Boomshanka
New member
Is it wise to attempt to cross the Irish Sea in late September in this (and would this be power gives way to sail under Colregs
)
)
The human hamster...
- Thread starter Boomshanka
- Start date
Searush
New member
From Treaddur bay - I'll be surprised if he gets past South & North Stacks without Holyhead lifeboat being called out. There are strong tides & overfalls there & slack water only lasts around an hour.
Then add prevailing SW'lies with NW'ly tidal flows & he could be swept far north of where he is aiming. I wish him luck, but wonder what his experience of the Irish Sea in Autumn is.
It can handle 3' waves he says, in which case I hope he get a few very calm days.
Then add prevailing SW'lies with NW'ly tidal flows & he could be swept far north of where he is aiming. I wish him luck, but wonder what his experience of the Irish Sea in Autumn is.
It can handle 3' waves he says, in which case I hope he get a few very calm days.
Oh, that's OK then, he can pay for his own rescue . . .
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Boomshanka
New member
It's ironic that one of his two sponsor beneficiaries is the RNLI Given the weather that's just been through I'd be amazed if he pulls it off... good luck for having a go though... but...
Given the weather that's just been through I'd be amazed if he pulls it off... good luck for having a go though... but...
Little Rascal
Member
I'm guessing he hasn't seen Penrhyn Mawr at full bore then...
(a couple of miles West of Trearddur Bay)
Searush
New member
I'm guessing he hasn't seen Penrhyn Mawr at full bore then...
Quite; it's all about timing on that coast & I suspect he can't travel fast enough to get clear. He's talking 48hours for a 66 mile crossing, that's under 2 knts. There's a strong possibillity that if he does get clear of the Stacks that he will then get swept onto the Skerries.
I'm puzzled by the RNLI involvement in such a stunt, or maybe he hasn't actually told them yet what he is planning to do. Or perhaps they are going to tow him 5 miles off shore to get clear of the races - if that was the case I'd expect them to want to start from Holyhead. No, on balance I think he has decided to raise funds for them, & is using their name for credibility but hasn't discussed the plan with them.
I think I'll put a link to the Holyhead RNLI FB site . . .
jimi
Well-known member
If he gets an easterly the windage will blow it faster than he can run ;-)
TSB240
Well-known member
I am surprised he is going from Treaddur makes more sense to go from Porth Dinllaen its only a little over 50 miles to Ireland from there.
Also the RNLI have a nice new shiny big orange boat there now.
He wouldnt need so many mars bars and he would be there at least 5 hours earlier!
Steve there is also a possibility of another proposed RNLI supported event which will involve the rowers from our Club.
Anglesey to the IOM next year........
Also the RNLI have a nice new shiny big orange boat there now.
He wouldnt need so many mars bars and he would be there at least 5 hours earlier!
Steve there is also a possibility of another proposed RNLI supported event which will involve the rowers from our Club.
Anglesey to the IOM next year........
Searush
New member
Those Celtic Gigs are lovely seaworthy boats tho & can maintain 4-5knts, they already do a race from Ireland to Caernarfon. There are support boats so crews can have a wee or medical attention if necessary, but no boats have needed rescue yet. Lots of pics on Royal Welsh YC FB site.
Searush
New member
Just had a response form RNLI HQ telling me that they are aware of him but thanking me for the link anyway. Absolutely no comment from them about it tho.
Very diplomatic.
Very diplomatic.
dylanwinter
Active member
where do we stand
where do we stand on col regs with this one then
D
where do we stand on col regs with this one then
D
jimi
Well-known member
Constrained by draught until he gets to Ireland then he'll have a few Guinnesses
Boomshanka
New member
Just seen the outcome of this trip... as suspected... it sank!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-19885984
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-19885984
shaunksb
Well-known member
That sounds familiar...
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DJE
Well-known member
What's wrong with a rowing boat?
sarabande
Well-known member
he's an engineer; they always seek elegant solutions to simple problems
John.edwards
New member
he's an engineer; they always seek elegant solutions to simple problems
or built a bridge
Searush
New member
They race across every year - too easy for an engineer.
I can't understand why he didn't pick the Channel. It's 1/3 of the distance & all the loonies cross it in daft craft.
OK, so it's probably not as newsworthy anymore, but he lives in Hampshire, so it's a lot nearer & the rudders might have lasted long enough to get there.
If hed done it, he would have had a "success" he would have raised some money for the RNLI & possibly got enough publicity for a bit of funding to make something better capable of an Irish sea crossing. But the windage of the concept is the big problem as the wheel has to be so high if he is inside it.
Surely it would be much better to have a geared system with him seated prone in a plastic bubble. Less windage, less exposure to the elements & less energy required to drive it. He could also carry (& use) food & drink & safety equipment. Not well thought thro at all.
Seajet
...
I may well be wrong - it has happened - but I've always had the impression the French take a dim view of even dinghies turning up if they don't have yacht style safety equipment, and the shipping lanes and zones would be a no-no or might result in a chat with a patrol boat.
Having said that I have no personal experience of the Irish Sea but of course know its' reputation; I know the Irish insist on lifejackets etc, don't know about shipping lanes or officialdom but suspect they're a bit more laid back ?
Having said that I have no personal experience of the Irish Sea but of course know its' reputation; I know the Irish insist on lifejackets etc, don't know about shipping lanes or officialdom but suspect they're a bit more laid back ?
DJE
Well-known member
I'm an engineer too. I don't see anything elegant about his solution though!he's an engineer; they always seek elegant solutions to simple problems
sarabande
Well-known member
sorry DJE, I have spent a large part of my life in the company of skilled and professional engineers, mainly civils, but also mechanical. My comment was not a serious blast at the profession. Apologies.
The frailty of the craft, and its lack of freeboard as evidenced by the top photo, was apparent from the outset, especially in relation to the wringing stresses of the wheel structure. A reasonable venture for a very flat crossing, but with any wave height at all, it was predestined to come to a sticky end. But while I may disapprove of the execution, I defend his right to undertake such project - though perhaps a contribution to cost of rescue should have been lodged prior to launch.
The frailty of the craft, and its lack of freeboard as evidenced by the top photo, was apparent from the outset, especially in relation to the wringing stresses of the wheel structure. A reasonable venture for a very flat crossing, but with any wave height at all, it was predestined to come to a sticky end. But while I may disapprove of the execution, I defend his right to undertake such project - though perhaps a contribution to cost of rescue should have been lodged prior to launch.
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