Toughest sea you have been to?

Hung · 20 January 2009, 07:47

I am interested, how much weather can RIBs take?
My personal experience was wind force 7, sea 6 in a tiny (under 5m) Viking 470 GRP with 60hp Yamaha outboard. December. North Sea, MOB SAR situation. The screw got "aired" constantly and it was difficult to even control the boat not to come "sideways" against waves. The boat seemed too heavy and did try not to go on the wave crest, but rather crush through it. Recovering body was successful, but attempt to get back onboard the mother vessel was not at all.
I wonder how other RIBs take on weather. Sure RNLI jumps into the sea also past force 6, do they?

codprawn · 20 January 2009, 12:26

I have been out in a Force 9 before - it was great fun and we barely got wet. It is a 9m RIB though.

Having said that wave shape and distance apart can make far more of a differance. I would rather 20' Atlantic rollers than nasty 6' short sharp waves that are breaking.

Tidal races like the Bitches can be worse in a Force 4 than the open Atlantic in a Force 10!!!

Ribs can take a lot.

Watch these videos.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_f7t5y...e=channel_page

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6kqpHx...eature=channel

ollyit · 20 January 2009, 13:37

good videos

lets sum some more of the big stuff!

Carl · 20 January 2009, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

I have been out in a Force 9 before - it was great fun and we barely got wet. It is a 9m RIB though.

Having said that wave shape and distance apart can make far more of a differance. I would rather 20' Atlantic rollers than nasty 6' short sharp waves that are breaking.

Tidal races like the Bitches can be worse in a Force 4 than the open Atlantic in a Force 10!!!

Ribs can take a lot.

Watch these videos.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_f7t5y...e=channel_page

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6kqpHx...eature=channel

good to see your back on form, i take it was a cabin rib thats why you didnt get wet

MarkM · 20 January 2009, 17:08

On our way back from the Ribex in 2005, the engine broke down at about 50 km south of Brighton. Left out there with a limited speed of 8 km/hr.
The wind was considerable strong but the sea looked enormous, because it took ages to get over the waves.
That's us in the middle of the picture.

RAD · 20 January 2009, 19:06

been out in a F8 gusting 9 in a small 4mtr rib after the conditions turned while doing rescue/support cover. was a single jockey seat, the crew was in adequetly equiped so left her behind on mother ship. All I remember is a spare fuel can bashing my shin and me flying over waves.

Was fun on reflection but couldn't see a thing cos of the rain coming down, and the noise of the waves/wind/rain.

BIG ribs must be fun in that stuff.

Downhilldai · 20 January 2009, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl

... i take it was a cabin rib thats why you didnt get wet

Remote control

codprawn · 21 January 2009, 02:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAD

been out in a F8 gusting 9 in a small 4mtr rib after the conditions turned while doing rescue/support cover. was a single jockey seat, the crew was in adequetly equiped so left her behind on mother ship. All I remember is a spare fuel can bashing my shin and me flying over waves.

Was fun on reflection but couldn't see a thing cos of the rain coming down, and the noise of the waves/wind/rain.

BIG ribs must be fun in that stuff.

To be honest I would say small RIBs are more fun most of the time. I liken it to comparing a Jumbo Jet and a Tiger Moth. The Jumbo is far faster - far more comfortable and will go a lot further but which would put the biggest grin on your face???