How far would you go...

[tcm]

your caution is an asset. Not stuopid imho . But be flexible about the weather, and be ready to stay shoreside instead of going "on the 2nd july" frexample

1 set off with good forecasty f3-4 max, i think, in small boat.

2 Beware northerly - the sea will be flat to start but get worse on the south side of the channel.

3. Head for cherbourg, big and easy to reach in any weather. Swing off if you are confident but with 100 miles range you need to refule at cherbourg.

4. Beware the false security of another boat - cos you double the chance of a breakdown between you - it might easily be them.

5. Always ALWAYs ask advice. My fave passage plans include wortking out the passag plan and then chatting to people in marina and telling them the passage plan. if there is a prob, 30mins later they come and say ooh i wd set off an hour later - they've reworked it themselves. If you work at this you can spout any old crap about what your plans are about when you'll set off and everyone will do the tidal stream stuff and set you right, ahem...

6. Beware the autoplito: one a course to steer has been worked try and stick to it rather pressing any "goto button - just hold a compass bearing or press"auto" which does the same but pressing "goto" and the apilot will atempt to go to that point assuming no tide - and there's always tides.

 

[David_Jersey]

After thinking about my last post I was just going to say that I had probably not emphasied enough that the key is having settled weather, particulerly for coming back - but from what you have since said, it sounds like you more than enough experiance to "give it a go" and the sense to recognise when not to or when to give up and try another day. (it's only England, it won't be going anywhere /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

[ QUOTE ]
As mentioned it is all to gain experience

[/ QUOTE ] - as you recognise the only way to gain experiance is to do things - have a good trip /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Me too - I just felt is was (and still is) "good form" to join the RNLI as an offshore member. Its one of the finest institutions on earth and, to my knowledge, unique to the British Isles.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Whilst many think it is correct for all boats to join RNLI offshore, I was and am a little worried by the inference that people should join prior to cruising offshore, as though it is some kind of AA membership.

Please tell me this is not how people think, that RNLI offshore is some kind of licence to remove guilt if you have to call on them for a breakdown as an example.

This is not aimed at anyone in particular, but 2 people suggested is as a prerequisite to offshore cruising, it makes me wonder. Is joining any different to dropping the odd 20 in the collection box, does that sticker give you breakdown credits?

 

[jointventureII]

Thanks! I really do hope we can complete the voyage, it'd be like a huge step overcome.
Planning a few smaller trips (the minquiers sometime over Christmas) and then again round Easter (Alderney / Dielette / Granville / St Malo) just to build into it.
As everyone has pointed out it is very weather reliant and I've learned over recent years that you cant fight the weather. I used to venture out in seas that probably were too big for the boat (me and my dad having to get a lift on a grand banks 42 from carteret - we tried getting out and could only manage 9 knots, the most inefficient speed of the boat!) and have learnt from these experiences.
Many thanks to all for your advice!

 

[Sixpence]

Personally I joined offshore because I think they deserve all the support they can get , and god forbid I ever have to call on them , for breakdowns though , doesn't sea start cover this sort of trip ? I always thought they did. Also , if you look on the RNLI website you will find all sorts of useful help and advice , like how to cross shipping lanes etc /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif