Though it would have been nice for this to be a RIBCRAFT, it's nice to see RIBs are making their way into the Power Racing World. Below are excerpts from an article written about the Miss GEICO RIB by Matt Trulio of Powerboating Magazine:
Scott Begovich and Marc Granet, the throttleman and driver for the turbine-powered Miss GEICO offshore racing catamaran, dearly hope their rescue boat never has to do its job. But in addition to being racers, they are realists. They know that things can go bad—as in really bad—instantly in a cat that can top 180 mph in racing conditions.
When it came time to build a rescue boat, they chose something that wasn’t just durable and reliable, but could be extensively customized for the job.
As the name implies, RIBs have rigid hulls with inflatable air-filled chambers around their perimeters. Because they are, in essence, soft-sided, they make great yacht tenders and harbor shuttles—and rescue boats. RIBs are also fast and efficient. They do well in rough water as well, and for these reasons they’re raced extensively in Europe in production- type classes.
With financial backing from GEICO Insurance and AMF Racing, the team ordered a 32-footer. It was shipped directly to TNT Custom Marine in North Miami, where it was rigged with a pair of Mercury Racing OptiMax 300XS 3.2 Stroker outboard engines. Mercury Racing actually donated the engines for the project. But the rigging job didn’t start and stop with installing the outboards. The Miss GEICO rescue boat was set up with a custom-built tower that has lights and antennas, as well as rescue-specific equipment including a 1,000-gallon-per-hour pump to help remove water from a sinking race boat. Set in reverse mode, the pump could also deliver the same 1,000 gallons an hour to help extinguish a burning race boat.
Naturally, the Miss GEICO rescue RIB is equipped with air cylinders in holders for rescue divers, as well as a complete trauma kit for the physician who will be on board the boat during every race in 2008. Its VHF and UHF communication system enables the on-board rescue crew to communicate with rescue helicopters, as well as race control and the Miss GEICO catamaran. If no ramp is available, the rescue boat can be craned into the water—that’s how strong its lifting rings are.
Two steps were built into the rescue boat’s hull. The inner set of the boat’s four strakes terminated at the first step, while the outer pair ran full length. Also incorporated into the bottom was a variable deadrise keel. With its fuel tanks full, the Miss GEICO rescue craft reportedly has topped 72 mph.
The 32-footer, which is dressed in the same graphics as the Miss GEICO catamaran, didn’t come cheap. Even with donated outboard engines, the price tag for it—with all the previously noted extras as well as a GPS system—came to more than $200,000. The boat was delivered to the Miss GEICO team at the 2007 Key West World Championships.
“You’ll see it all over the place next season,” said Begovich, who brought the boat to Powerboat’s 2008 Performance Trials in Fort Myers, Fla., and served as its driver. “But hopefully, you’ll never see it used for what it’s intended for.”
When it comes to fuel efficiency, RIBs have been ahead of their times and the US Market is just catching up. For this reason, RIBS have enjoyed incredible popularity in Europe over for decades.
Unlike the United States until recently, Europe has long suffered from high fuel (petrol) costs. These higher costs forced Europeans to look to smaller fuel efficient cars and smarter more efficient boat designs when it came to on the water activities. As such, Europeans have preferred RIBs over solid sided boats for decades because of their fuel efficiencies.
RIBs sport a light weight design and sleek hulls with far greater planning capabilities. They require less horsepower to achieve the same speeds as solid sided boats because they are lighter weight and have less drag through the water. These design characteristics deliver excellent efficiencies which lead to fuel savings.
With the fuel challenges in the U.S. hitting everyone, RIBs are the answer to stress free boating and represent future of the boating market.
In his August editorial, Soundings Magazine Editor William Sisson, raised the question of whether or not rising fuel costs will fundamentally change how we get out on the water in the decades to come? He stated that the auto industry is in the midst of retooling to produce more energy efficient automobiles and that boat builders will need to do the same. The result, he said, could be a new generation of hulls both lighter and more efficient.
Sisson theorized that perhaps people are going to have to change their expectations about speed, performance and in some cases ride. He wrote: "I suspect we will need to readjust our priorities about what we expect out of our boats". Sisson says that successful planing boats of the future will be lighter, have flatter sections aft, and run on longer narrower hulls – as a result they can be powered by smaller, lighter engines, requiring less fuel capacity but he says you'll have to sacrifice performance in rough weather.
