Round Britain in an inflatable! - Page 2

Alan · 30 November 2001, 10:27

thats dodging the question isn't it? Is there a reason why everyone goes round Britain clockwise or are we all just sheep following the first person who did it!

GraemeCooper · 30 November 2001, 10:38

Having just sold my 'pure' inflatable I will not be able to take part in the actual race/challenge. I will however hopefully have my new RIB in the water by then - so if this is going to get serious, and support boats are required for all or part of the trip - count me in!

Alan Priddy · 30 November 2001, 13:54

Got it in one. The main reason is the land magnet and the lack of harbour facilities that were around in the early 90's. There is no reason at all which way round you go, in fact there is a good reason for going eastabout because by the time you get used to the trip the facilities are better.
What ever happens we will be in Donagadee late July for the biggest "rib festival ever"
Got that one hairdresser? we are relying on your suport to make every one look nice for the reception in Scotland and Ireland.

Outline plan.
Friday Isle of Man (get a decent hair do!)
Saturday AM Donagadee NI
Saturday PM Portpatrick Scotland BBQ RNLI
Sunday AM remaining fleet from Donagadee arive Portpatrick
Sunady PM Disperse to explain why you look so ill after a VERY GOOD weekend

Allen · 30 November 2001, 14:15

Yes, yes, yes Alan - got that one, no doubt I will be picking up all the good looking girls .... for the ride to Portpatrick.

I wonder how big 'The Biggest Ribfest Ever' will be this year ?

I am surprised at such an apparently experienced chap such as yourself not appreciating why round Britain trips go clockwise - it is all to do with the added inertial advantage generated by the clockwise rotation of your average propeller.

Alan · 30 November 2001, 14:23

what happens if you have a duoprop / bravo 3 drive!!!

Allen · 30 November 2001, 15:00

As I do have the Bravo 3 job, I can provide the authoritative answer.

I am tempted to say that you still have to go clockwise because you will invariably be in company with boats that just have a single prop, but I will give you the real reason instead.

In the case of the duoprop, you might think that either direction would be equally quick, but this is not the case as the comparative distance between Cape Wrath and Duncansby Head must be measured against the distance between Land's End and Dover when considered in conjunction with the effect of the rotation of the earth.

The longer you can travel with the rotational effect speeding you up, the better. That means travelling the longer W-E leg from east to west, ie Dover to Land's End.

That means even with a bravo 3 you go clockwise

This presupposes that the bravo 3 will hold together long enough

gaelforce · 30 November 2001, 17:28

there is another aspect to the clockwise/anticlockwise debate. the reason clocks go round the way they do is because that is the way the sun appears in the sky. to people unconnected with the natural world this is just historical detail. however THE CIRCUIT THAT BLESSES IS CLOCKWISE. It is the way the fireworshipper's swastika turns and it's Christianized descendant, St. Bridget's cross. Celtic fisherman would not dream of touring against the sun, neither would racers of Galway hookers. In all of Europe, pilgrims pray whilst circling the ancient way of the sun. Tour anticlockwise if you wish to curse the land you encircle. Watch out not to enrage Mainnin the Manx sea god.

Alan Priddy · 01 December 2001, 11:42

Sounds a bit heavy for me, I am going the way that is right for a 10 day forecast, B******Ks to anything else.

toby.budd · 02 December 2001, 10:35

Graeme, will require a support boat so will get in touch if we get this thing off the ground.

Fascinating debate about which way to go around, but have to go with Alan on this one. Look at the five-day forcast and go with that. As we will be making the most of a high pressure, that has an clockwise airflow, should imagine will turn right when we come out of Falmouth.

Re: The Gemini on Naval Ships. I pretty sure that the Gemini, which is still in use on some vessels today is not produced by Gemini S Africa, imported by RIBs UK but is a brand name for another manufacturer.

Toby

Brian · 02 December 2001, 11:43

Isn't the naval Gemini made by Halmatic?

GraemeCooper · 02 December 2001, 11:48

I am not sure who makes the Gemini - I think I recall the actual suppliers changing hands a few times. It is almost certainly not the Gemini of South Africa that produces the RIBs.

Do you have any idea what time of year you would be trying the Round Britain trip - and whether it will be possible in 2002 - or not until 2003?

toby.budd · 09 December 2001, 18:19

I am hopefully going next year. It is all down to funds, raising the cash and getting the time off work! Think the gemini is made by halmatic..

Michael · 10 December 2001, 23:59

Toby,
If you do go ahead with your trip, and you also take Alan P's advice and decide to go left or right from Falmouth depending on the forecast, do be sure to let your support teams around the country know which way you're heading - otherwise some of them may have to hang around for up to a week or more waiting for you to turn up!

Mike

Brian · 12 December 2001, 16:42

Toby
Assuming "perfect" weather conditions, what average speed do you think your inflatable will make? Also what do you think it's safe range would be?

toby.budd · 15 December 2001, 18:03

In calm conditions, should hope to make 25-30 knots,poss more, less, obviously in the rough. Calculate a range of 200 miles + 20% reserve.

The underwater profile gives suprisingly good seakeeping. Granted in the rough stuff it is not quite as smooth as a deep V RIB but in moderate conditions, it can more than hold its own.

I have just got back after delivering a 35 foot beneteau from Glasgow to Falmouth. We had strong, cold easterlies all the way. The Bristol channel and lands end was particularly narley, (Snaping the forestay and almost loosing the mast) but I could invasage the inflatable making a good 10-15 knots in such bad conditions. (F7, w against t).

I will be sure to let people no which way we go round!

Still undicided about the engine....

Toby

GraemeCooper · 19 December 2001, 13:54

Hi Toby

Been a few days now - you given any thoughts to the engine?

I guess price will be a factor, as will weight - do you have a short list?

toby.budd · 20 December 2001, 13:16

The main choice is a 40/50 HP 4 stroke or the Tohatsu 50 Low preasure injection. I do not know how the weight compares, but I imagine it will be similar.

Team Aldis had the Tohatsu 50 for RB4, and apart from problems with the mounting bolts, reported good fuel consumption and performance.

If go 4 stroke will probably go the Yamaha route, probably the 50.

Toby

Nadia Lehmann · 27 January 2002, 00:53

All sounds v interesting. Keep me posted, let me know if you need crew / support team.

Nadia

GraemeCooper · 27 January 2002, 15:46

Any more happened with this - any potential dates yet?

Nadia Lehmann · 27 January 2002, 23:00

Toby, where have you gone.....?

Yeah, what happening on this one? Keep me "posted". Get it..."posted"? Never mind.