First time out!

wavecrosschris · 23 July 2006, 22:01

Hi all, just thought I'd post this thread to say what a great place Hamble point is to launch a rib, the marina staff were friendly and helpful and the slipway is probably one of the best around - very wide (enough for two boats), with a reasonable slope and a wash-off point at the top - but I'm sure most of you solent-ribsters know this!

The main reason, apart from to say what an awesome time I had on Friday with my new rib! the weather and sea conditions being about as good as they get on the Solent... The only problem I had all day was another person with a larger rib on the slipway at the Hamble.

I have been boating with my family all my life from sailing toppers to fairline squadrons, but this is my first boat that I actually own - I have driven ribs before - as tenders, but never launched one from a trailer so a nice quiet morning at hamble on a nice wide slipway seemed a great way to start.

Having bought the boat from Landsdale marine, Itchenor, the service they gave was friendly and excellent, they gave great advice - they even gave me a test run and showed how to launch and recover the rib using their vehicle.

I have also researched into launching and recovery and how slipways can get busy and frustrating for people waiting to launch if there are people dithering or faffing around on the ramp...so efficency and speed are of the essence! - which was the case with my first launch I am pleased to say! - backed the car down the slipway after getting the boat ready in the yard above, and straight in the water - However! - while we were getting ready in the yard another guy pulled up with a large blue Ribtec (I will keep the rest of his details unknown as I dont want to start an argument)

We then saw he was waiting for us, so got the rib in the water asap. As soon as the rib was afloat my brother inlaw, pulled the car and trailer back up the slipway and into the yard above out the way. (we were launched in litteraly 3 minutes) But I was having problems on the water getting fuel through to the engine (wouldn't start) and for about the first 4-5 minutes was floating above the rightside of the slipway while my dad was in the water holding the boat...meanwhile 'Mister: I've got a bigger one than you!' decided he wasn't waiting nor was he going to use the other side of the slipway (bear in-mind it is wide enough for two) and starts to back his 6m rib and trailer down the slipway towards us... My sister was standing at the side of the ramp at the top - shouts no!! to him, they are right behind you! - so he gets out and yells to us 'can you move over please!' - seeing as he could see the situation with me - trying to move if I could! - and my dad man-handling a 4.5m rib with no power in 4foot of water and tide taking us away, I would have thought the answer was pretty obvious! - we said back: 'sorry, we're having a few problems getting started - will be a minute or two'

...so he gets back in his 4x4 (which, remember, he could back down the other half of the ramp) and continues to reverse down!!! - a stainless prop coming closer to my dad, the rib and myself than I would like! - again my sister shouts at this guy to stop!- his wheels now in the water - and who is clearly annoyed that we have delayed him by 4 minutes (or no time if he had used the other side of the ramp). I then have to jump in the water in a rush with my dad to get us safe and out of his way! - he clearly showed no signs of sympathy for us who where clearly in difficulty! I then drowned my mobile phone getting in the water but within 2minutes had the engine started and motored round to the marina where my dads boat was berthed.

I guess Im having a bit of a rant here, when I should be saying how great the day was - we went to cowes for lunch at 26knots the whole way and back, and it has made me realise what a great thing Ribs are! -but at the end of the day, we all agreed, what a total inconsiderate person this guy was - all he was concerned for was his own time and doing what he wanted.

I just feel such a great first experience was dented slightly by someone who was clearly experience himself (launching a big rib on his own) - and would have once been in my situation for the first time - Once I had the boat started - I appologised for being in his way but he seemed rather more interested in trying to start his own boat then!!!

Poly · 23 July 2006, 22:16

go on - name him... ...we all love a good barney on here!

perhaps the answer is to keep the trailer and car with the boat until the engine is running.

wavecrosschris · 23 July 2006, 22:22

agreed! lol...I think every time I have ever been boating I have learned a new lesson! - keeping the boat with the trailer is a good one! - but would have slowed Mr dark blue range rover and dark blue ribtec with Yamaha F90 down alittle...Oops that was a bit of a description!

Searider · 24 July 2006, 11:17

It's unfortunate but there seems to be a lack of proper consideration for others on slipways these days.

Also frustrating is someone who insists on completely derigging their boat, strapping is down and putting the lighting board on before clearing off the slipway - blocking it for others.

Poly · 24 July 2006, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavecrosschris

agreed! lol...I think every time I have ever been boating I have learned a new lesson! - keeping the boat with the trailer is a good one! - but would have slowed Mr dark blue range rover and dark blue ribtec with Yamaha F90 down alittle...Oops that was a bit of a description!

I wasn't criticising you it was a bit tongue in cheek. That said - I don't think anyone could criticise you for "bad seamanship" if you kept the boat tied to the trailer/winch until the engine is started.

Quote:

Originally Posted by searider

It's unfortunate but there seems to be a lack of proper consideration for others on slipways these days.

