Old person, new owner

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MikeJones1956

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Here we go then. Just bought a used inflatable dinghy (Rib?) with an outboard motor. Spent the a couple of weeks playing with it in Poole got the bug. Now I want something bigger. What are the minimum requirements for crossing the English Channel?
 
A swimming costume
channel_swimmer_and_ferry_2.jpg
although some prefer a large boat as in the background.
 
Worded that wrong then did'nt I!! Seriously, I would like to know what type of craft to buy that would be suitable to accomodate four people for trips to Europe. A motor boat for example I have no experiance of sailing whatsoever.
 
Your best bet might be to take a walk around some local marinas and see what people have. That way you can ask boat owners about their boats, and you might see a few for sale.

I don't know much about motorboats myself, but probably something around 25-30 feet would be comfortable.

You could try posting a question in the mobo forum, as well.
 
Somewhat whimsical, but I will start the ball rolling.....

No requirements whatsoever. Go in what you like, and come back in what you like.
No license or other qualifications required, and therefore...
No experience required.
No one will stop you, even on your current inflatable.
No insurance required if you dont go into a marina.

Budget? How much can you afford? You will never have enough money for boating no matter what your budget.

I paid 2k for my first cross channel craft, and that is still possible, even in todays risk averse universe.

Wants a lot of looking into 1st though.
 
if you want to stick to a rib (actually I suspect you have a sib) - you can still carry 4 people and cross the channel in safety - but for advice on that I wouldn't look here - i would pop over to www.rib.net/forums where the folks will be only too happy to suggest suitable craft to meet your budget, needs, experience etc.
 
You can buy a really superb small cruising yacht (sailboat)that sleeps 4 and can make it to America - if you should want to - for GBP 2500.

Learn to sail, be happy and have some fun. There is a Robert Tucker designed Debutante called Perriwinkle of Kent on the market that would suit you if you want to sail. Or thousands and thousands of other options.

Engines are less reliable than the wind.
 
Two friends of mine went over from Dover to Calais some 25 years ago in a rib. No charts, no passports, no navaids - just followed the ferry. No bother with Customs. Overnight stop in Calais; excellent dinner. Followed the ferry back next day.
Could you do that today?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Engines are less reliable than the wind.

[/ QUOTE ]
Now I know what you are driving at here. But I beg to differ - a little mechanical knowledge and a decent engine is at least as reliable as the weather. You can always carry a spare engine - you can't fit "spare wind" - oh no when the wind dies you usually fall back to rely on your engine.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Two friends of mine went over from Dover to Calais some 25 years ago in a rib. No charts, no passports, no navaids - just followed the ferry. No bother with Customs. Overnight stop in Calais; excellent dinner. Followed the ferry back next day.

Could you do that today?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think passports and boat papers are the only essential item (presumably technically were required back then also). Charts a good idea though.
 
Hi Mike

I run a Bombard 7.9, and do the channel once or twice a year.

I have rigged mine out as follow's.

TwinHonda 90's
Dsc Radio, and two hand held's
Off shore flare pack
8 man life raft
Grab bag
Epirb
Two perrybouys
Throwing line
150l Fuel tanks
plug in fridge!!!!!!!
10l emergency H2O
Rig for four dive sets
First aid kit, TPA's,O2 'giving set's'
Full emerg nav lights
Large spot lamp
Four RhIB/dry suits with goggles
And a bloody big box of tools and spares! As this is a Bloody cash eating machine!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you wish feel free to PM me, to dicuss what you are looking at doing

Regards

Al Jones
 
[ QUOTE ]
Two friends of mine went over from Dover to Calais some 25 years ago in a rib. No charts, no passports, no navaids - just followed the ferry. No bother with Customs. Overnight stop in Calais; excellent dinner. Followed the ferry back next day.
Could you do that today?

[/ QUOTE ]

Imagine so you if you don't mind being stopped by customs and immigration etc.

But to bring a bit of doom and gloom to the conversation, going out into the bay, crossing the channel is child's play, AS LONG AS NOTHING GOES WRONG.

Much of the kit we carry, the weeks studying the RYA courses, time spent on the boat in the marina playing with radios, radars, navtex etc is all about risk management. These systems reduce the risk to acceptable levels.

In the paper today was a mexican small boat drifting in the pacific for 10 months!!!! Would not like to be in mid channel drifting because the engine had packed in or fuel had run out.

There is a great article in the Telegraph today, an interview with Sir Robon Knox-Johnstone, his quote is "You can beat the sea, only survive it"

Take care unless you swim very well.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Quote:
Two friends of mine went over from Dover to Calais some 25 years ago in a rib. No charts, no passports, no navaids - just followed the ferry. No bother with Customs. Overnight stop in Calais; excellent dinner. Followed the ferry back next day.

Could you do that today?



I think passports and boat papers are the only essential item (presumably technically were required back then also). Charts a good idea though.

[/ QUOTE ]Strictly speaking, as we're all part of the bigol' EU, you don't need your passport, but I suspect les douanes might take a dim view if they happened to be patrolling.

cheers,
David
 
The problem with all boats is that sometimes things break - engines particularly can give up the ghost almost always when you are using them!

The beauty of a sail boat is that if the engine does give up then the sails can get you home. The alternative is to have a motor boat with two engines......

My first boat with a cabin suitable for 4 = 2 Adults and 2 fairly small children was a Galion 22... 3 weeks after I got it I took it to Cherbourg (never been out of site of land in a boat before) and later that summer the entire family came across the channel France and the channel islands -

The trick is to buy a boat and start using it. You clearly need to learn a little navigation and a bit about where to get weather forecasts. In your own boat you will learn more than all the 'courses' put together. The trouble with you learning whilst the wife and kids are on board is that you may scare them so involving them and being modest in your ambition when they are on board is important... When they are not on board go for it!

Michael
 
I've never shown my passport or other papers to anyone, done about 6 crossings in the last 4 or 5 years. So I would say, yes it could still be done today, and you'd be more likely to get away with it than not(both on the navigation and the paperwork). Of course, it wouldn't be very sensible (either today or 25 years ago).

After all, the Vikings managed to cross the North Sea on a regualar basis before the magnetic compass had been discovered. And they didn't have any ferries to follow /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif but at least no customs officials to deal with either.
 
[ QUOTE ]
..........After all, the Vikings managed to cross the North Sea on a regualar basis before the magnetic compass had been discovered. And they didn't have any ferries to follow..........

[/ QUOTE ]
And I expect a lot of them disappeared en route without trace , as well.
 
Can I recommend that as a first step you pick up the latest copy of (I think) Practical Boat Owner. There is a story in it (or perhaps in Yachting Monthly) about people who do exactly what you want to do - I think they call themselves the "Pathfinder Club". Good article about what you can do with small boats - with the right planning and equipment.

Good luck.
 
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