Company For Channel Crossing Southampton to Guernsey In Searay 260 Sundancer

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Tiger Sam

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I'm new to this forum, first time I've posted, so apologies if this is covered in another section.
I plan to cross from Southampton to Guernsey in the summer of 2016 with two friends, for the first time, aboard a Searay Sundancer 260. It has a single petrol engine, no auxillary, so I'm very keen to find other motorboats cruising over at the same time. Can anyone point me in the direction of an appropriate club, forum or facebook group where I might find likeminded others? Our travel dates are flexible and Ideally I'd like to cross with at least one other vessel going at roughly the same speed? Also, has anyone got experience of this crossing in a similar vessel? We're just starting to plan, so any helpful information would be very greatfully received. We're all RYA powerboat 2 qualified, but this is our first big trip. Thanks, Nick
 
Tiger Sam said:
I'm new to this forum, first time I've posted, so apologies if this is covered in another section.
I plan to cross from Southampton to Guernsey in the summer of 2016 with two friends, for the first time, aboard a Searay Sundancer 260. It has a single petrol engine, no auxillary, so I'm very keen to find other motorboats cruising over at the same time. Can anyone point me in the direction of an appropriate club, forum or facebook group where I might find likeminded others? Our travel dates are flexible and Ideally I'd like to cross with at least one other vessel going at roughly the same speed? Also, has anyone got experience of this crossing in a similar vessel? We're just starting to plan, so any helpful information would be very greatfully received. We're all RYA powerboat 2 qualified, but this is our first big trip. Thanks, Nick
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Nick, a very warm welcome to the forum. You are planning an exciting trip, and I think you are doing all the right things. There will be others travelling the same trip, and you also have the option of joining a group trip, which tend to be organised by either a sea school, Marina group, or a club. This might be the best option for your maiden channel crossing, as there will be considerable knowledge and support. I guess one of your challenges will be fuel range? You have a thirsty rig, and will be consuming something like 30 gals per hour. Not sure of your tank capacity, but I guess you will do all the sums.
 
Tiger Sam said:
I'm new to this forum, first time I've posted, so apologies if this is covered in another section.
I plan to cross from Southampton to Guernsey in the summer of 2016 with two friends, for the first time, aboard a Searay Sundancer 260. It has a single petrol engine, no auxillary, so I'm very keen to find other motorboats cruising over at the same time. Can anyone point me in the direction of an appropriate club, forum or facebook group where I might find likeminded others? Our travel dates are flexible and Ideally I'd like to cross with at least one other vessel going at roughly the same speed? Also, has anyone got experience of this crossing in a similar vessel? We're just starting to plan, so any helpful information would be very greatfully received. We're all RYA powerboat 2 qualified, but this is our first big trip. Thanks, Nick
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Nick

Ancasta motor boat club are going over at the end of May. Not sure if it's an option but worth contacting Nick Hatfield at Ancasta to find out.

nickhatfield@ancasta.com

There's a fee but for what you learn and the confidence of travelling in a pack, it's well worth it.
They may have a lower loa requirement tho...

Have a great trip!
 
Tiger Sam said:
I'm new to this forum, first time I've posted, so apologies if this is covered in another section.
I plan to cross from Southampton to Guernsey in the summer of 2016 with two friends, for the first time, aboard a Searay Sundancer 260. It has a single petrol engine, no auxillary, so I'm very keen to find other motorboats cruising over at the same time. Can anyone point me in the direction of an appropriate club, forum or facebook group where I might find likeminded others? Our travel dates are flexible and Ideally I'd like to cross with at least one other vessel going at roughly the same speed? Also, has anyone got experience of this crossing in a similar vessel? We're just starting to plan, so any helpful information would be very greatfully received. We're all RYA powerboat 2 qualified, but this is our first big trip. Thanks, Nick
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If you've not done it before, suggest perhaps heading for Alderney first, take a pause ashore & then head for Guernsey.
 
