Hi from Lincoln

AndyMc · 20 May 2018, 17:27

Hi everyone.

I joined the forum last year (when I started looking to buy a rib) and I have been stalking the site since then, but this is my first post.

I bought a Ribcraft 585 from forum member JCW in September last year.

I'm new to rib ownership but not to ribs - being the parent of two dinghy sailors I've spent many an hour providing safety cover at events.

Since buying her, the rib (yet to be named) has been pootling about the local river network and exploring the Suffolk/Essex coastline and rivers (from Levington).

This coming Bank Holiday weekend we will be heading to Caenarfon to spend a couple of days launching from Ty Calch.

A few pics below (sorry, I don't know how to rotate the last image).

Cheers

Andy

JimRib · 20 May 2018, 22:11

Hi Andy, looks a nice boat, not the usual boat seen on the Brayford pool ! Bet you got a few looks

The Black Pig · 20 May 2018, 23:10

Hi and welcome

That’s roughs tower in pic three I see
You could also be welcomed to the principality of Sealand where I believe they have their own currency and weird history

Bucksribster · 20 May 2018, 23:25

Hi Andy, nice looking boat. Looks a little newer than my 585.

How do you find launching at Levington? I hear the ramp is quite steep. I an coming to Suffolk for a weekend in July

AndyMc · 21 May 2018, 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimRib

Hi Andy, looks a nice boat, not the usual boat seen on the Brayford pool ! Bet you got a few looks

Yes, it does get a few strange looks. Although it is also a conversation starter. We've even been challenged to a race (in jest).

AndyMc · 21 May 2018, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Pig

That’s roughs tower in pic three I see
You could also be welcomed to the principality of Sealand where I believe they have their own currency and weird history

I'm counting that as my first foreign trip in the rib.

AndyMc · 21 May 2018, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucksribster

Hi Andy, nice looking boat. Looks a little newer than my 585.

How do you find launching at Levington? I hear the ramp is quite steep. I an coming to Suffolk for a weekend in July

It's a 2013 boat, but immaculate. The credit for that lies with Jason (JCW), the previous owner.

The slip at Levington is steep and very slippery in Winter (I managed to fall on my backside just trying to stand on the thing). However, the cable system makes launching a doddle as long as there are two of you (one to drive the car and one to spot). My son and I communicate via mobiles whilst launching /retrieving.

I got a video of us retrieving on my PC at home which gives a flavour of how the cable works. I try to get it posted tonight.

AndyMc · 21 May 2018, 20:48

The video in the link below is a sped up version of us retrieving at Levington using the cable (I don't know how to do that posh embedding thing).

https://youtu.be/6oKyESBm76M

Gazzago · 21 May 2018, 20:56

More places should use the cable method. Stops cars needing to go down the slipway if they are steep or slippery.
Glad you said it was sped up [emoji1]

arkamelis · 22 May 2018, 07:38

Hi there
and welcome, nice boat

Matt

AndyMc · 22 May 2018, 18:18

Ok, so I created a Youtube account especially to post this video and my account is already suspended for suspicious activity........

Let's try Vimeo.....

https://vimeo.com/271317257

Bucksribster · 22 May 2018, 23:10

Hi Andy, thanks for this - most interesting. I guess launching is essentially a reverse if the procedure?

I have a Disco Sport, do you think at higher tides you can launch / recover backing the trailer down?

BTW my 585 is a 2005 model. Still in good shape. Great boats.

AndyMc · 23 May 2018, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucksribster

I guess launching is essentially a reverse if the procedure?

I have a Disco Sport, do you think at higher tides you can launch / recover backing the trailer down?

Yes, launching is the reserve procedure: Reverse the trailer up to the top of the slip. Chock the wheels whilst you unhitch and drive the ¼ mile (it seems) to the other end of the cable. Hitch vehicle to cable and drive forward slightly to take up the slack. Spotter removes chocks and reverse slowly backwards until told to stop by spotter. The top of the slip isn’t quite flat so the boat will start to move off down the slop without needing to be pushed to get it going. As long as the trailer is straight at the top, it will be straight at the bottom.

I’m sure you would be fine launching directly with your car in Summer, but I haven’t actually done it myself so can’t comment on how easy or hard it is. Others on the forum have and may like to chip in.

From my own point of view, if the cable is available I’d use it. But if it weren’t for some reason, it wouldn’t stop me launching.

Bigo · 23 May 2018, 13:05

Hi,

We launch from levington and launch and recover around +/- 3 hours of the tide with a Suzuki 4x4 and it’s fine. Any lower than 3 hours down we use the cable as it does get a bit green and slippery.

We have also recovered and bang on low tide and at the end of the ramp there is 3x yellow metal sections which are fine to put the trailer on but don’t go over them as it mud after them.

Bucksribster · 24 May 2018, 23:17

Thanks for the info.