From Gdynia (PL) to Southampton (GB) by rib

[Andre]

My new demo rib is now ready and at last I will have the opportunity to bring it all the way by sea from Poland. What a way to make a delivery!!

The rib is of course a Parker 900RS known as "Seahawk V" and fitted out with Cummins QSD 4.2 (350HP) stern drive / Bravo 3 . This time I have gone all the way and had some toys fitted like DVD/CD player with twin Sony waterproof speakers, searchlight, electric horn and I think Chris is going to fit the FLIR Navigator so full vision at night. Northstar GPS/Sounder M121 linked by Smartcraft Gateway to the Smartcraft Viewer. also Northstar VHF radio Explorer 721 EU and compass, not to mention the required offshore pyros

The rib is a typical open one but with sleeping arrangements for two in the console which also has enough underdeck space. I intend to do some cross channel cruising this year and will take advantage of this facility for overnighting. More cash for diesel no need for hotel.

There are 4 of us doing the crossing next week ie Mirek from Poland, Peder our Scandinavian distributor, Chris my nephew and myself. We all meet up at Gdynia marina on Friday 11 April and either the same day head for Leba or the next day to Dziwnow which is at the other end of the Polish coast. The rib will have had its first service prior to the trip so hopefully a trouble free cruise.

We will be heading for the Kiel Canal and from there along the German, Dutch , Belgium and French coast to Calais where we will cross to Dover. From Dover a fast run to Southampton. (this time we will make sure to log our passage but I guess big brother will be watching anyway) All in all I expect this cruise will take up to 4 days, weather permitting.

Of course this is a pleasure cruise so some sightseeing will be called for, like visiting the Island of Helgoland when we leave the Kiel.

I will post photos after the trip together with some passage info.

Today I received the SSR number, managed to get a radio licence, Call Sign, MMSI number via the internet and most important I arranged the insurance. I had no problems in getting cover for the trip and also all year round cover for cruising to the Channel Islands

ETA Southampton Dry Stacking (weather permitting) 15/16 April

Andre

[jwalker]

That sounds a good trip, Andre. It's still early in the year, I hope you get the weather breaks.

[martini]

I look forward to seeing you this side of the channel this summer! Good luck with the trip!

[Andre]

Originally Posted by jwalker

That sounds a good trip, Andre. It's still early in the year, I hope you get the weather breaks.

So do I. This is my first demo rib without a trailer so it was either launch in Calais or do the whole trip

Best do the whole trip and why not

[Andre]

Originally Posted by martini

I look forward to seeing you this side of the channel this summer! Good luck with the trip!

Matt, I will be there for sure. Anyway will want to see the Neptune console on your rib

[Zippy]

Fantastic trip!!

The kiel canal is a humbling experience in a small boat. i remember going through in a P67 and thinking we were tiny in the locks and compared with the other ships!

Helgoland is a funny little place. like something from the kids TV show with all them coloured houses. its a place of special scientific interest so when refuling there are no catches on the pumps to sage vetting cramp in your fingers! ok when you got small tanks but when loading 3000 L its a pain in the backside!

duty free is good there and watch out for the fast cat ferries that seem to appear from nowhere!!

good luck and look forward to some pictures!!

[Tony]

Hi Andre .. you new boats sounds superb!
Do you have any pix of it to show us, the console sounds interesting..
Tony

[Bigfoot]

If you haven't been before I'd recommend going back on yourself and visiting Sopot. It has the longest pier in somewhere or other, and its really very nice. Gdynia is also nice, but from my experience its a very 'model town' feel .

Hope you have fun, we visited at the end of September, which was strange as we usually visit in the middle of Summer or the middle of Winter, but I was told by members of the Yacht club that this year will be really good for watersports because of developments in the area.

Hope you have a damned good cruise and enjoy the boat! more importantly enjoy Polska!!!

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot

If you haven't been before I'd recommend going back on yourself and visiting Sopot. It has the longest pier in somewhere or other, and its really very nice. Gdynia is also nice, but from my experience its a very 'model town' feel .

Hope you have fun, we visited at the end of September, which was strange as we usually visit in the middle of Summer or the middle of Winter, but I was told by members of the Yacht club that this year will be really good for watersports because of developments in the area.

Hope you have a damned good cruise and enjoy the boat! more importantly enjoy Polska!!!

Bigfoot

Thanks for your tips. I have been there many times . Perhaps more then I can remember

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Tony

Hi Andre .. you new boats sounds superb!
Do you have any pix of it to show us, the console sounds interesting..
Tony

Tony,
The console is great with loads of space and the sleeping area goes below the deck and 2 mtr long. I do not have any good photos as yet but will post some perhaps before the trip.

Andre