Jersey to Pontaubault 12 August 2010

[GJ0KYZ]

In the south east corner of the bay of Mont St. Michel is an estuary shared by two rivers: the Sée and the Selune. The Sée leads to Avranches and the Selune to Pontaubault. I had reached Avranches earlier in March this year and on Thursday I managed to get to Pontaubault. I had the assistance of two French guides but even so the trip was harder than I had expected and involved some very tricky navigation, several groundings and our having to battle a large tidal bore on the return journey. As was the case with Avranches, I'm certain that my reaching Pontaubault was the first visit by a foreign vessel in recent times; perhaps ever. Anyway, here's the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ur54Yd85zY

[Erin]

Another fascinating expedition, and a great vid too, very professional edit. We must try and arrange a Jersey Ribnetters cruise with you and maybe get Gotchiguy along too.

[GJ0KYZ]

Thanks Erin. It was a pretty necky trip to be honest. The river level had fallen overnight and were grounded until the bore arrived at which point we had only 20 minutes to get to the estuary. I'll be returning to the bay of MSM on the high tides in September and October; you're all welcome to come along.

By the way, if you have Windows 7 you'll have the video editing software already - it's called Windows Live Movie Maker and is dead easy to use.

[martini]

Cool another first

I'm hopefully getting some plans drawn up over the next few months for an aluminium rib hull. I think we need to do a jet drive version for you!

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

I'll be returning to the bay of MSM on the high tides in September and October; you're all welcome to come along.

Sounds good

[GJ0KYZ]

Martini - thanks! Yes, an aluminium jet drive rib would be ideal. Does anyone make aluminium ribs in the UK nowadays?

Malthouse - next trip will probably be to Mont St. Michel on Saturday 28 August. There are loads of tides in September that would be ideal as well.

[martini]

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

Martini - thanks! Yes, an aluminium jet drive rib would be ideal. Does anyone make aluminium ribs in the UK nowadays?

Malthouse - next trip will probably be to Mont St. Michel on Saturday 28 August. There are loads of tides in September that would be ideal as well.

Theres a few around, Ocean Dynamics are still turning them out http://www.mustangmarine.com/ribworker/index.htm and hopefully I will be too!

28th sounds good, looks like I got a friend over from the uk then so would be great for him

[GJ0KYZ]

Originally Posted by martini

Theres a few around, Ocean Dynamics are still turning them out

Whoa!! Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tzCzmYtWKw

[martini]

Holy s**t! Ok he can drive a boat I'll give him that

I remember they were demo'ing these at the very 1st ribex ('99?) in weymouth, epic manoeuvrability

[GJ0KYZ]

Is anyone able to buy from Ocean Dynamics? I read that you have to be be commercially licensed before they'll do business with you, in the same way Delta was a while back. In these difficult times I wonder if any RIB manufacturer can afford to be this fussy.