Hello from Kent!

Rapid Response · 18 April 2017, 14:42

Hi everyone.

I am new to this site and new to Rib ownership. I have just joined two friends in buying a Rib between us just for some summer fun, nothing more serious than that!

I'm an Intermediate Power boater, 10 years experience (Ian) with an aim to go Advanced and Instructor once I get some recent hours under my belt!

The RIB we have just bought is a little unknown to us... Its plated Lifeboat Equipment Limited, its a 4.9m Rib, looks like a nice deep V hull and fitted with what appears to be a refurbished Mercury 60hp 2 stroke that has only been in the water twice since 2014.

Boats in great condition other than that, considering its apparent age.

If anyone has any knowledge of these Lifeguard Equipment Ltd Ribs, please do get in touch.... there is not much about them on the net...??

The Black Pig · 18 April 2017, 17:38

Hello

Andre · 18 April 2017, 19:07

Lifeguard made soft inflatables SOLAS approved. I know as I bought many in the early 90s Lifeguard did not make ribs. I did hear however that they included a European made rib into their range but not for long. Please post a photo as that will for sure help.

welcome to RibNet

Rapid Response · 18 April 2017, 20:22

Pictures now attached.

I ideally need to know where to find the Hull number for the insurance company but any information about these boats would be great..

cheers folks

horacebat · 19 April 2017, 11:28

Hello Rapid Response, nice to meet a fellow Kent boater!

Andre · 19 April 2017, 14:06

No sorry cannot help you here. It does not look like the rib I had in mind

Rapid Response · 19 April 2017, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by horacebat

Hello Rapid Response, nice to meet a fellow Kent boater!

Yep, Hi there.

Good to know there is someone here from Kent... Any tips on where to go, where to launch etc would be great.

Cheers

Ian

Daniel · 21 April 2017, 21:01

Also in kent. Plenty to do in the swale and Medway, or off Ramsgate, Pegwell, river stour

Rapid Response · 26 April 2017, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel

Also in kent. Plenty to do in the swale and Medway, or off Ramsgate, Pegwell, river stour

Daniel, Your inbox is full!

You seem to be experienced in the Kent area. Where is a good place to put the rib in the water and where are some easy places to visit to start learning my way around.

Usually I "play" in the Solent and sometimes venture to Chichester but now having my own Rib and living in Kent, its will be easier to learn the "local haunts", baring in mind that I am only in a 4.9m with 60hp 2 stroke on the back!

Any advice is welcomed.

Cheers

Ian

Daniel · 27 April 2017, 07:59

It's always full because I can't figure out how to empty it from this app.

I've been here a long time and we used to log in from a PC... Now I sound old !

Herne bay is a good launch. You can wizz to southend, queenborgh, Chatham or even just Whistable and the swale. Just watch the depths other than that's your boat is more than up to all of that !

Daniel · 27 April 2017, 08:01

Queenbourgh has an all states "all tide" landing stage and you can stop for lunch in one of a few pubs. They sell tokens to get back to the boat in the cornor shop & sometimes the pub.

Daniel · 27 April 2017, 08:05

Chatham is a fair hike from Herne bay, but also easily achievable and they sell petrol. Oh and there's a pub. It's a 10 min walk from the moorings.

You'll have to lock in, you just call them up on the VHF and say can you lock in for fuel please.

As with the swale you'll want a chart, or a plotter if you don't know the river. A sounder less important here but keeping to the correct channel essential.

Rapid Response · 27 April 2017, 09:42

Daniel,

Thank you. Your advice and ideas really are helpful. The Rib is small but well equipped with VHF/Plotter/GPS/Sounder and compass so navigation etc is no issue.

It was just that not knowing the area, its tricky to plan for things as you have mentioned.. PUB fuel PUB back home to the wife... have a row about being out all with ya mates day PUB etc.... Man after my own heart.. you have your priorities just right my friend!

Look forward to meeting you around one of these days.... Cheers

Ian

Cliff B · 27 April 2017, 10:09

Hello and welcome.

John Kennett · 27 April 2017, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid Response

I ideally need to know where to find the Hull number for the insurance company but any information about these boats would be great..

The company still exists but is now part of Survitec.

This guy might know about it as he's been with them a long time, so you could try contacting him via LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-oliver-61249778/

The boat looks very similar to the 5m RIBs that Tornado built for the Navy around the 1980s. It's possibly that Lifeguard may have had a tie in with them at the time. There are a load of pictures of one in this advert that you could compare with:

Tornado 5M RIB for sale, 5.00m (16'5"), 1991 | Boatshed Wales

Rapid Response · 27 April 2017, 10:44

John, That looks a very promising lead and you are correct, my Rib does very closely resemble a Tornado Rib.

Thank you for the help