Ive just towed my RIB for 1762 km

[Trimix]

Just before Christmas I towed the boat down to Corsica where its spending some time in warm waters

I checked the trailer over, had the bearings & brakes serviced and even painted the wheels to match the boat. So all should be fine.

Set off at lunchtime and got to the tunnel after a steady plod along the UK's finest motorways.

However, as I lined it up to get on the train it seemed to be a bit of a tight fit - I did have a slight worry that it wouldn't go.



They didn't seem to notice - but no one managed to squeeze past for the loo !

I filled the whole carriage, apart from one small car behind me with a couple of French blokes in. They were very interested in the boat and helpfully pointed out that the width limit for towing in France was 2.5m.

Opps, my boat was clearly wider than that. I suggested that no one would measure it so Id probably be fine. They said that's not the issue, the issue is squeezing through the toll booths on the French Auto Routes.

Hmmm, well I was committed by then, so Id just give it a go and see.

First toll booth we came to I had about 2 to 3 inches clearance each side - just. I made sure I went through the auto booths so hopefully no one would spot the width. So after that worry was over we just plodded on south. I didn't even have to let the air out.

Of course there was no way Id be able to check-in to a Hotel for the night and find somewhere to park it, so we just used the truckstops. Which were great actually. Good food, showers and facilities. Oh, and parking was easy

[Trimix]

When its parked up you get to appreciate the length.

[Trimix]

French roads were great, no pot holes and no traffic. So after squeezing through several toll booths we made it down to the sunny south of France and loaded it up onto the ferry to Corsica.

[Trimix]

Nice flat seas.

[Trimix]

So now its home for a while will be a sunny marina



We went to pay the harbour master at the end of the week and he said, "Oh, don't worry, there is no one around and as its Christmas I don't feel like charging you"

Brilliant.

We went out almost every day and were entertained by Dolphins on four separate occasions - all just in the bay right by the marina. Weather was a warm 18 degrees on a few days and we had snow capped mountains for a backdrop.

I'm now back, booking flights to go out for a long weekend as soon as I can.

[cptsideways]

Lovely, I am planning on doing something for next year, leave the boat down there etc & fly out on my days off etc.

Let us know if you find anywhere handy

[Trimix]

Well if you fancy Corsica I can help. My wife is from Corsica and has the right surname which helps - everyone knows everyone there and its a small community.

The chap who owns the boat storage place turns out to be a school mate of hers, so he will look after it. I just give him a call and he puts it in the water for me. Then after, takes it out, cleans it and stores it.

Costs about € 2000 per year (Euros).

Id not advise using the slipways - unless its a small boat with a single axle. They normally crane them in and out.

The reason being the slipways are a bit odd compared to ours. They start off as a nice gradual slope, then once they are a foot or two in the sea the change to a 45 degree angle. There is no tide either.

So as I backed mine it slowly it sort of fell in the last bit and nearly lifted the back of the tow vehicle up. Even using a rope would not help much as the twin axels don't really cope well with that sort of a steep change in slope.

Once in I was not going to use the slipway again.

[SteveHall]

Thats a road trip and a half! how long did it take?

[Trimix]

Set off at lunchtime from Oxfordshire, in the tunnel three hours later. Drove to just north of Reims, which was about a further 3 hours.

Then woke up the next morning and drove all day, about 8 hours. Then stopped off near Lyon and the following day had about 3 hours to Marseille. Where we got an overnight ferry to Corsica.

Where we ended up in Corsica is at the marina where we keep the boat.

It was actually a very easy drive (apart from the initial worry's over width). No traffic, now bumps or roadwork's. Good food all the way and cheap diesel.

Of course, the further we drove the better the weather, which helped

Once I got there the boating was amazing. Sunny, flat clear seas with a blue sky. All with a mountains as a backdrop.

[Trimix]

If anyone finds themselves in Corsica - email me and see if I'm there as well. Id be happy to go for a spin in the boat.

[Jeff]

Great trip and fab photos - your baby definitely looks at home
I do Derbyshire to Ancona and ferry to Igoumenitsa / Paxos Greece each summer ( the last 8 years anyway) 2512 miles return and enjoy every minute. Using the SANEF tolling TAG saves a lot of time and potentail grief on the French tolls - you dont have to stop or risk wiping out the tubes trying to get close enough to pay at the booths

[steco1958]

I make the journey down to the Med each year going through France and their Autoroutes, always interesting, never had the issue with width or length, i pull my 5.2m boat with an 8m motorhome, get some wonderful looks from other drivers lol

[steco1958]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Great trip and fab photos - your baby definitely looks at home
I do Derbyshire to Ancona and ferry to Igoumenitsa / Paxos Greece each summer ( the last 8 years anyway) 2512 miles return and enjoy every minute. Using the SANEF tolling TAG saves a lot of time and potentail grief on the French tolls - you dont have to stop or risk wiping out the tubes trying to get close enough to pay at the booths

Jeff, how much does the SANEF tag cost you and where do you apply for it ?

Steve

[SteveHall]

I fancied a trip like this but then I heard a lot of horror stories about the boats getting stolen from truck stops, or people gently tapping into you on the motorway so you stop then driving away with your car and boat.

[Trimix]

Blimey, I thought Id done a long trip. You guys are way further than me.

[steco1958]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

I fancied a trip like this but then I heard a lot of horror stories about the boats getting stolen from truck stops, or people gently tapping into you on the motorway so you stop then driving away with your car and boat.

Steve, i have been doing that journey for over 25 years, yes you can have problems, but there are several precaursions that can be taken to minimise the risk, if you want to discuss, send me a pm, and i will send you my phone details, and we can have a chat, or next time we up in Carnarfon, we could get together

[Trimix]

I slept in the van and it was chained to the trailer which had a wheel lock on it. So pretty hard to nick.

Its also got two trackers on it. I was not concerned with those stories.

There is always some risk in life, usually the real risk is quite different to the perceived risk.

[steco1958]

Originally Posted by Trimix

I slept in the van and it was chained to the trailer which had a wheel lock on it. So pretty hard to nick.

Its also got two trackers on it. I was not concerned with those stories.

There is always some risk in life, usually the real risk is quite different to the perceived risk.

Agreed

[riggers]

we have just towed the boat down to southern spain and then a week later later towed the caravan down ,both sat in storage now , heading down end of jan for 3 months cannot wait counting the days

[PeterM]

But you missed the Nacho run..so it cant be that good down there

Seriously that's a suberb location & ideal boat for what you want to do with it - just don't post too many pics of the sun and warmth in the next month or tow or we'll all be down to visit you ( and use the boat ) .

Pete