Remember growing up on a 13’ Whaler? It seemed as if every family had one. It was the male teenager boat of choice. You weren’t cool unless you had one. Introduced in 1950, the model went virtually unchanged for decades.
These days seeing a 13’ Whaler is like whale watching. Think extinction. What happened? We grew up. We realized that boating wasn’t all about going out and getting pounded and beaten up even on the calmest of waters. Getting soaked is fine when you’re 15, but not when you’re 30. And what about that “light weight” hull. Every year the 13’ seemed to absorb more and more water in the foam hull (think sponge) until it became a floating tank. I find it amazing our generation can stand-up straight after years of slouching over the wheel down by your knees . . . . .
Fast forward to present day. We’re older, smarter, and wiser. Boat design and construction has evolved. In the SUV age of Hummers and Escalades, today’s teens are looking for a different experience on the water. They want to have fun and be cool. But the definition of “fun” and “cool” have changed. Enter the rigid inflatable stage left. The new choice for today’s fickle generation? I believe we’re seeing a new trend developing - you?
I was asked the other day by a prospective customer if you could fish from a RIB – the short answer is of course you can – but I really wanted to ask him why you’d ever want to. I must confess that I’m not a fisherman (no surprise there), nor do I really get the attraction, but even I can’t deny that it’s extremely popular. So after speaking with the customer, I forced myself to flip through one of the many fishing magazines out there to try to understand the attraction. I was shocked when I turned to an article with photos of a NASCAR-like fishing derby that showed thousands of spectators filling an arena to witness the finalists unveil their winning catch for a chance at $500,000! With a half million dollars at stake – even I’d grab a rod and real and jump into a RIB.
In all seriousness, fishing for many is a great excuse to get out on the water, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with friends and family – even I can relate to that. In fact, we have several customers who use their RIB all the time for fishing. A RIB is an excellent platform for this because of its stability and low proximity to the water. With rocket launchers on the T-top, A frame, or leaning post and a live well, you can transform any RIB into a fishing machine. But what about the hooks? It’s a legitimate question, but as anyone knows who owns a RIB – Hypalon tubes are extremely resilient to hooks. Of course, like anything, if you try hard enough, you could probably puncture the tube with a large fishing hook, but just every day fishing and casting, you have nothing worry about. In all our years of building RIBs, we’ve never heard of any of our customers puncturing the tube. The only thing we’ve heard is how much they enjoy fishing from their RIB!
What do you think? Have you ever fished from a RIB? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this...
I love hearing of how RIBs respond in action and in real rescue situations. It's always great to see the boats and their operators being recognized. If you know of any such stories, I'd love to hear about them. Here's one worthy of some additional recognition -
"The American Boat & Yacht Council Foundation honored Zodiac of North America and the Zodiac Academy Flood Response Team with the Bunzl Boating Safety Award for their rescue and relief efforts during Hurricane Katrina.
The Flood Response Team, with Zodiac’s support, immediately answered the call to action in the Gulf region. The rescue team deployed to New Orleans with trucks, trailers, RIBs, engines, generators, communications equipment, fuel and a team of volunteers who aided in the search and recovery effort.
The rescue team was instrumental in training first responders on how to operate the inflatables and RIBs to scout areas of the flooded city for survivors, according to ABYC.
The Bunzl Boating Safety Award is named for Richard C. Bunzl in recognition of his contributions to the ABYC Foundation in support of boating safety. Bunzl spent 30 years volunteering with the Coast Guard Auxiliary."
Training isn’t something that we think much about – but we should. Driving a high performance boat, such as a RIB, requires some special knowledge and skill to stay safe. Much like cars, many folks think they can simply get behind the wheel and go simply because they are old enough and can afford it.
Boats and RIBs are different. Just because someone may be a great car driver doesn’t mean their skills will transfer to the water.
There are several very good boat handling courses out there. A mix of class room and specialized on-the-water training are key. In my opion everyone would benefit from taking one - even those of us who have been on the water for years. Here are three that I recommend:
There's been talk lately about having all boat operators be licensed. In fact, many states already require some form of certification. To find out if your state is one of them, check out this link from the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators. Should boat operators be licensed? Many think so. There’s merit to the idea, but what do you think?
Here’s a great little excerpt from an article in the online publication MarineLink from today entitled “Prime RIBs”, in which Zodiac’s Coast Guard customer support manager Bob Beck reinforces just how versatile and durable RIBs are:
“The group set up Camp Katrina in Algiers, directly across the Mississippi River from the devastation in New Orleans. "We did search and rescue, transporting dead bodies and a hundred other things these versatile RIBs can do," Beck reported. "We carried out these missions during the day and repaired any vessel that needed work at night. These RIBs traveled over wrought iron fences, debris in the water and submerged cars, putting an end to those who thought RIBs were not tough enough for these severe, even brutal conditions," Beck added. "We served basically as the maritime arm for the 82nd Airborne who did the "heavy lifting" as far as the missions were concerned. I will never forget traveling down Canal Street in a RIB," Beck concluded."
