Crew Wanted: Skipper needed Brittany to Holland for Sept 2022

[DannyLaChance]

Experienced sailor, skipper, pilot, yachtmaster... needed to help me sail my boat from St. Brieuc to Amsterdam in September 2022, date not yet fixed. The boat is a steel 35ft yawl (very similar to H. Pidgeon's 'Islander'). I have sailed before in the South, but it is my first time in the Channel, so, basically, I will crew and you will sail the boat. I do not insist on advanced RYA diplomas, as long as you have exact knowledge of the waters involved, tides, currents, traffic, etc., and possibly have sailed Brittany to Holland already at least once. You may be one, or you may be two. You will be fed and accommodated, but comforts are spartan. To be discussed. A payment inquiry might be considered.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Danny.

[Snore]

Check with Boatman61 He is based on your side of the pond and is very competent.

see https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...le-262403.html

[DannyLaChance]

Thanks for having me here, Gord.

[DannyLaChance]

Snore: ta, will have a look.

[George DuBose]

I am interested in delivering your boat from France to A'dam.

I have been sailing for 63 years, I have a SLC license from NauticEd and have been sailing my Pearson 36 around northern Europe after bringing her over from the US.

Over the past 14 years, I have negotiated the English Channel many times and am familiar with the separation lanes and the regulations regarding passing Massmund/Rotterdam. I have about 30k sea miles so far.

I would like to know what electronics are functioning onboard your vessel.

I would ask that my train costs from Cologne Germany to the boat and the train from A'dam to Cologne be covered.

George S.W. DuBose is SLC Qualified International Captain (near shore 25 nm)

To view details of this qualification go to https://www.nauticed.org/SLC and enter SLC number 63364374 and logbook code skylark13

[DannyLaChance]

Hello, George! Train from and to Kölle is no worries of course. For the moment, no electronics, the new ones shall be installed this July. The aim of the renovation would be to cross the Atlantic (which must ring a bell to you I guess), but life gets in the middle, and I will stay in Holland for a while first.

[Clivevon]

Is there an Autopilot on board? Good idea with just 2 crew on that trip unless you plan to daysail only? Tides will be a major consideration on that trip.

[DannyLaChance]

Clivevon, George, gentlemen, two words about the planned non-human assistance (I say 'planned' since the reconstructions are not done yet). It is very simple, I don't have the money for more anyway:
- electronics :
- a depth sounder,
- a speed/log display,
- a GPS,
- a radio,
- a compass of course.
- autopilot :
- none originally (the mizzen sail helps, though),
- a possible DIY construction (windvane-to-tiller) is being considered.

[Saby]

Hi Danny
Very interesting boat you have there! Can you please share some more info:
- for how long have you owned her?
- where in the South have you sailer her, and how much?
- do you have information about the state of the hull, is she dry?
- what engine and drive is installed, and in what state?
- age or state of the rig and sails?
- are you planning that passage as a series of daysails along the coast?
Thanks in advance,
Saby

[DannyLaChance]

Hello, Saby! Thanks for our kind message!

To your questions:
- owned since 2018;
- never sailed this particular boat yet, just dieselled twice through the wharf. Sailed chartered 'bare' boats singlehand in the Croatian islands and in the Dutch lakes;
- hull is 5mm steel. Entirely stripped, sanded, de-rusted, repainted by pros and myself in 2019. Weak spots re-welded by master welder; no rust since;
- Perama 30M 1996, good state;
- rigging date unknown, good state; all sails 2005, good state; sheets to be replaced;
- planned as a one-go passage, as diligently as possible. Stops can be considered for technical reasons of course, safety, rest etc.

Cheers!

[Saby]

Hi Danny
Thanks for all the infos. I'm not yet sure about my availability in September, but in case it fits time-wise, I might be interested in joining. I don't have extensive local knowledge, but I sailed 12 days & 500nm in Brittany last year (St-Malo to Brest and back), which might be useful.
My initial thoughts about your plans are:
1) the cutter/ketch/gaff rig you have is quite special, most probably nobody on board will have sailed such a boat before. I'd suggest to start slow by doing some shakedown daysails, perhaps to Jersey first, and then on to Cherbourg.
2) I think you need minimum 3 competent people on board, better 4, otherwise proper manning of watches becomes difficult, especially if you plan to sail in dark, which might well be necessary given tidal constraints.
3) a reliable engine in those waters is a must. Your Perkins Perama M30 is a good start, but it is rather old. Please make sure it is serviced thoroughly before departing.
Let's stay in touch,
Saby

[DannyLaChance]

Of course the engine will be serviced, and thoroughly tested in the marina and in the bay, absolutely!
Plérin-Jersey-Cherbourg makes sense, especially if it allows judicious breaks between those tides.
More than two onboard makes sense too, of course! The former owner, a rather petite lady, had sailed the thing by herself, but she knew boat and waters by heart... since I do not know either, all the project will need to happen very, very safely, with as much extra knowledge and help as possible.