New here. Questions !

[piotr]

Hi,

After months of google-ing and reading on the forums I have finally bought my first boat: a Bombard 380 Aerotec (2005) with a 15hp Mercury 2-stroke (year mid-nineties).

We (2 adults, 2 kids 6 and 9) want to take the boat to France this summer, Gulf of St. Tropez.

Questions:

- What do we need to carry with us in the boat besides lifevests. Spare-parts, tools, anchor ?
- We want to cruise a long the coast and visit the Isles near Hyeres, is it (in calm weather) ok to take this type of SIB out on the sea for, let's say, 5, 10 km's ?
- We're camping in Cogolin. Cogolin has a port (Marines de Cogolin). The fees are on their website (+/- 55,- euros for a week). That sounds cheap to me. Anyone here who has had his boat in Marines de Cogolin ? How safe is it to leave the boat and the outboard in a port ?

Thanks !

ps: I'm Dutch and English is not my native language but it's better than Van Gaal's English.

[office888]

Originally Posted by piotr

Hi,

After months of google-ing and reading on the forums I have finally bought my first boat: a Bombard 380 Aerotec (2005) with a 15hp Mercury 2-stroke (year mid-nineties).

We (2 adults, 2 kids 6 and 9) want to take the boat to France this summer, Gulf of St. Tropez.

Questions:

- What do we need to carry with us in the boat besides lifevests. Spare-parts, tools, anchor ?
- We want to cruise a long the coast and visit the Isles near Hyeres, is it (in calm weather) ok to take this type of SIB out on the sea for, let's say, 5, 10 km's ?

I would recommend a coast flare kit (aerial, smoke, and handheld flares), oars, navigation lights, and a bailer bucket to supplement your current equipment.

5-10 km is a perfectly typical journey for a boat this size, just be sure you have a minimum 1/3 reserve of fuel, even in cases where you are fighting wind or current.

Wind is a large factor. With a 15 hp and a boat that size with that load, you will want to ensure the weather forecast is for very calm weather.

[piotr]

Another question: the manual of the Mercury 15 MH says: "The use of clamp
handles alone is insufficient to properly and safely secure the
outboard to the transom"

Does this mean I have to drill holes in the transom and use bolts ?

[beerbelly]

I think Holland to the south of France is too far to travel in a sib . on a more serious note I would invest in a vhf radio if your going out to sea and remember hand held vhf only have a short range. I have not used bolts to secure my mercury 15 and have been in some quite choppy water with no problem (doesn't mean that you shouldn't tho)

[piotr]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

I think Holland to the south of France is too far to travel in a sib

We travel by car, taking the sib with us

[two stroke mick]

I would recommend the bolting of the engine to the transom

[office888]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

I think Holland to the south of France is too far to travel in a sib . on a more serious note I would invest in a vhf radio if your going out to sea and remember hand held vhf only have a short range. I have not used bolts to secure my mercury 15 and have been in some quite choppy water with no problem (doesn't mean that you shouldn't tho)

Ooo, good recommendation! I forgot about a VHF. I have a 25w unit on my boat.

The HX850s has built-in GPS. It wouldn't be a bad idea for a small boat.

I would not thru-bolt on a small boat. It is just one more hole to seal and potentially rot from.

The US Military didn't bolt their 30hp IMARs outboards on their FC470s.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by piotr

- What do we need to carry with us in the boat besides lifevests. Spare-parts, tools, anchor ?

Depends on how handy you are and how reliable the motor is, but a basic tool kit (screwdrivers, pliers, crescent wrench, medium vise grips, and electrical and duct tape) often comes in handy (and not necessarily on the boat.)

VHF, as has been mentioned; a small handheld GPS unit is a wise thing to have if caught out in fog or near/after dark (though knowing how to use it and having your starting location in is pretty much required as well.)

Some snacks and water, and warm clothes (preferably dry.)

- We want to cruise a long the coast and visit the Isles near Hyeres, is it (in calm weather) ok to take this type of SIB out on the sea for, let's say, 5, 10 km's ?

Assuming it's calm, I'd say yes. You probably don't want to be out in rough water with the kids, especially offshore.

ps: I'm Dutch and English is not my native language but it's better than Van Gaal's English.

Actually, it's better than a lot of English I see on here.

Have fun;

jky

[The Gurnard]

Hi Piotr



I have not taken a SIB to France ..so I don’t know ..but perhaps you need to check what documentation you should have on the boat. ..if any ?

Having lived in France for a year..I know how official the French like to be..especially if you are not a fluent French speaker. Perhaps you are though ?.. I wasn’t, so seemed to attract their Police as I looked easy meat for traffic fines.. yet they all drove their cars like mad men.

Some documentation..you may want to check is..do you need a licence ? ...example an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) .. Documentation to prove you own the boat and the engine.. Documentation for your insurance .. Documentation and licence to prove you can use the VHF ..etc etc.

I would imagine they will also have a set list of stuff you should carry..and if you are not carrying it and stopped..its fine time again.

A couple of links to get you started..but as mentioned..I don’t know if it applies to you ..or to a SIB with a 15HP outboard.. but you are best looking into it for peace of mind.



Paperwork | Boating Abroad | Information & Advice | RYA



https://www.adventure-sports.co.uk/2...nse-in-france/

[Pikey Dave]

If your boat isn't registered in your home country ( or any other country for that matter), you will be subject to French local law which is quite stringent, especially if you're not French . It's not just about the paperwork for the boat, it's about your personal paperwork. The first thing I would do is register the boat in the Netherlands & comply with the requirements of your home country.


.....sh1t happens.......

[piotr]

I was prepared I have a licence and ICC, Boat is registered.

Thanks for the links and info.

One more thing: i don't have a trailer, i guess its quite easy to launch the boat from a beach but how do you lauch the boat from a quay (?) or boat jetty (?), first attach the outboard ? Or attach the outboard once the boat is in the water ?

[apshutt]

If you have wheels on it or use a dolly then engine on first would be my option.

[weimed]

you will damage your boat trying to move it. Do yourself a favor and buy transom wheels (you will need to drill holes in transom). I recommend you carry extra spark plugs and a plug removal tool along with the other stuff. be very mindful of wind speed 13mph for is is the limit. i do not go out anything past 13mph wind speed. If your worried about your outboard falling off, You can tie a string in the holes after tightening to ensure it will not get lose and fall off

[Poly]

That's a very specific limit you've set yourself! conditions depend on a lot more than wind.

[weimed]

The chop usually gets pretty nasty around my neck of the woods past 13mph. I am no pro nor am i a weather man. Just basing it on past experiences

[Ronaldj]

You should check with the French Coast Guard to see what there regulations are.
Every Coast Guard has a check list of required and suggested items to use while boating.
Try and stay out of the shipping channels if there are any where you are going.
Even if it is not a requirement you will need some type of horn and navigation lights just to be safe.
I always error on the side of caution

A family is not replaceable