Why no ribs in Oz?

[HoveRuss]

I'm leaving the uK to live in Oz at the end of november and taking my boat with me. What does seem clear is that there's very few ribs in Oz compared to the UK, for instance a quick ebay australia search brings up just two, a Zodiac 5.3 and a Naiad 5.8.

Am i doing something stoopid here? Anyone got any knowledge or ideas why the Aussies don't seem to have embraced them like us?

Russ

[spartacus]

Am i doing something stoopid here? Anyone got any knowledge or ideas why the Aussies don't seem to have embraced them like us?

Sharks, crocs, alligators...

[rjbathgate]

Originally Posted by HoveRuss

I'm leaving the uK to live in Oz at the end of november and taking my boat with me. What does seem clear is that there's very few ribs in Oz compared to the UK, for instance a quick ebay australia search brings up just two, a Zodiac 5.3 and a Naiad 5.8.

Am i doing something stoopid here? Anyone got any knowledge or ideas why the Aussies don't seem to have embraced them like us?

Russ

Hey,

I'm in NZ - so almost part of Aus and it's the same here -- no where near as mnay RIBs as in the UK.

I think most of it (in NZ at least) is that 99% of boat goers here are hardcore fishermen - so they have their big tinny - perfect for fishing, they can through fish around etc etc...

I found up in the richer island areas, more ribs are seen as people use then to hop between islands etc... but yeah the main areas, it's all fishing... not that you can't fish off a RIB... but try telling local fishermen that...

Get yourself a RIB and watch their faces when you fly past them and beat them to their favourite fishing spot!!

[willk]

Originally Posted by rjbathgate

I'm in NZ - so almost part of Aus

Having lived for an extended period among the protagonists in question, my educated guess is that if you started right now, you'd be about 10 miles up the road to the airport before the Kiwis catch you.....

As regards ribs, I think they just wouldn't take them seriously; "Ribs? they're just not, well, hard enough."

[rjbathgate]

Originally Posted by willk

As regards ribs, I think they just wouldn't take them seriously; "Ribs? they're just not, well, hard enough."

Ha too true!!!!

Although Surf Rescue use RIBs (although they call them IRBs) for all their Surf Rescue stuff -- and everyone loves Surf Rescuers.........

[davej]

I don't know why the Ozzies have few RIBs but one of our dive club members recently bought a new one and took it with him when he went to live there, well live there for half the year at a time! He loves it and wouldn't be without it particularly where he lives in south Australia. I know it was much the best thing to buy one in the UK and export it rather than buy it there.

He has put a car port up to hide it from the sun and when he comes homes tucks it up in the garage. Perhaps they don't like them because of the strong sunlight and UV damaging the tubes.

DJ

[rjbathgate]

Originally Posted by davej

He has put a car port up to hide it from the sun and when he comes homes tucks it up in the garage. Perhaps they don't like them because of the strong sunlight and UV damaging the tubes.

I just made a cover out of UV Proof, Water Proof, Breathable Canvas

[HoveRuss]

To be honest, it's the first thing into the container, folllowed by the sea kayaks. If there's room, i'll definitely take some furniture too.

From what I've seen, it'll be worth mor ethere in any case, so what the hell.

Worst thing is the bloody qualifications. in Queensland, NONE of my RYA stuff counts for toffee, I have to go back and do a boathandling course before i can even use it. Was just on the point of doing Advanced here, but its just not worth it.

Different rules in different states, I'm moving to the worst one!

[rjbathgate]

Originally Posted by HoveRuss

Worst thing is the bloody qualifications. in Queensland, NONE of my RYA stuff counts for toffee.

Yup, you learn to teach scuba diving in Queensland, and do the worldwide respected first aid course as part of the dive course, but then can't teach in Queensland until you've done their seperate first aid course!

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by willk

Having lived for an extended period among the protagonists in question, my educated guess is that if you started right now, you'd be about 10 miles up the road to the airport before the Kiwis catch you.....

Very much agree Willik. What kind of Kiwi calls himself an Ozzie??????