People no doubt will begin looking towards improving fuel efficiencies. For those of you who already own a RIB you already have it. A RIB delivers all of these "futuristic" properties Sisson discusses. But what a RIB doesn't do is sacrifice performance – instead it improves it. So, I agree that people's expectations will change, but it will be that they can finally have their cake and eat it to - better fuel efficiency and better rough weather performance.
A RIB is the boat of the future available today. Gone are the days of people looking to heavy hard-sided boats like Grady White and Boston Whaler. Boaters will now do as they've done in Europe for decades and turn to RIBs.
This year's New England RIB Rendezvous will be on Saturday, July 12th. Our dedstination will be the waters aruond Cape Ann, home to the fisherman of Gloucester and the rocky shores of Rockport.
We will meet at the town dock in Marblehead Harbor at 9:30am and then head north to Gloucester. We'll parade through the Annisquam Canal to Wingaersheek Beach for a picnic lunch raft. After some swimming, we'll head around Cape Ann for a view of Rockport and then back down to Marblehead.
There's no need to own a RIBCRAFT, all you need to do is own a RIB and bring it along. This a fantastic opportunity to get out on your RIB and enjoy a day on the water with other RIB owners.
If you'd like more information or would like to join us, please RSVP to Matthew Velluto at mvelluto@ribcraftusa.com by July 9th.
For those of us in the throws of winter, thought these pictures of people using their RIBs during warmer months or in warmer climates would be a nice reprieve from the cold temperatures. I'm always looking for photos of RIBs "in action" so please feel free to share your pics with us!
Walking through the production floor today was like looking at an ad for what you can do with a RIB. As I looked at the various boats in production this morning, I was amazed at the variety of customers and their intended uses. There's a 5.85 for a fire department's dive team, two 7.8s for a presidential security force, a 5.85 for a yacht club that will use the boat as a safety and work boat, a 9.0 for an adventure tour company, a 7.0 for a recreational customer who wanted a diesel engine configuration for exploring the San Juan Islands, a 150 for another recreational customer who is buying it for his children so that they can have a boat to use on their own and learn about boat handling, and another 5.85 for a marine research lab.
Whether it's for work or pleasure, a RIB is the ultimate boat for any on water activity. The diversity of our customer's continuously amazes me. How do you use your RIB?
Picking up where we left off in my last posting, if you take too much of an angle to the waves and/or find yourself perpendicular to them, then you are operating in a "Beam Sea".
In a beam sea, you can actually operate at a pretty fast speed. Just be absolutely certain to keep an eye out for breaking waves and either increasing or decreasing your speed accordingly steering for clearer water behind the breaking wave. Breaking waves can be very dangerous and can easily capsize a boat if the operator is not paying attention.
If you find yourself unable to escape a breaking wave you have a couple options. You can turn into and ride it much as I described for a "Head Sea" or turn away from it and run in front of it. Doing this seems to make sense, but it could also be much more dangerous unless you can be sure you can out run the amazing speed these waves can reach.
Going with the waves brings us to the next type of sea condition, the Following Sea or heading down wind (going in the direction of the wind/ waves). Traveling in a following sea can be quite deceiving and seem very comfortable as you will be traveling the same direction as the wind and waves which results in a very calm feeling. However, it can be extremely dangerous should a breaking wave catch the RIB from behind. If it does, there's potential the wave can turn the boat sideways to the waves which could set the boat up for a capsize at the next one.
Waves can move surprisingly fast, up to almost 30 knots, which means that your speed through the water could be very low. For example, if you're moving at 20 knots and the waves are traveling at 18 knots, your actual speed through the water is only 2 knots. If you add this low speed to the prop having problems getting any clean water to bight into in the churned and confused water from breaking waves, steering can be rendered virtually useless. This is one reason why it's important to insure your RIB has adequate power before venturing out in rough conditions so that you have the needed power to outrun the waves.
The way to operate in a following sea, is to ride the wave by staying behind the crest or break. As it begins to break, power up so that you sit on the back of the next wave. Whenever running in a following sea, it is essential that you keep a vigilant look out behind so that a wave doesn't catch up and surprise you. Be careful, because you're not always going to feel like you're moving very fast in a following sea, but you potentially will be, so you want to be careful not to power through the breaking wave too early as it's easy to launch off the crest of the wave into the giant hole on the other side and dive into the back of the next wave – stuffing the bow.
