RIB drivers. Ignorant or inconsiderate?

[Greenheart]

I'm with you 100% there, John. Very little to be envied or desired about the experience.

I can see they're practical enough tools for rescue and boring-but-important maintenance, etc, but I never understood anybody wanting to own one. Not if they could have had a non-grey, non-inflatable, much more attractive conventional speedboat instead.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

My RIB isn’t grey, and its very useful for snuggling up to a small wooden classic keelboat. Or shopping in Lymington, or lending to people for dinghy week, or picking the kids up from Dan Brown pontoon when they’ve arrived by train. It’s a tool, not a pleasure craft, though, I‘ll admit to enjoying the ride occasionally. Then I have to tank it up, and the pleasure is somewhat mitigated.

 

[Greenheart]

My RIB...very useful for shopping in Lymington, or lending to people for dinghy week, or picking the kids up from Dan Brown pontoon...

? As I said, I can see the sense of them as practical tools.

I've got a couple of grey inflatables myself, very dear to my heart, but nobody is likely to complain about their wake.

 

[ylop]

Having sat through a 40 min RIB trip each way from Jersey to Sark this year, I am at something of a loss to see why anyone should want to do this for pleasure, even though RIBs obviously make good work boats.

The world would be a very dull place if we all liked the same things. Some people enjoy them the way others like driving fast cars. Some people enjoy them the way others enjoy driving 4x4s in tricky terrain. Some people enjoy them as a way to get from A to B easily - say to visit a quiet in accessible beach, or pub. Some people enjoy the ability to plan a passage without worrying much about tide or wind direction. Some people enjoy them because they think the look “good”. Some people enjoy them because they make a stable platform for fishing, diving or retrieving water skiers from. Some people enjoy them because they can get close to other boats or pontoons without worrying about fenders. Some people like them because no matter how hard they try they won’t sink. Some people like them because they are relatively simple to use - so simple learning curve at least for the basics. Some people like them because you can put on a trailer and take home with you.
Nobody is asking you to enjoy them. Accept that not everyone views life through your eyes and you will find it easier to understand diversity is good.

 

[Daedelus]

Perhaps this would be useful? The Ultimate PWC Repellent (thebeachcats.com)

 

[johnalison]

The world would be a very dull place if we all liked the same things. Some people enjoy them the way others like driving fast cars. Some people enjoy them the way others enjoy driving 4x4s in tricky terrain. Some people enjoy them as a way to get from A to B easily - say to visit a quiet in accessible beach, or pub. Some people enjoy the ability to plan a passage without worrying much about tide or wind direction. Some people enjoy them because they think the look “good”. Some people enjoy them because they make a stable platform for fishing, diving or retrieving water skiers from. Some people enjoy them because they can get close to other boats or pontoons without worrying about fenders. Some people like them because no matter how hard they try they won’t sink. Some people like them because they are relatively simple to use - so simple learning curve at least for the basics. Some people like them because you can put on a trailer and take home with you.
Nobody is asking you to enjoy them. Accept that not everyone views life through your eyes and you will find it easier to understand diversity is good.

I think it more likely that they simply like going fast.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

When I did my Powerboat Level Two Course I enjoyed doing all sorts of manoeuvres in a tiller-steered RIB, but the high-speed passage from Malahide to Howth and back in a console-steered one was OK while driving, but as a passenger, excruciating.

 

[Cloona]

The world would be a very dull place if we all liked the same things. Some people enjoy them the way others like driving fast cars. Some people enjoy them the way others enjoy driving 4x4s in tricky terrain. Some people enjoy them as a way to get from A to B easily - say to visit a quiet in accessible beach, or pub. Some people enjoy the ability to plan a passage without worrying much about tide or wind direction. Some people enjoy them because they think the look “good”. Some people enjoy them because they make a stable platform for fishing, diving or retrieving water skiers from. Some people enjoy them because they can get close to other boats or pontoons without worrying about fenders. Some people like them because no matter how hard they try they won’t sink. Some people like them because they are relatively simple to use - so simple learning curve at least for the basics. Some people like them because you can put on a trailer and take home with you.
Nobody is asking you to enjoy them. Accept that not everyone views life through your eyes and you will find it easier to understand diversity is good.

the thing is a lot of them are a serious danger to other people ...

