Have you been out yet?

Steve509926 · 06 February 2025, 21:28

Despite my best intentions I didn't manage to get out on the water during January, mostly down to the weather. So when I saw the forecast last night, the truck was packed for an early get away this morning.
I set off in frost and fog, hoping it would lift by the time I got to Windermere, which thankfully it did.
It was a beautiful, sunny, but very cold day. It was also very, very quiet! Where was everyone, hardly anyone was out on the water. In fact I hardly saw anyone walking on the shoreline paths. Thankfully a friendly robin said hello before I set off!

It would be good to see any pics if anyone else has managed to get on the water during Jan/Feb.

Somerset Jim · 06 February 2025, 22:16

I managed to get out for a quick blast in mid January. Annoying that the weather was much better the following morning but we had to leave early morning to go for a house viewing nearby.

Steve509926 · 06 February 2025, 22:25

There's a few bobs worth in that 2nd picture! but it looks like you had a bloody cold day?

So down to the house viewing, did you buy it?

jonp · 07 February 2025, 05:27

I used my boats all year when I lived in the UK, I never heard of wintering boats back then. I also worked on commercial trawlers and crab boats etc as well as recreationally fished and dived. Here in Australia there's also no off season when it comes to boats.

Somerset Jim · 07 February 2025, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

There's a few bobs worth in that 2nd picture! but it looks like you had a bloody cold day?

So down to the house viewing, did you buy it?

Loved the property but having looked at it and travelled around the locality we decided it was too far from schooling that we have lined up.

It wasn’t too cold that day, just drab and grey. I was wearing a hat and gloves mind you!

treerat · 07 February 2025, 08:40

Managed to get out between Christmas and New Year - not the warmest but great to blow some cobwebs away.

Out last weekend on the local lake looking after this lot - doing it again later this month.

12 clubs from across Southern England descended on Roadford, filling the car parks and bringing with them 14 gigs to look after.

Most events need multiple boats to host the various officials needed to run a large regatta. But with three distinct areas on the Patrol 600 there's plenty of room for all aboard the one boat. This helps keep costs down, moral and banter high and really shows off the benefits of a well laid out deck.

Photographer in the bow, safety crew on the helm and crew seats, umpires in the rear and the drone operator moving around to suit. Dry boxes under the rear seats ensured the various kits required were stowed out the way.

Steve509926 · 07 February 2025, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonp

I used my boats all year when I lived in the UK, I never heard of wintering boats back then. I also worked on commercial trawlers and crab boats etc as well as recreationally fished and dived. Here in Australia there's also no off season when it comes to boats.

Looking at some of the boats on Windermere I don't think half of their owners have heard of "winterizing". I saw a lot of sad floating shit holes, covered in bird crap, green slime and torn covers. I can never understand why owners, who have made a considerable investment, don't look after their possessions better.

Steve509926 · 07 February 2025, 09:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

Managed to get out between Christmas and New Year - not the warmest but great to blow some cobwebs away.

Out last weekend on the local lake looking after this lot - doing it again later this month.

12 clubs from across Southern England descended on Roadford, filling the car parks and bringing with them 14 gigs to look after.

Most events need multiple boats to host the various officials needed to run a large regatta. But with three distinct areas on the Patrol 600 there's plenty of room for all aboard the one boat. This helps keep costs down, moral and banter high and really shows off the benefits of a well laid out deck.

Photographer in the bow, safety crew on the helm and crew seats, umpires in the rear and the drone operator moving around to suit. Dry boxes under the rear seats ensured the various kits required were stowed out the way.

Nice one treerat.

I've read a few posts of yours praising the Highfield Patrol, sounds like you've found the sweet spot for what you need.

paulbrown22 · 07 February 2025, 10:17

I've mainly been cheating in my little Hardy cruiser rather than an open RIB, but have used it many times in the last 5 weeks with multiple trips up towards Central London and several through the Thames Barrier too, even in the rain! I do still absolutely love RIB's, but there's a lot to be said for a little pilot house :-).

treerat · 07 February 2025, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Nice one treerat.

I've read a few posts of yours praising the Highfield Patrol, sounds like you've found the sweet spot for what you need.

Nice to know some one reads them

Oddly enough I like the write up of trips and events, great to read a year or two later when they pop back up.

The 600 really does do what I need very well, couple of things I'd change should I ever upgrade but they're really minor.

knwatkins · 14 February 2025, 14:48

I haven't been out yet but I'd like to. Is it possible to launch without getting feet and legs wet? If so, any tips?

Steve509926 · 14 February 2025, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by knwatkins

I haven't been out yet but I'd like to. Is it possible to launch without getting feet and legs wet? If so, any tips?

Either a full dry suit or as I use, kayak dry pants with latex socks fitted (glued in) and a dry cag.

https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/keeping-dry-85885.html

Peter_C · 15 February 2025, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by knwatkins

I haven't been out yet but I'd like to. Is it possible to launch without getting feet and legs wet? If so, any tips?

If using a trailer drive the boat off the trailer.

If not using a trailer, launch wheels mounted to the transom push the boat into the water and step onto the bow once near the water edge. Use a paddle and the motor to get away from shore. Lift launch wheels and away you go.

Muck Boots or similar types of boats that go up almost to the knee work well as long as there are not big waves. If there are waves a drysuit is about the only way to stay dry.

knwatkins · 15 February 2025, 22:58

Thanks both, much appreciated.

Peter_C · 16 February 2025, 22:00

I guess I could have posted a couple of photos from our local lake. We have been having heavy rains, aka an "Atmospheric River", that has left California with some flooding and debris flows. So the first day it wasn't raining we dragged the boat up to our local lake, and headed out into the lake full of floating trees. There was only two other boats out and by mid afternoon we were the only boat out. We brought our sandwiches and enjoyed lunch floating near a scenic waterfall. My son LOVES going out on the boat for which "boat" was one of his first words. We had him out on Fleet Week on the San Francisco Bay. The air show to him was fantastic. (Unfortunately with a really heavy coat for warmth I should find a different way for the lifejacket to be worn, like under his jacket. The more I unzipped the more the lifejacket rode up, and we zipped it back again not long after this photo was taken.)

Pikey Dave · 17 February 2025, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by knwatkins

I haven't been out yet but I'd like to. Is it possible to launch without getting feet and legs wet? If so, any tips?

All depends on the launch site. A steepish slip might be doable. But in any circumstances you need to be prepared to get into the water, you never know what unexpected surprises are lurking, and faffing around trying not to get your tootsies wet can lead to major damage to craft/car/person. You need to be in control of the situation & getting your feet wet is the least of your problems. Buy some waders or a dry suit would be my advice.

treerat · 17 February 2025, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by knwatkins

I haven't been out yet but I'd like to. Is it possible to launch without getting feet and legs wet? If so, any tips?

It's called crew

They get their feet wet on recovery, depending on where we launch we can roll off the trailer without getting wet and bring alongside, otherwise the crew get damp ankles then too.

I find my Gul boots give me enough depth for jumping in and out with dry feet. Worst case is I walk down the trailer. Keep meaning to add a walk board instead of balancing on the frame.