Morning, from Scotland

Chris-Cumbrae · 30 September 2016, 11:34

Good morning from a very wet Scotland.
I'm Chris from the Isle of Cumbrae on the west coast. I stumbled on this forum after looking for some information on a trailer for the new red Bay that my work is about to receive.

I work for Sportscotland as a marine technician, working on our fleet of 10 ribs a mix of vsr's and XS ribs with yamaha outboard from 20hp all the way up to 300hp.

I hope and plan to contribute to this forum as well as learn from it. From the few post I have read all ready the community is full of lovely people with lots of knowledge!

Hope the sun's out where you are, I'm off out in my Oilys to change a prop out!

Regards Chris

jwalker · 30 September 2016, 11:46

Welcome Chris, and it's a lovely sunny day on the east coast!

BigMacBushcraft · 30 September 2016, 12:32

Welcome Chris, beautiful weather a little bit further west in Kintyre

jambo · 30 September 2016, 15:13

Yes welcome Chris from a very sunny south Ayrshire. Hope you enjoy the forum and I look forward to reading your comments and contributions as I'm sure will have lots to give looking after that lot!!

kerlstone · 30 September 2016, 17:35

Hi Chris, i frequently stop off at your pontoon for a cuppa, in fact i was there last tuesday, ive seen most of your'e ribs, look forward to seeing your'e new redbay, how's the pontoon holding up after the winds the other night.

Gerry.

Last Tango · 30 September 2016, 18:27

Don't believe everything you read.
Hell, where did I put the sun-block

Poly · 30 September 2016, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Don't believe everything you read.
Hell, where did I put the sun-block

I suspect it got washed away!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Welcome Chris, and it's a lovely sunny day on the east coast!

I presume not long after writing that you started considering floating the boat off the trailer in the driveway - as the heavens were opening here at the time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris-Cumbrae

I work for Sportscotland as a marine technician, working on our fleet of 10 ribs a mix of vsr's and XS ribs with yamaha outboard from 20hp all the way up to 300hp.

Interesting. What do you think of the VSR's ? They have obviously carved a niche for themselves in support boats for sailing - but can you see much difference?

Chris-Cumbrae · 30 September 2016, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerlstone

Hi Chris, i frequently stop off at your pontoon for a cuppa, in fact i was there last tuesday, ive seen most of your'e ribs, look forward to seeing your'e new redbay, how's the pontoon holding up after the winds the other night.

Gerry.

its holding up well Gerry bit of a pain to have it all in so meany bits but unfortunately its old and and in need of replacement! the new retractable bridge it working well and will save a lot of headaches come January February when the weathers bad!! see image of last years storm over the Christmas brake.

Quote:

Interesting. What do you think of the VSR's ? They have obviously carved a niche for themselves in support boats for sailing - but can you see much difference?

Poly Its our first full year of having them as of November some like them some do not. Personally i think thair fantastic. the F10 has flooding hull so when you slow to pick some one out the water you get good stability! both the F10 and the 5.8 are very good in heavy seas a must for us in the winter on the Clyde. the only down side is thair turning circle!

Chris

jwalker · 30 September 2016, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I suspect it got washed away!

I presume not long after writing that you started considering floating the boat off the trailer in the driveway - as the heavens were opening here at the time!

No, not a drop of rain all day.

chipko · 01 October 2016, 18:56

Hi Chris,
Welcome to Ribnet, sounds like you'll be a fountain of knowledge.
Can I pick your brains. Currently upsizing from sib land to rib world, and noticed you have some XS Ribs in your work fleet. About to order a new XS500 and would welcome your opinion. Quite happy with the work boat utility image as good value, custom UK built, suitable for UK waters, high sheer bow, reasonable V etc. Bolting on a new Mariner 60 and main use will be North East based inshore coastal trips and towing wakeboard/toys in the bay.
On a budget, and getting a good winter build deal, so this fits the bill. Going for a 5m as can (just) garage this length over winter.
Appreciate your thoughts on the brand as a commercial user.
Cheers,
Ian

Chris-Cumbrae · 01 October 2016, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipko

Hi Chris,
Welcome to Ribnet, sounds like you'll be a fountain of knowledge.
Can I pick your brains. Currently upsizing from sib land to rib world, and noticed you have some XS Ribs in your work fleet. About to order a new XS500 and would welcome your opinion. Quite happy with the work boat utility image as good value, custom UK built, suitable for UK waters, high sheer bow, reasonable V etc. Bolting on a new Mariner 60 and main use will be North East based inshore coastal trips and towing wakeboard/toys in the bay.
On a budget, and getting a good winter build deal, so this fits the bill. Going for a 5m as can (just) garage this length over winter.
Appreciate your thoughts on the brand as a commercial user.
Cheers,
Ian

Hi Ian thanks! Our fleet of XS ribs have been fantastic over the years! They have seen some beetling and still have life left in them. We did have 4 5m all with yam 60's, now only down to two as we are moving on to vsr's. To put into perspective of how good and how well made these boats are, they are used every day for around for 6 hours a day from June to September and meany meany hours before and after then. They have survived several storms in which one of them spent a few days on its side on a beach (a few repairs needed that day!) and thair still solid! Few things i do and don't like about them fist the don'ts

The battery placement under the seat can be a pain, for one the hatch is small so getting in thair to jump start or fix connections is a pain. All cables run behind the battery so i can get a bit messy in thair would advise giving it a good clean out every few weeks. Also with it being under the seat if you ever flood the hull the water level comes just to the top of the battery so most of the time if flooded you end up with a short and then a dead battery

last bad point is the front of the console on some of ours has some sun damage (see photo) this is from the boats siting out all year with no covers so probably not a problem for you!

Good points main console has lots of room so cable management can be done nicely! Storage in thair is good! Non slip is good our last 2 have been with us for 7 years and its still all intact. The hypalon used is fantastic quality dose not easily mark!

Over all very very solid boats quick on the water very manoeuvrable! Easy to launch and recover all of clients and staff have loved them over the years hope some of the info helps if you need anything more then give me a shout!

sailrib · 02 October 2016, 08:30

Welcome,

I'm sorry to say but I'm currently on the job in So. California having to be on the water and it's a heat wave with no rain in sight.

How do you like your VSR's?

chipko · 02 October 2016, 09:40

Hi Chris,
Many thanks for your detailed reply, much appreciated, and a big help.
Sounds like build quality will be more than adequate for life as a leisure craft! Good comments re battery access/flooding etc.
Cheers,
Ian

Poly · 02 October 2016, 10:41

Kerny - looks like Chris-Cumbrae has found a solution for your garage width issue!

kerny · 02 October 2016, 11:35

Ha, Ha , could well be a solution Poly but at that angle it could be a problem for for the engine transom saddle.......being as it's an Etec 😉😆👍

Chris-Cumbrae · 02 October 2016, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailrib

Welcome,

I'm sorry to say but I'm currently on the job in So. California having to be on the water and it's a heat wave with no rain in sight.

How do you like your VSR's?

They are good boats! tho with us having the ribs in the water for up to 4 weeks at a time before cleaning we have had some build up of barnacles on the inside of the flooding hull on the f10 (working on a solution!)

Quote:

Hi Chris,
Many thanks for your detailed reply, much appreciated, and a big help.
Sounds like build quality will be more than adequate for life as a leisure craft! Good comments re battery access/flooding etc.
Cheers,
Ian

no problem Ian Glad i could help!

Chris

Poly · 02 October 2016, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

Ha, Ha , could well be a solution Poly but at that angle it could be a problem for for the engine transom saddle.......being as it's an Etec 😉😆👍

Good point!