Tiger Sam said:
I'm new to this forum, first time I've posted, so apologies if this is covered in another section.
I plan to cross from Southampton to Guernsey in the summer of 2016 with two friends, for the first time, aboard a Searay Sundancer 260. It has a single petrol engine, no auxillary, so I'm very keen to find other motorboats cruising over at the same time. Can anyone point me in the direction of an appropriate club, forum or facebook group where I might find likeminded others? Our travel dates are flexible and Ideally I'd like to cross with at least one other vessel going at roughly the same speed? Also, has anyone got experience of this crossing in a similar vessel? We're just starting to plan, so any helpful information would be very greatfully received. We're all RYA powerboat 2 qualified, but this is our first big trip. Thanks, Nick
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I'm based in the island and are also looking to channel cross this coming season, we're not committing to dates but will pop over when the right weather window appears, I'll keep you appraised when we go over, regards lee
 
Based on my experience with our Bayliner 285 with 400ish litres, I would plan a petrol stop in Cherbourgh which is 20nm closer. Conditions along the way can significantly influence consumption e.g. we once arrived at Cherbourg with less than 20% and would not have made Guernsey. This is / was the only reason for going to diesel, for us.
 
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seastoke said:
no back up engine ,for me brave
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Assuming the boat and engine are in good condition, I'd say adventurous - making the most of one's boat.

Of course, going in company as suggested is obviously the safest option. Plus having the necessary spares, safety equipment, life raft hire, etc.
 
A comment about cruising in company. It's a great confidence booster and good fun but work out exactly how you plan to assist each other if there are problems (not so relevant hopefully if you are doing a professionally organised cruise with Mendez, MBY or similar). You can usually forget about transferring people over to another boat for example - on a typical day 2 small boats in the middle of the channel are going to be bobbing around like rubber ducks in a washing machine if they have no power. If you do have to take a tow make sure you know how and were to rig a bridle and that the towing boat knows what they are doing as well. If you tow their (the towing boat) fuel consumption will be different and you'll be out there for as much as 4 or 5 times as long as you expected. Tides suddenly become a major factor as you'll be doing 6 knots or so instead of 20+ in an area where the tides can reach 4 or 5 knots and you will need to think carefully about making any tidal gates. If you go into Cherbourg instead (my choice if I was over half way to the CI and had to take a tow) then call ahead and go very careful with the ferries. Don't forget you may be the offering assistance rather than accepting it!

If you aren't already a member of Seastart then maybe think about joining? Though they won't come out far the UK cost they will offer shore-side assistance on both sides of the Channel and that can be a real help if you get stuck on the wrong side of the ditch. It will also perhaps turn a disastrous weekend on the boat (from the point of view of family relations) into a bit of an adventure and is remarkable value for a year's membership.

Aside from it being a bit more bouncy and possibly a slightly longer trip there's no reason for the boat to play up just because it's heading South instead of East or West so, if it's been good up to now, just go for it taking (suitable precautions) and enjoy yourself.
 
Just to put things into perspective, I've come back from Guernsey before and been in sight for the whole journey of someone in a 3mtr rib with a 15hp on the back. So pick the right conditions and the journey is a doddle especially if in company for the peace of mind.
If I were to do it on my own with a single engine I'd like to have some kind of backup, not necessarily to complete the journey but to have some kind of manoeuvrability in the middle of the channel should there be a hiccup with the main engine.
 
EugeneR said:
Based on my experience with our Bayliner 285 with 400ish litres, I would plan a petrol stop in Cherbourgh which is 20nm closer. Conditions along the way can significantly influence consumption e.g. we once arrived at Cherbourg with less than 20% and would not have made Guernsey. This is / was the only reason for going to diesel, for us.
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Alderney is closer than Cherbourg.
 
We tried to do this in 2015 in our 25ft Sealine and a Rib, our first trip was planned a long weekend to Cherbourg, but unfortunately all the dates we had planned not one weekend was right in terms of weather. We will plan to try again this year. We spent last winter preparing our boats and it was disappointing in the end not to go, but safety first. I would only do such a trip in company mainly as we have a single engine boat and prefer the safety of at least two boats. Also as someone else has said, join seastart for the extra support that brings.
 
I'll be doing this very trip myself in August in the targa. First time in this boat across the channel but i've done it many times under sail.

Some 20 years ago i went to Cherbourg in a Searay 240 with a 240 mercruiser in it. We cruised at 20kts and in 1996 spent £300 in petrol from Yarmouth to Cherbourg and back...!!!!!!!..trust me this was acurate. So when i bought my first motorboat i bought diesel.

When we got off the plain entering the outer harbour the fuel guage dropped off of empty...!!!!...We had about 15% fuel left.

As said before i'd overnight in Cherbourg and then on to Guernesy the next day. Alderney is great but not for light motorboats as you will roll all over the place.

Give me a shout nearer the time and i'll let you know my dates etc.
 
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