Alderney Floptilla RIB Rally - 22 to 24 July 2011

[martini]

< Edit: Dates set, title amended, and info page set up on Alderney Marine web site JK >

Well someone had to get the ball rolling didn't they

I guess JK can add the dates to the title once it's firmed up a bit but for now I'm proposing the last weekend of July 30th/31st.

Already it sounds like some people are planning to extend the cruise like last year, continuing south to other islands and making a holiday out of it.

This is a great opportunity for the less experienced ribster to pop their cross-channel cherry in the company of the experts. So get your diaries out and lets make this the biggest and best Floptilla so far!

[Erin]

I've made a provisional booking for calm seas, and the obligatory small patch of fog which comes with every Floptilla cruise . Look forward to seeing everyone again.

[gotchiguy]

I was only just logging on to start this thread!

Ok well... I'm in contact with a load of guys from sportbotenforum.nl Although it's 800km from where they usually launch, they are not phased. 2 days to St. Malo the bloke reckons

As I've already mentioned to Keef, I've told him about the floptilla, and apparently his wife is very keen on a trip to the CIs. If he is alone then he reckons he can do Alderney in a day! 720km

Blue Ray is planning on spending the summer in Brittany as well, and of course Simon is now around with Jigsaw.

[wolfie]

OK , so whats the "minimum" spec for taking part in this cross channel thingy? i guess my little ones lilo with a paddle is out :-(

[Erin]

Originally Posted by wolfie

OK , so whats the "minimum" spec for taking part in this cross channel thingy? i guess my little ones lilo with a paddle is out :-(

Pretty much your call. This is not an organised event in the normal manner, but more just a venue for like minded ribbers to turn up to. I believe Tim Griffin normally gives everyone's passage plan a once-over for those of you travelling together from the south coast - but I will leave him to confirm or dispel that belief.

If you wish to do the crossing in company, then it will be a matter of agreeing departure times. I think the smallest rib last time around was a Ribcraft 5.85, but I think a 6.5m would be a sensible min size as the sea state can't be predicted and the majority of ribs are in the 6.5 to 8m range. (Not forgetting the the PWC's who've made it across under their own steam).

I think last year there was a slow and a fast group so that everyone felt comfortable with their ability and speed

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by wolfie

OK , so whats the "minimum" spec for taking part in this cross channel thingy? i guess my little ones lilo with a paddle is out :-(

Don't worry, we're not BIBOA.

It's very much your call - if it's a gorgeous sunny day with flat seas you'll be able to run at a 30knts cruise which tbh even the biggest ribs would be happy to stay with you at. You've just got to be prepared for the return trip, potentially your stranded on a little island and there's a force 5ish whipped up... perfecty tolerable for something 6.6m+ ( keef) but in a searider 60nm of that is going to be hard.

Anyway everything is relative, the Dutch bloke I mentioned above is only 1m bigger and 50hp less powerful than us but he is prepared to travel 7/8 times the distance I would ever really travel in a day

Oh and as said above, jetski Paul has done it on his pwc 3 years running, so it should be possible as long as your sensible and you buddy up with a bigger boat.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Oh and as said above, jetski Paul has done it on his pwc 3 years running, so it should be possible as long as your sensible and you buddy up with a bigger boat.

Don't they teach you how to count at school these days? Think you'll find it's only 2 years running

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by Erin

Don't they teach you how to count at school these days? Think you'll find it's only 2 years running

pity that you can only count to 200 though

and theres my comeback sig

[tim griffin]

This could be big as some on Sportsboat and Rib forum are interested in coming along as well .
Please reserve my space at the bar .
Cheers
Tim

[martini]

Originally Posted by tim griffin

This could be big as some on Sportsboat and Rib forum are interested in coming along as well .
Please reserve my space at the bar .
Cheers
Tim

Sounds promising, glad to hear you're in Tim