Excerpted from “Prime RIBs” MarineLink.com, March 20, 2006
This past weekend I was fortunate enough to go boating. I took to the water in a new RIBCRAFT 190 featuring our brand new leaning post. It had been a while since I was on a RIB with a leaning post and to be honest it was a nice change. I must say that I enjoyed the space and clean look it provided. Now a standard option on the new RIBCRAFT 190, customers can choose either the more mainstream leaning post or two jockey style pod seats as part of the base boat. Though I liked the comfort of the leaning post while cruising around the harbor, after my ride today, I still much prefer the peace of mind, safety and comfort the pods offer while underway. With the pods I have the option to either sit or stand, but no matter what, I know that I am fully supported and secure in the boat. While standing, using the backrest just like a leaning post, I also have the ability to use the inside of my legs to brace against the pod base conveniently located between my knees for tight turns. And for longer passages, I can also safely and comfortably sit. Through the combination of the overall seat design, cushion density and body position, I’m completely comfortable regardless of how rough it gets. For me, the pod seat offers just about everything a leaning post can, but more. The pods are my choice.
With the opportunity to choose for yourself, what would you pick – the pods or leaning post? If you own a RIB with either of these, what do you think?
If you’re reading this Blog, you’re probably quite familiar with all the benefits of a RIB. So I ask, why then, would anyone want a solid-sided boat? A rigid inflatable boat offers everything a solid sided boat does, yet it’s safer, more stable, drier, performs better, and can easily be towed without needing a behemoth of a car. Plus, there’s the cool factor of owning a RIB, which I could go on and on about, but I’ll save that for another discussion.
For me, it’s the safety and the shear exhilaration I get from driving one. There truly is nothing else like driving a RIB on a rough Saturday afternoon in the summer when the breeze is up, the seas are like a washing machine from all the boat traffic, and my friends with their Boston Whalers, Makos, and other hard sided boats, are tied up at the dock. They’re always amazed that I’d even consider going out in a 19’ RIBCRAFT 190 when the conditions get like that and they’re shocked when I return completely dry! That is, until I invite them out for a ride and they see for themselves. The only thing better than going boating in a RIB, is taking people out for their first RIB ride!
In my opinion, a RIB is more than simply a boat with a deep V fiberglass hull and an inflatable tube; it’s the ultimate on water experience. And so again, I ask, what gives with a solid sided boat?
For some reason, RIBs don’t share the same popularity here in the United States as they do in Europe. But their acceptance and reputation is growing leaps and bounds; in fact the RIB market is the fastest growing segment of the marine industry in the States today. Even still, Europe, and especially the UK, is about a dozen years ahead of the US RIB market. Brits have long enjoyed the many advantages of RIB’s while the vast majority of boaters here in the US are just beginning to understand what these boats are all about.
One of the best indications of how RIB popularity is gaining strength comes from evolving perceptions at boat shows. We started keeping track of people’s reactions and comments at recreational boat shows four years ago, at that time their comments said it all: “what is it?”, “what do you do with a boat like that?”, “those seats look like mail boxes”, “it must be like riding a horse”, “do you use the tubes to store fuel?” But with each year, acceptance and understanding of RIBs began to take hold as RIBs become more prevalent at shows and on our waters. Now the entertaining comments have all but ceased. Today, we’re at the point where everyone has probably at least seen a RIB. They may not fully understand the many benefits, but they’ve noticed the Coast Guard, local police or harbormaster, and even their own yacht club using RIB’s. With that comes understanding, acceptance, and a willingness to give them a try for themselves.
The challenge is, distinguishing a RIB – a RIGID inflatable boat from an inflatable dinghy or tender. Like anything new, an early bad experience can leave a sour taste in one’s mouth. We’ve talked to many people who think they’ve tried a RIB. Some equate the performance of their roll-up soft bottom dingy to a RIB or they’ve bought a yachty looking thing with lots of white cushions and cup holders and expected it to be the ultimate SUV of the seas. There is a big difference between a cushy yacht tender, a roll-up, and a RIB! Once they get out on a genuine RIB, they see for themselves what a RIB is all about – unbelievable performance, incredible safety, and unbeatable fun. After they’ve taken a spin, they’re hooked.
Today, those who own RIBs are proud to have something different. Something their neighbors don’t have. RIB buyers tend to be well educated, accomplished boaters, and thrive on being pioneers. In many cases, they’re looking for something new and an alternative to their generic looking solid sided boat that they get beaten and bruised on every weekend when there’s a chop or rough seas.
There’s almost a cult like following among RIB owners in the US. They love to talk to other RIB owners here and abroad – something you’d never see from the 20’ center console, solid sided crowd! RIB owners compare what they like, don’t like, how they use their boat, how it’s configured, powered, and equipped, and what kind of seas they took their RIB out in. There are even a couple of great online chat rooms that help facilitate these discussions; RIBnet & HOT RIBS, check them out!
The RIB market in the US is evolving and growing. It’s still very much in its infancy, a new frontier really, but all of us, RIB owners and manufacturers alike are proud to be sculptors shaping and forming the market. Pioneers in a way.
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