Yes mate, I would like to use my boat for the trip, if that's an option, liferaft,...hmmmm not got one of those, do you mean the suitcase type of affair, self inflating, throw overboard item? are they available for hire or is a purchase req'd (something else I had not even considered).

Lunch in France taking my own boat over, sounds excellent!! (Have to be careful SWMBO reads these postings, that's why I dropped down here in ad hoc)
My only request is that you be leader, I follow, and lunch is on me!

Someday my ship will come in, and with my luck I'll be at the airport!!