When this happens, a dramatic loss of speed results which leaves the boat exposed to the waves from behind again. Also, if the boat stuffs, there's a good chance those on board will be tossed forward and the boat will be filled with water.
Portions of the above advice were excerpted from RIB International (Dec/Jan 06/07)
When driving in rough water, the most important thing to do is to match your speed and direction to the water conditions through adjusting your throttle and steering accordingly. Though it may be a blast to keep the throttle on and wave jump, eventually you and the boat will get tired of it. Just as important however, if the prop is continuously leaving and re-entering the water the efficiency of the boat to make quick headway is greatly reduced.
There are several conditions that operators need to know how to handle. The first is driving upwind to weather or in a "Head Sea".
To do this it's important to first be sure your trim is adjusted all the way down in order to keep the bow down. This will minimize the amount of lift off the wave but also promote the best entry through the water which promotes optimal performance of the V hull to cut through the water.
Long Wavelengths
Now, if you're driving in very large waves with some distance between them (distance between waves = wavelength) I've outlined some helpful tips. Once your trim is adjusted, you want to approach each wave so that you are driving up the face of it carefully easing off on the throttle as you approach to the top so as to not launch off the crest or top. Then, drive down the wave speeding up so that the bow will raise as the next wave approaches.
As you do this, you'll find the ride to be pretty fast and amazingly smooth. Driving into a head sea is actually all about throttling ON and OFF as you make your way through the waves.
Short Wavelengths
With shorter wavelengths or short sharper chop the above method can prove almost impossible to accomplish so try using what I call the "Sailing Method" where you literally "Tack" upwind by driving the RIB at 30º to 45º to the waves. What this does is increase the perceived wavelength which allows the operator to adjust the throttle as described above. Though this will add distance to your trip the improved comfort and safety will be well worth it.
The combination of the deep V hull and the inflatable tube give a RIB its outstanding sea-keeping abilities. The tube acts like a giant shock absorber absorbing most of the impact forces thus reducing the stress on the boat and crew. Additionally, the tube contributes to a far more stable ride than other types of boats by significantly reducing any lateral movement. This allows a RIB to carry a deeper V hull than hardsided boats which contributes to a smoother ride in rough conditions. Not only does a RIB handle seas way beyond what other types of boats of its length could handle, it's far less likely to take on water. And, if it does, a RIB doesn't trap it and has the ability to get rid of the water quickly if necessary through a low transom and high capacity deck drains. What's more, with the incredible buoyancy provided by the tube a RIB is far more capable of supporting large amounts of water on deck without sacrificing stability.
All of these qualities describe a Really Incredible Boat (RIB)!
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!
Are you looking for an opportunity to get out on your RIB with some fellow RIB owners? If so, come to Marblehead on June 9th for a RIB Rendez Vous. We'll be meeting Saturday, June 9th in Marblehead Harbor then heading north to Gloucester where we'll take the Annisquam Canal through to the backside of Cape Ann then loop around with a stop off in Rockport and then back down to Marblehead.
Organized by a group of RIB enthusiasts, RIBCRAFT is happy to lend a hand and share our backyard! If you own a RIB, come on down. No need to own a RIBCRAFT - all you need is a RIB! If you're interested email mvelluto@ribcraftusa.com for more details or check out RIBnet Forums to hear from some of the participants. Who knows - I might even join up!
For departments using RIBs in colder climates during the winter, this is a common question and concern. The answer nearly every time is NO.
Because the tubes are air filled, they are susceptible to temperature change. Changing temperatures cause the air pressure inside the tube to fluctuate. The tubes become harder as the air expands on hot days and on colder days the air contracts making the tubes softer.
This is extremely evident during the winter for fire departments who store their boats inside the station until needed. Many first time RIB users panic when they move the boat from the 68 degree station to the outside where it’s 35 degrees. Within minutes the air inside the tube contracts and the tubes soften.
To minimize this effect, I recommend putting the boat outside in the cold for a half hour and then pump the tube up as much as you can with the foot pump. Then bring the boat back in. The tubes will become hard once inside, but hopefully the next time you go out, the tube change won’t be as extreme.
