RIBs in America

benjamin · 10 September 2003, 13:25

I have just returned from a 4-week holiday around the East coast of the USA, taking in many of the wonderful creeks, harbours, bays and islands of Maine, Massachussets and Rhode Island. Of the literally hundreds of boats we saw, I could count on one hand the number of RIBs spotted, and even fewer if I discount the small ribs used as tenders to larger yachts.
Given that the sea around these shorelines is absolutely comparable to our own Atlantic and North Sea coasts, with all that that implies in terms of the sea-keeping qualities required in a leisure boat, why have our trans atlantic cousins not woken up to the benefits of RIBs???

Nghost · 10 September 2003, 13:46

Did not see any ribs but this is nearly a rib!
the next day it had two machine guns mounted on the square toped post fore and aft.

Dirk Diggler · 10 September 2003, 13:58

Quote:

Originally posted by benjamin
why have our trans atlantic cousins not woken up to the benefits of RIBs???

Maybe they have!

Brian · 10 September 2003, 14:50

I understand the first question Americans ask is "Can I go fishing from it?".
The answer, of course, is yes, but they dont believe that the tubes wont get punctured by the fish-hook !

gavin · 10 September 2003, 15:23

Look at Apollo Duck do a search on Apollo Duck USA for ribs there is about 4 or 5 for sale in the whole continent, I think that in the US they arnt so keen to buy it if they dont build it, same with cars they frown on Jap stuff for example, same with bikes, its an attitude thing. Its no loss to us we know what they are missing cheers gavin

nik · 10 September 2003, 15:35

Hi, I have been told that virtually all the ribs made by aquapro are going to america.
Nik.

narked · 10 September 2003, 15:44

The US military are quite fond of RIBs and "extreme" SIBs. Some of the boats they've got for use as Navy SEALs landing craft look a bit of alright!

Jklingel · 13 September 2003, 05:47

Dear Trans-Atlantic friends. RIBs have not caught on here for a variety of reasons, but "don't like to buy if they don't make it" is nonsense. There are "Japanese" (whatever THAT means any more) vehicles, etc, all over here. Any group of people is slow to change if things are going OK with what they have. I own a Zodiac and love it , but it is not "utopia on water". Yes, I am a little concerned about knives and halibut harpoons in my boat; after all, this IS fabric, not aluminum or wood. We DO have folks who manufacture RIBs, too, but not many. Sure we ask "Can you fish out of it?" What the hell else does one do on water? Can't walk on it! RIBs are the Mac computers of the boat world; great, but not everyone has enough sense to see that....yet.
Do I sound defensive? Sorry, but WE FISH. Peace to all. john

Mike Garside · 13 September 2003, 06:17

Quote:

Originally posted by Jklingel
RIBs are the Mac computers of the boat world; great, but not everyone has enough sense to see that....yet.

Nice analogy, John. Like it

crazyhorse · 13 September 2003, 15:49

What you looking at there is a USA Safe Boat see

http://www.safeboats.com/default/home.php

Alli hulled boat.

700 have been sold for the USA Border protection patrols.

Great looking boats but has a hard foam collar instead of air collar.

The hulls are filled with foam so it is unsinkable and the hull is also stepped.

Interesting boats.

houser · 13 September 2003, 17:07

Zodiac
in the US makes some very serious boats too...( I know it was originally a French company...but the pedigree is most certainly there) ...

narked · 13 September 2003, 20:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike Garside
Nice analogy, John. Like it

Well, it'd work if Macs weren't crap

Maybe I don't like 'em 'cos they remind me of school, or because there's no decent games on 'em other than Dino Park Tycoon, but I hate the things. Plus all modern Macs look even uglier than the old grey boxes I was forced to use throughout primary school.

DM · 13 September 2003, 21:47

Quote:

Originally posted by narked
the old grey boxes I was forced to use throughout primary school.

You poor bugger. When I was at primary school, we started with a six mile route march before breakfast, then six hours of reeding, rithmatic and riting and if you backchatted your Teacher, you got a smack round the ear. No wonder the youth of today is so feckless. Conscript the buggers, I say, conscript the buggers.

Fred Elliot

And if you fish, JLingel, peace to you too.

narked · 13 September 2003, 22:16

And on top of that was it a 30 mile walk in the snow to even get to school?

Kids today eh, we don't know we're born!