BIBOA - mmmm hope joining was'nt a mistake

Knot Yet · 28 October 2009, 13:09

Hi All

I've just joined BIBOA - as I think it's good to support organisations representing RIB owners - now my only concern is the website seems really out of date - no new gallery pictures since 2008, no new diary events up for next year - which is only two months away, a forum that seems to have tumbleweed blowing through it and newsletters dated 2005 - although I hope that this is due to members receiving snail mail versions as part of the mebership charge

Anyway for £65 now starting to feel a little nervous - also the RIBs I can see all look rather big and shinny with large HP's - have a horrible feeling I may have just joined a rather elite RIB club - bugger

Reassurance please - or would I have been better off organising my own adventures here on Ribnet for others to join in with and spending my £65 on treating you all to a pint

If there are any BIBOA members at Ribnet - would be great to hear how you are finding it and advance apologies if I have offended in my first impressions

J

HUMBER P4VWL · 28 October 2009, 13:23

Can't say it sounds too promising to be honest with you.

I have found this forum excellent. Many help with any problems/questions and have also organised cruises. There was an Isle of man cruise organised for the TT with great effort from many, including marina launches, hotels, fuelling, two support boats with medics etc. It fell at the last with a force 8 ish over the week end but still about 10 boats went to play around! There had been at least 20 hoping to go. It is undoubtedly getting organised for this coming year.

Another recent cruise was organised down south for the Searider brethren, though others obviously went along to take the Michael out of them!

Another appears to be being organised for Pembrokshire. Check out the threads.

Welcome and don't worry, I'm sure many will welcome you here without the large subscription.....though you may still need to buy a few beers!

HUMBER P4VWL · 28 October 2009, 13:24

Oh yes, it is thee who is involved in the pembrokshire one. DOH

Daniel · 28 October 2009, 13:38

Many BIBOA members are to be found on RIBnet.

Both are very much active and alive in different ways.

Unfortunatly, you are correct, BIBOA is generaly for the bigger boys toys and they prefer paper newsletters... as opposed to techno-RIBnet (which is free) where the small RIBS often seam to meet up for events geared more at the ability of a sub 5m boat.

Don't let the size thing put you off, i joined in some BIOBA stuff in my wee 18ft boat in the late 90's as did others in even smaller boats, Daniel II springs to mind with a 4.7m Tornado at the time i beleive.

They are a friendly enough bunch

Knot Yet · 28 October 2009, 13:44

Paul, Daniel - many thanks

Will keep on with the Pembrokeshire idea - and it's reassuring to hear that BIBOA is very much alive just less techie

J

Bern Hanreck · 28 October 2009, 13:48

you will find that this discussion has been held at least twice before. I'm a RIBnet Supporter and A BIBOA Member , and I think that they are two slightly different things . On all the BIBOA cruises I've been on , I always been made to feel very welcome ( once as crew , but mostly using my own rib ). Next years cruises are always a bit late in getting posted , but if you use this years as a guide , you probably won't be too far out . I strongly recommend the Scottish Cruise for some really magical trips. I'm sure Louise will be along shortly to reassure .
pic 1 Byron Danton Tavern ( Sanda ) - " lonliest Island pub in GB "

pic 2 View from the Old Forge Pub ( Inverie ) " lonliest mainland pub in GB "

The cruises are normally worth going on just for the " vittals " .

Polwart · 28 October 2009, 13:53

KY - there are certainly a number of active members of RIBnet who are involved with BIBOA. Richard B and Louise are two of the most obvious ones - although they spend a bit less time here since acquiring children!

There was a thread about a year ago, which was quite "lively" about the topic of BIBOA. I was probably one of those not particularly enthused for a number of reasons, including the "big shiny boat" phenomenon you have spotted. However I don't think you have wasted £65 - and you seem like the sort of person who is keen to get out there, meet people and get involved so that should ensure that you get something back. You'll be in a better position next year to make a decision on whether you got value for money when its time to renew your subscription. You'll also by then be in a much better position to decide if its the sort of organisation you think could be encouraged to better serve the interests of smaller boaters by rolling up your sleeves and getting invovled... Your also at the right end of the country to get maximum return.

Like all organisations like this it relies heavily on volunteers looking after the website etc - and for all sort of reasons that can fall by the wayside.

Knot Yet · 28 October 2009, 13:59

Should have conducted a search first - but I can see the threads you chaps are referring to - Polwart I think that's sage advice - give it a year and see how it goes.

Very happy to get my hands dirty - as you say it's only as good as the volunteer time put into it

Louise and Richard B - if I can help with the website or us "smaller" members

do let me know

Thanks again

J