UK to the Mediterrainean

smokie · 20 November 2006, 15:57

Has anyone made the trip from the UK around Spain thru the Straits of Gibraltar on a rib? Is the trip feasible given availability of petrol?

qcamel · 20 November 2006, 16:35

it is feasable as long as your range is over 260 nm, was planning that very trip but wife said no to me being away for 3 weeks

Ollie

Milo72 · 20 November 2006, 17:15

I'm not sure thagt there isn't a ruling about taking a RIB thru the Gib straights.... think I remember reading about it in a mag a while back.
something about a license of authenticity to prove you own the boat and are legal and that you're not a drug runner or they'll impound your boat and sell it out the back door to a mate for 500 Euro's!
Worth reading up about....

smokie · 20 November 2006, 17:46

qcamel

It appears you have done some research into such a trip. 260 nm is not bad. What are the stopping points for fueling food and rest?

John Kennett · 20 November 2006, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokie

Has anyone made the trip from the UK around Spain thru the Straits of Gibraltar on a rib? Is the trip feasible given availability of petrol?

Richard Reddyhof did that trip in a Scorpion a few years ago. It was a diesel though so may not be particularly relevant to you . . .

You'd definitely need to check on the current situation regarding RIBs in Gibraltar. Last I heard they were almost completely banned, although that might have changed now.

John

smokie · 20 November 2006, 21:39

Curious as to why they would be banned. Could it be that they could outrun "los federales"?

Ezgoing · 04 December 2006, 21:48

Hi smokie

Larger Ribs definetly not welcome in Gib and south of spain. Big problem with some local users and attraction for thieves.

Check last post here for info on petrol.

Best of luck

pathalla · 05 December 2006, 01:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezgoing

Hi smokie

Larger Ribs definetly not welcome in Gib and south of spain. Big problem with some local users and attraction for thieves.

Check last post here for info on petrol.

Best of luck

Why would a rigid hull inflatable be less welcome than a conventional fiberglass boat? Why is it a problem for local users? Elaborate please...

codprawn · 05 December 2006, 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathalla

Why would a rigid hull inflatable be less welcome than a conventional fiberglass boat? Why is it a problem for local users? Elaborate please...

Basically Gibralter is a fantastic place with great people who are so proud of being British - I love the place. Spain wants Gib back but the locals say no way. Because of this there is a lot of trouble between Gib and Spain. So much so the Spanish try to make life as difficult as possible - for example they only ever have 1 man on the border crossing who searches EVERY car - this means it takes about 4 hrs to go into or out of Gib. This is totally against EU law but the Spanish don't care.

Anyway Gib USED to have a fleet of very fast smuggling boats kept there by privateers - they used to run all sorts of produce from Morocco into Spain and Gib would turn a blind eye to it. Now realations are slightly better they have clamped down on the smuggling boats - so much so anything that is pretty quick has been banned or will be watched like a hawk.

Gib police have some nice Ribs though!!!

The runway is also the main road into Gibralter.

Nick Hearne · 05 December 2006, 07:11

Nice Flatcraft ribs they have Codders.

Cookee · 05 December 2006, 08:15

There are a couple of Gib guys on Boatmad posting so you could ask them ....... they know all about the restrictions - I think it's 200hp?

Dirk Diggler · 05 December 2006, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Basically Gibralter is a fantastic place with great people who are so proud of being British...........
The runway is also the main road into Gibralter.

It must have changed alot since I last visited. It used to be full of Asian shopkeepers selling souvernir tat to the visitors. I used to drive there to do some shopping, HP Sauce, Heinz Ketchup, Walls Sausages etc, then drive back into Spain.

I seem to remember the runway crossed the main road!

codprawn · 05 December 2006, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

It must have changed alot since I last visited. It used to be full of Asian shopkeepers selling souvernir tat to the visitors. I used to drive there to do some shopping, HP Sauce, Heinz Ketchup, Walls Sausages etc, then drive back into Spain.

I seem to remember the runway crossed the main road!

Gib reminds me of either the Channel Islands or Tenby - unfortunately it is changing VERY fast - will soon be a mini Hong Kong!!!

Yes you are right about the runway - quite strange driving across it minutes after a plane has landed!!!