first "longer" trip. how to prepare?

[z1ppy]

Well i feel a bit of a fool for asking here when i read Hurricane's trip reports and those that have gone before but im not too silly not to want to prepare...

We are planning to go down to Alderney next month with a group of other similar boats (and a few well known forum members) and although i have done some longer trips on bigger boats, never on my own as skipper.

So we are an 8 meter rib with single outboard engine, Chart plotter, Radar, VHF, AIS (receiver) (ecomax radar reflector). fuel tank of 400L. Burn rate at 30 Kts 1.3 LPM.

There will be two of us on board, and will be maybe 6 or 8 other boats all crossing together. Will review weather until the day of departure and make a decision based on forecasts.

So what else do i need to think about.

Paperwork.

Insurance certificate
SSR registration
VHF licence
Proof of ownership and VAT paid status


Safety equipment

Coastal flare pack
Laser flare.
life jackets and spares
Hand held VHF ( x2, attached to each life jacket)
Handheld GPS Plotter (and spare batteries)
Paper Charts
console mounted magnetic compass
decent wet weather gear
Spare kill cord.
Tool Kit and basic spares pack (there is little that the layman can do with the Verado engine!)
decent first aid kit,
grab bag with essentials contained.


Passage Planning

I haven't started this yet but im guessing Needles Fairway mark and head south at 170 ish degrees for 60 odd miles.... watch out for traffic and cross vessel traffic zones at 90 degrees. (very simplistic plan before i get the charts out before you all flame me!)

Will look to run between 25 and 30 kts. obviously with an open rib its going to be difficult (but not impossible) to plot a fix on paper chart at intervals. obviously with the plotter and hand held GPS and other boats, we do have some redundancy in event of electrical problems.


There are a lot of very experienced people crossing with us but i don't want to just follow, rather learn myself and have the safety of others more experienced to help along!


so open the floor to other suggestions and don my flack jacket for the inevitable incoming!

 

[Jurgen]

At 25 to 30 knts will the other boats match that speed?

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan, what about spare fuel?

Hope you have a good trip, we're planning on the channel islands early July

 

[z1ppy]

We are planning two groups. 25 / 30 kts group and sub 25 Kts.

Most of those going are ribs of similar size / speed so conditions permitting, they should be ok. Will run a buddy system also (within the groups) so even if we cant see all in the group, we will have someone reasonably close by.

We have 400L tank which we will brim as we leave Hythe and and basis say 90 miles each way and burning 1.5L per mile we should use around 135L on the way down, plan to refuel before returning so fuel capacity should not be an issue.

I know out boat likes a drink if we need to throttle in the rough but even so, i am comfortable with range and safe margin with out tank. Need to work out refueling in Alderny which i believe is by container rather than quayside pump but this should be workable.

 

[Jurgen]

Sounds like you're going to be ok on the fuel front, guess you could brim the tanks in Yarmouth.

Assume that you're staying in Alderny in b&b or is it a day trip?

 

[oceanfroggie]

Wing engine, PLB, drogue?

The sea state may limit your cruising speed depending on wind and wave pattern.

 

[benjenbav]

A couple of thoughts:

PLB x2

Handheld plotter x2 - because it's sod's law that if you have a problem with the boat's plotter at least one h/h will fall into the briny whilst sorting it out.

Passage planning: might need an extra 20 degrees or so: 170 from Needles Fairway mark will be closer to Le Havre than Braye. 190 might be closer, but I know that was a typo!!

 

[longjohnsilver]

A pretty comprehensive list, unless going to France not much paperwork needed in Alderney.

Don't forget suntan lotion and a decent hat, and some bottled water, and most importantly your camera! Have fun!

 

[gjgm]

You are going to be very lucky to do 25 never mind 30 unless millpond conditions.

 

[z1ppy]

Sounds like you're going to be ok on the fuel front, guess you could brim the tanks in Yarmouth.

Assume that you're staying in Alderny in b&b or is it a day trip?

Yup. B&B booked, there is a golf tournament on the island and space was limited. the prospect of camping is one that sends me into a cold sweat at the best of times so glad we have somewhere nice!

Wing engine, PLB, drogue?

The sea state may limit your cruising speed depending on wind and wave pattern.

I did think of a wing engine and the boat does have an outboard bracket but think that to move the boat in any sea i would need a 10 HP minimum and just don't have the ability to safely carry that! i figured that with other boats around we have a degree of safety there. (might just pick up a small outboard for the tender and give it a try tho)

Drogue is a good thought. will look into it.

PLB, had thought about that also. will look around online now.

A couple of thoughts:

PLB x2

Handheld plotter x2 - because it's sod's law that if you have a problem with the boat's plotter at least one h/h will fall into the briny whilst sorting it out.

