Had my first day Ribbing yesterday

[Brodie]

Hi everyone,
Well I now know what the ribbing buzzzzz is all about. I've just got back from 8 years without a boat. I have converted from a speed boat and cabin cruiser to a 4.0 Avon Searider. This is something I should have done a long time a go, Ribs are awesome fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you kind people help me out with a few questions :-

I live near Petersfield so most of ribbing will be on the south coast between
Littlehampton and Lee on Solent. Where do you guys and girls suggest are good places (hopefully free) to launch the boat. I put the boat in at Lee on Solent yesterday, it was quite hard to launch due to a huge gravel hill that has formed on the slipway.

I am going on holiday with the boat to - St Osyth Essex in July, any suggestions on where to rib in that neck of the woods.

Hope to see you all out there
Jason

[Nasher]

Brodie

Glad you've converted.

I live just down the road in Clanfield and mostly use the Ferry inn slipway at Hayling Island. Mainly because of the 'Facilities' on the return. It is however a good base to explore the Solent, Langstone harbour and the Isle of Wight.

On my way home from work yesterday about 5pm I saw a searider being towed north on the A3 towards petersfield, I recal it was behind a Blue 4X4 or van, was that you?

Nasher.

[Brodie]

Hi Nasher
Thanks for the tips !!!!!!
Where is the Ferry inn slipway at Hayling Island ?
What do they charge for slipway use ? Is the Slipway effected by tide ?
I was on the A3 around 4pm
Brodie

[Nasher]

Brodie

Go all the way down to the fun fair on Hayling, turn right and the road eventually ends up as the slipway.

It is tidal but is always kept clean and is useable on all but actual low tide, If its busy I use the gently sloping hard packed sand beach like all the other 4X4 guys do.

The Harbour master will charge you about £10 for a day ticket although a yearly ones available for about a ton.

Nasher.

[Keith Hart]

Hello Brodie

Welcome to RIBnet and the exciting obsession with inflatable things

For information on slipways you can't beat Boatlaunch run by RIBnet member Geoff Campbell.

Have fun.

Keith Hart

[ollyit]

brodie,

Have u any photos of your searider? I have a 4m too - I love looking at other peoples boats for inspiration as mine is being refitted at the moment - happy and safe ribbing mate

[Phil Chitty]

Hey Brodie

There is an ever growing crowd of us that store our Ribs in Littlehampton Marina and go out on a regular basis.

You're welcome to join us anytime.

Phil

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Brodie

Hi everyone,
I am going on holiday with the boat to - St Osyth Essex in July, any suggestions on where to rib in that neck of the woods.

Hope to see you all out there
Jason

Brodie,

Suggest you contact Phil Davies as he is an Essex based 4m Searider owner.

In terms of St Osyth - I think you can get tractor launching on the beach/slip there. Cruising options are Colne & Blackwater Estuary. For example head up to Wivenhose / Rowhedge at High tide & stop at the pub, across to Bradwell, West Mersea & Tollesbury & up the Blackwater to Maldon. All very tide dependent so get ahold of a tide table and local chart. You could if weather was good head north from Brightlingsea / St Osyth to Walton Backwaters, River orwell etc but its a 25-30m haul up the Wallet so not to be undertaken lightly in a small RIB if its all new to you. Might be worth getting in touch with the SE small Ribsta crew before you come.

Cheers,
Alan

[Rogue Wave]

Hi Brodie. Plaese Join Boatmad and publish your first paragraph.

I rememeber the first time I drove a rib, it was flat calm and I was wishing there wer some waves. i've managed to find a few since then.

Re facilities there are a couple of decent public free slipways. 1 at Lee on the Solent near the Hovercraft museum and another at Camber dock (Portsmouth) Also you might want to investigate joining the ECA at Portsmouth which my son tells me is a remarkably good place.

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by Brodie

Hi everyone,
Well I now know what the ribbing buzzzzz is all about. I've just got back from 8 years without a boat. I have converted from a speed boat and cabin cruiser to a 4.0 Avon Searider. This is something I should have done a long time a go, Ribs are awesome fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Rogue, I couldn't agree more, fresh meat always welcome. Although he's made a typo error, instead of Avon Searider it should read "tender"!!!

[Brodie]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

Dirk Diggler does size matter to you - Is there a saying in the boating world that little men have big boats !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Brodie

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

Dirk Diggler does size matter to you - Is there a saying in the boating world that little men have big boats !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Didn't a group of little ribs cruise around GB a couple of years ago ? you don't see many 15 ft fletchers doing that. Of course Dirk if the UK boating industry had built some decient hardboats over the years then pehaps the rib revolution might not have happended. Your not a hard boat builder are you ? I think WWF should be informed as you could be an indangered spieces.

However on a more informative note there is a good slipway in Haslar Marina Gosport which can be used apart from LW Springs. Its owned by the council so free to use and park.

Pete

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Didn't a group of little ribs cruise around GB a couple of years ago ? you don't see many 15 ft fletchers doing that. Of course Dirk if the UK boating industry had built some decient hardboats over the years then pehaps the rib revolution might not have happended.
Pete

8 sub 5m RIBS in RB4 in 2001. Ribcraft 4.8m was the most popular choice.

Actually I think I recall an article about a circumnavigation sometime back in the 70's/80's made by similar sized hardboats. Dare I say might even have been Fletchers! I am sure Mr Diggler or Mr Fuller will put us right!

[Phil Davies]

Hi Brodie!

As Alan has said, there are a few small RIB owners here on the East Coast - well, I'm quite small but the others are fat b***ards cos they spend more time eating on our cruises than ribbing - and if you let me know the dates you're in St Osyth we may be able to join you and show you around.

[Daniel TD5]

hi brodie

don,t take any notice of phil comments

there are a few small RIB owners here on the East Coast - well, I'm quite small but the others are fat b***ards cos they spend more time eating on our cruises than ribbing

most of the sub 5m come from the better south east coast and
yes we do spend most of the time eating from our large cool box
its all part of the fun

and phil were not fat were just contented

sub five meter boats can be very good and fun cost less to run and easy to
use the only down side i have found is they get very bumpy in big a sea which
can be fun as well if you like roller coasters

dan

[Brodie]

Hi Phil
I will be in sunny essex from 31/07/04 until 14/08/04.
It will be good to meet up.
Cheers
Jason

[Phil Davies]

Jason

PM me nearer the time and the boys and I will get it sorted

[Noddy]

Hi Brodie
If you go a little further along the coast there is good free launching at Warsash - straight into the river at most tide times and then easy access to Southampton Water and beyond. There is free parking(4 hours) adjacent to the slip although I suspect it would get crowded during summer weekends?
I agree that the "boatlaunch site" is a must, besides directions it also gives you charges, contact numbers and tide times.
regards
Martyn

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by Brodie

Dirk Diggler does size matter to you

It does to my wife, when we're having those "Boogie Nights"!!!