I have to agree with the life raft. For me, it would be a no no without a life raft.
I'd also suggest you don't do it too early in the year, so that the water had got a little heat back into it.
You mentioned the weather, but the one thing you didn't mention was cloud base. Don't be tempted to do this without a good cloud base. I don't know what the trip from Barton to IOM would be like, but I can tell you that at 2000ft from Dublin to Liverpool, you will be out of radio contact for a while. So obviously the higher the better.
Also, you might consider it overkill, but I think it's a good idea to have a responsible person that you will call when you've landed, and that if they haven't heard from you by a certain time, they will take follow up action. I really don't like the idea of having to ditch, when out of radio contact, and no one waiting on you! Who knows when the search would begin!
You might also consider a VFR flight plan. It too might help a S&R if required.
Hope you find some of that helpful!
dp
Last edited by dublinpilot; 25th December 2004 at 19:59.