Jeepster
Member
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..
Good point, but what if you dont have a radio on board? As far as I am aware its not compulsary to carry one, only advisary.
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.
Good info!...But I dont understand why I need for proof of VAT? I bought the boat on ebay and paid the seller cash when I collected it so I dont think any VAT was paid at all, at least by me. The boat is well over twenty years old so many regs that apply today did not apply to this boat when it was new.
3. Speed and range. You stated in your first post, "This moves the boat along no problem, but going against the tide, even at full throttle, the boat does slow to walking place." So let's say 4 knots if you are punching the tide or (more realistically) you have less than perfect sea conditions. Including the bits for leaving and entering harbour, that makes for a 5-6 hour crossing. The old rule of thumb for 2 strokes was 1/2 pint per hp per hour at full chat, so a 2T would burn close to 4 gallons in six hours. I'll accept 4 strokes as being more efficient, so you could carry enough fuel..
All very good points. In light of this info I shall abandon any thoughts of crossing with the engine I have now and I would only consider making a crossing in the future if I can get a bigger four stroke outboard.
So those on here that have no spirit of adventure left in their bones can rest easy for now, I'll still be around for a bit longer yet.
Frankly, I am supprised at many of the responses to this thread. Imagine, that the internet and this forum existed in the late 1400's...The doom and gloom brigade on here would surely have done their level best to talk Christopher Columbus from attempting his historic voyage across the Atlantic in the first place, being ridiculed for even suggesting it.
Perhaps I should have posted this thread on the "Jester Challenge" forum, but I was'nt planning on crossing a large ocean, or even doing it single handed, just the English Channel, not a large Ocean by anyones standards.
Thanks to Wiggo for the best and most concise reply in this whole thread so far and to Searush for the funniest, IE: "Now I know why he needs so many passengers - to pull the boat & trailer up the slipway for him!".
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