Round Britain - Saturday 4 to Saturday 11 August 2007

[GBRIBChallenge]

What-ho m'hearties.

A couple of friends and I are off round our wonderful island in August and would dearly enjoy the company of some similarly minded chaps or chapesses.

Please get in touch with me via the following:

george@gbribchallenge.co.uk
0781 666 8388
www.GBRIBChallenge.co.uk

Thanking you all very much in advance,
G.

[The Jackeens]

If we're around and in the vicinity we'll get out there.
Be glad to encourage any intrepids around anything

(We're keen to set a record around Whale Island or somehere. It may involve cutting through land. Better ask Pete 7. )

Kathleen & Paul

[Brian]

Would you like to tell us a little more about it?

[GBRIBChallenge]

Happy to tell you more about it.

We're a crew of all Ocean Rowers with at least one Ocean already under our belts each. I had planned to cycle from Canada to Mexico this summer but due to work problems I can only get at most two weeks off work in August, so I / we started looking around for something else a little whacky to entertain ourselves. They cycle ride will be next year, if anyone wants to come along.

The RIB challenge was borne of an idle moment on eBay (God bless eBay) and I naively see it as an easily achievable challenge… (Ho ho, how I'll eat those ill chosen words in August!)

So in terms of planning, we don't plan to plan too much. We'll be doing some trials as soon as we have our RIB to determine min / max distances and will from there work out fuel stops. We’re also going to have the RIB coded or brought close to code because due to our background in blue water expeds we’re only too aware of how badly wrong things can go – and of course how much danger it is possible to put your rescuers in when you set off the EPIRB.

We’re likely to use a 5.6 or 6m Osprey hard nose deep-v since these seem to be the daddies and cost 5-10k.

So that’s about it really. Early plans are to leave on the first day of Cow’s week and be back in time for the fireworks at the end of the week. We’re a sociable lot so if you like a beer you’ll fit in just fine. If you prefer an early night, that’s cool too, but would you mind checking the 2-stroke oil and the weather charts for the next day?

It’d be excellent if we could find some friends to come along their RIBs and come round with us as this would increase the safety factor. We’ll also be taking a couple of Inmarsat-B beacons (left over from a row) to give online tracking every 15mins or so which means if you’d like to pop out and join us for an afternoon as we pass by your home port it’ll be very easy to meet up. We’ll publish our MMSI when we have it.

Any questions? 0781 666 8388 or post away.
G.

[GBRIBChallenge]

If anyone has done this before, I'd really like to have a chat. Can anyone recomend anyone??

Ta
G.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by GBRIBChallenge

If anyone has done this before, I'd really like to have a chat. Can anyone recomend anyone??

Ta
G.

I believe Brian is already in contact with you but he's been around a couple of times. (well one of those times he only made it 3/4's of the way & learnt a valuable lesson about pub lock-ins and not falling over ). Do a search for 'RB4' which was a Rib event organised by Rib International magazine back in 2001 for under 5m RIBS.

[springtide66]

Good luck to you!
We will try to get out and see you off!!
Keep us up to speed............

[John Kennett]

You've got 8 days which is ample if the weather is OK. There's no need to stay on the boat all the time, unless it's your idea of fun which is fair enough. A couple of hundred miles each day followed by a couple of beers and a B&B would be a much better idea!

The route we used in 1999 worked pretty well, although Hull wasn't a particularly good choice. Brian may have better ideas for that part of the country.

As you have probably gathered, petrol is the biggest logistical challenge but I'm sure you'll manage.

Just keep your fingers crossed for some good weather . . .

John

[castle519]

Is this still on?

Let us know and will come out to see you.

cheers

[GBRIBChallenge]

I hope so. The first RIB fell through and we're looking at an ex MoD boat tomorrow - can use red so should be a LOT cheaper and easier to find fuel...

Will check back in when I have more news...

[GBRIBChallenge]

We've bought a Pacific 22 ex-MoD (big thanks to Pete & Brian for all the advice on this) so looks like we're on.

Will update as it unfolds...

[GBRIBChallenge]

Well, the boat was delivered today to our 'HQ' (a small farm house in Devon!)

Tell you what though, there are some rotten buggers about. This weekend was going to be the test drive before we set about increasing the fuel tank storage from 90L to ~350L and some toe rag has stuck a knife through one of the tubes. Before it was even delivered to us!!

Still, all adds to the joys of such things I suppose.

Grrr.

In much more positive news, I wanted to say a big thanks to RIB Net for all the help I've had. In particular Pete7 for his obvious skills with the P22's and Brian who has been amazing in helping with the navigation and so many general tips.

A very positive and helpful forum - thank you!

[GBRIBChallenge]

First test drive this weekend... largely successful. With the aft section of the port tube flapping in the water courtesy of some little urchin with a penknife we headed out from Dartmouth for a quick blast then a chug back up the river. The steering needs some attention as the shaft seal on the Wagner 701 helm pump is shot and we were far too low on oil. The engine is a dream - starts on the button and runs like a tractor (funny that).

The job list is now something like:

1) Learn to drive a RIB (PBL2 next weekend in Plymouth)
2) Fix tubes (kit on way - ASBO applied for!)
3) Fix Wagner 701 pump (kit on way)
4) Fit chart plotter (on way and it comes with the UK Charts!)
5) Fit VHF (on way - why the hell don't the RN fit radios to their ships boats??)
6) Fit another 300L of fuel (ideas on a postcard – we’re probably going to have a checker plate tank / seat made for the bows).
7) Cover the thing in safety equipment (already got it)

All this by August the 4th... and a full time job?

[simmons0]

My fuel idea's postcard.
http://www.ribsltd.co.uk/Nauta.htm

Probably a better alternative than solid tanks if they are going to be on the deck and take up very little space when you don't need them filled.
H

[GBRIBChallenge]

Hello H,

Thanks for the recomendation, they certainly look interesting. Seem quite expensive though and I still have the problem of transfering the fuel to the main tank.

Found this from an earlier thread... http://www.themainsail.com/news/arti...2&v=1&UAN=1176

Thought that might work with the deck tank. Not sure to be honest - starting to feel a tad stressed about all this!

[The Grocer]

Originally Posted by GBRIBChallenge

Thought that might work with the deck tank. Not sure to be honest - starting to feel a tad stressed about all this!

The superpump works ok, provided that the donor tank is higher than the receiving tank. Once you've got that sorted, there's no problem.

Apart from using ours in the RiB (hint: sit flexible donor tanks on a rigid flat surface, otherwise unhappiness will ensue) we also used it for draining the foundations of our extension in a previous wet summer. This was not a trivial job. But the wee hose thingy did the bizz, allowing the builders to think up other reasons for not doing anything.

Take one with you; they don't weigh much, take up very little space, and only require wrist power (ooh er missus )

And no, I don't sell the things!

[GBRIBChallenge]

Thanks Grocer, Shouldn't be a problem as the main tank is below decks...

So much to do!

[Cookee]

If you're in / near Dartmouth, Paul Tilley makes flexible fuel tanks - 01803 833309

[GBRIBChallenge]

Thanks Cooke,

I just spoke to Paul and he sounds like a sterling chap.

Cheeky question now: Would anyone be willing to lend me some flexible deck tanks? It would be on a "return in original condition or pay for" basis of course...

[GBRIBChallenge]

Well, if anyone is free and in the area - and you'd like to chug along with us you'd be very welcome indeed. Assuming, of course, we get Crooked Ken on the water in time...

A big thank you to those who have helped so much in putting this route together.