Paddles

[Andy Moore]

Paddles: any practical use in a 6.2m RIB?

[DJL]

Do you have another means of propulsion like an aux engine?

If not then I would definitely carry them, if you do have an aux engine then I would probably still carry them anyway.

..You’ll be amazed what a scared crew with a couple of oars can do. Been there with a bucket.

[hard1]

Originally Posted by DJL

Do you have another means of propulsion like an aux engine?

If not then I would definitely carry them, if you do have an aux engine then I would probably still carry them anyway.

..You’ll be amazed what a scared crew with a couple of oars can do. Been there with a bucket.

That's definitely spot on. When the engine cut in front of Wightlink coming out of Camber, I nearly planed the RIB with a couple of the things. Felt a bit tired afterwards and then turned the gas tap to the ON position and all was well with the world again....

[Andy Moore]

Originally Posted by DJL

Do you have another means of propulsion like an aux engine?

I wasn't planning on it. When I suggested it to my dealer, he was sceptical about their usefulness.

Do you stow yours along the tubes or loose?

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by DJL

Do you have another means of propulsion like an aux engine?

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

I wasn't planning on it. When I suggested it to my dealer, he was sceptical about their usefulness.

So he wasn't sceptical about the usefulness of a pair of paddles then?

Out of interest, how wise do you think this dealer's advice is/was?

[Mollers]

...Or turning up at slip having forgotton boat keys, at least you can launch, paddle over to the pontoon, crack open a beer and soak up some rays whils't the missus drives home to get the keys. Morale:- Never leave home without your paddles and keep beer onboard incase of emergencies!

[DJL]

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

I wasn't planning on it. When I suggested it to my dealer, he was sceptical about their usefulness.

I have very mixed feelings about aux engines. I had a 4hp on my 4.8m and use it in anger once when I had contaminated fuel. The aux got me into shallower water so I could anchor. From there I managed to get the main engine running well enough to get us home.

However the thing was getting completely knackered bouncing around. So much so it would frequently get stuck in the up position - not much use in an emergency. So I finally got rid of it.

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

Do you stow yours along the tubes or loose?

At the moment I have little hand held things that fit inside a jockey seat. On my Ribcraft 5.85 they will be attached to the tubes.

[Andy Moore]

Originally Posted by Richard B

So he wasn't sceptical about the usefulness of a pair of paddles then?

Out of interest, how wise do you think this dealer's advice is/was?

I think his thoughts on paddles is that you can't move a 6.2m RIB with a bloody great outboard strapped to the stern in any meaningful way with paddles.

[Nos4r2]

Even if you can't move a 6m very fast/at all you can at least steer into the wind with paddles and keep yourself from getting swamped by beam seas. Its an awful lot easier to start an auxiliary when you're not rolling all over the place and it's much less likely to get swamped.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Even if you can't move a 6m very fast/at all you can at least steer into the wind with paddles and keep yourself from getting swamped by beam seas. Its an awful lot easier to start an auxiliary when you're not rolling all over the place and it's much less likely to get swamped.

correct!

I'd certainly carry paddles as they make damn good rudders if your steering goes wrong!




If your boat is ever going to be used for training it will require paddles or if it has an Optimax engine!