BIBOA [thread split from "the great british rib rally"]

[teampulsar]

Gar,
give 'em back the fifty...

Seriously where is the love?.....

And there I was looking forward to a bit of fun in 2010.

Maybe stay at home.

Regards,

TP

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Louise

Thanks for your feedback. None of BIBOA's cruises are organised/targetted for specific sizes of RIB.

except the one in question! (All participants have to be BIBOA members for the event - so it is to all intents and purposes a BIBOA event even if it wasn't their idea in the first place).

We are always looking for people willing to organise cruises so if what is currently on offer doesn't suit, why not join up and organise something yourself?

I predicted to myself you would make such a suggestion. I doubt many people join and then start organising cruises for you straight away though... perhaps I can organise a cruise for small boats and BIBOA can be a partner

I disagree that our fees are high. I did a quick Google of Sailing Associations and randomly clicked on a few. Some didn't state their fees but those who did were as follows (all for individual adult membership for which BIBOA charges £50): £65, £125, £120, £55.

I think you must be looking at Sailing clubs, who normally have a physical presence etc... try searching for Boat owners association or class association. By way of example:

• Cobra and Seawolf association (yachts) £10 pa
• Shetland Owners Association £4 for life!
• Residential Boat owners association £12-21 pa
• Leisure Owners Association (yachts) £10 pa
• National 12 Owners Association (dinghies) £10-17.50 pa
• Guernsey Boat Owners Association £10 pa
• Wayfarer Association (dinghies) £16-20 pa
• Pathfinder powerboat club £30 pa

All these organisations seem far more comparable to what BIBOA offer - they represent the membership, might set some rules for racing, and organise occassional events/cruises/races - rather than being a club with premises and a very regular program of activities.

Regarding our photostock and statement - we are being honest. They are actual photos taken by members during BIBOA events and the smallest main boat owned by a member is 4.5m. I guess we could be dishonest and pretend otherwise but that's not the way we like to operate.

so in that case it is a group of "bigger boat owners" that is not so welcoming for people with diddy boats! Also by "advertising" in this way it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy - if BIBOA felt strongly that it wanted to represent all rib owners it would look at ways of presenting itself as more inclusive.

[Searider]

I was a member. Left.

Most of the advertised events were longish distance. Too "adventurous" for me. Cruise coordinator has an 8.5m diesel Scorpion which seems to go very well in all weathers.

Was hoping that the revamped website would be a good resource - a bit like this one. Took for ever for it to be updated.

Didn't see value for my membership.

Voted with my feet. No point complaining about it.

I hope things have evolved since I was last a member a couple of years ago.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Searider

IMost of the advertised events were longish distance. Too "adventurous" for me. Cruise coordinator has an 8.5m diesel Scorpion which seems to go very well in all weathers.

He's probably cruise coordinator because no other bugger wants the task. Been there done that. (And had a 6.5m RIB at first.) The Cruise Coordinators two favourite cruises btw are ideal for small RIBS - Solent and East Coast Rivers.

Nice to see nothing changes in the ribbing world. You don't have to join BIBOA to go ribbing. The 'club' does offer some benefits and a great way to meet genuine likeminded souls. Even those with Scorpions. But if it's not for you then why make a big deal out of it? And do have some feeling for those (such as Louise) that put a great deal of effort into a club and often get little praise for it.

Back on the topic(ish) of the GBRR..... I can see the benefit in the 7.5m rule in terms of keeping average speeds up (like it or not bigger boats can sustain higher cruising speeds more readily than smaller ones) to get round in the timeframe. The counter argument of course is that RB4 back in 2002 went round Britain in 10 days with 5m RIBs. We were lucky with the weather though!

I haven't read the website in detail, how much is the entry fee? It is a RIB International event after all............

[Louise]

OK, enough is enough. I have a life to lead so this will be my last post on this thread.

Polwart, I've looked at the first four associations and none of them is comparable to BIBOA. You are not comparing like with like. Anyway, it sounds like you are never going to join a club like BIBOA so I can't see any point in continuing the discussion.

