Conwy to Corfu

[GED]

Im intrested in taking my 5mt or 8mt Aircraft R.I.B to Corfu by road/ferry
has any one done this journey?
Would the 8mt be to much hassel because of the length
Is the 5mt an easy option, as I would still be driving the same distance

[Steve_B]

Both are possible, as long as you have the right tow vehicle and the time.

What I would make you very aware of, is the threat of attack in and near large city's on vehicles towing boats with British plates. The most common of these is firing a large stone at your car and trying to flag you down, as though some form of collision has occured. If you pull over a car full of large "gentlemen" emerge from the car and help themselves to your trailer.

The answer is not to stop under any circumstances and for someone to sleep in boat.

Sorry if this is not what you want to hear and indeed it may never happen, but you need to go be aware of the threat.

I think there was a report of this in Rib International a while back, I think it was in Spain??

[fred bolton]

Can't Manos sort you out with a discounted hire?

How legal is it to tow an 8meter rib in the countries that you will be travelling through?

I'm sure you will have a great time whichever rib you take

[GED]

Originally Posted by fred bolton

Can't Manos sort you out with a discounted hire?

How legal is it to tow an 8meter rib in the countries that you will be travelling through?

I'm sure you will have a great time whichever rib you take

Dont need to hire of manos, I already have a 5mt hard boat over there ,just fancy taking a rib

dont know how legal it is to tow 8mt thats why I ask.

Just need some sun this year as the rain pissed me of last year

[GED]

Originally Posted by 250kts

Both are possible, as long as you have the right tow vehicle and the time.

What I would make you very aware of, is the threat of attack in and near large city's on vehicles towing boats with British plates. The most common of these is firing a large stone at your car and trying to flag you down, as though some form of collision has occured. If you pull over a car full of large "gentlemen" emerge from the car and help themselves to your trailer.

The answer is not to stop under any circumstances and for someone to sleep in boat.

Sorry if this is not what you want to hear and indeed it may never happen, but you need to go be aware of the threat.

I think there was a report of this in Rib International a while back, I think it was in Spain??

The tow bus would be a 3.5lt nissan loads of grunt plenty of fuel..

Thanks for the warning having spent most of my life working in dodgy countrys Im a bit more street wise than most.....that doesnt say it wont happen

[JSP]

Can't help with info for your trip Ged. But it sounds a great way to have a holiday

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by GED

having spent most of my life working in dodgy livverpewl Im a bit more street wise than most....

fixt dat forr yew arr ayy wakk

gaRf

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by 250kts

Both are possible, as long as you have the right tow vehicle and the time.

What I would make you very aware of, is the threat of attack in and near large city's on vehicles towing boats with British plates. The most common of these is firing a large stone at your car and trying to flag you down, as though some form of collision has occured. If you pull over a car full of large "gentlemen" emerge from the car and help themselves to your trailer.

Is this Corfu via Beirut and Somalia?

[Mollers]

Presumably you'll take the Ferry from Brindisi? I did this many years ago whilst on a back-packing trip. France, Italy and possibly Switzerland tend to be bandit free.

[markg]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Is this Corfu via Beirut and Somalia?

its not uncommon, my boss and his family including 2 young children were robbed by a gang putting gas through the aircon system of a house that he rented in the south of france, the worry is that the thieving scum will overdo the gas one day and kill everyone inside

[Jeff]

We have done the road trip (to Paxos) 3 years in succession now – towing a 6m Rib (7.5m o/a trailer). From Chesterfield to Ancona its 1200 miles and the worst part of the journey is getting to the tunnel . We use the tunnel for the flexibility ( c 3 trains per hour, subject to space you can get on an earlier shuttle if you arrive before planned – and a later one if you are delayed) and a 30 min crossing is great. The first 2 years we went via Reims, Strasbourg, Basel, Ancona, Igoumenitsa but last year (and this) tried a route to via Dijon and into Italy through the Mont Blanc tunnel
Towing through Switzerland becomes tedious with their rigorous focus on speed limits and surprisingly we found the route through the Mont Blanc more scenic and impressive but the tolls more. (the fee through the tunnel makes up most of the difference)
We used Minoan Ferries for the first 2 trips and Anek last (and booked for this year)
The local ferries run from Igoumenitsa to Paxos and Corfu but I recollect one of the Minoan routes is direct to Corfu.
Via France/Switzerland /St Gotthard/Italy (2008 prices and exchange rates)
Ferries ; £1300
Tolls : £180
Fuel: £630
Via France Dijon/Mont Blanc/Italy ( 2009 )
Ferries ; £1180
Tolls : £350 ( inc charge for tunnel)
Fuel: £560
Bear in mind with these costs that it is quite expensive for a 7.5m trailer on ferries, we are using the auto routes and towing at an average of 20mpg (at a good speed though) It is easily possible to find cheaper routes especially if a solo car >>> I think the Belgium route does reduce tolls significantly.
We leave home after work on a Thursday and stay overnight in Dartford (200miles), Friday in Dijon (400 miles), Saturday in Reggio Emilia (400 miles) which then is only a short 200 mile hop for the Sunday afternoon ferry rom Ancona. You wake up in Greece at around 9 am on the Monday - local ferry to Corfu is around 2 hrs (they don't do 30 knts like the main ferry !!)
Use e mail and Google earth to check parking facilities at Hotels !
I only discovered the Tesco vouchers for Chunnel after I had booked last year !! - and I have just sent off for my £240 worth for this year. Anek currently have a 50% early booking discount

