RIB drivers. Ignorant or inconsiderate?

Frogmogman

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Not all of us have dogs. Any suggestions for ammunition for us dogless people?
We once made a jellyfish catapult out of a funnel and some rubber tubing wrapped around the winches when we were kedged and bored (and surrounded by the little buggers) during a race once.
 

Frogmogman

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We once made a jellyfish catapult out of a funnel and some rubber tubing wrapped around the winches when we were kedged and bored (and surrounded by the little buggers) during a race once.
Sadly it had nothing like the range required to hit our nearest competitor
 

KevinV

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So it turns out that a slightly whingy thread on here can bear fruit in the real world...
I read the MAIB reports linked by @Cloona and that article posted by @Spirit (of Glenans) and they made quite an impression, especially the poor girl who effectively killed her own grandmother with a PWC.
With the above fresh in my mind, I observed PWC's zooming up and down the beach north of Barmouth today, getting far too close to the many swimmers (I was on the beach, instead of at home painting the boat. but we'll skirt over that). Later in the day I saw a Coast Guard truck and waved them down, had a chat with them armed with some actual knowledge and a bit of maths. The upshot? They are contacting those supervising the local launching sites to make sure they remind users to stay further out, and have asked the lifeboat crew to keep an eye out. PWCs have to be registered to launch here, so they are traceable.
How much it will help? No idea, but better to light a candle than curse the dark
 
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burgundyben

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Nobody bought a powerboat expecting good fuel consumption. In fact some seem quite proud of their dinosaur-burning credentials, and being able to burn £100/hr is just a sign of your affluence! (FWIW I'm not convinced that there's actually that big a difference in typical leisure use running costs. When did a RIB need standing rigging replaced? plenty of other costs like running rigging, lift outs, antifouling, that soon add up). There would be if a RIB spent as long travelling as a yacht - but at 30 knots most ribs can spend longer at the destination and less time getting there. For non-sailing spouses and children that may be more attractive, certainly I've noticed plenty of happy families using ribs.

I agree.

My 31ft motorboat cruises at 8 to 9 knots burning 2 gallons an hour.

I dont have to replace or maintain spars, sails, standing rigging, running rigging, furling gear, blocks, cars or winches.

Granted I need more engine oil. Filters and belts and impellers and comparable.

Motorboats going fast are expensive, diesel shaft drive plodding hoata are comparable to sailing.
 

DipperToo

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I agree.
I was invited on a friend’s powerful mobo and it was only when I pointed out the effect of his wash on sailing yachts we passed at high speed that he realised. He had owned powerboats for over 20 years and had never looked behind the boat for the results. At the speeds he did, he needed all his attention on what was happening in front.
Yesterday not one rib or powerboat appeared to have looked behind to see the effect of their wash on anchored boats and paddle boarders. Even powerboats passing by barely 25 yards away in open sea space seem aware. I think it is ignorance in many cases but how to politely let them know?
 
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