I really don't mind the noise or the wake or the screaming - or I like to see people enjoying themselves ... I like the water when it is being a busy and happy place ..

It just wretched fatalities that upset me (and so far this year does not seem to bad)

 

[Capt Popeye]

Having sat through a 40 min RIB trip each way from Jersey to Sark this year, I am at something of a loss to see why anyone should want to do this for pleasure, even though RIBs obviously make good work boats.

Yes quite agree with you (this time {#)

Been doing the RIB Safety Boat duties quite a bit in last few years , never really enjoyed the Rib experience , its NOT really like a boating experience at all to me ; its most uncomfatable , if not in the Helm seat , certainly not a relaxing experience , rather like holding on and grinning at the discomfort ;

They are not faster than a speedboat , certainly not as comfortable , certainly not a safe , yea , nothing really to say in their favour ; really classified as a Pump Up Jet Ski that takes more passengers

Their is (or was) a RIB River trip on the Deben , it has a FB and Utube Video of the journey , I found it most boring , travelling at speed through a most lovely stretch of River that one can find , its not for me ; I much prefer to go Boating along the Deben , thats real boating , where the craft reacts to each wave and gust of wind , not just blasts its way through them

URG n URG

 

[Praxinoscope]

Like Capt Popeye, I do occasionally do the Safety Boat stint in a RIB ( I do have a n RYA Safety Boat Cert’) and tend to agree that I don’t think there is a lot to commend them as a leisure boat, they do make good safety boats and obviously useful as work boats in some circumstances, but for pleasure? I think not.

 

[rotrax]

We’ve been 8 weeks in S Ireland and tbh someone soon is going to be killed by a RIB. As they roar in an anchorage or moorings by they’re quite surprised if you shout at them !! Many people in the water swimming, paddle boarding etc nearby.

We find the same in the North. The fast heavily manned one this morning disturbing the tranquility of Ballyholm Bay was the NI Police training boat on a course though!

Last evening, lots of paddleboarders and kyakers in the bay and a bloke from nearby Bangor Marina towed a young girl about a dozen times through the midst of them, including between us on the hook and a nearby Norwegian visitor. He, I thought, dropped his hook a bit close, about one and a half boat lengths from us when he settled.
The Bowrider towing the wakeboard bisected our space about ten times. Glaring at him produced a friendly wave..............................................

Like the poor, Pratts in boats will always be with us!

PS - The Police rib has just done the same at 30 knots!

 

[mm42]

They are not faster than a speedboat , certainly not as comfortable , certainly not a safe , yea , nothing really to say in their favour ; really classified as a Pump Up Jet Ski that takes more passengers

If you believe those are true you’re driving the wrong RHIB. Yacht club safety boats are rarely the height of sophistication so it might be that’s all you’ve tried.

 

[Ribtecer]

They are very popular for something so unenjoyable.

I agree with everything said about safety and being sensible, but the water is about shared space.

Going near paddle boarders in wake producing boats is ridiculous. But going near wake producing boats while on a paddle board is also silly, it happens and then the boarders scream like hell.

Non of us have devine rights to be out there.

 

[mm42]

People are confusing the issue, it’s not the type of boat, it’s the helm.

I see many knobs on the water, on yachts, on RHIBs, on PWC, on motor yachts, on fishing boats.

As a professional mariner quite a lot of what I see is poor driving, lack of adherence to the colregs, a lack of common sense, a lack of courtesy etc. It is however not restricted to one type of boater.

As yachties you’re biased against one type of vessel that you happen to not like, to see how this works in the opposite direction go on a commercial forum and ask how professionals view yachts and I guarantee it’ll be an eye opener.

 

[Greenheart]

Yacht club safety boats are rarely the height of sophistication so it might be that’s all you’ve tried.

