2015 Review - 2016 Plans

[willk]

2015 was an odd year for us. Our weather was p1ss poor and my Navigator was doing 12-18 in the cooler at Her Majesty's Pleasure (or something like that ). It was all a little daunting and I had to take it as it came. That said I managed four trips to Scotland - solo craft for two, solo crew for one. There were a few VERY good days out with the sharks and dolphins and the birdies. The camera crew days were fun, especially the drone work with the floaty Land Rover lads. I can't decide the best day. The mad run from Portpatrick to the Swilly was class - but I think the solo crew cruise from the Swilly - Malin - west coast of Islay - Corryvreckan - Oban for the Scottish SIB Rendezvous was the highlight, especially considering the failing revs and clogged fuel filter in the Corry...

Plans for 2016? I'm really not sure! Certainly anything mad that the wind blows my way. If the weather plays ball, then anything is possible. Gonna try to be back on the water for ERR, then we'll see. That said, I feel a bit of distance coming on!

What about you guys?

[CJL]

Our 2015 -

• Several social trips,
• Great River Race
• Magna Carta River Pageant
• Traditional Boat Rally and Bluebird K3
• Barge races - crazy large barges and tiny oars!!
• RNLI Yealm Passage Race

Check out our video slideshow - https://vimeo.com/149315726

2016....who knows!!

[A1an]

I managed to put just under 60 faultless hours on the RIB this year, I say faultless but I had a pin hole in a fuel rail pipe at the ERR but that was a quick fix.

I thoroughly enjoyed Easdale, if I'm honest it was the craic that stands out on that one although I'd never actually been up in to Etive via Connel bridge before so that was a first.

May saw me hitch a lift with Maximus on a run from Oban to Appin, he kindly let me take the wheel of Raptor on the return journey, when you're used to pootling around in the boat equivalent of an old Escort and you then find yourself in the Ullman seat of a Mustang.... different world!

Myself and pals have been to Inverie a couple of times for lunch and had a few dads n lads days exploring islands with the kids.

All in all it's been an adventure.

My plan for '16 is to get my pals their own RIBs.

Getting a little "air" in Raptor.

[whisper]

Loved every second of 2015's ribbing, Round Scotland and Alderney week especially. Also I Ribbed to work for the first time ever

Have just booked flights for the wife and kids for Alderney week 2016 and all I have to do is build a RIB and meet them there, simple right?

Hope to catch up with lots of you next year, especially Willk who I've never met

Here's a few pics from last years Alderney week that hopefully explains why we have to go back with the kids next year...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-AXb0PLXq8

[Pikey Dave]

'15 saw the appearance of Black Pig IV. The smallest boat we've had, she's a game little thing & can keep up with the big boys. Spring Bank week saw us up at Oban running in the new engine, we got that out of the way on the first day & then we were off. We were on the same Appin run as Alan & Maximus in the post above, I think we spent more time out of the water than in. We had a couple of weekends mackie bashing at our "local" port, Whitby. Summer saw us in France for our usual 5 weeks in Normandy, just chillin'. We finished the year on December 20-21 down in Southampton water doing our PB2 with the most excellent David "Swiss Tony" Leutchford. Next year, who knows.......

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by whisper

:

.... especially Willk who I've never met

Nice one.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by willk

but I think the solo crew cruise from the Swilly - Malin - west coast of Islay - Corryvreckan - Oban for the Scottish SIB Rendezvous was the highlight, especially considering the failing revs and clogged fuel filter in the Corry...

Plans for 2016? I'm really not sure! Certainly anything mad that the wind blows my way. If the weather plays ball, then anything is possible. Gonna try to be back on the water for ERR, then we'll see. That said, I feel a bit of distance coming on!

well I'm just trying to work out a date for Scottish Sib gathering 2016 at the moment... ... A slightly different venue this year... I feel a whole new thread coming on.

[jonp]

Only owned my rib 6 months, manged 180 hrs on the engine in that time.

Towed it up the coast a few weeks ago (just over 2000km) had an awsome trip catching fish, swimming with turtles and sharks with my daughter.

Hope to hook up a few marlin over the next few weeks and maybe do a night out wide targeting broadbill.

For 2016 I plan to tow the boat further afield diving, fishing and exploring.

Jon

[steco1958]

Originally Posted by jonp

Only owned my rib 6 months, manged 180 hrs on the engine in that time.

Really, thats peed me off if thats correct, done less that 40 hours this year !!!

[mick]

Kicked off with ERR then back up there Spring bank for a windy week ! Then a trip to Dublin with PD then a trip to the south of France for some warm weather boating. The GRR and a trip to Whitby followed by Ullswater in the snow, as for 2016 who knows

[MatFromPoland]

2015 => It was 6 weeks in Greece http://www.rib.net/forum/f53/warsaw-...0dl-68645.html

2016 => It be 4 places in Greece one month in total including towing the RIB (cost reduction)

I have bought tickets for ferry (Triest - Patra round trip) to have early booking 30% discount.



1. Messina Bay (Ag.Andreas allready booked)
World’s 1st visual travel website

2. Laconian Gulf (Plitra for sure)
World’s 1st visual travel website

3. Lake near Korynt (I was here in 2015)
4. Mitikas (To explore Lefkada, Itaka, Kefalonia)
World’s 1st visual travel website


Andre push me to tow RIB to ... UK, Scotland but I have never drive in UK style opposite for me.

[whisper]

Off the top of my head from things I've heard there are a few things going on next year:

Venture Cup - I think some will follow this in their boats?

Round Denmark - The Belgium Pneumatic Club are arranging this.

Channel Islands - Not sure on exact dates or details but I'm sure it will happen.

