Can I cross the channel in a Cat C?

[Montemar]

We have a Sealine S23 with a single engine, KAD32, and a category C rating. This classes us as inshore I believe.
If we cross to Cherbourg from Weymouth is our boat OK for this?
Would our insurance fail to cover us?
Will we live to tell the tale?
I mean Cherbourg is not much further than Brixham and we survived despite being down to dry biscuits and tonic water.
We rounded Portland Bill, admittedly 7 miles out, so this must count for something.
Do I need a bigger boat?

 

[rib]

there was a guy that did southhampton /alderney in a avon inflatable in the 70.s,not sure if he was insured thou

 

[Skysail]

It was done last year to Alderney on a jet ski..... and has been done on a Laser and a 14 ft Merlin Rocket sailing dinghy. But check your insurance

 

[BrendanS]

Years ago, 14 and 15 foot boats did the crossing regularly. Just choose a nice day when it happens, not pick a day in advance. S23 is more than capable of doing it if you look at weather forecasts and have experience.

 

[rich]

In the 90s we were bringing fairline 21's across to Jersey, on there own bottems and extra fuel strapped to the bathing platform, some of them stayed in one piece

 

[rib]

lol

 

[vandy]

Montemar, your insurance documents should specify how far you are covered? It depends on what cruising area you are covered, and NOT the class of your boat.

We have done Brighton to Dieppe in a Merry Fisher 7m. We have two engines (one aux).

As far as I know, S23 comes with single Inboard so one thing you must consider is that what would you in case of an engine breakdown.

I must admit that in the middle of channel, it gets quite scary, as you see no land for a while and it is quite lonely there really compared to busy boating sites around the coast.

 

[Whitelighter]

A perfect demonstration of why the whole rcd thing is totally and utterly wrong.

One day we will SE a death because someone goes out in a F8 'because the rcd cat A said my boat could'.

The sooner we get the **** out of EU the better

 

[Harry25]

Weymouth to Cherbourg

I googled the distance and got 76 miles which you should do easily in three and a half hours. So provided you have a good weather break should be no problem. Ask around maybe on sealine forum to see if there are any other boats who would like to accompany you. The furthest distance I have done on S25 is 110 miles to Isle of Man omo so your boat is quite capable.

 

[deborahann]

he will be along in a minute to explain

 

[Hurricane]

The sooner we get the **** out of EU the better

Impossible, I fear, Jez.
Too many people won't let us - people who have no mandate and if they loose an arguement, will just bash on regardless.
Don't be fooled, we are in the EU whether we like it on not.
Thats my view although I'd love to be wrong.

 

[longjohnsilver]

We have a Sealine S23 with a single engine, KAD32, and a category C rating. This classes us as inshore I believe.
If we cross to Cherbourg from Weymouth is our boat OK for this?
Would our insurance fail to cover us?
Will we live to tell the tale?
I mean Cherbourg is not much further than Brixham and we survived despite being down to dry biscuits and tonic water.
We rounded Portland Bill, admittedly 7 miles out, so this must count for something.
Do I need a bigger boat?

My son crossed Exmouth to CIs and back last year in a 21' single engined Fairline, no other boats. Just picked the right time, all went smoothly. That's a few miles more than you're looking at doing so yes, perfectly doable.

 

[[2068]]

The answer is "yes", but you will need F4 or less for both there and back, else you will have a tough time mid-channel.

Much better to do it in company for the first time, imho. With a single engine, it should be in perfect nick. No known defects before you set off! Plus a good set of spares and tools, and the ability to use them if required.

 

[[2068]]

A perfect demonstration of why the whole rcd thing is totally and utterly wrong.

One day we will SE a death because someone goes out in a F8 'because the rcd cat A said my boat could'.

The sooner we get the **** out of EU the better

Hi,

I think the problem with the RCD categories is the interpretation of the classifications. If they were thought of as "Upper Design Limits - Do Not Approach", rather like VNE limits for aircraft, this might help. Airbus pilots know that flying everywhere at 460kts is not a good idea.

.

 

[hlb]

According to it's plate, my dinghy posted above by Debs, was capable of going to the CI's. But unfortunately it disintegrated, before it got a chance.

You can cross the chanel in more or less anything, if the weather is right, but mostly, how ever calm it is, there is always a rough bit.

So if you can wait all year for the perfect day, do it. Other wise get a boat that will cope with what ever is likly to be thrown at it.

 

[rib]

ie a rib

 

[Tranona]

Hi,

I think the problem with the RCD categories is the interpretation of the classifications. If they were thought of as "Upper Design Limits - Do Not Approach", rather like VNE limits for aircraft, this might help. Airbus pilots and airlines know that flying everywhere at 460kts is not a good idea.

The problem with the RCD categories is that they use descriptors for the categories so that one can get a sort of instant qualitative view of the sorts of places where the boats might be suitable. In fact the categories are based on sea conditions, not how close or far from the shore. So going across the channel in settled weather can be much less demanding than going down the Western Solent with a stiff SW against a spring ebb. Many transatlantic passages involve days of light winds and flat seas.

For the OP, insurance does not use categories to set cruising limits. The advice to wait for settled weather and maybe do the first trip in company is sound. You will enjoy it.

 

[timbartlett]

A perfect demonstration of why the whole rcd thing is totally and utterly wrong.

One day we will SE a death because someone goes out in a F8 'because the rcd cat A said my boat could'.

The sooner we get the **** out of EU the better

The common carp

 

[[2068]]

The problem with the RCD categories is that they use descriptors for the categories so that one can get a sort of instant qualitative view of the sorts of places where the boats might be suitable. In fact the categories are based on sea conditions, not how close or far from the shore.

True, but for a novice boater there is some value in having something that defines (as a starting point) the places where that design category was intended to be used: experience and skills then kick in to stretch the possibilities. Having said that, I really would not want to be onboard an S28 in an F8 with 4m waves.

HLB's dinghy, is of course, the exception. With a bit more fuel, it could easily have been Oysters in St Helier .

 

[Whitelighter]

No, the real problem with rcd is that most think it's some sort of rigerous testing system like encap for cars - where each boat is assessed and given a catagory based on performance etc.

The fact is though it isn't. Builders self certify and pay a fee, which is scaled. Class D is the cheapest, then C and so on. Yes for A there are certain criteria as an extra they have to meet, but it's still self cert.

Big manufacturers can put the whole range in as class B (look at bayliner who do this - even their 25 is class B) while smaller or niche manufacturers will go class C or even D - especially if they consider their market to be predominantly inland.

RCD does not even give you a guide to the maximum limits of a boats design as has been suggested, it just gives you the limits as to what was paid for.