Jeff

[GED]

Jeff your an absolute star.........do you know the maximum trailer size on the ferrys ?

[Idrian]

You should also keep in mind the maximum width that a Rib on a trailer is allowed to have. Here in Germany the maximum is 2.55 meters.
I think this will be more or less the same in France, Swiss and Italy.

[willk]

There was a bloke on here a while back who towed a rib from the UK to Germany, I think. He slept in the RIB and had his car boot cleaned out by Euro-pikeys. Frankly, I never leave my RIB out of my sight while travelling, 10 seconds with a Stanley knife and she'd be toast...

And I've had stuff (killcord) pinched while I WAS watching her

[willk]

Originally Posted by Idrian

You should also keep in mind the maximum width that a Rib on a trailer is allowed to have. Here in Germany the maximum is 2.55 meters.

The joy of a Deflatable boat! Bound to shave 500mm off her beam

[Jeff]

Hi Ged
Realistically there isn't a limit because all the ferries ( inc local Greek ones) carry commercial vehicles as well ( in fact with a trailer or caravan you are mixed in with the trucks)
On Anek the break is over 8.1m and for Minoan it is over 8m when you kick into the higher rate. Don't forget the length is from hitch to the end of the outboard.
On the tunnel no issues either.

Anek is here ( 50% off )
http://web.anek.gr/portal/page/portal/ANEK_prod

Minoan is here :
http://www.minoan.gr/index.asp?a_id=226

Minoan do 30% off return leg , 10% early booking discount

We had great fun planning thetrip the first year and make the journey part of the holiday .... even if we are on autoroutes. Easy driving with no hassles. All the toll booths accept credit cards which is quicker and easier than cash.
Pm me if you want any more info - Tom Tom is great for getting you easily and safely from point to point and I do use Google Earth to zoom into hotels we are staying at and port check-ins, to get lat long positions which works brill.

From Paxos we have run over to Sivota and Parga and are probably hitting Ammoudia one day this time9 and maybe Lefkas) Otherwise just crusing around the island and dropping in for a dive wherever we feel like is great.

When are you thinking of going ... and which part of Corfu ?

jeff

[Steve_B]

Originally Posted by GED

The tow bus would be a 3.5lt nissan loads of grunt plenty of fuel..

Thanks for the warning having spent most of my life working in dodgy countrys Im a bit more street wise than most.....that doesnt say it wont happen

Hi Ged

Sorry did not mean to insult your experience. 3.5lt nissan should see them off if you point it at them!

Steve

[simmons0]

I'll look out for you both this summer!

I've spent the last 2 summers and going back this summer to skipper yachts for Neilson.
Done a summer in Nidri cruising the south ionion and a summer based in Sivota cruising Paxos and Corfu. Both are beautiful areas and i'm coming back to the North Ionion this summer.

Got to recommend to both of you that you don't worry too much for Lefkas but head straight through the canal to Spartahori on Meganissi, Keoni on Ithica and Fiskardo on Kefalonia.

I have always wished I had our rib out there with me

Harry

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

He slept in the RIB and had his car boot cleaned out by Euro-pikeys.

You wouldn't believe that a '94 Tranny running on red would make it that far.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Mollers

You wouldn't believe that a '94 Tranny running on red would make it that far.

I'd have thought, Mollers, that a man of the world such as yourself would have known that those Dutch Trannys go the extra mile.