I'm doing some research, some of it about boats...

[BingoLittle]

I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

I'm writing a book at the moment, and I'm coming up to a section in which the characters need to cross the English channel. Ideally, I'd be asking some of these questions to Brittany Ferries, or a similar company, but I can't find satisfactory contact details for them. I don't much expect anyone here to know about Ferries, but I'll throw the questions in just in case!

Firstly, how many people would it take to pilot a ferry from England to France? Is it doable with just one crew member?

Secondly, in the event that it isn't, what sort of boat would be used to cross the English channel? It ought to be the sort of boat that someone living near the coast is fairly likely to have, and I need to get five characters plus a little baggage across on it, and preferably not have it too crowded - it'd be good to have enough room to walk around a little.

Oh, and I'm aiming for a fair amount of realism in my story, so in case it'll make any difference to any details I need to know about, this is set in early Autumn, although the weather's still fine.

If this is the wrong forum, please move it to the correct one.

 

[nimbusgb]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

Ferry single handed. Not likely. 4 or five people might do it ( in a post nuclear or post swine flu situation ). Most of us here would have trouble trying to get the engines started on something that size. ( where is the ignition switch /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Most likely/believable would be a trip to the local marina or harbour and use either a fishing vessel, yacht or motorboat.

 

[BingoLittle]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

Well, I was thinking one trained crew member of said ferry. Any change there, or can it just not be done?

(Incidentally, scenario isn't exactly post apocalyptic, more pre apocalyptic: everyone knows they're all going to die in a few days, so people are doing things a little differently)

In terms of fishing vessel, etc, what sort of size would that be?

 

[doug748]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

How about this 40ft Trawler Yacht:
http://www.western-horizon.co.uk/boat_details.php?boat_id=72
Lots of room to lose a few crew in order to develop your plot. Could be handled by one.
Take the details off the site - have a look at the virtual 360 tour for background details.

 

[Wansworth]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

well if your books going to be made into a film a james bond type charachter could do it with a broken arm and riddled with bullets.The man would have to stagger up and down from the bridge to the engine room,leaving blood stains etc

 

[BingoLittle]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

The yacht's brilliant, thanks a lot. If I don't get anymore information about the ferry, or any decent way to contact a ferry company, or if I just find out it's impossible, I'm going with that.

 

[lenseman]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

[ QUOTE ]
I need to get five characters plus a little baggage across on it, and preferably not have it too crowded - it'd be good to have enough room to walk around a little.

[/ QUOTE ]
This wouldn't be from Sandgatte on the French side to somewhere quiet on the English coast under the cover of darkness would it?.

At a thousand pounds a pop is a nice little earner! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[nimbusgb]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

Casting the lines of a large ferry off the dock without leaving someone behind might be a little challenging especially since you only have one trained person. Getting the sea doors closed and the boarding ramps away, big challenges.

A 40' boat, motor or yacht leaves plenty of room to move around. 60' is pure luxury but not too many left lying about.

Given the scenario, most people who own that kind of vessel will probably be gone by the time your little band of pirates arrive!

 

[absit_omen]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

There is just a little bit of suspicion - and circumstantial evidence - that Lord Lucan was taken from Newhaven, across the Channel in a boat of the same design as mine (25ft 3").

So, anything is possible.

 

[BingoLittle]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

Looks like I'm keeping the yacht, then.

Thanks a lot, everyone. If I ever finish this, I'll include thanks in authors note thingy.

 

[penfold]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

If no unpleasant alarms start going off, you'd need a minimum of 1 in the engine control room, probably 2 to cast off the lines and a knob-twiddler on the bridge.

 

[BingoLittle]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

Yup, ferry's definitely off.

Oh, with the yacht, would it need someone behind the wheel at all times, or not? Not a huge problem, just a slight accuracy thing.

 

[absit_omen]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

[ QUOTE ]


Oh, with the yacht, would it need someone behind the wheel at all times, or not?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, not at all times. You could write something like:

"Jim felt a familiar stirring in his trousers and thought he would pop down to see Mary in the galley for a few minutes. Before so doing he flicked the Autopilot switch to keep the yacht on course". /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The Autopilot is an electrical device which keeps the yacht on a given heading making constant adjustments as it goes. Bear in mind that the Autopilot will not drive you into the harbour and park the boat for you!

 

[BingoLittle]

Re: I\'m doing some research, some of it about boats...

No 'familiar stirrings' - actually, I want the captain to conduct a wedding.

And yes, before someone mentions it, I am aware that really, a captain needs a license to wed.

My characters aren't. It's going to be fun...