New member from London (non-RIB)

WhiteShark · 05 April 2016, 15:09

Hello all,

I am a long-time yachtie but have been out of the scene for a long while due to time pressures created by children and work. After toying with the idea for many years I have finally taken the plunge and purchased a boat for knocking about with the family in; staying away from sail for the time and convenience factor.

I decided to join Ribnet as I have found the information on the forums invaluable, particularly re suggestions for places to go in and around the IOW. Given the community seems very friendly, I hope I won't be flamed for not actually owning a RIB ! The boat is a White Shark centre console, so very similar in ethos to a RIB in that it is a versatile open boat suitable for many different activities.

I'm based in London and the boat is in Portsmouth. Maiden voyage is to the IOW this coming weekend.

I look forward to participating in this community

Andre · 05 April 2016, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteShark

Hello all,

I am a long-time yachtie but have been out of the scene for a long while due to time pressures created by children and work. After toying with the idea for many years I have finally taken the plunge and purchased a boat for knocking about with the family in; staying away from sail for the time and convenience factor.

I decided to join Ribnet as I have found the information on the forums invaluable, particularly re suggestions for places to go in and around the IOW. Given the community seems very friendly, I hope I won't be flamed for not actually owning a RIB ! The boat is a White Shark centre console, so very similar in ethos to a RIB in that it is a versatile open boat suitable for many different activities.

I'm based in London and the boat is in Portsmouth. Maiden voyage is to the IOW this coming weekend.

I look forward to participating in this community

Welcome to the world of RibNet

as a matter of interest why didn't you get yourself a RIB.

WhiteShark · 05 April 2016, 15:58

Thank you and a fair question !

Whilst I wanted a RIB for preference, my wife doesn't like the look of them with their inflatable collars and as I've always admired the look of the WhiteSharks I saw whilst sailing around the coast of France in my youth, it seemed like a fair compromise given they (WhiteSharks) are famed for their sea-keeping qualities (the main reason I wanted a RIB).

HDAV · 05 April 2016, 17:48

Welcome good luck on the maiden voyage.

I think being a ribber is more a state of mind than an actual ownership requirement.

A bit like being blonde

( I don't own a Rib either)

PS photos required!

jeffstevens763@g · 05 April 2016, 17:50

Hi mate

Welcome good compromise keep her happy it's simpler that way, not familiar with your boat stick some pics up after your trip.

Cheers

WhiteShark · 29 April 2016, 10:51

Trip was a great success, thank you, despite some somewhat iffy weather (amazing how many women and children you can squeeze into that tiny cuddy cabin when the sun turns to driven sleet in 10 mins). Hopefully these pics have uploaded OK.

jeffstevens763@g · 29 April 2016, 18:54

Nice boat cracking shot of the kids asleep cheers

Pikey Dave · 30 April 2016, 16:09

Are the kids tethered to the boat?

Sh1t happens

Nick Hearne · 01 May 2016, 09:25

Lovely boat

but as Pikey commented, would no recommend attaching kids to the boat! I know it the norm when sailing but not in a fast open boat!

Poly · 01 May 2016, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Lovely boat

but as Pikey commented, would no recommend attaching kids to the boat! I know it the norm when sailing but not in a fast open boat!

I've never really understood this. The logic seems to be that if you flip the boat they are stuffed. I totally accept that, but (1) If you are driving a boat in conditions / a manner likely to flip it with young kids on board you aren't doing normal family boating; (2) yachts capsize too.

Now if the tether is long enough that the kids can fall over and be dragged along in the water that could be a very bad thing.

But just to be clear I've never tethered my kids, its good to discuss and understand where the real risks are though (e.g. walking around on a fast boat is probably not to be encouraged, having knife/cutters to hand if using tethers etc.)

ShinyShoe · 01 May 2016, 12:25

If you are tethered to a yacht and it capsizes then 80% of the time it comes back up. The other 20% you lost the keel and it's completely upside down and you should be free to surface as tether is usually long. To be honest yacht capsizes with keel loss are rarely a complete surprise.

Yachties dragged in the water has been identified as an issue. That's in terms of recovery. But only at say 8-12kts... Doubling that is going to do some damage I suspect.

WhiteShark · 04 July 2016, 10:35

Sorry I hadn't noticed the replies to this thread. My logic for tying the children in with safety harnesses is that I am much more worried about them bouncing out of the boat on a rogue wave into a cold Solent than I am about the boat flipping and them drowning. Once in the drink, even with warm clothing and a proper lifejacket, you are immediately in a survival situation and. I'd rather avoid that entirely. You'd have to be driving like a complete and utter maniac to flip that boat, whereas it is quite possible that a child could fall out in an unguarded moment even in relatively calm waters. If you look closely the safety lines are of a length that they can't actually fall out of the boat, so no possibility of them being dragged along. I agree that it would be sub-optimal to use them as on a yacht, i.e clipped on as you move around the boat. But that's not what's going on here.

Poly · 04 July 2016, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteShark

Sorry I hadn't noticed the replies to this thread. My logic for tying the children in with safety harnesses is that I am much more worried about them bouncing out of the boat on a rogue wave into a cold Solent than I am about the boat flipping and them drowning. Once in the drink, even with warm clothing and a proper lifejacket, you are immediately in a survival situation and. I'd rather avoid that entirely. You'd have to be driving like a complete and utter maniac to flip that boat, whereas it is quite possible that a child could fall out in an unguarded moment even in relatively calm waters. If you look closely the safety lines are of a length that they can't actually fall out of the boat, so no possibility of them being dragged along. I agree that it would be sub-optimal to use them as on a yacht, i.e clipped on as you move around the boat. But that's not what's going on here.

I recon to bounce a kid out a boat on a proper seat you have to be driving like an idiot too. If the conditions and driving style are enough to make ejection a realistic risk then I don't think you can say flipping is impossible. (And the potential harm on the kids spines is high without being ejected).

I'm not 100% opposed to the idea of tying them in, but only for benign conditions where they might be tempted to wander and slip rather than as a license for the helm to push harder.

WhiteShark · 04 July 2016, 14:36

Sort of my point I think; it's a safety back up, not an excuse to drive in an unsuitable fashion.