Youngest Person to Circumnaviagte britain in a Powerboat?

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Nathan K

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Hi,

I am 15 and this summer I’m hoping to set off to solo circumnavigate Britain in my 23ft Sea Fox 230 WA.

There’s one thing i know, it's not easy. I understand fully the enormity of the task. There are a few things i need to know before i plan any further though

I'd like to know if anyone has done this before me. I’d like to be the youngest to solo circumnavigate the UK in a powerboat at 15, if i am not the youngest then it's out the window as I’m pretty sure any incentive to sponsor me is gone

Secondly, what are the chances of someone sponsoring me and my boat? I have spent everything on the boat and i really can't afford to pay for fuel, the courses and the extras I’d need to install (like a life raft, electronics etc). i am willing to name the boat, for example, Ybw.com etc and have any amount of decals and branding stuck on the side. in total I’d need between 3 and 5 thousand.

I have two weeks boating experience on the Norfolk broads and a seasons on my boat around the Solent area. It’s not much so before i set off i will have completed the following:
• RYA Advanced Powerboat

• RYA Dayskipper Theory

• RYA First aid

• RYA VHF Radio

• RYA Sea Survival

• Some form of engine training (the engine is being refitted soon with a 225hp mercury optimax)
I am not planning to go anywhere at night as there would be no one on watch and I know how important it is to prevent sleep deprivation. Feel free to make changes to the list, you know more than me :)
What electronics would you recommend?
Currently there is only a chartplotter, Vhf radio and depth gauge. I’ll need a lot more so please help me out :confused:

Finally is the boat itself capable of the trip? It’s a year 2000 with a low dead rise angle. I would seal all panels with 3m 5200 that are only screwed. The seat is a generic pedestal seat and not really suitable for a long journey. I am thinking of maybe investing in a shock mitigation seat? Or is not worth it. Facilities are only basic (stove, sink, cuddy cabin big enough for two). It has a lot of storage for supplies like oil, reserve fuel, food, water, tools.
At the end of the day, I am only a novice so if there anything ( and I mean ANYTHING) you think I have missed, forgotten about, misjudged etc then please speak out. I really appreciate any constructive criticism.

Thank you so much for your time

Nathan
 
Nathan K said:
Hi,

I am 15 and this summer I’m hoping to set off to solo circumnavigate Britain in my 23ft Sea Fox 230 WA.

There’s one thing i know, it's not easy. I understand fully the enormity of the task. There are a few things i need to know before i plan any further though

I'd like to know if anyone has done this before me. I’d like to be the youngest to solo circumnavigate the UK in a powerboat at 15, if i am not the youngest then it's out the window as I’m pretty sure any incentive to sponsor me is gone

Secondly, what are the chances of someone sponsoring me and my boat? I have spent everything on the boat and i really can't afford to pay for fuel, the courses and the extras I’d need to install (like a life raft, electronics etc). i am willing to name the boat, for example, Ybw.com etc and have any amount of decals and branding stuck on the side. in total I’d need between 3 and 5 thousand.

I have two weeks boating experience on the Norfolk broads and a seasons on my boat around the Solent area. It’s not much so before i set off i will have completed the following:
• RYA Advanced Powerboat

• RYA Dayskipper Theory

• RYA First aid

• RYA VHF Radio

• RYA Sea Survival

• Some form of engine training (the engine is being refitted soon with a 225hp mercury optimax)
I am not planning to go anywhere at night as there would be no one on watch and I know how important it is to prevent sleep deprivation. Feel free to make changes to the list, you know more than me :)
What electronics would you recommend?
Currently there is only a chartplotter, Vhf radio and depth gauge. I’ll need a lot more so please help me out :confused:

Finally is the boat itself capable of the trip? It’s a year 2000 with a low dead rise angle. I would seal all panels with 3m 5200 that are only screwed. The seat is a generic pedestal seat and not really suitable for a long journey. I am thinking of maybe investing in a shock mitigation seat? Or is not worth it. Facilities are only basic (stove, sink, cuddy cabin big enough for two). It has a lot of storage for supplies like oil, reserve fuel, food, water, tools.
At the end of the day, I am only a novice so if there anything ( and I mean ANYTHING) you think I have missed, forgotten about, misjudged etc then please speak out. I really appreciate any constructive criticism.

Thank you so much for your time

Nathan
Click to expand...

Nathan, I think what your looking to do is a great adventure. However, just so you know you have to be at least 17 to do the Advanced Powerboat course and over 16 to do most of the others.

As to sponsorship, this is very difficult in these times, but not impossible. I know of a number of companies who might consider the options but you must show them what you can bring to the party. As far as training is concerned, I would help you with elements of this but that is only part of it and as I say, you are still too young for some of the courses.

PM me your details and I will contact you and see what can be done, but be aware that it will take a lot of planning and proposal preparation and next summer may be a little too optimistic. I trust you have your parents blessing with this.
 