Passage planning: might need an extra 20 degrees or so: 170 from Needles Fairway mark will be closer to Le Havre than Braye. 190 might be closer, but I know that was a typo!!

PLB as above, extra handheld plotter good point. Does anyone know from first hand experience if Navionics app on iphone works cross channel? (does it need to be in signal area?)

passage plan,.... needs work, was a finger in the air heading guess!

A pretty comprehensive list, unless going to France not much paperwork needed in Alderney.

Don't forget suntan lotion and a decent hat, and some bottled water, and most importantly your camera! Have fun!

suntan lotion and hat, hadn't even thought of that!

We keep bottled water in the grab bag as well as a couple of chocolate bars. Will get a case of water to put in the locker also. fortunately we have a lot of locker space in comparison to other ribs so can easily put that somewhere safe.

 

[Gentlemanracer]

Hi Zip! I'd first check to find out any constraints on transit dates. Next, I'd compare experience with others. If you find not much date flexibility and a significant experience difference, then the go/no-go contrast may differ.
There are some very competent "rib-knobbers" out there who'd think nothing in getting the job done (and done well) with just minor bruising and/or the odd fracture and related time off!!
So, in terms of preparation, we'd all prey flat calm & speed but some will also positively enjoy throttle work & wave climbing when the swell turns big & random & the fuel calculation look a bit sick, too.
If all is still good, then I'd add (i) Gekko Helmets, (ii) headsets (iii) thin gloves (iv) upgrade the flare-pack. Enjoy!!

 

[nickd]

I would have 50 litres of fuel minimum in Fuel Cans that can be connected directly to engine. If its bouncy its a sure fire way of finding there is **** in your tank. 50 litres should be enough to get you halfway if you throttle back a bit
Good luck
Have fun

 

[Andy Bav]

Handheld horn ? Thanks to Powerskipper advising me of that for our CI trip last year

As far as GPS on a phone in the middle of the Channel is concerned, I downloaded an Android App and it worked without network. The way I tested it before leaving was to put the phone into airplane mode.

As mentioned - and I am not sure how this fits in with your plans - be prepared to be felxible on departure times relative to weather and conditions. We were very lucky with our first long trip in that we were away for 14 days, but our hopeful base line was 7. You look like you have a narrower window

We found the mid-channel wave height predictor on magicseaweed a great help

http://magicseaweed.com/Channel-Lightship-Wave-Buoy/61772/

Enjoy the trip.

 

[DPH]

Needles to Alderney doesn't go through a separation Zone so no need to cross traffic at 90.
Since you are a single engine it makes sense to stay close with other boats so not sure how you are going to make your own passage plan. If anyone has an autopilot use that as the guide boat and follow that! Up to you guys to decide if you want to straight line it or be a bit clever and allow for tidal vectors which could save you a mile or so.

Make sure you have a tow rope!!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Long line in case you need a tow, or need to tow someone else. Passports in case it all goes a bit wrong somewhere and you need to head for France.

 

[z1ppy]

Great answers everyone. some really good points.

Im pretty sure i have a floating ski line and bridle in the shed that would be worth having on board. Will try with the Iphone navionics next weekend if we get out.

We are fairly tight on time and being flexiable isnt so easy but that all comes into the decision based on weather as to go / nogo.

we are not exactly hardcore "ribnobbers" so it if looks iffy i will likely be the first to back out. not interested in putting SWMBO and myself through a beating just to say we did it, always another day...but of course we all wish for decent weather.

 

[Dorset Dan]

What about a couple of high power and waterproof torches?

 

[Lloydroberts]

Nothing I can add will help with your crossing'...........but may I suggest editing the op?
Removing the bit about papers being on board'...........a would-be thief's dream come true?

 

[prv]

Removing the bit about papers being on board'...........a would-be thief's dream come true?

Why - what's a thief going to do with someone else's VHF certificate, insurance in somebody else's name, and a bill of sale to someone that's not him?

The SSR doesn't prove anything - and it says so in big letters right at the top. I could take out an SSR for the Queen Mary tomorrow if I wanted to waste £25.

Pete

 

[Lloydroberts]

Why - what's a thief going to do with someone else's VHF certificate, insurance in somebody else's name, and a bill of sale to someone that's not him?

The SSR doesn't prove anything - and it says so in big letters right at the top. I could take out an SSR for the Queen Mary tomorrow if I wanted to waste £25.

Pete

There are always gullible people who will buy and take the paperwork as gospel. People advertise vehicles on eBay as having lost the v5 and people still take a risk and buy.
Just thought I'd mention it.

 

[prv]

There are always gullible people who will buy and take the paperwork as gospel.

So gullible they won't even ask why there's someone else's name on it?

If you were going to nick the boat and re-sell it, you'd either order up a new SSR (£25, simple online form) or print and laminate your own one to avoid leaving a trail. The existing certificate left on board is of no benefit to the thief.

Pete