The conversation revolves around a group of friends who are attempting to cross the English Channel in a modified Volkswagen van. Jeremy, the first to arrive, has welded the doors of the van more thoroughly to prevent water from entering the cockpit. He has also fitted large drums as stabilizers. Hammond arrives next, having parked a van on top of a boat. The group discusses the challenges they face, including the need for a collapsible mast, a spinnaker, and a keel or centerboard.
The group is attempting to cross the English Channel, but the conditions are not favorable. They decide to try again, but the attempt is unsuccessful. Jeremy, the leader, decides to head back to the harbor, and the others follow suit. The wind drops, and the sea becomes calmer. They try again, this time powered by an outboard engine bought from Jeremy.
They manage to cross the English Channel, but the journey is not without its challenges. They encounter a lot of water, and the van gets stuck in the breakers. However, they manage to get up the boat ramp and land in France. The group celebrates their success, and they discuss the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned.
1. Jeremy was the first to arrive.
2. The original plan was to bolt a large outboard engine to the back of a pickup truck.
3. The plan was to weld up the doors more thoroughly to prevent water from getting into the cockpit.
4. Big drums were fitted as stabilizers.
5. Hammond arrived next.
6. Hammond parked a van on top of a boat.
7. The van was equipped with a flying bridge.
8. The girls were on the flying bridge.
9. Richard was seeing the problem.
10. The sound of the wheel was the issue.
11. The need for a sailing box was discussed.
12. Richard had stuck with the cabin cruiser principle.
13. A propeller was fixed to the Volkswagen's rear-mounted engine.
14. The Highways Department solvent was used.
15. The car was equipped with a blender on the back.
16. There were holes in the car.
17. The holes were filled with fiberglass.
18. The car was the same as before, but with a collapsible mast, a spinnaker, and a keel.
19. The challenge was to drive to Dover and cross the channel to France.
20. The wind had dropped and the sea was much calmer.
21. The outboard was bought from Jeremy for a million pounds.
22. James was the cabin boy.
23. Jeremy's million-pound outboard wasn't exactly gutsy, so in the spirit of the sea, he gunned it and left them behind.
24. The cabin cruiser was filled with water.
25. The reasoning for going back to Dover became clear when they lined up for their fourth attempt.
26. Richard Branson set a record a couple of years ago.
27. The record was forty minutes and six seconds.
28. The average speed was eight knots.
29. The town of Sangat was about to get three more immigrants.
30. The aim was to reach Calais.
31. The boat ramp was the key to success.
32. The breakers were a challenge.
33. James skillfully got a rope around the front bumper and a gap in the waves.
34. The boat was successfully launched.