Similarly, during the summer, you could be out on the RIB in the afternoon and all seems fine until the next morning when you go out and you notice the tubes are soft. What happened? Much like at the fire station, in the afternoon it could have been 90 degrees and the next morning it was only 70. If you notice the tubes are softer in the morning - be happy, you're lucky. The pressure relief valves worked the day before as the air pressure in the tube expanded dangerously in the heat, the valves worked - releasing some of the air to maintain a safe operating pressure. This protects the tube, but when the air temperature drops as the sun goes down there’s less air in the tube and thus the tube becomes softer. When this happens, be thankful, because the alternative would be much worse. All you need to do is simply add a little more air with the foot pump. This rarely occurs, but it’s not unusual to have this happen once or twice during the summer in New England.
Bottom line, if you suspect your tube is losing air and all the chambers seem to be losing the same amount simultaneously, then you’re very safe in assuming your tubes aren’t leaking. They’re just adjusting to their surroundings.
I was catching up on some reading the other day and was flipping through the November issue of PropTalk, a great publication that focuses on power boating in the Chesapeake, and came across a nice little article on a Coast Guard Auxiliarist using his RIBCRAFT 5.85 for patrols, A Day On Patrol With the USCG Auxiliary, by Art Pine.
Jim Welday (a RIBCRAFT owner since 2003) has been a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for over 14 years. Welday uses his RIBCRAFT 5.85 for patrols. In the past year alone, he has logged more than 300 hours on the boat patrolling the waters of the Chesapeake.
Before purchasing the RIBCRAFT, Welday used a hardsided 21’ bowrider for his patrol duties. As the article mentioned: “This one [RIBCRAFT 5.85] is the ultimate in search and rescue craft. Besides the usual array of safety gear, it’s rigged with Auxiliary patrol signs, red-and-amber flashing strobe lights, a Sampson post for towing, and twin bridles and towlines. Welday can easily top 25 knots in an emergency…”
The article continued recounting an average day on patrol with Welday and highlighted some of his more memorable rescues over the years. The author concluded the article by saying: “Welday’s new boat has proven to be a good choice for his search and rescue efforts. The rigid inflatable ‘works a lot better than conventional boats,’ he [Welday] says, enabling him to ‘get up closer to other boats and talk to people,’ rather than having to shout or use a loud-hailer. “That way, you don’t have to worry as much’, he says.”
If you’re interested in reading more about this, I highly recommend contacting PropTalk for a subscription and a copy of the November Issue. It’s a great magazine that’s not only a good read, but free!
There was a comment to one of my postings from a month or so ago that raised the question of who was the first to dream up the concept of a RIB. I thought it was an excellent comment, so, where did the RIB come from? Its origins date back to around the turn of the 20th Century. To talk about the birth of RIBs, one has to discuss the advent of inflatable boats.
In large part, we have the Titanic to thank for our boats. With the loss of life of the Titanic in 1912 and the considerable losses experienced to US ships during World War I, the need for a solution was clear. After this, an international agreement was signed to provide safeguards for passenger safety aboard ships; creating the first SOLAS treaty. One of its major provisions was to ensure that every vessel had enough lifeboats to provide every person aboard the ship with a place. This was easy enough for cargo ships where there was minimal number of crew members and excess deck space, but for cruise ships and naval ships that had large passenger counts with almost no deck space this created a huge problem; where do you put the lifeboats? Enter inflatable boats…
After World War I, Goodyear (that’s right the U.S. tire company) found a way to join rubber to other materials. They made life rafts that had square shaped inflatable tubes with a rigid floor. Was this the birth of the first RIB? One could definitely argue yes. These rafts were to be stacked vertically on the ships and appeared to answer the storage problem – unfortunately, conservative thinking in the Navy prevented these boats from being developed fully.
Around the same time, across the pond, Pierre Debroutelle came up with a craft that utilized a U shaped inflatable tube. It was the first boat of its kind to be certified by a navy when the French Navy did so. During World War II, they added a wooden transom which was then patented.
During the second World War, everything changed; the need for inflatables increased and luckily so did the quality of the rubber used in the boats. Inflatables were used as lifeboats, to transport troops through shallow water, and to move torpedoes and other cargo. Additionally, their compactability made them easy to store and transport over land.
