Boston Whaler versus Rib

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Poly

Do we? I've always been intrigued. Us brits are incredibly parochial and believe our ribs are best. We will extend to Europe when it suits us. But most of our friends in North America have probably limited experience of British boats just as we have of these military spec US boats.

Yes this I for sure can agree with

[Andre]

Originally Posted by zip

Andre,

What European boats compare to the Willard?

The way I see it you guys sadly have limited access to good quality and performance ribs. As far as I understand there is only the Willard and perhaps Zodiac hurricane which are available in the USA . The Willard is mainly made for the military and to convert such later to a leisure rib gives you limited possibilities. It is a challenge and the results are not bad to say the least.

The deck furniture and layout especially the consoles is what I do not like. As for performance then I doubt we will ever have a chance to compare.

[Maximus]

[QUOTE=Poly;687660]Do we?
YEP!
I'm with Andre on this for sure.
The purposeful Sea Going RIB..WE all know and love on THIS side of the Pond....for many and varied reasons isn't a "natural fit" for many North American Boaters (although there is an enlightend minority)
As a consequence the Demand is low...investment R&D advocacy and advertising follows,and with so many established types from Skiffs...Bass Boats...Cruisers...and Pontoon types ect
Dominating the scene already it's not really surprising the RIB scene is a niche market.
With the proliferation of UK and European manufacturers and the HUGE Range and Choice they offer...and the constant innovation,and technical advancement....I reckon we can be justly proud of our (after all British invention) and the way we lead the World
Oh and they do make Ribcraft under licence in the U.S. Too!

[zip]

Probably pretty quick at one time.

[Bigtalljv]

I was going to say something about ribcraft. That's probably the only commercial performance rib we have access to over here. I've seen a big one in commercial use and it is a beast, the dolphin tours out at Catalina.

http://cdn1.visitcatalinaisland.com/...s/dolphin5.jpg

Other than that the hard boats serve us and our water conditions well. RIBs aren't the best boat for fishing and that's big over here.

Jason

[Pikey Dave]

To be fair, comparing RIBs to BWs is a non-starter. They are completely different beasts for completely different purposes & conditions. This is a RIB forum so we are naturally biased towards RIBs. RIBs are relatively expensive compared to hard boats ( I still can't figure out why), offer little in the way of comfort, shelter or accommodation, unless you want to go REALLY expensive😳 A BW will give you space, storage, plenty of options for accommodation etc. If all I wanted to do was potter about in sheltered relatively calm waters, then a RIB probably wouldn't be high on my list. If, however I wanted to make challenging offshore trips safe in the knowledge that I can at least get back even if I don't make my destination, then a RIB would be up there, given my budget constraints.
Horses for courses


.....sh1t happens.......

[RyanPratt]

Originally Posted by zip

Probably pretty quick at one time.

That is a good looking boat.

[zip]

Ryan,

The boat was whipped. It is going to need everything. I tapped the hull all over too, and definitely found some questionable spots. It wouldn't surprise me if this was a hurricane salvaged boat.

[ncp]

Jason, you posted a picture of that ribcraft showing a tour where no one is wearing a life jacket and there are no comments yet - I'm confused!

[Andre]

Originally Posted by ncp

Jason, you posted a picture of that ribcraft showing a tour where no one is wearing a life jacket and there are no comments yet - I'm confused!

If that photo was taken in the UK then for sure there would have been an uproar . Possibly the helmsman is not even wearing a kill cord who knows as difficult to see from the photo.

I would comment however that that particular rib is "a pussy cat" not a beast when comparing to many SeaSafari types operating in the UK and Europe

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ncp

Jason, you posted a picture of that ribcraft showing a tour where no one is wearing a life jacket and there are no comments yet - I'm confused!

Assuming it was taken in the US, no need for LJs. It's a known fact that they use their ingenuity to ensure nothing bad ever happens there

[Bigtalljv]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Assuming it was taken in the US, no need for LJs. It's a known fact that they use their ingenuity to ensure nothing bad ever happens there

Duh, we passed a rule saying bad things aren't allowed to happen.

It's bigger than my boat so that makes it the largest RIB I've personally seen over here. Yeah, it's only a 9m or so but it does scoot about.

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Bigtalljv

Duh, we passed a rule saying bad things aren't allowed to happen.

It's bigger than my boat so that makes it the largest RIB I've personally seen over here. Yeah, it's only a 9m or so but it does scoot about.

the photo is for sure misleading as I took it for at least a 7.5 - 8 mtr rib. I found the web page
Dolphin Quest Tour | Visit Catalina Island

click on DOLPHIN QUEST tab on the hand side

and here you can see a short film with the rib . there are passengers and liferafts behind the helmsman - not the best deck arrangement as I see it.

so a big "pussy cat" but for sure not a beast

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Assuming it was taken in the US, no need for LJs. It's a known fact that they use their ingenuity to ensure nothing bad ever happens there

US regs state that there must be a LJ on board for each person. No mandate that they be worn (except for children 12 and under, and for certain types of LJ's - many inflatable jackets must be worn, for example.)

Requirement for a business to have their clients wear them or not is up to that business. Actually, that holds true for recreational boaters, as well.


jky

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

US regs state that there must be a LJ on board for each person. No mandate that they be worn (except for children 12 and under, and for certain types of LJ's - many inflatable jackets must be worn, for example.)

Requirement for a business to have their clients wear them or not is up to that business. Actually, that holds true for recreational boaters, as well.


jky

That's the same in the UK. No requirement to be worn. Actually no requirement to be carried recreationally. But the vast majority of RIB rides would expect/insist customers wear LJ.

In the land where the law suit is king it always surprises me some of the things I've seen in the states that wouldn't be allowed in UK H&S rules... If you go overboard and (?your family) sue why would the helm/operator not be liable? In the UK they might still be, but they can at least show they took some precautions against you drowning...?

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

That's the same in the UK. No requirement to be worn. Actually no requirement to be carried recreationally.

Didn't know that. Of course, I don't do much boating on the UK, either. We definitely have to have them on board (of course there's always the idiots who figure it's easier to deal with the slap on the wrist after the fact than to actually follow the law, so...)

In the land where the law suit is king it always surprises me some of the things I've seen in the states that wouldn't be allowed in UK H&S rules... If you go overboard and (?your family) sue why would the helm/operator not be liable?

Which is why we spend an inordinate amount of time signing waivers and liability releases. Not that it helps in cases of negligence, but it does scare some people off from starting a lawsuit, I guess.

jky

[Last Tango]

Compulsory on power boats in Loch Lomond...The National Park Authority (an unelected body) has the power to introduce it's own "by-laws".
I've no argument with the requirement, just the principal.

[Pikey Dave]

it must be time for our annual lifejacket debate

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

it must be time for our annual lifejacket debate

Shite Dave you missed it was last month!!😇


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[zip]

Going for my first ride on a 7M tomorrow.