Ostende trip this weekend, hints and advice required please

[BrendanS]

I've never kept a log book on the basis that trying to write one while steering a boat at 30 knts is not practicable, and not going to stop every 30 minutes to write one when I'm making the most of good sea/weather conditions

 

[GC1]

Saw log books in the Swindlery last Saturday, but thought that's daft I've nearly done fifty hours already and would have filled the thing, but for trips like this you are right. As for liferaft I asked about renting but those cheapo ones are nearly as cheap as renting and hopefuly would do the job. I have a handheld EPIRB and the DSC, just need to sort out a grab bag that floats (not too much in it) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have emergency Pot Noodles and have enough water to survive, don't know whether I need the dinghy and outboard, would prefer either that or liferaft otherwise takes up too much weight.

Don't need earmuffs as my engine is as quiet as a petrol, well nearly, so no probs there.

Just need to tell swmbo now, she is away in Scotland working and hasn't seen the plan yet /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tcm]

well, depends on sea conditions, makinga note if poss i suppose. Should be flattish for GC1?

 

[duncan]

mars better than pot noodle in a life raft

 

[tcm]

agreed - cooking/boiling stuff at speed, nah. Those alpen bars are a healthy option tho - but i packed them in after eating about twenty...

 

[GC1]

I was thinking perhaps I could do a night crossing on the Friday evening, that way I get more time over there when it's open. I would leave about 7pm should be there for 11pm, any views on that?

 

[Whitelighter]

Are you going on your own pete?

 

[tcm]

I wouldn't for first crossing really. 11pm is dead dark and the land is flat, you dunno the harbour or lingo, and if something goes wrong it's all a bit busy shipwise, and still getting darker.

Could you go incredibly early though? Like 3 or 4am. Thatwould be fine i reckon. Then little kip on arrival, beach etc and return with good tidal conditons prapps HW+4 onwards for evening return?

Er tide wise when i say "good tidal conditons" here imean the tide is with your intended travel or against you of course. In pratice you want tide and wind in same sirection natch but i think wind due pretty zerosih? In which case - it may not be much of an issue at 30 knots really.

Going early is what i would do, anyway. You "wake up" as sunlight comes instead of gently falling to sleep followed by all the erk where can we berth the office is shut etc.

 

[GC1]

Yes just for an adventure, preparing for the Atlantic trip /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sorry when I say alone I mean only my boat, I will have the family on board of course as we are all adventurers together /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[BrendanS]

Go for the night crossing. You might not be able to provide many decent photos of the trip, but the write up should be excellent!

and will be good practice for the far more onerous planned Atlantic crossing

 

[Whitelighter]

I'm sure you'll have a ball. Second the idea of leaving early doors. I wouldn't do a night run unless I absolutely had to. At least early AM the dark bit is in familiar waters.

 

[GC1]

Je consens que le tôt l'un regarde mieux. Je ne peux pas parler le Flamand si j'espère qu'ils comprennent mon français. J'obtiendrai ma pile d'appareil-photo chargée et charge en haut le 1GB fragment prêt /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Flemish is easier to understand, than to speak.

 

[BrendanS]

Je pense que votre Flamand pourrait être meilleur que votre Français

 

[GC1]

Mon Flamand quel pourrait être mieux que mon français ? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[lyc]

Don't forget to take British Bacon with you to give to God (Robert, Royal North Sea Yacht Club) his favourite treat.

I love Ostende and the shops, but would set off early around 4/5 am before any breeze picks up and the sea stirs.

Have a safe trip.

 

[sailorman]

[ QUOTE ]
Are you going on your own pete?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nah hes poberbly got some of his mates from the Club going as crew though some of them may be Working this w/e.

 

[Nauti Fox]

Keep a look out around Ramsgate Pete its the Powerboat weekend which starts at 10.30am.
Details here.

 

[duncan]

I am going to suggest that you leave Chatham Friday night and overnight on the hook in Stangate Creek - weather looks fantastic so think of it like Newtown Creek but without the NT coming round!

Then you can wake up with the sun and set off; realistically if you leave at 0600h after a breakfast with the sun rise you will head off straight into the rising sun arriving 0830h tied up and eating a continental coffee and croisant about 0930h.

Wish I was coming along - will be a great trip.

You do have a belgium courtsey flag don't you?

 

[GC1]

Blimey /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I hope they don't think I am part of the race /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I could always slow down to take some pics if you want /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif