Hi all & Buying a RIB (yeah, another thread??!!??)

[jhfozzy]

Hi all,

My first post on here and from the look of things, I'm going to ask a very common question.

I've had a look around, but there doesn't seem to be a post that covers my question so, flame suit on, here goes.

I'm seriously looking at buying a RIB, I've been a canoeist for ages and this seems a natural progression, plus it (the mrs) can tow me and some mates to Ramsey sound (the bitches) for a freestyle session.

What I need, is a rundown on what I require (apart from the craft itself) to go out on the sea. Feel free to add to the list. :-)

1) The RIB itself.
2) Trailer to get it to the sea.
3) Insurance. (what size requires this?)
4) Lifesavers.
5) Flares.
6) VHF Ship to shore.
7) Spare fuel??
8) Oars (to wave) bu**er rowing.
9) Basic toolkit.
10) Blankets.

I was thinking around the 5 - 5.5M size for 3 - 4 people + kayaks, is this too small??

Cheers in advance for the replies.

John.

[codprawn]

An engine would be really handy..........

[JSP]

What's your budget?

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by jhfozzy

Hi all,


1) The RIB itself.
2) Trailer to get it to the sea.
3) Insurance. (what size requires this?)
4) Lifesavers.
5) Flares.
6) VHF Ship to shore.
7) Spare fuel??
8) Oars (to wave) bu**er rowing.
9) Basic toolkit.
10) Blankets.

I was thinking around the 5 - 5.5M size for 3 - 4 people + kayaks, is this too small??

Cheers in advance for the replies.

John.

Hi John & welome - sounds like a good idea youve got. I'd day defo at least 5.5 m for you & kit . Buy the rightboat & the trailer will follow automatially - if ones been looked ofter I'd expect the other will have been to , but trailers do get overlooked sometimes.

INsurance - just buy it no matter what you get - its required for nealry all harbours etc & does do what it says insures your boat for all the unforseen situation - as a boater alrady I'm sure you have had some.

You MAY get away with your canoe lifevest , but for high speed stuff get some Auto inflating proper lifejackets.

Flares - costly , but when you need them you wont be thinking that !

VHF - loads of posts on here about handhelds , or if its 5.5 m boat you shoudl get a fixed set on it ( Much more power/ range )

Spare fuel - just know how much you have used & have got left & how much you need to get home & in reserve - anything overthis is spare..... Any spare tanks will 'bounce around' more than you think so personally are wary unless well secured.

I'd forget oars - you wont row anywhere worthwhile & you have flares & radio to tell poeple where you are.

Toolkit -yep - a few small spares are usefull to - I carry a selection of bolts & screws too( you never know ! )

Blankets - good question - no idea - I have never heard of them being carried on leisure boats but happy to be told otherwise

Other worthwhile stuff -An Anchor - definately get one . Hand held GPS - can give you heading etc & lets you tell people where you are ( may be builtinto boat same as VHF )

[JSP]

I'm not disagreeing with your experience blackroady but don't you think manual inflation lifejackets would best if he's in and out of the RIB into a kayak?

[SeaSkills]

I think I'd be inclined to add "training" to your list.

[jhfozzy]

Cheers for the replies chaps, nice warm welcome, that's what I like to see on a forum.

Originally Posted by codprawn

An engine would be really handy..........

Lol, I was thinking bigger was better, but from the forum, see that 90hp is about the max for <6M, how fast will that be?

Originally Posted by Blackroady

Loads of stuff for me to think about

Anchor, lol, yeah.
Hand held GPS, I've got a pocket PC, waterproofed as I use it hiking, it takes OS maps and will take Nautical too + an external antenna.

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

I think I'd be inclined to add "training" to your list.

I've done a bit of sailing (toppers) and had some power boat (Geminis) training whilst adventure training in the Army. Not much in the way of "proper" instruction, more like, jump in and take it for a spin, see how they handle if you need them.

I've read the RN's "rules of the road (sea)", a bit mind numbing, but I know about priorities and nav light recognition, not much use unless you're over 20/50m, but worth knowing what's about and what they're going to do.

[JSP]

I think you'll like a 90 on a 5-6m boat.

[Heart-trouble]

hello,

you will also need a torch with batteries, first aid kit, loads of rope, anchor with chain, knife, pump, beer, compass, GPS, passage plan, a footlong italian BMT from subway (no jalepino's), bailer, the paddles for your kayak will be fine (no oars), i'm hungover so i cant think of, oh yeah, a sea anchor, anything else

[jhfozzy]

Originally Posted by JSP

I think you'll like a 90 on a 5-6m boat.

Like as in "wow" or as in "holy crap!!!"