Ribcraft 4.8 Channel Crossing

[PS5764]

Guys,

I own the above boat and i'm considering taking it over to Alderney, departing from Weymouth. Have any of you got any experience doing this trip in this size boat. The outboard is a Suzuki 50...(petrol). I have limited experience and would be going in company with other like minded people. The trip has been organised by "Rib Squadron"....not sure if any of you have heard of them. They recently did an article in RibMagazine.
I have completed a couple of RYA courses and the organisers have told me that my boat is more than up to the job....what are your thoughts????

[John Kennett]

Just be sensible with the weather and you should be fine. Bear in mind that your cruising speed will drop significantly if the conditions worsen.

Make sure you have enough fuel on board, and try to avoid having to pour from jerry cans.

Have fun, and post pictures when you get back

[Channel Ribs]

It would be good to see you as part of that trip or even for more than just a lunch stop.

Make sure that the Squadron are prepared to either allocate you a buddy boat, or will adjust the whole group's speed as John says you will be the first to slow down if it gets choppy.

[PS5764]

Thanks John,

At the moment i'm still unsure whether i have the experience to do it. I'm certain the boat is up to it but not sure about me. Like you say if the weather is good then no problems but if it starts getting rough then i'm not so sure. I have two 25 litre tanks so i think that should be enough to get me there....what do you reckon???

[PS5764]

Thanks Channel Ribs....would be lovely todo the trip. I think Rib Squadron buddy you up with a equal size boat. I just hope that they don't buddy up two reasonably inexperienced persons together.

[matt h]

50 litres does not sound much, it the weather turns, with one person on board with some kit bank on 0.7 miles per liter approx,

[PS5764]

Matt, i think your right, if i'm gonna do the trip i will buy another 25 litre container just to be on the safe side.

[willk]

60Nm on 50L with a 50hp seems slightly optimistic, especially if the weather works against you. You know your usage better than me, obviously, but I'd recommend taking 50% more than you estimate. Remember that unless there is flat calm, you'll burn more on one of the legs. JK is right about the jerry cans, use a spare fuel tank for the reserve.

Talk to your buddy and share important waypoints. Agree a procedure to be followed if you get separated or if one boat has problems keeping up...

Longer passages are great, but a little planning helps a lot.

EDIT: Sorry - got delayed while typing - anyway, I agree :-)

[Erin]

The trip is quite achievable in good conditions. I really wouldn't want anything more than a F2 and I'd be especially avoiding wind against tide. I did a trip once with a 50hp Honda and covered 80 miles with 50 litres, but I used every last drop. I would definitely recommend at least another 10 litres as reserve.

[Vandad]

just plotted your voyage on my chart plotter, it gives three different routes, and about 57.3nM.

I hate making things complicated, but at the same time don't want to suggest something wrong!

So my questions are:
1. Is your outboard four stroke or Two?
2. What equipments do you have on board? Do you own a liferaft or not? Have you thought about the fact that you will be in the middle of a BUSY channel??!

I have not done the journey you are intending to do, but I have done Brighton to Dieppe which is in fact longer (around 80nM), and I did it with a 6.5m RIB! You can't believe that how just 1.5m length will make difference in your ride and speed.... In the middle of the channel you feel quite lonely, and all you can see around you is water and fast moving ferries and cargo ships...they create a MASSIVE wash and you can't even slow down as sometimes they come one after another so you have to be prepared...

We were three ribs, and two people on each rib. It is a good idea to have someone next to you...

Secure ALL your stuff, carrying so much fuel on a small boat requires good ventilation... so don't put them all in a closed hatch as the petrol fumes can be very dangerous...

I sold that rib and then "DOWNGRADED" to a 5.3m Humber and I personally won't do that journey again with this rib!