IOW to Alderney

[IOWRIB]

Have aquired a 6 metre rib and I am interested in taking it over to Alderney and back in a day, have GPS, ship to shore and trained navigator on board for the trip, but I have only ever made the trip under sail in a 35 foot yacht. Do you have any advice for an open booat crossing?

[GJ0KYZ]

My advice would be to take spare fuel, expect to get tired and to be able to cope and always keep in touch with the coast guard. I've taken my boat from Weymouth to Jersey in a F5. Can't say I'd do that again in a hurry.

My latest stuff: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gj0kyz

[Carl]

Originally Posted by IOWRIB

Have aquired a 6 metre rib and I am interested in taking it over to Alderney and back in a day, have GPS, ship to shore and trained navigator on board for the trip, but I have only ever made the trip under sail in a 35 foot yacht. Do you have any advice for an open booat crossing?

go with another boat or 2

[Roy Smith]

Originally Posted by Carl

go with another boat or 2

I agree pair up
a single engine boat on its own in the busyest shiping lanes in world
Dose not bear thinking of
i have cossed the channel many times and when you see the container ships
the shear size of them you know that they cant see you, at least with a sailing boat you do have the option of wind

[Pete7]

[YOUTUBE]-hg1B7M86U8[/YOUTUBE]

Might be helpful.

Seems a shame just to go for the day, lots of cheap B&Bs on the island, why not go overnight.

Pete

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by IOWRIB

Have aquired a 6 metre rib and I am interested in taking it over to Alderney and back in a day, have GPS, ship to shore and trained navigator on board for the trip, but I have only ever made the trip under sail in a 35 foot yacht. Do you have any advice for an open booat crossing?

Come for the day, a night or even a week!

It is a serious undertaking, but one which is safely done by boats smaller than yours.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by IOWRIB

Have aquired a 6 metre rib and I am interested in taking it over to Alderney and back in a day, have GPS, ship to shore and trained navigator on board for the trip, but I have only ever made the trip under sail in a 35 foot yacht. Do you have any advice for an open booat crossing?

Its a long way for a day trip..you WILL be very tired after the crossing...and then its beer, walking, lots of lovely food..then back home? naah stay the night.

Tony

[Pete7]

This is useful to see the conditions over the other side. Been watching them construct the new pier.

http://www.alderneyquay.info/?page_id=57

Pete

[JSP]

Originally Posted by Pete7

This is useful to see the conditions over the other side. Been watching them construct the new pier.

http://www.alderneyquay.info/?page_id=57

Pete

Anyone else have the music from Benny Hill going on in there head when watching that?

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by JSP

Anyone else have the music from Benny Hill going on in there head when watching that?

It is a shame there is not an audio feed, they do actually play that at certain times of the day.

[JSP]

Originally Posted by malthouse

It is a shame there is not an audio feed, they do actually play that at certain times of the day.

[Erin]

To do that trip, I'd pick my window of weather very carefully. The seas can be pretty uncomfortable around the islands at anything over a f3, especially wind against tide. IMHO it'd be too much for there and back in one day, so I'd suggest you'd be looking for two consecutice days of good weather. Not something we've had much of this year .

I often do Jersey to Alderney (35nm) and that becomes very tiring when its a bit lumpy and you're not only trying to dodge the waves, but also the pot markers and any other boats that may be about.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Erin

I often do Jersey to Alderney (35nm) and that becomes very tiring when its a bit lumpy and you're not only trying to dodge the waves, but also the pot markers and any other boats that may be about.

There is some nice weather coming up this week

The worst run to Jersey I have had to date was 4 hours, as you say a F4 is enough to complicate things in the local waters.

[Avocet]

Hi IoWRib and welcome to Ribnet.

I have twice done Poole - Alderney and back in a day in a 7.5m rib. Each time took about three hours each way at cruising speed but this was because the weather windows were good and enabled lunch in the sunshine on the terrace at the Braye Beach Hotel each time.

I suggest that you set off early (at first light, the sea tends to be flatter and it will give you more time on the island - but watch for fog at this time of year: morning mist should burn off; fog may hang around).

Also, as said above, go in company and make sure the comms on all boats are working. Try posting on the Upcoming Cruises section here on Ribnet

Sharing the helming keeps interst alive and makes it less tiring for all.

Take spare fuel and bear in mind that there is no quayside petrol in Alderney: it has to be carried in cans from the garage up the hill from the harbour (or buy Malthouse a beer or two and he might run the cans up and back in his car!). Refuel when you get there, even if you don't need it.

File a passage plan with the coastguard with an ETA. They won't do anything if you don't arrive but if you do need to put a call in, they will already have your details. Remember to let them know when you arrive.

I've also done the overnight run which gives a chance for lunch and evening meal on the island. Can highly recommend the Harbour Lights Hotel (cheaper than the Braye Beach and only a short walk further and has draught beer!).

Good luck. David

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Avocet

buy Malthouse a beer or two and he might run the cans up and back

[SJHooper]

Hi IOWRIB

when are you thinking of going if its overnight or 2 days then I will come along depending on dates. Im sure a few members would be up for taking their ribs.

Its something I want to do