As with all great innovations, one company emerge; Zodiac. Their boats gained acceptance in the military and after World War II surplus inflatable boats were sold to the public, which continued their popularity in the recreational market. Zodiac quickly became the “generic” name when it came to inflatables.
In the 1950s, a French Naval officer by the name of Bombard combined the outboard engine, rigid floor and a boat shaped inflatable tube. Zodiac built the boat and a friend of Bombard, Jacques Cousteau began to use it. Cousteau was convinced by the performance of the boat and used it for years as a tender for his expeditions. As such, “Zodiac” became the word used for inflatable boats throughout Europe and quickly gained hold in the U.S.
The inflatable was so successful that Zodiac couldn’t keep up with the demand and they licensed production to several companies throughout Europe. By this time, people began “tweaking” the design to improve performance through rough water. They began playing with underwater inflatable hulls – the pre-cursor to the RIB.
The combination of a rigid hull and large inflatable tube was introduced in Great Britain in 1967 by Tony Lee-Elliott and patented by Admiral Hoare in 1969 after research and development at Atlanic College in Wales. RIBs were first introduced as lifeboats and rescue craft in England in 1970.
What do you do with a RIB?! It’s a question I used to get all the time, but these days with RIBs becoming more prominent in US waters the question comes up less and less. It’s too bad in some ways – because that question really speaks to the versatility of a RIB. As I’ve said countless times before in answering this question, with a RIB you can do everything you do with a hardsided boat, only much more. I recently scanned a list of our customers and to my own amazement I was quite impressed with the multitude of activities our RIBs are used for.
For Work our customers use their RIBs for: Coaching, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Patrols, Security Work, Interdiction, Education, Philanthropy, Tourism, Officiating, Diving, Towing, Research, Exploration, Salvage, & Transportation.
For Play our customers use their RIBS for: Entertainment, Adventure, Cruising, Fishing, Hunting, Exploring, Spectating, Family Fun, Escapes, Diving, Thrills, & Enjoyment.
I know I missed some, but I think you get my point. How about you? What do you use your RIB for?
In my opinion, water jets on RIB’s are a mixed bag. On the one hand, they allow better maneuverability, shallow water navigation, and at high speeds they are more efficient then most traditional propulsion set-ups. But, their efficiency is really a Catch 22.
Though at high speeds jets are rather efficient, operating a boat with a jet at lower speeds is actually inefficient. Jets reduce the horsepower output of an engine by about 20%+ until you hit the sweet spot on the power curve. At that point, the resistance is lowered such where the jet begins to assist as opposed to hurt the efficiency. This is why typically jet boats require larger horse powered engines.
Depending on how the boat is used, the jet is either a good idea or a bad one. For the local harbor cruiser, I'd say no. Similarly I wouldn’t recommend a jet for a patrol boat, harbormaster, or even a local first responder with small boat needs. On the other hand, applications that require high speeds and long range such as interdiction boats and larger SAR boats, a jet is a good choice.
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!
This past weekend I relented and agreed to go out on my friend’s 17’ hard sided boat.
The plan was to leave Marblehead and head to Kettle Cove, which is about 6-7 miles away from Marblehead Harbor on the way towards Gloucester. With the wind steady and strong out of the N/ NW at about 20 knots, we began our journey. As soon as we left the harbor, we were soaked!! The ride was dicey at best and we were hanging on for dear life. Every time the boat would slam down off a wave, water would be splashed up in the air and the wind would throw it back into the boat and all over us. Horrible ride to say the least. After about a half hour of this, we decided to head home for calming waters and put our Kettle Cove plans on hold.
After our shortened boat ride, I couldn’t wait to get back on a RIB! Looking back on it, I’m glad I had the opportunity to experience how “other boaters” live – spending so much time on a RIB, you sometimes forget just how great the ride is and how lucky you really are. Needless to say, my friends and I have plans to head back to Kettle Cove this weekend – this time on my RIB!
One of the best pieces of safety equipment any boater can have onboard is a marine VHF radio. Should an emergency happen, having a functioning marine radio onboard can make the crucial difference. There’s really no excuse these days not to have one when out on the water. Today’s VHFs are compact, reliable and relatively inexpensive (depending on the model). VHF radios provide boaters with instant access to the Coast Guard and local marine responders. Though you might not think it, they are far more reliable and effective on the water than your cell phone.
