?

Well they are out there ask the RNLI ref Tucanas post, problem is nowadays they stand more chance of surviving so live to tell the tale and then even more attempt it, so continue to dilute the gene pool

 

[jimg]

I want to see a picture of this boat. A google for "Marina 17" shows a pic of a raggie.

I think he might mean a Marina 16

Further details here:- http://www.andyseedhouseboats.co.uk/sales/boatdetails2.php?boatid=825

 

[kid's inheritance]

In honor of Charles Darwin, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by (accidentally) removing themselves from it. The Award is generally bestowed posthumously. Can't find an entry form though!

 

[bendyone]

I think he might mean a Marina 16

Further details here:- http://www.andyseedhouseboats.co.uk/sales/boatdetails2.php?boatid=825

I would consider crossing from Dover to Calais in this one, given the right weather conditions and crew.
Reading all the answers maybe just maybe we are all getting a little soft given that "starter" boats are now considered to be in excess of 10m.
When I first started sailing we would sail from Plymouth to Newton Ferres in a mirror dinghy.

 

[DAKA]

I would consider crossing from Dover to Calais in this one, given the right weather conditions and crew.
Reading all the answers maybe just maybe we are all getting a little soft given that "starter" boats are now considered to be in excess of 10m.
When I first started sailing we would sail from Plymouth to Newton Ferres in a mirror dinghy.

Good post Bendyone , putting things into perspective
Reduce crew to 2 , total 3 idiots on board, carry 2 spare jerry cans ready mixed, a fixed VHF and you have a party in the making

 

[Searush]

I would consider crossing from Dover to Calais in this one, given the right weather conditions and crew.
Reading all the answers maybe just maybe we are all getting a little soft given that "starter" boats are now considered to be in excess of 10m.
When I first started sailing we would sail from Plymouth to Newton Ferres in a mirror dinghy.

With 6 passengers & no experience? Well, OK perhaps only someone with no experience would consider it.

Sure, Jim
I have done 10-15 mile sea passages in a Heron dinghy - in good weather, with a suitable colleague, an outboard & a pair of oars, plus food, drink, waterproofs & woolies. I also had a compass & anchor & lifejackets & bouancy bags - and I actually stayed close to shore, following the coastline & used the tide. But I kept well away from the big ships trying to catch the last of the tide in the river (the Mersey was busy back then!) OP doesn't appear to want to take any sensible advice or precautions - hence the less than helpful responses.

 

[gunman]

I think he might mean a Marina 16

Further details here:- http://www.andyseedhouseboats.co.uk/sales/boatdetails2.php?boatid=825

I owned one of these untill about 5 months ago, I had it for years, although it was actually nearer 18ft. It was a stable boat alright, mine had a 40HP yamaha and would do about 20 knots with 2 adults and a child, but only in flat water. It did not like being put on the plane in rough water. The whole cabin would shake and flex. Bring it off the plane and cruise around 7-8knots and it will handle fairly rough weather.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Good post Bendyone , putting things into perspective
Reduce crew to 2 , total 3 idiots on board, carry 2 spare jerry cans ready mixed, a fixed VHF and you have a party in the making

That boat is capable of making the crossing, in ideal conditions, with lots of spare fuel and a decent aux engine, radio, charts, insurance, original VAT certificate and in date flares, with no more than two on board.

Crossing the Channel in that with six on board would result in a manslaughter charge if a tragedy happened.

Anyway, if he dicks around in the Dover Straits Traffic Separation Scheme, like Lee Choat did when delivering a motor boat, Jeepster will also be looking down the wrong end of a £6,000 fine.

I expect, without some furious Googling, he doesn't even know what a TSS is, but will know when he finds himself in the path of a container ship.

 

[benjenbav]

Uffa Fox took an open, rowing & sailing whaler from Poole to Paris

He was quite good though wasn't he? Likewise: Robin Knox-Johnston, Blondie Hasler and other exceptional mariners.

 

[Firefly625]

..Hang on a minute!

I must have a look through the back issues of MBM, I am sure it wasn't a 1st April edition, but there was a great article about a family who decided to take a small rib (3.80m sort of size and 9 or 10hp engine) from was it York? to the Black sea...this is where my memory is a bit hazy, but didn't they travel through the canal network to the Thames, then coast hoped round to Dover and did a channel crossing, continued through the canal network across Europe to the Black Sea... father and 2 sons and I am sure they all suffered from Asperger syndrome. Anyway it was a most wonderful article and just goes to show what can be done. I will have a look and try and find the article... Unless anyone in IPC towers would confirm!

Now just imagine if the OP's thread had read, ..."I have a small rib and plan to travel from York to the Black Sea with my 2 kids...."

 

[duncan]

I think he might mean a Marina 16

Further details here:- http://www.andyseedhouseboats.co.uk/sales/boatdetails2.php?boatid=825

completely different boat from the Marina 17

which has a fully planning hull and quite deep v

I'd prefer the 16 shown with a 9.9hp - or the 17 with 50hp

 

[Searush]

He was quite good though wasn't he? Likewise: Robin Knox-Johnston, Blondie Hasler and other exceptional mariners.

Quite,

Also see Chidiock Tichborne an 18' open Drascombe Lugger that sailed around the world.

Or the Voyage of Jack de Crow, a guy who sailed from shropshire to teh Black Sea in an 11' Mirror dinghy. Two superb examples of open dinghy cruising - with the appropriate skills & suitable but basic equipment.

 

[DAKA]

That boat is capable of making the crossing, in ideal conditions, with lots of spare fuel and a decent aux engine, radio, charts, insurance, original VAT certificate and in date flares, with no more than two on board.

Crossing the Channel in that with six on board would result in a manslaughter charge if a tragedy happened.

Anyway, if he dicks around in the Dover Straits Traffic Separation Scheme, like Lee Choat did when delivering a motor boat, Jeepster will also be looking down the wrong end of a £6,000 fine.

I expect, without some furious Googling, he doesn't even know what a TSS is, but will know when he finds himself in the path of a container ship.

I was only attempting to comment on the boat being capable of crossing from Dover, not particularly from the OPs position, I assume other serious novices will be thinking about this crossing and reading this thread will be put off by the 'troll hunters'.
I think other posters had already given good advice on safety kit but lets not loose sight of the fact that they would all be under the close eye of Dover HM and launch, if they make it 1 nm out the harbour then the CG will have a birds eye view and there is the all weather Dover life boat .

I used to base from there in the summer, its not much different to popping across to Cowes, we used to go to Boulonge for lunch.