Anyone south of the Channel going to Ribex 2010?

[Erin]

For us, we'd be looking at below a F3 really. Don't fancy 40 miles to Alderney one day and then 90 miles to the UK the next having to read every wave and bounce around off any swell. Doing an optimistic 30kts it would be 3 hrs and that's long enough for my boredom quotient to wane, certainly if we're only going for the 'fun' of it.

[sea_quest]

Originally Posted by Erin

. Lets hope for millpond conditions.

Yes millpond conditions would be great.

So how many are going so far? people and boats?

[martini]

Originally Posted by Erin

For us, we'd be looking at below a F3 really. Don't fancy 40 miles to Alderney one day and then 90 miles to the UK the next having to read every wave and bounce around off any swell. Doing an optimistic 30kts it would be 3 hrs and that's long enough for my boredom quotient to wane, certainly if we're only going for the 'fun' of it.

This'll cheer you up Keith it's only 60nm Braye to Needles these days
One of my main reasons for the stop off was to reduce the monotony

As we all know there's many variables to consider but if I have to I'll say F4 or below is good for me.

Is it still worth checking tides and avoiding wind-over-tide when leaving Braye even though you're pretty much missing the race? I'm guessing you don't have to go very far into the channel to be clear of any overfalls?

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by martini

I'm guessing you don't have to go very far into the channel to be clear of any overfalls?

The last time I went we steered a largely straight line course 020º, there were no overfalls at all to contend with. The NE traffic lane comes up pretty quickly, then there is the SW one to navigate and a big open space on the far side; neither lane has a TSS on that course.

A F4 is a good watershed, so long as there has not been anything big out of the west in the few days before as it takes a while to settle.

Low water on the 7th of May is just before 8am, and is very neapy indeed at less than 2m of tide. (You Jersey lot have more movement in your tea I reckon)

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Erin

... and then 90 miles to the UK the next...

Without too much weaving we should cover a little over 60nm to the Needles, then another 15nm to Cowes. At a minimum of 25kn (?) we should be having coffee 3 hours after leaving.

[Erin]

That's interesting, I plotted a course on Mapsource last night from Braye to Southampton water and it came out at 89 miles. I know Cowes is slightly less, but I may moor up along the Hamble somewhere and stay the night at my sister's in Eastleigh

[Channel Ribs]

I have added this to our events list and will see if any of the locals fancy the trip, getting them onto RIB.net in the process.

Keith, are you thinking of taking LF or going on the big grey one?

[Erin]

If the weather's right I'd take La Frette.

[martini]

I'll do a draft passage plan/itinerary in the next few days and post it on here as a pdf for (dis)approval. Anyone object to a cruising speed of 30 kts, possibly a tad more if it is flat?

I'd also like to include a list of useful vhf channels and mobile numbers. I won't put anyones number on it unless they let me know they're happy for it to be included.

Also can a Solent regular reccomend a convenient/cheap waterside petrol station in the area? My usual 65ppl would be nice but I'll take whatever I can get!

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by martini

I'd also like to include a list of useful vhf channels...

As things get firmed up I will add them to the web page.

Cowes fuel berth is probably going to be easiest, over a quid a litre though!

There are some VHF freqs here, including a couple of the UK side ports...

(Cowes operate on 69, well they would wouldn't they.)

http://www.alderneymarine.com/info/frequencies.html

[Erin]

Originally Posted by martini

Anyone object to a cruising speed of 30 kts, possibly a tad more if it is flat?

If I can't do 30kts then I usually consider it to be too rough to go out . In all honesty I'd be happy to aim for 35. Any faster tends to make my 'navigator' nervous and there's no point upsetting her unduly.

I reckon mobile numbers would be best kept off the public screen. Perhaps via PM closer to the time. Having said that I've got yours and Martins from the Alderney run last year anyway.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by malthouse

Cowes fuel berth is probably going to be easiest, over a quid a litre though!

Currently £1.28 p/l for petrol in Cowes ....... usually a bit less in Yarmouth which is on your way anyway.

[martini]

Originally Posted by Erin

If I can't do 30kts then I usually consider it to be too rough to go out . In all honesty I'd be happy to aim for 35. Any faster tends to make my 'navigator' nervous and there's no point upsetting her unduly.

I reckon mobile numbers would be best kept off the public screen. Perhaps via PM closer to the time. Having said that I've got yours and Martins from the Alderney run last year anyway.

I'm normally at 35-37 kts but this would be quite a bit less economical for the first part of the trip while I'm carrying a full fuel load.

I've got both your numbers too, we can always swap numbers with anyone else that joins us on fri eve.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by martini

I'll do a draft passage plan/itinerary in the next few days and post it on here as a pdf...

I dug out my notes from the Poole run we did a few months ago, we used three waypoints to mark our progress across the main traffic:-

1) Just NNE of Braye, to mark the start of the NE bound shipping.

2) Mid-shipping, following the line of the TSS 'central reservation'.

3) The far side of the SW shipping, so show the start of the inshore shipping area.

That last leg is only about 20nm from the entrance to the Solent, so it breaks it up into brain sized chunks nicely.

[Erin]

I did a similar thing myself a few days ago. I always aim to have a 'half-way' waypoint on any long journeys as a kind of morale booster (though sometimes it can have the opposite effect).

I also plotted a point bang in the middle of the shipping lanes for safety reasons, cos as far as I know there's no central reservation or pelican crossings out there.

PS what's the protocol when entering the big world? Do we need Q flags and should we be entering a port where we can fill out customs forms etc?

[Channel Ribs]

[QUOTE=Erin;345366]What's the protocol when entering the big world?/QUOTE]

I have always just radiod in a safe arrival to the appropriate coastguard, the most complex it has ever been was one occasion when I was asked if the boat was CG66 registered (it was).

It is nice to see your central reservation WPT is in the same place as mine.

Edit: The Needles Safe Water Mark is at N50º38.236 W1º38.983, I cant quite see if that is one of your waypoints in the image?

[Erin]

Originally Posted by malthouse

Edit: The Needles Safe Water Mark is at N50º38.236 W1º38.983, I cant quite see if that is one of your waypoints in the image?

Yes it is. Well at least within a cable or so. Dont' want to hit it, you or anyone else that's chosen the exact mark as a waypoint.

[Avocet]

If last year's assembly there for the Alderney crossing is anything to go by the buoy is perfectly safe..... It's the other boats that you need to watch out for!

[Erin]

Just a thought for the local guys..... worth checking your insurance. IIRC mine doesn't cover destinations that far from home, so I'd have to give them a call to get temporary cover. Will check my papers tonight, but I'm pretty sure my policy is Channel Islands and adjacent French coast only.

[sea_quest]

Yea I checked mine the other day and it was channel islands and adjasent french coast they quoted me £40 for the month so I'll wait and see what the weathers looking like as we get closer before I pay them anything.