Plus, many of the new VHF radios come with a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature which is designed to get emergency help to the distressed vessel with pinpoint accuracy. In an emergency the DSC radio will send an automated digital distress alert consisting of your identification and exact position (provided the radio is connected to a GPS unit) to other DSC equipped vessels and rescue personnel.
At the end of the day, just make sure your boat has a working marine radio and that you test it regularly to make sure it works well.
So you keep your RIB on a mooring – so what’s the best way to secure the mooring pennants so as to not damage the tube?
As with tying a RIB to the dock (we’ll cover this in a subsequent posting –stay tuned) you want to avoid anything that can lead to a line chafing the tube. The best way to go about this is to secure the mooring pennant directly to the bow eye.
You can do this very easily with a stainless steel clip or stainless steel karabiner that is clipped through the loop at the end of the mooring pennant and then clipped directly to the bow eye. For a more permanent set up, you can have your local mooring service company splice the mooring clip to the end of the pennant. If your mooring has two lines, make the second line 3’- 4’ longer so that you can drape it over the tube and secure it to the deck cleat. This line is intended only as a safety line and should have no pressure on it. It’s literally draped over the tube and hangs in the water.
This set up works extremely well and makes mooring your boat quick and easy.
You can see the primary mooring line goes directly to the bow eye and the secondary (grayish-blue line) drapes over the tube (note there is no pressure on it)
A mooring clip spliced directly to the pennant.
What Not To Do - Here's an example of the secondary line being too tight - see how all the load is on the line over the tube - You can actually see the line going to the bow eye is slacked.
Though RIBs make the perfect platform for marine photographers covering regattas, even a RIB can't avoid a collision. Glad I didn't loan these photographers my RIB for the day!
In all my years on RIBs I have never been on a white water rafting raft – that is until this past weekend. If anyone knows about the resiliency and durability of inflatable tubes (Hypalon and Polyurethane) it’s me – but I was amazed to see what the tubes of a white water raft go through – truly unbelievable!
We used rafts made of both Hypalon and Polyurethane on our trip. Just to launch our rafts - we dragged them over sharp medal racks and jagged rocks. I found myself wincing and wanting to lift the tubes as we slid them along the granite outcroppings. But our guide, who has been doing this for years, had not a worry on her face. As we made our way down the rapids – the abuse continued but the tubes were up to the challenge (though many of us were not).
At the end of our 4 hour trip of punching through breaking waves and ricocheting off bolders, I was thrilled, and I must admit amazed, to see that as we hauled the boats out the tubes showed virtually no signs of wear and tear.
Though I’ve always known how durable RIBs are – it was nice to see an example of just how rugged and durable the tubes really are.
By simply wearing a lifejacket, more than 80% of the boating fatalities each year could be avoided. Unfortunately, boating accidents can and will happen – most often times they happen quickly and with little warning. Leaving little to no time to reach for stowed life jackets.
To save money, some boaters buys the most inexpensive life jackets that meet the mandatory standard for life jackets – but these are bulky and uncomfortable – no one likes wearing these. However, effective Coast Guard Approved life jackets are NOW available that are not only COMFORTABLE but come in a variety of styles. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests while others are inflatable — as compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit water and then once submerged they automatically fill with air. These can be found at all boating stores.
There’s no such thing as one size fits all - Life jackets come in all sizes, and it is important, especially when children are boating, for each boater to wear a properly-fitting personal flotation device (PFD). Adult-sized life jackets DO NOT WORK for children. Special children’s life jackets are available at all boating stores. To work correctly, a life jacket must be worn, fit snugly, and not allow the child’s chin or ears to slip through.
You wouldn’t let your child sit in your car without a seat belt or booster seat – so why let them on your boat without a life jacket?! We have car seats and booster seats for children for the exact same reason we have children’s life jackets.
To that end – most of us don’t even think twice about buckling up in a car – the should also hold true about wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) whenever out on the water.
The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all of us that as a recreational boat owner, you’re in command of and responsible for the safety of all your passengers. Make sure everyone onboard is properly wearing a life jacket before you shove off.
