Crossing the Atlantic in Open RIB

[Lars]

I just read about this guy in a Norwegian news article: http://www.atlanticspeedrecord.com/

He is intending to cross the Atlantic from the western coast of Norway to New York. Fuelling is planned at The Faeroe Islands and Newfoundland. Sounds like a good distance between those two locations to me, but I guess he has done his math.

As far as I understand he is planning to use a 36 ft RIB custom made by RIB Unlimited in Sweden. Project budget is estimated to 5 million NOK (400k GBP) but he hasnt raised anything yet according to the newspaper. With departure in July 2007 I guess he has got some serious amount of work to do.

Anyway, Good luck!

[PeteSmith]

Its already been done a few years back by Bear Grylls in 2003

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening...5/fmever25.xml

[codprawn]

Not singlehanded though!!!

[Alan]

Originally Posted by PeteSmith

Its already been done a few years back by Bear Grylls in 2003

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening...5/fmever25.xml

And before that by Alan Priddy & crew. (But not singlehanded as Cod says).
I'dve thought a single handed high speed trip would be a questionable venture as staying awake and alert for that amount of time will be a huge problem. Mind you I 'spose the Velux 5 Oceans / Around Alone sailors travel at high speeds (15-20kts) in the Southern Ocean for days on end with only catnaps so maybe it is possible!

[Aidan]

Hey Guys, sorry a Paddy got there first many years ago when we all thought he was a loon. At least I did, on reflection and reading his book, it was amazing including the big difference between North Cont. Drift and Atlantic cold water. I seem to recall that he mentioned the NCD was like a river whoose waters did not mix.

Enda o coinin is his name and he has made serious dough by now with Radio Prague or Warsaw or whatever.
He started the mag "afloat" for Irish yachties.

I believe it was a small rib but he wrote a book which I did a google on and brought me back to 2003 to some of the lads Jackeens etc as follows:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books
Its called the unsinkable kilcullan

I hate to burst your bubble but the Paddy came first.

A good read for serious ribbers. He actually made a few attempts at it that failed then suceeded.
Aidan

[codprawn]

Yes I was aware of his crossing. The most amazing of all though was Alain Bombard in a 15' SIB which he sailed across and lived off seawater and fish.

[Lars]

The kilcullans record can probably be beaten then...

BTW, he is planning a speed of 12-14 knots while sleeping.

I still have trouble believing he can go all the way with only two refuellings though... Must be a floating (almost sinking) gas can in the beginning... How will the RIB behave in rough seas with that much gas onboard?

[codprawn]

Well it won't sink that's for sure as fuel is lighter than water. Will prob wallow around like a hippo though!!!

[Lars]

I've hard good things about the behaviour of hippos in high seas...

I did a little math here. According to Google Earth it is 1'762 nm between Torshavn on the Faeroe Islands to Newfoundland. Assuming he'll manage an average speed of 30 knots that leg should take some 59 hours.

He'll be equipped with two 400 hp engines (diesel I assume). I have no idea how much those drink, but guessing 75 litres per hour per engine would result in a total fuel consumption of nearly 9000 litres.

I don't know about you guys, but I really look forward to see a 36 ft RIB carry 9000 litres of fuel.

That's one nice hippo.

[gavin]

Enda did it by jury rig on the humber he crossed on, almost made it the first time, but as to the interference of the royal navy who intercepted him off the Irish Coast, and despite his wishes to be righted in his Zodiac and let continue on his way, they took him aboard and to hospital in Scotland,
I wonder what is the point of this record attempt, its not a new thing anymore