Daft RIB Questions

[britemp]

As my move to Cowes grows nearer by the day I am considering buying a RIB for playtimes around my new bit of the solent until I can buy a bigger boat next year when funds become available.

Some daft questions spring to mind:

1. What is the point of a RIB? I mean, why half rigid hull, half blow-up bits? What are the advantages apart from not needing fenders?

2. Are they a small sportsboat or an oversized PWC?

3. How do they handle when it's a bit choppy?

Also can anyone suggest some I should consider - maybe around 15' long, decent comfort and reasonable performance but not necessarily a rocket ship. Suitable perhaps for 4 people with room to spare.

All help appreciated! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif


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[Tekkie]

May be better posting the qustion here http://www.rib.net/forum/

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[Talbot]

The advantage that they provide is a fast boat, with good poor weather performance at a relatively cheap cost. Inflatable hulls also provide superb fendering for those whose helming capabilities lack "polish"

Naturally some designs are better than others at different areas. Those designed for diving normally have a flatter profile aft, thus tubes are actually in the water when boat a rest - great for stability, but not so good in bad weather. Some are designed for speed alone, but then discover that poor weather capability has been sacrificed.

the design of the Atlantic 21' RIB for poor weather capability has revolutionised the ability to use small boats in bad weather at speed, although hitting a 4' wave at 55kts in an atlantic is still not a good plan /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[AJW]

Errm, Dunno where to start really but:

For - Massive seaworthiness from tubes, soft ride, good power to weight ratio, proper jockey seats (not horrible bucket seats that jar your spine), built in fendering, roughty toughty image!

Against - More expensive than equivalent sportsboat, no weather protection (or not much), good ones can be hard to find, Not everybody wants to pretend they are in the RNLI/Navy SEALS!

Main thing for me is that you can do far more in comfort and safety in a RIB than the equivalent hardboat. I've been round Britain in one (admittedly a 9.5m one, but as support boat to 7 x <5m RIB's!), Cross channel, Outer hebrides, Across the Irish sea etc etc.

BTW, Why Rigid bit and not fully inflatable - try a flat floor inflatable at speed in a chop and then a rib with Deep V hull and you'll understand!

RIB's come in all shapes and sizes from tenders to 10m+ cabin jobbies. For the ultimate go look at Scorpion in Lymington. For your reqts 15ft probably too small - suggest you look at something like Ribcraft 585, Avon 5.6, Solent RIBs 6m, Parker 630 etc etc.

HTH,
Alan

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[Philthediver]

I luv my rib.

I dive off it, run around in it for pleasure, scare the life of my mates who think they're hard because they have a small hardboat with a big motor, get my passengers soaked, loads of stuff. I'm going to water ski off it when I have time to learn.

Most of all, it's fun, but you still have to be safe! They are stable but don't let them lull you into a false sense of stability. Pop a tube & it still floats but you need it fixed now. They usually have a good vee so are stable but you can't compromise on your water knowledge or the reaper will find you.

However - and it's a big one - wives hate them. For what they cost, you can buy lots of housey stuff (or a small house in some places). Ribs take you off at weekends and you spend even more money apre burn off. Then you can learn to hate them, as, when you're out enjoying your fifteen grands worth of tango tubes, she's off with the credit card in Selfridges. Then you fall back in love with old orange tan and she says you should get rid of it as it just takes up too much time & money. But, fight against this and you can win. I did. She still hates it, but fanta fenders is tolerated.

Get one - they're fun if you have a few quid spare.

philthediver

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