Paddles

Andy Moore · 05 January 2006, 17:55

Paddles: any practical use in a 6.2m RIB?

DJL · 05 January 2006, 18:06

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 · 05 January 2006, 19:01

Quote:

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 · 05 January 2006, 19:34

Quote:

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 · 05 January 2006, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJL

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

Quote:

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 · 05 January 2006, 20:08

...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 · 05 January 2006, 20:48

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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 · 05 January 2006, 21:02

Quote:

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 · 05 January 2006, 21:13

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 · 05 January 2006, 21:34

Quote:

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!

SOLENTER · 05 January 2006, 21:42

I have three grandchildren that paddle me of of beaches all summer Andy
saves getting your arse wet and wears the littel buggers out for the trip home
also handy for making sand castles,wind brakes,swatting wasps.& removing
dog crap to name but a few reasons to carry them

Rogue Wave · 05 January 2006, 21:45

if you are asking this cos you are thinking og geting some they make nifty ones with a boat hook at the other end

Jimbob · 06 January 2006, 07:50

We have a set and ours is 7.5 meters long and for the cost they are worth having. We also have an aux engine, however once we just paddled part of the way down the channel to Northney marina,,,quite nice

qcamel · 06 January 2006, 07:57

For the price of a 8hp aux outboard which is about what you would require for any meaningful propulsion would you not be better off buying a decent sea anchor, some line and chain and a good anchor along with a Sat phone. The reality of using oars or a aux enging in messy weather is not so great I would guess.

Jono · 06 January 2006, 07:57

Two reasonably robust gentlemen can paddle a 7.0 metre RIB back quite a long way to the pontoon,.......when they switch over to the empty fuel tank instead of the full fuel tank on the changer-over valve…. because some idiot labelled the valve incorrectly ……apparently……..

Pete7 · 06 January 2006, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

Paddles: any practical use in a 6.2m RIB?

with the club 4.8m rib outboard refusing to start we drifted 200m from our divers before giving up and dropping the anchor. Out came the paddles and two of us completely failed to paddle a 4.8m rib against the slight (1/4 knot) tide. Divers surfaced and drifted down the 200 yards to the boat. Eventually started the engine but lesson learnt, good for round the harbour and possibly steering as already pointed out but you won't go very far with them.

Pete

Andy Moore · 06 January 2006, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

with the club 4.8m rib outboard refusing to start we drifted 200m from our divers before giving up and dropping the anchor. Out came the paddles and two of us completely failed to paddle a 4.8m rib against the slight (1/4 knot) tide. Divers surfaced and drifted down the 200 yards to the boat. Eventually started the engine but lesson learnt, good for round the harbour and possibly steering as already pointed out but you won't go very far with them.

I don't think I will clutter the RIB up then. But I can already hear myself saying "We need a couple of little paddles!"

Mollers · 06 January 2006, 10:10

Mine are yellow numbers which match the boat nicely. They velcro strap neatly out of the way.I think they look pretty good in an "Action Man" kinda way which compliments my gripping hands and realistic hair.

Jimbob · 06 January 2006, 12:48

Andy get some paddles if you feel you need them. The RYA books give a recommended list, which i think includes paddles.....as an alternative means of propulsion, obivously you will have an anchor as well

thorper · 07 January 2006, 09:13

We have paddles along the tubes, fortunately never had to use them in anger.

They are also useful for fending off in tight spaces, probing the bottom in murky water to test the depth & shovelling snow out of the boat