Dover --> Calais crossing

Rene · 19 April 2004, 14:35

Hi

I'm starting to plan the last travel arrangements to the Ribnet gathering

in Juni, but I'm getting ripped of by the ferry companies, to bring the boat to the UK. 1.200 UK £ Just for the boat...

How far is it across the english channel from Dover to Calais in miles ?

Can't this be done in about 30 min...

Help apriciated, or if you know of a ferry company, that have a resonable price.

Regards
Rene

Daniel · 19 April 2004, 14:42

I'll come over from dover and escort you back if we can tie our times up. It's 25-30 miles, so a little over 1/2 hour but not that far really.

PS: It's unlikely i'll be going to RIBex by sea, can't really afford more time off at the moment, you need to allow 2 days from Dover really. Could be done in one but it's a distace if the weather is not A1.

Daniel · 19 April 2004, 14:50

Why not try and come over on the 28th (Fri) or 29th (Sat) from dunquerke to Ramsgate (50miles) , then we can go up the Thames as discussed, stay overnight in London and come back on the Sunday to Ramsgate. This will then give you all week to travel down to the Solent. How many people will there be in your boat?

I've just done the run from Southampton (near Cowes, where RIBex is) back to Ramsgate last week so can give you some advise there. You can get petrol at a good price in Eastbourne which is about 1/2 way.

Rene · 19 April 2004, 15:08

Hi Daniel

That's a very kind offer. And I might just take you up on this.

If I'm going to stay in the UK for about 4 days after the Ribnet gathering, do any of you know any place where I could keep the boat safe for 4 days, so my wife and I can go into London. (This is her idea)

Both if I need to keep the boat in the Water, or if I manage to get a decent price from the ferry company. The last time I bought the Osprey from Pete(7), he helped to organize a place around Windsor just outside London where the boat was in a locked boatyard.

I might bring both the new boat and the Osprey (I have a good friend who might wan't to join in, with this boat).

Daniel, you are more than welcome to join us in the my boat. There will only be my wife and I, so plenty of room.

Regards
Rene

Petrov · 19 April 2004, 15:24

Hi Rene;

Call Yvonne at DFDS +4631650844.
You take the car to Gothenburg, 2 1/2 hours drive and than you take the cargo ferry from Gothenburg, they have a lot of destinations in UK and it`s not the money you are talking about.
The cargo ferries takes up to 12 passenegers.
I think it will be the cheapest solution for you.
You are in Denmark so try the cargo ferries Mearsk, they should have destinations from Copenhagen to UK.
Good luck.

Andre · 19 April 2004, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrov

Hi Rene;

Call Yvonne at DFDS +4631650844.
You take the car to Gothenburg, 2 1/2 hours drive and than you take the cargo ferry from Gothenburg, they have a lot of destinations in UK and it`s not the money you are talking about.
The cargo ferries takes up to 12 passenegers.
I think it will be the cheapest solution for you.
You are in Denmark so try the cargo ferries Mearsk, they should have destinations from Copenhagen to UK.
Good luck.

Rene

I contacted DFDS last year when I was thinking of going to Poland with my rib for my summer vacation. Having towed the year before from Poland to the UK (18 hours driving from the Polish border at Szczecin to Zeebrugen) I thought best to take a ferry from Harwich to Cuxhaven . Well I was quoted pounds 1000.00 for a return ticket. The same ferry also travels to Esbjerg which would be the best for you . The Calais - Dover is about pounds 500.00 return for vehicle and boat trailer - the magic question is will it cost you less then GBP 500.00 to drive to Dover . But best go for Zeebrugge leaving at about 10 PM so you could have a cabin and save on the hotel on route.

I cancelled my plans to travel last year to Poland - just too much for a ferry crossing and I was not going to tow across the continent.

Andre

Daniel · 19 April 2004, 17:30

Rene i can arrange safe storage both ashore and afloat for you here in Ramsgate or Margate.

Ramsgate marina is very safe, not too expensive and i have lots of friends who would keep an eye on the boat, aswell as me.

How big is the new boat? You could leave it on my front drive on the trailer or i rent a small barn where i used to keep my boat and a efw cars which you could us.

If you're wife wants to visit London why not go by water and just leave the boat in one of the Marina's in London for a few days while you stay in a hotel near by? From ramsgate to the centre of london takes only a 1/2 day in a RIB in moderate conditions.

Cookee · 19 April 2004, 18:15

We travelled to Norway last year from Harwich to the Hook of Holland - by far the cheapest option although it involved a lot more driving - through Holland, Germany, the full length of Denmark and another ferry (subsidised) to Norway. Can't remember the prices but it was cheaper than the previously quoted ones!

Look forward to meeting everyone in Cowes,

timw · 20 April 2004, 09:20

Rene.

A good place to put your boat when visiting London is South Dock Marina, just east of Tower Bridge.

I've just put my Ribeye in there for a couple of months before I move it down to the South Coast for the Summer. They are helpful and Rib friendly.

www.sdockmarina.co.uk

Rene · 20 April 2004, 09:56

Hi

Thanks for all the nice reply's. For now the plan i to drive to Calais (or in this area), and then sail over to Dover (or something like this), take the boat to Isle of Wright, and then maybe sail back into London, or take Daniel up on his offer and keep the boat afloat in Ramsgate or Margate.
Take the train into London to please the wife, take the train back to the boat sail back to France and then drive home.

The drive will be around 1000 km each way, but it's cheaper than the ferry.

The new boat is 8 meter long and 2.8 meters wide

Thanks
Rene

Jon Brooks · 20 April 2004, 13:18

Rene

If you do decide to stay in Ramsgate or close by let me know.
As it where i live maybe we can meet up for a beer or 3!!!

Regards

Rogue Wave · 20 April 2004, 14:09

Rene

Rullepolse, would get you secure storage at Southampton for your boat, also you are welcome to stay here with us if you need/want to.

Britt is from Denmark so perhaps we can do a deal whereby you take her back with you, ( I can't go much higher than three thousand). I'd be happy to jump aboard the boat from Ramsgate and come down to the Solent with you.

Daniel will probabaly let you stay for half a rollepoly and do the Journey with you twice now that he has seen my offer ( that's a private Joke with Daniel)

You are however very welcome

Rene · 21 April 2004, 09:58

Thanks to all of you, I seems that the boat keeping won't be much of a problem, this was my biggest consern (is the spelling right).

As for taking Britt back to Denmark, we can work this out. you help me with my boat problem, and I help you with yours.....

Don't let Britt see this thread, otherwise you might end up like this.

See you all there
Rene

Rogue Wave · 21 April 2004, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rene

Thanks to all of you, I seems that the boat keeping won't be much of a problem, this was my biggest consern (is the spelling right).

As for taking Britt back to Denmark, we can work this out. you help me with my boat problem, and I help you with yours.....

Don't let Britt see this thread, otherwise you might end up like this.

See you all there
Rene

Me and Britt started off like that!

Sorry I meant Britt an I started off like that!

Daniel · 17 May 2004, 22:53

Rene, any chance of an update concerning you're plans... i'm trying to finalise mine now.

Rene · 18 May 2004, 10:04

Hi Daniel

I have just booked my ferry ticket, will be taking the car across. I will arive in Dover on the 4 June at 10.15

I don't know much about how long time it will take to drive closer to where ever I'm going to launch.

Littlehampton Marina was sugested as a nice place, with a secure parking lot.

What are you planning ?

Rene