There’s no excuse not to wear a life jacket on the water!
Introducing children to boating is one of the coolest things a parent can do. Boating is such a great family activity. Just think, you can be alone with your family for hours on the water with no television, phones, or other distractions.
But being safe and smart must come first. Too often children are put in dangerous situations by parents who lack knowledge, are short on common sense, or simply are not thinking. The results are often catastrophic. Dealing with safety professionals such as the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, we regularly hear of awful stories involving children. More often than not, the incidents could have easily been avoided by the parent or adult onboard.
For example, wearing a PFD (a.k.a. lifejacket), is the simplest preventative measure. Wearing one should be obvious, yet this past weekend in Massachusetts, a five year old boy and his father drowned after their 14’ skiff overturned. Sadly, neither was wearing a PFD.
There are also some less obvious things we all could and need to do to keep our children safe onboard. One of my pet peeves is when children are allowed to sit on the bow with their feet dangling over - being held onboard only by a bow pulpit (often times less when on a RIB!). Talk about a recipe for an awful disaster . . . .
Check out this great video of a 21' RIBCRAFT 210 underway in what looks like 1-1.5' chop. Nothing runs like a RIB as these two RIB junkies know! In case you're wondering, the footage was shot from a 25' RIBCRAFT 7.8 Mitigator.
It was the first real nice day of the season here, so I decided to head out on a RIBCRAFT 5.85. You could tell too by the number of SeaTow, Tow Boat/US and Harbormasters out responding to breakdowns - that for many this was the inaugural cruise of the season and the excitement of the moment didn’t magically put fuel in their tanks or fix their engine problems from last year.
It was a rough day with a strong westerly breeze that made for a wet rough ride for anyone not in a RIB. I am still amazed to see the area Harbormasters and towing companies struggle with their hard-sided boats in theses kind of conditions. As I sped comfortably by at 25 knots, it was a sad sight to see the harbormaster in his 25’ hard-sided center console with a T-Top and blue light flashing slowly flogging their way out of the harbor. Not making more than 10 knots, the two officers clinging to the top were soaked as the wind caught the spray and blew it into their faces – definitely obstructing their vision. I couldn’t tell if they were going slow because they couldn’t see where they were going or if it was just too uncomfortable to ride on a plane. Either way, neither of those would be an issue if they were in a RIB.
At another time in the day, I painfully watched as one of the tow companies struggled to come along side a stranded vessel. They were pitching back and forth in the 2 foot chop and the operator was concentrating more on keeping his finders over the side so as to not damage the two boats than focusing on driving. With a RIB, they could easily come along side the boat with a one-track focus of successfully securing the tow on a stable and predictable platform.
I almost felt guilty as I easily sped by the professionals, but all I could wonder is why they didn’t have a RIB. Each day, we see more and more safety professionals catching on to the benefits of a RIB. The departments that use RIBs today, can't imagine doing their job in any other kind of boat. It just amazes me that so many are resistant and slow to change.
The BOAT TRAILER – it has been my experience that many owners overlook this critical piece of equipment. As I was waiting down at the town launch ramp the other day for my turn to splash a new 15’ RIBCRAFT 4.8 for a junior sailing program this sentiment was strongly reinforced. I watched in amazement - and at times even in horror - as boat after boat came down the ramp precariously placed on old rickety trailers that only made it to the launch ramp by habit. It surely wasn’t the skill of the driver or the strength of the trailer.
First and foremost, I always make sure that the boat is not going to find its way to the pavement faster than it will to the water. Check the trailer winch to insure that it is in the locked position and attach the safety chain to the boats bow eye. Always use transom tie down straps securing the boat to the trailer and always, and I mean always, put a locking pin in the ball coupler. As stupid as this sounds, make sure that all lug nuts are tight - I got caught with my pants down earlier this year when a tire fell off the trailer I was towing. Luckily there was no damage to the boat, but it was still a huge hassle and very embarrassing. For new trailers it is a must that you retighten the lug nuts after every 100 miles for the first 1000 miles. While you’re at it, check the trailer lights, tire pressure, and grease the wheel bearings.
Well I’ve revealed my embarrassing trailer moment – any one brave enough to share theirs?
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.