Alderney Week - (I've already mentioned this)

Bristol to Penarth - Bristol Cruising Club to raise money for their local independent rescue service.

RIOW - Which will be a bit different to normal

Southampton to Brighton - I think this is in May.

Also I'm sure all the other yearly cruises will also be posted

SO much to do and so little time

[willk]

You entering the Venture Cup then Wispa?

[whisper]

Originally Posted by willk

You entering the Venture Cup then Wispa?

I wish! Adam Yonger has one of his designs in it

[jonp]

Originally Posted by steco1958

Really, thats peed me off if thats correct, done less that 40 hours this year !!!

I'm quite surprised too, I would normally struggle to do that many hours in a year with my old boat. Trouble is those expensive services come around far quicker now

The scary thing is those hours were through winter. Now we are in summer and plan towing lures or live baits around 30 km offshore chasing billfish. Was on the water for over 9hrs yesterday, at least 7 running the engine.

Jon

[whisper]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Nice one.

I just wanted to see if the dude can pitch a tent better than you

[treerat]

2015 saw a pastry run where the sea was massive but a great experience and a superb pasty for those that made it.

Various days out in Plymouth and Appledore with the kids

Dartmouth fireworks with a night run and a weeks cruising Torquay where I saw a great looking boat being launched that was to be used as a camera boat at at event the next day - who'd have thought I'd own her 3 months later

2016
We have the Eddystone lighthouse cream tea run.
The Plymouth To Looe pasty run.
I'm hopeful of joining the B2P trip .

Cowes week with the family alongside some more great local days bobbing about.

[MatFromPoland]

Originally Posted by jonp

Only owned my rib 6 months, manged 180 hrs on the engine in that time.

Towed it up the coast a few weeks ago (just over 2000km) had an awsome trip catching fish, swimming with turtles and sharks with my daughter.

Hope to hook up a few marlin over the next few weeks and maybe do a night out wide targeting broadbill.

For 2016 I plan to tow the boat further afield diving, fishing and exploring.

Jon

When you catching fish you trolling bait I suppose. Probably this is one of the reason why you have so many hrs.

We (my Family) use RIB as a TAXI a trip 50-80 km one way with one stop and we never stay at boat. Always anchor it and went to beach, port, some ruins, snorkel etc. And we try to have cruise speed around 50 km/hr

You probably has much more colorful view under water in Australia (than in Greece which is my place to use boat at summer) but things like sharks sounds scary for me.

Generally more than 100 hr per 6 months sounds like big fun for me, unfortunately not for my 3 kids They always need a target (island, beach, ruins, ...)

>>>>>

This year I will try tow some tubes and my daughter (16 y o) and wife would like to try ski or wakeboard (not sure what is easier for the beginner)

[boristhebold]

The good, the bad, the ugly 2015.

Good
Round Isle of Wight for MacMillan
Bournemouth Air Show
Jurrassic Coast Cruising
Many trips to Chapmans Pool
Swanage & Studland
Many trips around the back of brownsea island enjoying the quiet scenery
Wareham River
Powerboat Racing off Bournemouth
A couple of rescues
Durlston head sea birds
Dolphins

The Bad
Getting caught on 30m of floating line attached to a lobster pot
Speedo failing (need to replace the water pressure tube that has got pinched somewhere)

The Ugly
Jet Skiers being a pain
Large powerboats racing through harbour entrance causing issues
Suicidal snorkeler just off haven hotel beach swimming across small channel

Next Year
More trips along Jurrasic coast
Chapmans Pool lounging about
Isle of Wight
Cruise up Bealieu River
Fix my speedo issue
Isle Of wight for Macmillan ?

[The Gurnard]

Here are the highlights of some of my 2015 adventures .. I confess that due to the weather .. I spent more days walking and wild camping on the hills ..than I did going by boat

I used my Seago Slat floor in the early part of the year
Falling asleep on Loch Leven .. ZZzzzzzzzz .



I couldn’t let a year go by without a few trips to Arisaig.. IMO ..one of the best SIBing locations in Scotland. It was only Seago day trips this year . I had planned on camping there for a month..but the weather put that notion out my head..perhaps June 2016 will be better ?



Going round the Garvellaches with youngest daughter by Quicksilver 4.3m SIB. It was my most exposed journey (furthest from main land) of 2015 ..but certainly not roughest.



Although it was a poor year for fishing for me.. I still enjoyed a few outing catching Gurnards and other non edible species in Loch Etive



I thoroughly enjoyed a wild camp with the Lomo Brothers and their kayaks .. on Loch Fyne



And I will never forget getting in front of Poly and Willk on the Scottish Ribnet meet.. it was also my first time by SIB through the Corryvrechan.. Im looking forward to see what Poly is Planning for 2016 .. and white horses wont keep me away from it.



I will also never forget the F-Rib guys outing at Oban. It was a big bounce round Lismore that day.. and would possibly be the roughest water I was in during 2015. Although it looks very calm at Port Ramsey (this photo) It was the calm before the storm in the tide race at the southern point of Lismore. F4-F5 against the tide rip .. the water was whiter than the Guinness top which I swallowed in one , that night at the campsite .. glad to be dry and out the wet.



I enjoyed a long weekend in Loch Hourn and Knoydart..which was the furthest north and most remote ..that I took a boat this year.



Yup ..Im not complaining about 2015 ..I thoroughly enjoyed it. As for 2016 ? As long as I still have the health and energy to post about it at the end of next year..I will be happy ..no matter where I go..or what happens.

Have a GREAT NEW YEAR everyone .. I wish you many happy adventures in 2016

Best Wishes
The Gurnard