Though it’s the dead of winter for those of us in the northern climates, January is a busy month for RIBCRAFT.

We start the month off at the National Sailing Programs Symposium (NSPS) in St. Petersburg, Florida on January 9th-13th. Hosted by US SAILING, this four day event is the pre-eminent sailing education conference in the country. The NSPS provides an excellent opportunity for sailing progams and industry to communicate, share ideas, and learn about pertinent issues in the sport. Having long recognized the needs of sailing programs and yacht clubs for commercial grade safety, coach, and mark boats, RIBCRAFT and US SAILING partnered in February of 2007 to create the US SAILING RIBCRAFT 15. This 15’ RIB, designed exclusively for yacht clubs, sailing programs and sailors alike, will be exhibited at the NSPS and available for demos. This boat is the only boat designed specifically as a coach and support boat.

Changing gears. For those of you looking to see the latest offerings in the RIBCRAFT line of Professional Grade RIBs, we invite you to visit us at The New England Boat Show January 12th-20th at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. This is a great indoor show that provides us with a excellent opportunity to show off several of our most popular models.

Continuing on in our support of the sport of sailing, RIBCRAFT is a proud sponsor of the 2008 Rolex Miami OCR in Miami, Florida on January 27th- February 2nd. This regatta will host over 600 sailors in more than a dozen different classes. This has turned into one of the top regattas in the world.

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It was a made to order day for RIBs; sunny, 70 degrees, 20-25 knots of breeze, and 3'-4' seas. Our RIB Rendez-Vous on Saturday was a great success and lots of fun. 10 RIBs gathered in Marblehead and en masse we headed out of the Harbor in a scene that Dan Tucker mentioned was reminiscent of Apocalypse Now.

As we made our way to Boston, a small craft advisory was issued and the area yacht clubs cancelled the day's sailboat races due to too much wind. The day was definitely a testament to RIBs. With the 3-4' waves and strong steady breeze, there wasn't one of us who were dry by the time we made it into Boston (less than 40 minutes I may add). As we sat and ate our picnic lunch at the Courageous Sailing Center in the heart of Boston Harbor, we all agreed that we couldn't wait to get back out there but couldn’t imagine doing the same thing in a hard sided boat!

After we ate and had a chance to dry off, we headed through the Charles River locks and up the Charles River to Boston University's boat house where we turned around and headed back. It was beautiful and so peaceful on the river that most of us forgot what was waiting for us on the other side of the locks (20+ knot winds and big wet seas). But after a great lunch and the re-charge on the river, the passage back to Marblehead was loads of fun (still wet, but can't beat a fun and exhilarating ride).

We had a great time on the water and are looking forward to another outing!

Take a look at some of the photos I've included below and enjoy!

Matthew Velluto (filling in for Fred)

All of us gathering at the Town Dock in Marblehead before venturing out.

Some of the RIB armada heading out of Marblehead Harbor.

Two RIBCRAFT 7.8's making their way up Boston Harbor (finally calm enough that I can take some pictures)

Having some lunch at Courageous Sailing Center in Boston Harbor

Here's the flotilla tied up at the Couragous Sailing Center after the first leg of the trip!

Quite a sight to see a bunch of RIBs all lined up in the locks - the Lock Operator had no idea what to make of it!

Hanging out on the Charles River

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Today the United States Coast Guard celebrates 216 years of dedicated service to mariners here and around the world.

It all began on August 4, 1790 when Alexander Hamilton authorized the building of ten ships for the Revenue Cutter Service, the forbearer of today’s United States Coast Guard. In 1915 the Revenue Cutter Service and the Lifesaving Service merged into one organization to form the Coast Guard we know today.

The smallest of the five military armed service branches, the Coast Guard on an average day saves 15 lives, assists 114 people in distress, conducts 23 waterfront security inspections, and monitors the passing of 2557 commercial ships in and out of US ports. How did you spend your day today?

In recognition for all they do, we salute and say “Happy Birthday” to the United States Coast Guard. We are proud to build boats for you and wish you another 216 successful years.

Posted by ribcraftusa at 09:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

905 miles and 82 hours after leaving Marblehead, Massachusetts, the Sears arrived safely last night at 7:30pm in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina aboard their 21’ RIBCRAFT 210. To give you an idea of the weather conditions they encounter for most of the trip, yesterday, the first day of decent weather, they covered 360 miles alone – almost as many miles as they covered the four previous days! After experiencing four days straight of strong winds, heavy seas, and driving rains, the only minor problems they encounter was a faulty transducer and an XM Radio system unable to pick up a signal (well, OK, maybe no XM does constitute a major problem). All in all, another successful trip for a RIB and a RIBCRAFT. What’s more – the Sears were able to raise a bunch of money for a great cause, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

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They’re off! With a light 2 knot breeze out of the Southeast and overcast skies, Kirk Sears and his wife Sylvia left Marblehead Harbor this morning aboard their new RIBCRAFT 210 (their 3rd RIBCRAFT) bound for Wilmington, North Carolina. With the winds predicted to build to 18 knots out of the South/ Southeast, the Sears anticipate arriving in Newport, RI this afternoon around 3:00pm. Why are they doing this you might ask? For the thrill and excitement for one, but more importantly, to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Today’s departure was in stark contrast to three years ago, when Kirk and his nephew left Marblehead on a RIBCRAFT 5.85 (his second) in the midst of a classic April Nor’Easter. They made great time, arriving in North Carolina in just under four days. The Sears’ route this year will be to head out of Marblehead, pass through the Cape Cod Canal into Buzzards Bay and then on down to Newport, RI. From Newport, they’ll head down Long Island Sound, pass by Manhattan and then on through the East River. They’ll head “offshore” off the coast of New Jersey and then make their way into the Chesapeake heading through Norfolk, VA and then home to Wrightsville Beach, NC on Sunday.

Check Back Later for an update – we’ll keep you posted on their progress.

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If you have some free time and your private jet is fueled and ready to go (for those of us on this side of the pond), then you should jet on over to the Isle of Wight this weekend for the only boat show dedicated 100% to RIBs – RIBEX 2006 takes place May 12-14th in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

This is a great opportunity to see the latest in RIB design and to take advantage of a marina filled with RIBs awaiting sea trials. For those of us in the States who can’t make it to RIBEX, hopefully someday, we’ll have a show like this here.

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