That's a fair point. The club RIBs I've driven and been driven in, were small, old and pretty basic, though not slow. I daresay fans would call them fun, but I know I would have preferred a ride in any Boston Whaler or Fletcher.

Going near paddle boarders in wake producing boats is ridiculous. But going near wake producing boats while on a paddle board is also silly, it happens and then the boarders scream like hell. None of us have a divine right to be out there.

That's an excellent point.

I never complain about wakes when sailing my dinghy - I rather look forward to them as entertainment. Outside anchorages, moorings, and places where tight speed limits are set, every boat-user knows what to expect and has little right or reason to whine.

 

[penfold]

Does your harbour / moorings have a speed limit? The problem is often that at the official limit planing powerboats make large wash. Whilst well intentioned it would be better if harbours had “no wash” rather than “5 knots” - that might mean some ribs staying on the plane which will then result in different complaints.

I don't see why there can't be a no-wash requirement and a speed limit; the two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Greenheart]

As yachties you’re biased against one type of vessel that you happen to not like, to see how this works in the opposite direction go on a commercial forum and ask how professionals view yachts and I guarantee it’ll be an eye opener.

I'm sure that's true; but while yachts may resemble slow unpredictable hobbling old folk uncertainly crossing a busy road, RIBs aren't short of speed, nor do they have any directional restriction as a sailing vessel does. Sailing vessels may be a pain, but mainly because they can't help it. Drivers of RIBs who are a pain, clearly just don't care.

 

[capnsensible]

As yachties you’re biased against one type of vessel that you happen to not like, to see how this works in the opposite direction go on a commercial forum and ask how professionals view yachts and I guarantee it’ll be an eye opener.

Don't think so. It's mostly self congratulatory with people saying how wonderful they are.

Bit like pilots.,

 

[penfold]

They are very popular for something so unenjoyable.

I agree with everything said about safety and being sensible, but the water is about shared space.

Going near paddle boarders in wake producing boats is ridiculous. But going near wake producing boats while on a paddle board is also silly, it happens and then the boarders scream like hell.

Non of us have devine rights to be out there.

Going near a wake-producing craft in/on something that proceeds at walking pace? The duty to keep clear remains on the power craft's side, although it's obviously subject to potential foolhardiness on the paddleboarder's part(crossing navigable channels etc)

All of us have rights and responsibilities as clearly and legally delineated in the COLREGs; learn them or risk getting your collar felt.

 

[ylop]

I think it more likely that they simply like going fast.

That was one of, indeed the first of the reasons I gave. Assuming there is one main reason is like saying "why do people like sailing". Do you have some objection to people liking the thrill of going fast? does it apply to racing performance sailing boats? kite surfing? surf kayaking? or is it OK if people enjoy going fast in the same sort of craft as you do? [FWIW the only boat I've ever seen going really fast through moorings and actually collide with a moored yacht was some sort of skiff - 29er?]

the thing is a lot of them are a serious danger to other people ...
I really don't mind the noise or the wake or the screaming - or I like to see people enjoying themselves ... I like the water when it is being a busy and happy place ..
It just wretched fatalities that upset me (and so far this year does not seem to bad)

Given the huge number of people who take part accidents are pretty rare. I'd guess more yachties are harmed driving to their boat than RIB passengers on the water - its just that when it happens its very high profile. Certainly plenty of yachtmen come to grief in far less headline grabbing scenarios just from falling overboard, being hit with booms, slipping getting out of tenders when drunk etc. I've little tolerance for anyone helming boats and putting others at risk; I'm not convinced that stigmatising the boat type is logical - there's loads of perfectly competent and respectable helms - and many who will come to the aid of a sailor who needs a tow/push or even a hand picking up a mooring in bouncy conditions.

As yachties you’re biased against one type of vessel that you happen to not like, to see how this works in the opposite direction go on a commercial forum and ask how professionals view yachts and I guarantee it’ll be an eye opener.

Interestingly pop over to a RIB forum and you'll find relatively little hostility to others... perhaps they make you less judgemental.