Jet Rib Training, Is there a Market??

[KTOMT]

Hi Guys,

I work for a training centre on the south coast and we have just bought an awesome ex navy Pacific 22 and would love to start running some rib jet training courses. Would love to know your thoughts and whether you think it would be useful.

Kylea
omt-uk.com

[boristhebold]

As ive never skippered a Jet Rib the question would be are there a lot of differences to justify a course for the public ? What are the differences ?

[John Kennett]

I'd quite like to do a day just for fun, but I'm not sure there would be a lot of real demand for it.

[Rokraider]

I found driving the Jet after an outboard quite a jump in a whole new set of skills. For a start you have no actual physical steering, other than the jet thrust, so instaed of approaching a jetty etc at idle and relying on your leg / rudder to control the steering at slow speed, you can't do that with a jet, you have to keep it on a high idle so it is pumping water at a reasonable rate and then control your speed using the bucket / scoop to spill off the thrust and control your speed by playing the bucket. The Jet will almost stop on a sixpence if you throw the bucket fully down whilst travelling at speed, with a real danger of losing your crew over the bows if they are not holding on, it stops quicker than a car! On the move, the steering is pretty vague until you get the revs up and then it becomes very sensitive with minute movements of the wheel (depending on your steering setup). My Pac has only 1.5 turns lock to lock. Franks (Hayling Rescue) has only 3/4 turn lock to lock, making it very easy to be constantly on the steering due to over compensating. The manouverability is awesome and you can turn 360 in your own length and move the boat sideways similar to having a bowthruster. There are lots of other quirks as well.
I would have thought having a training course for a jetboat would be very worthwhile. I would recommend going along for a lesson just for the craic, even if you have no intentions of owning one.

[Rokraider]

I know it has been posted before, but I am still in awe of this manouver..

Jet boat precision turn (Venture Jet, Ocean Dynamics RIB) - YouTube

[chris.moody]

And it steers the opposite way to how you would expect manoeuvring in astern.

Driven a jet boat a couple of times, but may be interested in a course depending on what will be covered, duration, numbers per boat, and cost.

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

[C2 RIBS]

Originally Posted by chris.moody

but may be interested in a course depending on what will be covered, duration, numbers per boat, and cost.

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

Also is there certification for the training? As Chris says I have an open mind

[chris.moody]

I would love to go on the Shotover boat trip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzhA...e_gdata_player

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

[Searider]

Not sure what was impressive about the manoeuvre? Bloke turns boat round in a tight space.

For training, razorbills ribs has a jet pacific 24 and can offer this if needed - but, the more the merrier, as jets are very counter intuitive at first.

[Low Flyer]

We have a Caribe 5m with a Mercury 175 Jet,good for 55knots and amazing manoeuvrability. It is for sale if anyone interested,pm me for details.

[GJ0KYZ]

Originally Posted by Low Flyer

We have a Caribe 5m with a Mercury 175 Jet,good for 55knots and amazing manoeuvrability. It is for sale if anyone interested,pm me for details.

I may be interested; what sort of price did you have in mind. Do you have any photos you could post?

[Rokraider]

Originally Posted by Searider

Not sure what was impressive about the manoeuvre? Bloke turns boat round in a tight space.

For training, razorbills ribs has a jet pacific 24 and can offer this if needed - but, the more the merrier, as jets are very counter intuitive at first.

No doubt you could do a better job? Do you have much experience driving a jet RIB?
Personally, I would be happy to turn that boat round unscathed in such a tight space with tides, waves and rocks.

[Searider]

Originally Posted by Rokraider

No doubt you could do a better job? Do you have much experience driving a jet RIB?
Personally, I would be happy to turn that boat round unscathed in such a tight space with tides, waves and rocks.

I'd be happy to as well - but turning a boat with 500mm at each end clearance is something that every experienced helm should be able to do. Should have some practice on the inland waterways!

[KTOMT]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the feedback, its all good to hear.


I have posted some pics of our new arrival. At the moment it is very much in the planning stages but we would be looking to incorporate Jet Rib handling into the standard RYA Power Boat Level 2 or as suggested by some of you maybe a 1 or 2 day skills course to include handling, navigation and night navigation.

With regards to certification, it isn't a recognised MCA or RYA (yet) course but as a training centre we would issue a completion certificate.

This would be a course for enthusiast such as yourselves, people who maybe thinking of purchasing a jet rib as well as people within the industry who jet ribs are fast becoming the chosen tender vessels. Any education promotes safety, which as I am sure you will agree is vital when out on the water.

Cheers again for your posts please keep them coming!!

Kylea

[Searider]

Looks good

[Rokraider]

Originally Posted by Searider

I'd be happy to as well - but turning a boat with 500mm at each end clearance is something that every experienced helm should be able to do. Should have some practice on the inland waterways!

Agreed, practice is everything. But only getting weekends to practice, it is a slow learning process.

How much time have you spent behind the wheel of a jetboat?

[gohelm]

Originally Posted by Rokraider

No doubt you could do a better job? Do you have much experience driving a jet RIB?
Personally, I would be happy to turn that boat round unscathed in such a tight space with tides, waves and rocks.

same here .. practice makes the boat go round, yes but still then this is impressive maneuvring, even with sufficent sticktime!

A course for using a jet: yes it adds value and for sure reading the replies you will have takers, however reckon it is only a sensible thing at 'advanced level' learning, since with no basics in normal driven boats it is pointless to learn the jet and possibly it may even become rather dangerous to learn to drive a jetboat when switching to propellers lateron.
Driving a jetboat DOES make you understand a boat/manoevring a lot more and it learns you to think ahead on what you are doing / going to do..I actually would recommend trying it to every rib'ber!

[Low Flyer]

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

I may be interested; what sort of price did you have in mind. Do you have any photos you could post?

Will take some at weekend and post.

[Low Flyer]

Originally Posted by Low Flyer

Will take some at weekend and post.

Here is one when I bought it,I have removed A frame as was too big it has new VHF,stator and Cdi control box. Will get more pics up ASAP.

[Turbodiesel]

Other than Razorbill, these guys are damm good.

Sea Training International Ltd