Alderney Floptilla RIB Rally - 22 to 24 July 2011

martini · 03 January 2011, 23:19

< Edit: Dates set, title amended, and info page set up on Alderney Marine web site JK >

Well someone had to get the ball rolling didn't they

I guess JK can add the dates to the title once it's firmed up a bit but for now I'm proposing the last weekend of July 30th/31st.

Already it sounds like some people are planning to extend the cruise like last year, continuing south to other islands and making a holiday out of it.

This is a great opportunity for the less experienced ribster to pop their cross-channel cherry in the company of the experts. So get your diaries out and lets make this the biggest and best Floptilla so far!

Erin · 04 January 2011, 11:08

I've made a provisional booking for calm seas, and the obligatory small patch of fog which comes with every Floptilla cruise

. Look forward to seeing everyone again.

gotchiguy · 04 January 2011, 11:59

I was only just logging on to start this thread!

Ok well... I'm in contact with a load of guys from sportbotenforum.nl Although it's 800km from where they usually launch, they are not phased. 2 days to St. Malo the bloke reckons

As I've already mentioned to Keef, I've told him about the floptilla, and apparently his wife is very keen on a trip to the CIs. If he is alone then he reckons he can do Alderney in a day! 720km

Blue Ray is planning on spending the summer in Brittany as well, and of course Simon is now around with Jigsaw.

wolfie · 04 January 2011, 12:17

OK , so whats the "minimum" spec for taking part in this cross channel thingy? i guess my little ones lilo with a paddle is out :-(

Erin · 04 January 2011, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfie

OK , so whats the "minimum" spec for taking part in this cross channel thingy? i guess my little ones lilo with a paddle is out :-(

Pretty much your call. This is not an organised event in the normal manner, but more just a venue for like minded ribbers to turn up to. I believe Tim Griffin normally gives everyone's passage plan a once-over for those of you travelling together from the south coast - but I will leave him to confirm or dispel that belief.

If you wish to do the crossing in company, then it will be a matter of agreeing departure times. I think the smallest rib last time around was a Ribcraft 5.85, but I think a 6.5m would be a sensible min size as the sea state can't be predicted and the majority of ribs are in the 6.5 to 8m range. (Not forgetting the the PWC's who've made it across under their own steam).

I think last year there was a slow and a fast group so that everyone felt comfortable with their ability and speed

gotchiguy · 04 January 2011, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfie

OK , so whats the "minimum" spec for taking part in this cross channel thingy? i guess my little ones lilo with a paddle is out :-(

Don't worry, we're not BIBOA.

It's very much your call - if it's a gorgeous sunny day with flat seas you'll be able to run at a 30knts cruise which tbh even the biggest ribs would be happy to stay with you at. You've just got to be prepared for the return trip, potentially your stranded on a little island and there's a force 5ish whipped up... perfecty tolerable for something 6.6m+ (

keef) but in a searider 60nm of that is going to be hard.

Anyway everything is relative, the Dutch bloke I mentioned above is only 1m bigger and 50hp less powerful than us but he is prepared to travel 7/8 times the distance I would ever really travel in a day

Oh and as said above, jetski Paul has done it on his pwc 3 years running, so it should be possible as long as your sensible and you buddy up with a bigger boat.

Erin · 04 January 2011, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Oh and as said above, jetski Paul has done it on his pwc 3 years running, so it should be possible as long as your sensible and you buddy up with a bigger boat.

Don't they teach you how to count at school these days? Think you'll find it's only 2 years running

gotchiguy · 04 January 2011, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Don't they teach you how to count at school these days? Think you'll find it's only 2 years running

pity that you can only count to 200 though

and theres my comeback sig

tim griffin · 04 January 2011, 17:03

This could be big as some on Sportsboat and Rib forum are interested in coming along as well .
Please reserve my space at the bar .
Cheers
Tim

martini · 04 January 2011, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim griffin

This could be big as some on Sportsboat and Rib forum are interested in coming along as well .
Please reserve my space at the bar .
Cheers
Tim

Sounds promising, glad to hear you're in Tim

Erin · 04 January 2011, 17:15

Better get the Sailing Club to order some more beer in!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

and theres my comeback sig

Exactly. Proof itself that you can't count

martini · 04 January 2011, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim griffin

Sportsboat and Rib forum

I've just signed up (yet another forum

) and posted a few more details. Some of them were getting a bit panicky about 10 knot tides and lots of sharp sticky-out bits, hopefully I've allayed? some fears!

Paul Cannell · 04 January 2011, 18:37

Quote:
Originally Posted by tim griffin
This could be big as some on Sportsboat and Rib forum are interested in coming along as well .
Please reserve my space at the bar .
Cheers
Tim

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Sounds promising, glad to hear you're in Tim

2 pints of real ale & nacho's please!

Erin · 04 January 2011, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

I've just signed up (yet another forum

) and posted a few more details. Some of them were getting a bit panicky about 10 knot tides and lots of sharp sticky-out bits, hopefully Ive allayed? some fears!

Good post on SB&R 'Able Seaman' martini

. Might be worth checking the dates of Alderney week. If too many people turn up, accommodation could actually end up being a real problem.

Amazing how much panic can be generated about a fairly straightforward crossing. I would understand it if they were all in sailing boats where strength of tide really matters, but not motor boats. Having said that, I remember last years trip to Poole (via the big boat in my avatar) where the marina gin drinkers couldn't believe we'd come so far. Many of them clearly never leave their pontoons, except to refuel for the generator. Hopefully the SB&R brigade aren't like that.

Paul Cannell · 04 January 2011, 18:47

Alderney Week 30th July / August 6th

martini · 04 January 2011, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Cannell

Alderney Week 30th July / August 6th

Ah. Didn't think to check that! July 23rd/24th then?

Erin · 04 January 2011, 18:57

Hmmm. I wonder if the preceding weekend might be a bit more sensible. Eating, drinking and sleeping for a large group could be tricky during a busy Alderney Week, not to mention mooring buoys in the harbour if it's a good weather forecast.

martini · 04 January 2011, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Cannell

2 pints of real ale & nacho's please!

Oh the nacho's!

martini · 04 January 2011, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Hmmm. I wonder if the preceding weekend might be a bit more sensible. Eating, drinking and sleeping for a large group could be tricky during a busy Alderney Week, not to mention mooring buoys in the harbour if it's a good weather forecast.

We're going too fast for each other again!

Erin · 04 January 2011, 19:12

It'll soon be back to normal when you go back to work

.

Anyway, I usually like to check the grammar on my posts before submitting

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

hopefully Ive allayed? some fears!

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

We're going to fast for each other again!