Are Sealine S28 or Fairline Targa 28 RCD CAT B?

[Montemar]

I was looking forward to sailing to Cherbourg in our Sealine S23 which is a cat C boat. However I am advised that French officialdom is inclined to prosecute anyone who has been more than 6 miles out in a cat C.
RCD cat was not an issue when we bought the S23, with which we are very pleased, indeed a magazine review and a selling organisation had it down as a cat B!
So now I obviously need to get a bigger boat - surprise, surprise!
I would not want to go bigger than necessary for fuel consumption reasons.
I look forward to hearing from owners who have the boat manuals who can shed light on this.
Happy Easter!

 

[[2068]]

S28 is definitely Cat B.

From the RYA site:

" A number of EU mainland countries including France and Italy have separate domestic laws which use the RCD design category to restrict the areas of operation of recreational craft. For this reason, if, for example, the boat might be sailed from Ireland or the UK to France, then the chosen Design Category should be either A or B as to enter French territorial waters with a Design Category C or D boat may conflict with French domestic law."

Does this really mean that a Cat C boat will be clamped in irons? Whats the "may conflict". It either conflicts, or it doesn't. I had previously thought this only applied to French registered boats.

 

[Montemar]

Many thanks Flowerpower for your reply and good news about the S28.
I suppose enforcement of the French law depends on whether or not you get caught. The yacht club we were going with believe that the French take it very seriously. The ensign could be red rag to a bull so better to get a bigger boat!

 

[Bathdave]

Blimey...

I am just in middle of acquiring a Maxum 2400 here in Jersey. Part of the grand pan was to travel to France regularly. Does this mean the French can clap us in irons or seize the boat?

 

[Montemar]

It looks like it.
I dare say you could get away with it but should there be a problem and you get your collar felt I would imagine it could come up. Even a routine check on duty paid fuel may lead to it being uncovered.
The penalty would be a fine I expect.

 

[[2068]]

From another site, it says it relates to conditions, but again, I'm not sure how accurate this info is:

"If you are stopped in, or rescued from, conditions that exceed the RCD design capability of your boat (Category C – wind over Force 6, and waves over 2 metres high) by the French, expect to be in deep do-do’s with the authorities."

It isn't at all clear: there have been cross channel rib runs that have been in Cat C boats in the past, and loads of smaller sports cruisers that have made the crossing.

I still thought that this only applied to French Flagged boats, until I read the confusing RYA article.

Previous thread here:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278666

 

[Whitelighter]

I dont see how this is enforcable.

RCD catagory is nominated byt he builder, and gives no indication as to the seaworthyness of not of the boat. Basically, C costs more than D, B more than C etc.

Look at two mobo's a 27ft Bayliner and a 60ft Princess. both are Cat B but I know which one Id rather be on if it gets rough.

More euro bullshit that actually does more harm than good.

How soon before someone is seriously hurt or killed going out in inappropriat conditions because 'their CE plate said they could'?

You can buy a Bayliner 255, 25ft light sports boat that according to its CE catagory (B) it has been designed for offshore where conditions up to, and including, wind force 8 (Beaufort) and wave height of 4 meter (13' ft).

Yet this boat (or any boat) will not have undergone any testing - the builder just self certs. RCD was not designed to restrict use, it just not broard enough for that.