The Sears are currently south of Norfolk, VA. After a LONG weekend battling small craft advisories and unsettled weather along the coast, they’re making slower time than they anticipated. They've been facing 20+ knot winds on the nose for the last few days - other than that, they're doing great and enjoying themselves. Kirk tells us that the “210 is performing flawlessly – the biggest problem has been the wind and rain! With Norfolk behind them and better weather ahead, Kirk and Sylvia hope to be home sometime on Tuesday.
Massachusetts to North Carolina Aboard a RIBCRAFT 210
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.
I was fortunate enough to get out on a RIBCRAFT 7.8 on the Pacific Ocean the other day with a customer in Ventura California. What a beautiful day in Southern California, the sun was shining, a nice gradual swell was rolling in, and the 2 foot chop made for ideal conditions for a RIB ride and for the dolphins that joined us.
When it was my turn at the wheel, I put the boat to the test – cutting in among the surf and pushing the boat through tight figure eight turns. As always – I’m continuously amazed by the performance of a RIB! The RIBCRAFT 7.8 we were on is a machine – complete with twin military spec 150HP Johnson Enforcers, a shock mitigating seat for the operator and two aft pod seats for crew. This boat is used by Channel Watch Marine, a Vessel Assist Tow and Salvage operator.
As a commercial tower, it’s an excellent platform for their business. The 25’ RIBCRAFT 7.8, allows them to quickly get on the scene of a tow or salvage operation. Though not usually the boat to do the towing, the 25’ RIB enables them to secure the situation, rescue passengers in harms way, quickly understand the needs of the situation, and finalize any paperwork. With the RIB, they’re able to easily do 20 knots in large seas and 30+ knots in calmer conditions while their hard-sided tow boats can only make 6-12 knots depending on the conditions.
Furthermore, with a RIB, they don’t have to worry about damaging the topsides of the distressed vessel either. They’re extremely happy with their new addition – but as I mentioned last week in a posting, they’ve had to adjust they way they do certain things. Hip towing vessels has taken some modifications as there are fewer tie off points on a RIB. With the tubes, they can’t always fully snug up the lines. These aren’t negatives by any means, but just things they’ve noticed and have found solutions for. In all respects, a RIB is an excellent platform and asset for their business.
It’s great to read everyone’s thoughts on my last posting – keep them coming. With all this talk about safe boating I thought I’d put my own two sense in on some tips I found to be a great way to insure a safe boating experience. We’ve all flown and walked by the cockpit as we board to see the pilot and co-pilot going through a series of checks prior to take off. We as boaters should do the same. I recommend checking the engine, making sure the fluids, steering, and battery are operating properly and water is streaming out of the engine, just below the cover. Always make sure the navigation lights are working, you have a functional horn that is loud, and the flares haven’t expired, and there are enough PFDs for all on board. I always check the below deck compartments to insure there isn’t any water in the bilge and to smell for fuel. Additionally, you should always have a working VHF radio in case of an emergency. These are just a few things that take only a minute that will insure a safe day on the water.
I was flipping through a boating magazine this morning and counted four ads showing powerboats soaring out of the water looking, in my opinion, very much out of control. In a time when boating safety is moving to the forefront as it should, I’m amazed that manufacturers would show their boats in such a state. I don’t know about you, but it doesn’t really make me think of safe responsible boating or that my experience on that boat will be safe when I see a boat flying off a wave with spray flying and propellers spinning in a blur – though in some respects it does appeal to my male ego and gets the testosterone flowing. To see an image like this suggests that either the boat is poorly designed or the manufacturer in some indirect way condones unsafe and irresponsible operating habits. With boating fatalities and accidents on a rise, I think all of us in the marine industry need to be careful with what we show in our ads and not only talk about safe boating but portray it. What do you think?
Everyone at some point early on in their introduction to RIBs has asked, and no doubt all of us have been asked no tons of times “What do the tubes do”? Perhaps the question should really be; what don’t they do. But for now, I thought I’d give you the “Top Ten” things tubes do for RIBs.
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...
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?
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.
"RIBCRAFT", "RIBCRAFT USA",
and "Rib
Craft" are trademarks of RIBCRAFT USA, LLC. Copyright 2005.
All Rights Reserved. RIBCRAFT USA reserves the right to change,
without notice, any pricing, materials, specifications, equipment
and/or accessories.
