Kayak charity challenge in need of some help and advice

[weaver79]

We are at the early stages of arranging a charity challenge for next year which will include us (8-12 people) crossing the English channel via Kayak, my question to you guys is what is my most cost effective way of getting safety boats to travel with us? And also any advice on best crossing etc.
We will be raising money for leukemia and lymphoma research.
Thanks Dave.

[9D280]

Hi Weaver, welcome to the forum.

Do a search on this - there was great discussion a while ago about a similar event across the Irish Sea.

The possibly bigger issue you may have in the channel might be likened to a sponsored chicken crossing the road - where the Irish sea is an empty A- road in the highlands and the channel is like crossing the M25...... (I refer of course to the passing traffic - not the distance paddled!)

I believe Dover - Calais might be the shortest crossig - 22 nautical miles (approx) so a rib with reasonable fuel capacity could motor itself back. in an hour or so (weather permitting!) I guess you would need something with a cabin / 1st aid etc 'coz you can bet your house if something goes the way of the pear, it will happen mid channel......

[TomKat]

Friends just did the same (for fun) across the Irish Sea. They used a yacht under its own motor, more room for kayaks and more suitable for the low speeds involved but maybe not fast enough to get someone to medical attention or low enough to pull bodies out if they needed assistance? Perhaps a large tender would work well with a yacht?

[beamishken]

why not try the same question on ybw.com motorboat forum ?

a decent sized motorcruiser would be as good as anything for your purpose as long as it has a bathing platform it should tick all the boxes re speed & accomodation etc & possibly more volenteers closer to you departure port

best of luck with the venture

[bingosucks]

welcome weaver ,try doing it on a sibfest ...them crazy fools are up for anything