At the end of the day, I am only a novice so if there anything ( and I mean ANYTHING) you think I have missed, forgotten about, misjudged etc then please speak out. I really appreciate any constructive criticism.


buying the fuel from the paper round pay :rolleyes:
 
Does being lent a rib by the manufacturer sound too optimistic? it would mean i could set a under 18 speed record to last a few years as well. also it's got to be better advertising? i'd be showing how well built the rib is etc...

i did discount the idea a while ago but it could work, does it sound more realistic then just ad space on my boat?

also could someone give me a idea of the amount of electronics needed, i'm trying to cost it all out.

Thanks in advance

Nathan
 
Nathan K said:
Does being lent a rib by the manufacturer sound too optimistic? it would mean i could set a under 18 speed record to last a few years as well. also it's got to be better advertising? i'd be showing how well built the rib is etc...

i did discount the idea a while ago but it could work, does it sound more realistic then just ad space on my boat?

also could someone give me a idea of the amount of electronics needed, i'm trying to cost it all out.

Thanks in advance

Nathan[/QU

Use basic electronics if there is no night navigation a reliable chart plotter and depth sounder is more than needed. Passage plan using paper charts and log. As for price keep it basic and cheap.
Click to expand...
 
Nathan
A few thoughts:

1. overall one kinda gets the impression you need quite a lot more experience and knowledge than you seem to have, to do this safely. If you get caught out in bad weather, sure some great guys will leave their wives and children at home to come an rescue you in a lifeboat, but think about whether that is really ok
2. When the waves get big, the sea is a very scary place in an 80 foot boat. In a 23er with an outboard you will craap yourself, justifiably. Don't believe any pictures of nice seas you see in brochures and boat magazines
3. I haven't done the maths but I think you need more than 3-5k, just for petrol
4. Use the search function to find the tale on here of a guy from Saltash who did this about 3 years ago in a merry fisher w suzuki outboard. He also set up a website which had "round britain" in the url iirc. He was a hardish guy, ex pilot iirc, and he found the trip tough. He abandoned the boat at one point and flew home, then resumed. Someone might remeber his name (he had >1 user names on here so my memory is hazy)
5. It is normal in these things to go thru scottish lochs/canals and not actually go round the very top of scotland, iirc
6. Good luck if you do it, even though I would advise against it
 
Nathan K said:
Hi,

. I understand fully the enormity of the task.
Click to expand...


You shouldnt under estimate how lonely a remote coast can get , it will feel like solitary confinement for days on end, your character is still developing and shouldnt be pushed into such an ordeal.(do a though google of the Stuemer family) .

Why solo, an adventure with several different mates helping out should be much more fun :)




.
 
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I think it is do-able if you leave enough time for good weather only. So that might be months, lots of them. No reason not be stuck for weeks on end somewhere. That will really whack up your costs.
My main concern is that coping mentally, never mind physically, with the sea is something that develops through experience, and that builds gradually. A bit on the Broads and pottering around the sheltered Solent isnt going to prepare you for anything.
There is a series in MBM about a couple of guys who just did a similar trip. Why not try to chat with them. They have been there and seen it ;)
#
 
Work on 150 to 200 mile days absolute tops and then only when the weather is nice.

Longer will be huge strain.
Any form of weather then cut the distances down accordingly.
 
jfm said:
4. Use the search function to find the tale on here of a guy from Saltash who did this about 3 years ago in a merry fisher w suzuki outboard. He also set up a website which had "round britain" in the url iirc. He was a hardish guy, ex pilot iirc, and he found the trip tough. He abandoned the boat at one point and flew home, then resumed. Someone might remeber his name (he had >1 user names on here so my memory is hazy)
Click to expand...
Yes, thats right, his forum name was Arny now SnaxMuppet.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147698

Cheers
Al.
 
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200 miles a day in a 23' with an outboard, that will be some going in any sea conditions.

Your adventure sounds great in the comfort of a warm house but I think the reality of the Irish sea with a serious head sea should deter you. Having said that young people have circumnavigated the globe and crossed the Atlantic in small boats so why not give it a go.

I am with JFM on the fuel, I think it will cost you a lot more than your 3-5k budget.

You will also want a support team, (mum and dad) perhaps following you albeit by road.

Remember it is better to have failed trying than failing to try. and also the dont forget the 6 P's

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
 
Contact these guys, reckon they'd know a thing or two.....

http://taketworibs.blogspot.com/

The RIB community tent to be much more hardy bunch and quite often take their inflatables round the mainland, check out the cruises section on RIBnet. I reckon you'd be better off in a RIB and it will look after you when the going gets a bit bumpy.
 
Last edited:
thomshap said:
Contact these guys, reckon they'd know a thing or two.....

http://taketworibs.blogspot.com/

The RIB community tent to be much more hardy bunch and quite often take their inflatables round the mainland, check out the cruises section on RIBnet. I reckon you'd be better off in a RIB and it will look after you when the going gets a bit bumpy.
Click to expand...

I'd love to do it in a rib but i cant imagine anyone trusting me with one, and the rib i'd get if i sold my boat would be no better than doing it in the sea fox
 
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