Needles - Cherbourg - Saturday 12 October 2013

[whisper]

I just wanted to say well done to our group of 5 ribs that stuck together on the way out and the way back in true ribnet form

But most of all a massive thumbs up to to IanM and Hightower who came along side Yorkie first after JD hurt his ankle

We were a long way off France and had a long way to go when we heard the Pan Pan, I think everyone thought the worst and he was obviously in a lot of pain and probably shock and panic too.

IanM got his boat along side and Hightower jumped aboard Yorkie and was able to assess the situation and then get him onto Ian's larger rib, Hightower then jumped on TrevorG's shearwater and then we all got going again, stopping just to check that JD was ok.

We headed back at around 14-15 knots to keep the group together, we kept on course and got back ok

Apparently JD's ok too

Well done everybody, a very enjoyable weekend in great company as always

[Chris Lewington]

Dear All

Total respect to each and every one of you. WOW!

Well done.

Regards

Lewey

[landlord]

First of the video's, I'm sure there will be more to follow. I've thrown this together quickly as I didn't get much footage due to the conditions. Once we left Cherbourg today the GoPro packed up again so theres not much

Needles - Cherbourg 2013 - YouTube

[whisper]

Originally Posted by landlord

First of the video's, I'm sure there will be more to follow. I've thrown this together quickly as I didn't get much footage due to the conditions. Once we left Cherbourg today the GoPro packed up again so theres not much

Needles - Cherbourg 2013 - YouTube

Great vid dude, gutted the Gopro packed up

Needles - Cherbourg 2013 - YouTube

[NSS]

Call that hard core? I've just eaten a whole pack of McVities' chocolate digestives in under an hour!

Seriously though, you guys (and girls) must be barking! Huge respect

[biffer]

Well done lads, I doubt if my inner core strength would have been up to all that yet, I must up the exercise schedule and get fitter, I need to be back out there doing these cruises so it seem head gear and comms are the way forward, when we raced we used helmets with comms but I couldn't hear no outside noises, I know this next bit will be familiar with a few of you, who started getting anal about listening for funny noises and who got apprehensive about being out of sight of land and wanted to get closer to another boat, own up, I've been there, well done though and I'm sure there are thoughts of other trips already, me and Fiona had a prior engagement but we did think of you guys and were quietly glad that we had saved our enthusiasm for another time.
I've just been told I'm doing the London to Monte Carlo race next June, bugger, need to get fitter quicker and this will be another story on a different thread

[Ian M]

Hi Biff, yes I was hoping that you would turn up, but speaking for myself, completely understand. Next year?

[landlord]

Originally Posted by biffer

Well done lads, I doubt if my inner core strength would have been up to all that yet, I must up the exercise schedule and get fitter

Pity you didn't make it but glad you didn't, might have set you back a bit.

Originally Posted by biffer

need to be back out there doing these cruises so it seem head gear and comms are the way forward, when we raced we used helmets with comms but I couldn't hear no outside noises

Even in calm conditions it would be good to have comms, at 30kns plus its difficult to hear other crew or VHF. A high wind deflector would help to some extent but wouldn't make much difference if your wearing Gecko's.

Originally Posted by biffer

just been told I'm doing the London to Monte Carlo race next June, bugger, need to get fitter quicker

Have to agree fitness on these trips is so important, I ache all over this morning, used muscle groups I haven't used for a while. Wife thinks its age....im sure its just lack of exercise

[gtb]

Originally Posted by biffer

it seem head gear and comms are the way forward, when we raced we used helmets with comms but I couldn't hear no outside noises

I had a Gecko with long visor which worked very well, and I was using a Standard Horizon HX851E handheld with their earpiece. The VC-27 earpiece is rubbish, the wires are very thin so I expect they would easily break if snached, and when the VC-27 mic ptt button got wet it stuck open! Gecko do a comms package at £250+vat+p&p for Standard Horizon.

who got apprehensive about being out of sight of land and wanted to get closer to another boat, own up

Not apprehensive, but it was definitely eye opening to be navigating beyond the sight of land and fixed markers -- well, landlord was navigating Galahad, I was just watching

For me, there was a very strong temptation to judge our course with reference to the direction of the waves. It required constant cross-checking with the compass to know we were headed the right way. Even though we only had minor issues with the plotter, having a decent passage plan and compass was a lot more reassuring than putting faith in the electronics alone. Sticking together for safety in numbers also proved to be important.