Also frustrating is someone who insists on completely derigging their boat, strapping is down and putting the lighting board on before clearing off the slipway - blocking it for others.

I quite agree - although I would rather people took a little care to ensure that the boat and trailer are properly secure before pulling it up. I notice many people don't bother to put breakaway chains or cables on before the pull it up the slip (they fit them at the top). If they haven't hooked the trailer on properly when is it most likely to fail? - when it pulls away, or stops at the top of the slipway, or when the angle of the car trailer changes as the car goes over the "brow" of the slipway!

Ian M · 24 July 2006, 19:10

I would not go as far as bad seamanship, but I do not leave my winch strap attached when launching the boat, despite what is trained by some agencies; I have seen too many injuries from whizzing winch handles (including me!) - I think thay are the most dangerous element of the boat/trailer combo. Yes I know all about spinning props, but on the evidence of those incidents I have witnessed..........
If you want to have the boat attached until the engine is running, why not tie the painter to the trailer?
Tie the boat onto the trailer properly before going up the slip? Mine is stable enough to pull up the slip, held in place by just the winch strap; the time when I do use it, although I do take it carefully

I guess it is that or be shouted at by others for taking too long, and being a delicate sensitive soul..........

eupa · 24 July 2006, 19:21

so efficency and speed are of the essence! - which was the case with my first launch I am pleased to say! - backed the car down the slipway

Sorry friend --you are a bit off the mark. Saftey is the overiding consideration , forget speed, forget efficiency., if the other sod wants to bully you with his bigger rig and 4x4 , tell him to **** off and find another ramp.. Take all the time you want, and ensure the motor is running before you launch;- and if possible , take it off the trailer using full reverse.
You should have appealed to his vanity, and asked him to help you!!!- you might even have become friends.

Best of luck next time

Jonathan

Poly · 24 July 2006, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

I would not go as far as bad seamanship, but I do not leave my winch strap attached when launching the boat, despite what is trained by some agencies; I have seen too many injuries from whizzing winch handles (including me!) -

Good point - if you can't lock the handle in position (and I suppose even if you can then its better to use painter to be sure.

Quote:

I think thay are the most dangerous element of the boat/trailer combo. Yes I know all about spinning props, but on the evidence of those incidents I have witnessed..........

fair comment - everyone "knows" to keep away from the prop - but seems to forget the winch,

Quote:

If you want to have the boat attached until the engine is running, why not tie the painter to the trailer?

quite right - and this is what I actually do (more for convenience as the winch strap is bugger to undo from the bow-eye when on board).

Quote:

Tie the boat onto the trailer properly before going up the slip? Mine is stable enough to pull up the slip, held in place by just the winch strap;

mmm... is that the same winch whose handle "might fly about uncontrollably" with minimal load on it when waiting to start the engine? I don't tie the boat on "properly" with the straps etc - but I do ALWAYS put a clove hitch in the painter - round the winch post on the trailer BEFORE pulling it up the slipway.

Biggles · 24 July 2006, 21:40

Wavecrosschriss.
I'm with you 110 % here. I've waited behind idiots blocking up the slipway for no apparent reason. Usually things they should have done before gettin on the slip. And if I see them struggling I usually ask them if they need help. That normally makes them hurry up.
But If half the slip is free then I use it.
Obviously some give and take needs to be given on both sides but the person you met seems to be have been a complete prat. Unfortunately the boating world seems to breed copious amounts of them. This is just your first taster you will see many more accounts of this.
The best one I have seen is a multi £100000 yacht in Northney Marina being skippered by a bloke shouting at his wife to get ready to land whilst he rams the back of 3 other yachts at high speed and then refusing my help to tie him on.
Its not restricted to Yachts though, I have also been treated like a tramp in my little RIB whilst waiting for larger RIBs to disembark a mooring.
Enjoy the Ribbing in the open seas but when you get to Harbours and slipways beware of the pompous oafs.
And as for EUPA. In the UK we have very few and poorly maintained slipways. We have too many people in this small country and we need to be more efficent with the pitiful facilities we have.
Its an old saying but:

"A bit of Prior Planning and Preperation prevents Piss Poor Performance"

That can aptly be applied on any busy slipway.

Well done wavecrosschris............

wavecrosschris · 25 July 2006, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Well done wavecrosschris............

Thanks! - sounds like slipways can be about as tretchorous as Tesco's carpark on a saturday morning! - nevermind, must remember: I'm doing it for fun!!!

Think Ive managed to attach a pic once we got going here: (slipway event didn't effect smile!)

eupa · 25 July 2006, 23:53

In the UK we have very few and poorly maintained slipways. We have too many people in this small country and we need to be more efficent with the pitiful facilities we have.

Pathetic..... Come to fantastic Nieuwport..

3 public ramps
500 quid a year for 10 meters/ mooring and trailer park included..
Great club house, with a fine selection of beer and women.

In fact , I meet a lot of brits who have got the message..

Jonathan