90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13' Laser

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meganbaker

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90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

I am a 17 year old laser sailor and week beginning 18th July or possibly later I plan to sail across the Channel from Exmouth to Cherbourg in a laser. Plans are all in place including the support of a fully equipped 6.8 m RIB with well qualified skipper. This is a sponsored charity event. I am in urgent need of a yacht with experienced skipper to accompany me......can anyone out there help. More details on www.meganbaker.com
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

Before you start putting plans into place on this, bear in mind that if you get enough breeze to get you up on the plane you will outdistance a sailing yacht and I'm sure you wouldn't want to slow down for them to catch up! Perhaps a mobo would be more suitable? I imagine you need to provide shelter in case of bad weather or accident.

p.s. why are you doing this - is it for charity or just a personal
ambition?
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

This is a sail in support of two charities...Project Trust who have organised a gap year where I will be working in Malaysia. The second charity is The Jubilee Sailing Trust who have two Tall ships adapted so able and disable bodied people can crew the ship on an equal basis.
The main support is being provided by a RIB with 250hp engine. The yacht ,as you identify is principally to provide shelter if needed, plus backup if the RIB fails. Over a longer period a yacht with a decent engine should be able to match the laser if it can average around 6 knots. This asumes say an average of arond 14 kts of wind.If the breeze comes up I will be sailing with the 4.7 rig which is slower than the full rig.
The RIB and myself will have VHF radio and should be able to communicate via that if needs be. I will also be carrying an EPIRB, flares, torch, radar reflector. Your comments on speed of the laser on the plane is valid and yes we need a reasonably fast boat. This could be motor or sailing boat.
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

Is this your first step in trying to become another Ellen?
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

Thanks for the clarification. I have sailed a number of times on the Lord Nelson. It's a very good cause. I may be able to help - I'll check the diary and PM for more info.

(OK Nige, missed that)

Just looked at the wind forecast up to Thursday. Looks like West 4-5 all week. A bit much for a long trip in a laser.
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

[ QUOTE ]
Looks like West 4-5 all week. A bit much for a long trip in a laser.

[/ QUOTE ]Looks perfect to me. A reach the whole way across using the 4.7 rig. I hope the RIB can keep up with her.
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

I have been sailing dinghies since I was 3 years old before Ellen became the public figure she is today. So if this is the first step to becomming the next Ellen I do actually have a record going back 14years....which of those would you say was the first step? Yes I admire Ellen's fantastic achievements but that does not have to mean I am
trying to emulate her achievements. I am my own person and find inspiration from a whole range of people out there in the world.
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

I never take my laser out unless it's blowing at least 4 but that's on a lake. 12-18 hours on the open sea is quite another story. Te fact that it would be a broad reach probably helps.
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

Yes 4-5 could be heavy going over a long period of time. My ideal wind would be a 14 knot westerly which looks possible later next week. I check a variety of forecasts on a regular basis and am looking for the right window. My support team needs to be able to be on the river Exe and ready to go at fairly short notice.
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

It's all a balance between going fast....maybe 12 hours in a force 5. I may have difficulty sustaining the energy neeeded to keep going for 12 hours in this kind of wind.....and going slow could be 24 hours in a force 2.
Laser sailor Michael Blackburn crossed the Bass Straights to Australia 110 miles in 12 1/2 hours
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

I'm hoping longjohnsilver sees this post, as he is based on the Exe and he has a fast fisher, which would be absolutely ideal for you. Try a search for him and send a PM to him. He will help if he can! That type of chap. Good luck and fair winds to you.
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

Snowleopard - don't you find that they always under estimate the wind and guite sunstantially ? They certainly seem to around east end of Bristol Channel.
Ken
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

I've not been using it long enough to form a view. One point to bear in mind is that most of the points they use are shore stations. Perhaps places like Channel Light Vessel are a bit more realistic.

We are going to be going as escort as and when the winds serve. Looks like F4-5 up the tail next week.

Good excuse for a booze run /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: 90 miles across to Cherbourg in a 13\' Laser

[ QUOTE ]
Another thought - What kind of a rib can carry enough fuel to keep a 250hp engine running for 15 hours?

The usual procedure is to carry extra jerry cans or fuel containers. I wonder how far we could get if we went at 45 miles an hour for 15 hours. I'm not sure I could keep that up for long.
 
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