[gtb]

Originally Posted by landlord

Have to agree fitness on these trips is so important, I ache all over this morning, used muscle groups I haven't used for a while.

You were lucky. You had a seat. I used to DREAM of having a seat.
(cue: Monty Pyton Four Yorkshiremen sketch)

[Lee argyle]

Glad you all got home in once piece, we were gutted sat morning when the realization set in that after a fair bit of planning, prepping and general getting the boat ready a small hose screwed us! Only saving grace was it failed on Friday afternoon and not mid-channel Saturday! Looked an awesome trip, will be ready for next year!

[whisper]

Originally Posted by Lee argyle

Only saving grace was it failed on Friday afternoon and not mid-channel Saturday!

Yep, that was a really good thing as it wasn't the conditions to have a tow

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by biffer

I know this next bit will be familiar with a few of you, who started getting anal about listening for funny noises and who got apprehensive about being out of sight of land and wanted to get closer to another boat, own up, I've been there,

I would not say anal about "funny noises", just that I know how my boat is put together, and know the chap that did a lot of it When getting a little tired the imagination takes over.
Never apprehensive, plenty of blue water experience, but I did find that I paid too much attention to driving to the conditions, with the result that I did occasionally wander off course, just a bit

[Nick Hearne]

I would agree on the compass over the plotter as you can glance down and check as the bloody plotter is rubbish to see in the strong light and Sunnis or goggles on! In the conditions yesterday taking our eyes off the see to check your course was not good as my crew said they braced them selves every time I did it because it normally ended in a slamming as I hadn’t seen a wave coming!

As to the boys on Yorkie well what stares couldn’t believe the pace he made coming back we recon he was on drugs or something!

[hadd]

Got back home at 10.30pm last night absolutely shattered roads where terrible , just want thank Avocet& Ginny for putting us up Thursday night food was lovely as well & also thanks to Maximus for getting us all there & back safely we had a fantastic weekend can't wait for the next one!! Hats off to those girls ....Kathryn -Karan & Ginny for doing so well they got soaked to the skin there & back well done girls!!

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

Will be good to read also about strengths and weaknesses of each boat, what was good/bad, what needs changing etc as you have all clearly tested yourselves and boats better than any normal review

OK, I'll try and be honest.
My throttle lever is a curly thing, someones interpretation of an ergonomic design I suppose. In anything but flat calm I like to operate the lever at the base, with my palm resting on the throttle lever body. Fine when sitting down, but when standing if I put a finger or two round the lever there is a tendency for them to get trapped due to the shape of the lever. I could quite easily see a broken finger happening when bounced around. On this trip I found that looking through a Gecko visor looking through a screen, both wet, I could not see enough detail of the sea ahead, meaning that I had to stand to drive well. What that meant was that I had to operate the throttle by gripping it between my thumb and the base of my forefinger, so as not to put any digits around the lever. A stupid little thing, but that contact patch at the base of my forefinger got quite sore - not good for decent throttle control.
A couple of observations from different occupants of the left hand seat One said that there were no convenient handholds for when he was standing, quite how I would get a handhold at the altitude that he needs is beyond me
I think our injured friend found my boat more comfortable than Yorkie primarily because of better seating and a convenient hand hold (when seated ) which allowed him to relax more. Oh and on that score, I think that ajstars must have a spine of steel, he was taking all those seas seated

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by ajstars

So same again next weekend?

Oh yes why not, as long as I can have what ever you where taking Sunday morning!!
We all recon you where driving like a man possessed

[whisper]

You boys should come out with us this Sat, off to Cowes for a night out

http://www.rib.net/forum/f18/ajs-sta...eux-57590.html

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Avocet

I said to Mrs A: "I think this is a bit daft"

If that's what David thought, then that makes the rest of you positively certifiable .

It sounds like an epic trip (challenge), but who won.....

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Erin

If that's what David thought, then that makes the rest of you positively certifiable .

It sounds like an epic trip (challenge), but who won.....

I'd say.... EVERYONE WHO WENT!