Intro - and a Q for anyone in Bristol or nearby

[Cheeky Monkey]

Hello everyone,

Been lurking a while, thought a quick intro in order as now registered

I'm in Bristol, I dive (PADI Rescue level), mid life crisis, I have a 1300 motorbike and 2 beach buggies, an 8 year old boy and a stressful indoor job.

I'm looking at getting rid of one or both buggies which I have had for years now, and filling my garage with a different toy

I'll be doing the PB2 course, and am thinking of a 4m searider as a probable first rib

I'm struggling with whether this is a good idea or not. Part of me thinks "I have space, a tow car, had sailing boats when I was a teenager, love the water, have decent income, I dive - what's the matter man, get on with it'. Another part thinks "you work too hard, have limited time, are committed running kids rugby most Sundays for 8 months a year, live close to a muddy river not the decent dive sites of the SW corner, its all just another mid life crisis pipe dream, don't be an idiot"

So ................ anyone from Bristol care to help me out here ? Is this maritime city a good place to own and use a rib ? Or will I for ever be on the M5 or the A roads trying to get to Cornwall or Southampton for sunshine and clear water ?

I've also asked a practical question about trailer sizes here - Limited garage space - can I shorten draw bar / best trailers to use ? - if anyone has time for a quick look.

Any other Bristol based tips, thoughts etc gratefully received

(I wish I'd been on here a month ago and met Matt with his sea rider 4.7 for sale by the way !! I'd have found a way to fit that in to my life and garage somehow !!!)

[Pikey Dave]

Blludy L Man! You live by the sea & you're asking us if you should buy a boat You might as well join This Lot & ask 'em how to cook a rare steak. I've got an 80mile drive just to get the thing in the water
What about all those stunning places around North Devon, South Wales, Pembrokeshire, Lyme Bay all within a couple of hours drive of Bristol. Pull your finger out man & consider yourself told (sorry "advised)
Oh! BTW welcome

[BogMonster]

Welcome to RIBnet

Time to use the boat is everybody's enemy, usually closely followed by the sinking feeling at the cost of filling it up

I think there are a lot of boats of all sizes and types bought by people who never really use them as much as they thought they would, but I suppose the best advice is to buy something cheapish that you can get rid of after a year or so without losing too much money on it if you find you really don't have time for it - depreciation on a new or nearly new rib is a bit like depreciation on a new car, in other words something you only want to do if you can afford it or are very very sure you are going to want to keep it.

Personally I often go out and then think I really should have been doing something more productive but an important part of being a committed boat owner is the ability to say b&llox I don't care I am off to enjoy myself

Go on you know you want to

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Boats are not for those worried about the cost or time that they will use them. Though you don't appear to be one them anyway.

1. You have stated you "have decent income" so money shouldn't be a problem. You also have a few grand of toys lying around already that probably rarely get used.

2.Time wise, one or two days a year of glorious weather is an experience that provides fuel for hope for the rest of the year! Commitments to rugby are not an excuse, in fact it is perfect. The time most likely to be taken boating is out of rugby season. The rib unlike the bike or buggies can be used on the sundays when rugby isn't on to take the nipper out and about with you.

3. You are thinking about it, so do it. No one ever regrets trying and No one likes a daydreamer/talk and no action.

4. You have space to store it.

5. You are a keen diver so know the rib is right. surely you can combine the two/?

You have no excuses at all. You have the time, money, inclination, space and hobby to compliment. Most are missing 3 or 4 of these and enjoy ownership and use. Get a grip and sort yourself out.

Welcome though

[Max...]

Have to agree with all the above - there comes a time (for me anyway) when you get to a certain age and think sod it - go for it.

There is the old saying about the happiest two days of a boat owner's life? The day he buys the boat and the day he sells the boat...! But....no-one knows what is round the corner and my thinking was get the boat run it for a couple of years and see how it goes. As others have said buy the right boat at the right money and it will be easy to sell on if you decide to. The extras do add up - LJ's, electronics, anchor, safety gear etc but a lot of it is resalable if you find it's not for you.

I think RIB users are real enthusiasts and compared to most of the boats sitting in Marinas and driveways we try and use them more than most.

Do the PB2 and go for it - nothing to loose.

Oh, and by the way I bought Matt's 4.7!!! LOL!!

[Orville]

You could join one of the dive clubs in Bristol who own RIBs.

Ours has two and a SIB too.....................

Might be a stepping stone to your own without the capital investment and hassles.............

[Cheeky Monkey]

Originally Posted by Orville

You could join one of the dive clubs in Bristol who own RIBs.

Ours has two and a SIB too.....................

Might be a stepping stone to your own without the capital investment and hassles.............

hi -which club are you in ? I've mainly dived in warm water and have only recently done drysuit and nav specialties, currently buying more kit for UK use, and need to get time in the water

Originally Posted by Max...

Oh, and by the way I bought Matt's 4.7!!! LOL!!

I know - I read about it, green with envy

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

5. You are a keen diver so know the rib is right. surely you can combine the two/?

would you believe, thinking about it, I've never dived off a rib ?!

hard boats (some very small!), an old dhow, and shore dives only. I've dived remote bits of Fiji, Lake Malawi, remote spots off Pemba - a few unusual places as well as the more usual Red Sea stuff - but can't remember ever being in a rib !

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Pull your finger out man & consider yourself told (sorry "advised)

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

You have no excuses at all. You have the time, money, inclination, space and hobby to compliment. Most are missing 3 or 4 of these and enjoy ownership and use. Get a grip and sort yourself out.

- well, I did ask !






Thanks all for the responses so far !

Anyone help me out with any local knowledge - the where, when and how of using a rib locally ?

Thanks

[Orville]

Originally Posted by Cheeky Monkey

hi -which club are you in ? I've mainly dived in warm water and have only recently done drysuit and nav specialties, currently buying more kit for UK use, and need to get time in the water

www.severnsidesac.com

Lots of our members have come in from an experience level you describe

PM me with any specific questions.

[Max...]

Matt will help I'm sure on local knowledge - and he'll probably find you another Searider - he's had quite a few! The 4m are significantly more common and much cheaper than a 4.7 but I would not really want anything smaller than a 4.7 in the UK.

[alexm]

Originally Posted by Cheeky Monkey

So ................ anyone from Bristol care to help me out here ? Is this maritime city a good place to own and use a rib ? Or will I for ever be on the M5 or the A roads trying to get to Cornwall or Southampton for sunshine and clear water ?

Living in Portishead on the edge of the Bristol channel I have to admit that it isn't really the most inviting stretches of water. It looks like onion soup, the tidal range is massive, many of the beaches are made of black emulsion paint and you have to lock in and out of the marina. That's why my boat stays in Cornwall for most of the year.

Saying that, I really ought to stop taking what is on the doorstep for granted and investigate the channel more!

Go with the midlife crisis and get the boat, you'll never know unless you try!

Alex