How old you have to be

shemy · 20 August 2006, 22:13

hi, i am very very very interested in doing this sprot, however i do not know the age to start, i am 15 and my mate is 16 and we are both interesting in starting can some one advise us and give some information cheers jamie.

Tim M · 20 August 2006, 23:04

Hi Jamie.

You don't have to be any age officially to drive a RIB (or any sort of powerboat for that matter). You can do the RYA powerboat courses from quite an early age (is it 8 or 13, I forget). If your new to RIBing then PB2 (which is like a basic driving lesson/test for boats) is a great course to do.

Matt · 21 August 2006, 10:38

I did my RYA Sportsboat course (predecessor to level 2) when I was 14.

shemy · 21 August 2006, 12:33

hi madmat, ok when you did that what are you doing now, are you racing or not and if you are how often etc. thanks jamie

Matt · 21 August 2006, 12:39

Apologies, should have paid attention to this being in the racing forum.
If you specifically want to race ribs, I'm afraid that will be difficult. Rib racing is pretty dormant at the moment.

However, junior racing is pretty active, have a look here:
http://www.rya.org.uk/AboutRYA/powerboatracing/youth/

shemy · 21 August 2006, 12:51

ye ive seen that but im 15 and you can only do it till your 16 so ill have like a season not even that! lol.

slimtim · 21 August 2006, 14:27

if you can find someone who is over 18, you can race zapcats.

shemy · 21 August 2006, 16:23

how much woulda secod hand zap cat be and other essentials i need like buoyancy aids etc.

Tim M · 21 August 2006, 16:31

About £4k seems to be an average price for a decent boat with engine and bits.

slimtim · 21 August 2006, 16:44

check out the zapcat website.

Brand new race ready zapcat is about 7.5k. Decent second hand you're looking at between 4 and 6k. You then need buoyancy aids at £150 each, helmets, wetsuits, PB2 course at £150 ish, RYA race license at £250 ish i think, entry fees at about £1000, fuel and travel/accomodation for the races! Its not cheap, but zapcats are bloody good fun.

shemy · 21 August 2006, 16:58

wow! i guess that could be shared between the two of you .

Tim M · 21 August 2006, 18:42

The other thing to consider if your 15 is that you can't drive so taking the boat out is going to reply on a kind friend or parent who can drive you to whereever you intend to race it.

shemy · 21 August 2006, 21:00

my dad will take me anywhere lol.