The Wolf and the Rarebit......

What a way to travel.

Me (The Bad Man), Revlon, Pointless and Stumley headed of on a big adventure recently to the wilds of Wales on Wolf. The logic was to test the boat, bang it about a bit as we crossed the Irish sea, and when we got there give it to the Rarebit so he can put all the bits that fell off back on.

In reality we joined the great Team of organisers and slightly mad Ribsters who made up the flotilla that was the 2008 Kinsale to Milford Haven Rib Run in support of the RNLI. 17 Boats and crew departed Kinsale on the 24th heading to Dunmore East in Waterford, a course of about 70 miles.

Conditions were forecast to be an Easterly wind blowing at about force 4-6 and with a good swell. The run to Waterford fooled us all. Going was relatively painless (Shockwave Seats) and we made port in about 3 & 1/2 hours. We had 2 boats withdrawn due to mechanical failure and one that had some running repairs but did make it over to Milford Haven.

Wolf lost a Nav Light but to be fair it was mounted on one of those pretty bracket thingies that looks good but didn't last the Sovereigns (20 Mins). Other than that everything worked fine.

Then the fun started. What should have been a reasonable crossing turned into an 8 hour slog. The sea state was so poor that it was a battle just to stay on course and maintain any sort of pace. We finally arrived in MIlford Haven at about 8pm, cold, hungry, but very very pleased with the boat. We had experienced conditions that tested both Crew and Boat and apart from a major soaking Wolf handled everything really well.

More useless stuff we have learned:

1. Wolf is a lot better than we had hoped for.


2. Dry Suits are bugger all good in a dry bag strapped to the Samson post in the bow.


3. Pretty Nav Light and GPS brackets are a waste of time on an A Frame.


4. Smoking at 35 Knots is a waste of time. (Stumley)


5. You Pee a lot in the first hour and a Zip the opens both ways is a must have.


6. Revlon cant sing.


7. Ski Goggles in the cold and wet work brilliantly. Sunglasses are crap.


8. Smoking at 30 Knots doesn't work either. (Stumley)


9. Water gets in to everything and Lidl Wet Pants are not good value even if they were the right colour. (Stumley)


10. Pointless has a point, Radar in a fog is very handy.


11. Shockwave seats Rock.


12. The Rarebits Wife can drink with the boys.


13. The Rarebits Wife can drink like the boys. (Except Revlon for obvious reasons)


14. Bad Mans Wife can drink more than the boys.


15. Pointless's Wife needs to get out more, 4 times indeed. Maybe we should call him Countless instead.


16. Stumley forgot he was one of the boys.


17. Smoking at 25 Knots doesn't work either. (Stumley.....again)


18. Revlon's Wife cant sing either and the Sat Nav is bloody wrong darling...


19. Things go better in a flat calm sea.


20. Things do fall off......


21. Pointless told Stumley smoking was pointless at 20 knots which in itself was pointless.


22. The Shed Restaurant in Porthgain and Morgans in St. Davids are both excellent.


23. The Kinsale Ribsters are totally certifiably mad.


24. Everybody likes Lamb.... sssssshhhkkk.... and a warm Chinati Darling.

To say we had an interesting weekend is an understatement and the topping on the cake was running over the bow wave of a large Ferry at 28 knots in a fog. God bless Radar and AIS.

Thanks to all involved in our adventure on behalf of Wolf and Crew. To all at Quinquari Marine for putting up with us, for drinking with us, for putting the bits back on, and for showing us the wonderful hospitality Wales has to offer.

To Mike Rogers and his Wife at Tubed Ltd for their hot tea, warm welcome and cool graphics. Excellent talented people in Wales.

To the organisers of the Kinsale Rib Run. Well done, brilliant trip and continued success.

And last but obvioulsy not least the WOPS for all their continued support.

A pleasure and some new friends made along the way.

Mac.