When you haul your RIB for the season don't forget to pull the internal hull bung and drain any water that may have entered the hull during the season. Water can get into the hull through the wire conduit, condensation, and any deck hardware that is not properly sealed. Once the boat is on the trailer be sure to raise the tongue as high as possible to insure all water is drained and leave both the hull bung and transom plug out for the winter. It's also not a bad idea to consistently pull the hull bung during the season to insure there isn't any water in the hull.

Posted by ribcraftusa at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (114)

I’m often asked why the consoles on RIBCRAFT models appear to be placed further forward than many of our competitors. It’s a great question - and as you can imagine their placement isn’t done simply by happenstance or by some marketing guy who thought it was a great marketing gimmick.

BALANCE
One of the chronic problems with RIBs is that they tend to be extremely stern heavy and can struggle when it comes to getting the bow to come down while coming onto a plane. We’ve all seen RIBs with the bow shooting high into the air. This is extremely problematic – not only do you lose visibility, but it can be very unnerving. By placing our consoles forward, we improve the overall balance of the boat by offsetting the weight of the engine(s) with the weight of the operator. You will find that a RIBCRAFT RIB easily pops up on a plan and rides nice and flat. Though this is a function of the great hull design, it is also greatly assisted by console placement and improved weight balance.

RIDE
Another reason for placing the consoles a little further forward is that they are located over the deepest and sharpest point of the V hull, delivering a very smooth entry into the water with virtually no pounding for the operator. Additionally, by being slightly further forward, it’s a much dryer ride for the operator by taking full advantage of the high bow sheer.

VISIBILITY
Not only is a dryer ride more comfortable – it’s also much safer as the operator doesn’t have to deal with wiping salt out of his or her eyes or seeing through a water soaked windshield. Additionally, by placing the console forward we improve the operator’s visibility by having them in the middle to front of the boat. Whether you’re using the boat for work or pleasure, it’s essential to have an unobstructed view of where you’re going. Too often the driver has to look over, through, or around their passengers to simply see where they’re going.

DECK SPACE
Lastly, but no less important, one of the trade offs we hear with a RIB is the decreased deck space. However, by placing the console forward we maximize useable deck space on the RIB. By having the console forward we leave the widest part of the deck open for gear and seating arrangements.

Posted by ribcraftusa at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

This morning, I had a special treat of being able to commute into Boston from Marblehead, MA on a RIBCRAFT 190. In a drive that can easily take 45 minutes to an hour by car, my RIB ride was a stress-less 30 minutes. The only stress I encountered was trying to dodge the lobster pots as I whizzed by at 30+mph. What other 19’ open runabout can you be out in sharp 1’ seas and still be able to sip your morning coffee without spilling a drop? None I would argue, except for the 19’ RIBCRAFT 5.85/190. I’m constantly amazed by the performance of this truly amazing boat. The boat easily and confidently sliced through the one foot seas this morning – if I was to close my eyes I would have thought I was out on a flat calm day.

I can safely say that a RIB is the only way to commute. I had a fantastic ride and what’s more, not a drop of water touched the topsides or me! And yes, I was drinking my Starbucks! You can’t beat a RIB!

Posted by ribcraftusa at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (85)

An injured woman was killed a few weeks ago when the rescue boat, a flat bottom airboat operated by a local New Hampshire fire department, sank. Firefighters loaded the woman, who had fallen and hit her head on a dock, into a litter and then strapped it to the boat. The boat, which was being operated at a relatively high speed, began taking on water, capsized and quickly sank.

This is a reminder to all of us that we should never allow the “excitement” of a situation come between caution and good judgment. A litter, stretcher or backboard should never be strapped to a boat with a victim attached. If conditions require that these be strapped down, then the operator of the boat should reduce their speed so that the victim is not thrashed about the boat.

According to experts, airboats are highly susceptible to swamping and then quickly sinking. Airboats are great for conditions where there is little water (shallow swamps and flooded neighborhoods after storms), but in locales where rough water can be found, such as lakes, larger rivers, and the ocean, an airboat is inadequate and dangerous.

RIBs are popular among rescue professionals because of their great stability, unbelievable buoyancy, and excellent ability to handle rough waters. Had this New Hampshire fire department been using a RIB, they most likely wouldn’t have found themselves taking on water and if they had a RIB in most cases will safely function after swamping.

But because anything can happen on the water, it is essential that departments using rescue craft be adequately trained by professionals. The companies below offer great training for rescue professionals:

Ocean Rescue Systems
Pistris

Posted by ribcraftusa at 01:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Inflated of course. With Labor Day over and kids going back to school, most boaters in the northern climates begin thinking of hauling their boats for the winter. We’re asked all the time if the tubes should be deflated for the winter or left full. The best thing for the tubes is to leave them inflated. The general rule of thumb is to leave them 80% full, but if you have pressure relief valves (all RIBCRAFT boats built in the US come standard with relief valves) you can leave them fully inflated. The tubes should be left inflated so as to not put any strain on the attachment patches, not compromise the rubstrake attachment, and to prevent any unintended damage that could result from a crumpled up or folded tube.

Posted by ribcraftusa at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)