Duncan, yes I think you're right that BIBOA is an 'adventurous' club. Short cruises are well catered for here on RIBnet but for those of us who want to sometimes push ourselves a bit further, BIBOA offers the chance to do more extended cruising in company. This is in addition to gentler BIBOA cruises such as the day-long cruises around various parts of the Solent which take place over the Easter weekend. I'm happy to say that the vast majority of our members renew every year, but then no-one (or club) will ever please all the people all of the time.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Louise

OK, enough is enough. I have a life to lead so this will be my last post on this thread.

Polwart, I've looked at the first four associations and none of them is comparable to BIBOA. You are not comparing like with like. Anyway, it sounds like you are never going to join a club like BIBOA so I can't see any point in continuing the discussion.

Duncan, yes I think you're right that BIBOA is an 'adventurous' club. Short cruises are well catered for here on RIBnet but for those of us who want to sometimes push ourselves a bit further, BIBOA offers the chance to do more extended cruising in company. This is in addition to gentler BIBOA cruises such as the day-long cruises around various parts of the Solent which take place over the Easter weekend. I'm happy to say that the vast majority of our members renew every year, but then no-one (or club) will ever please all the people all of the time.

I'm thinking of joining BIBOA as soon as I can get these damn Osprey decals off of my boat.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Louise

Polwart, I've looked at the first four associations and none of them is comparable to BIBOA. You are not comparing like with like. Anyway, it sounds like you are never going to join a club like BIBOA so I can't see any point in continuing the discussion.

well perhaps BIBOAs marketing is missing me then - cos I can't see a fundamental difference. They represent and organise events for mutual benefit of groups of people with a common interest in a type of boat. I specifically included the pathfinder club as it is obviously very close to what BIBOA seem to me to be. The others were the first owners assocs membership fees that google found for me.

Duncan, yes I think you're right that BIBOA is an 'adventurous' club. Short cruises are well catered for here on RIBnet but for those of us who want to sometimes push ourselves a bit further, BIBOA offers the chance to do more extended cruising in company. This is in addition to gentler BIBOA cruises such as the day-long cruises around various parts of the Solent which take place over the Easter weekend.

I am happy that you agree that many of BIBOA's activities are more suited to bigger offshore boats then. And bearing that in mind I am sure you will see how "outsiders" would think the same.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Louise

Anyway, it sounds like you are never going to join a club like BIBOA so I can't see any point in continuing the discussion.

Thats not true. Well if the club "like BIBOA" was about 1/2 the cost, ran cruises local to me more than say once a year and openly welcomed folks with small boats! And I suspect if it was closer to a tenner a year then many more people would join even if they don't participate in the events.

[Rogue Wave]

I saw the event thread read BIBOA and ignored it, what a fool I was. It's a cracking argument, open, passionate and opinionated. Well done people

As three of the moderators were involved I imagine the temptation to delete an opponents post was ever present

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Thats not true. Well if the club "like BIBOA" was about 1/2 the cost, ran cruises local to me more than say once a year and openly welcomed folks with small boats! And I suspect if it was closer to a tenner a year then many more people would join even if they don't participate in the events.

yep

[MarkWildey]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Thats not true. Well if the club "like BIBOA" was about 1/2 the cost, ran cruises local to me more than say once a year and openly welcomed folks with small boats! And I suspect if it was closer to a tenner a year then many more people would join even if they don't participate in the events.

Why not organise one and get the backing/support of BIBOA rather than complain that someone else isn't doing it.

Having not been a member for a few years maybe there needs to be a SIB or small RIB committee member to represent their interests. Again it needs someone to step forward!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by MarkWildey

Why not organise one and get the backing/support of BIBOA rather than complain that someone else isn't doing it.

A cruise or a club?

If you meant a club I can't see BIBOA supporting what would in effect be a competitive club.

If you mean a cruise - then why do it under the BIBOA umbrella? What value does that bring - I can do it via Ribnet without everyone having to fork out 50 quid for membership.

I'm not complaining at all. As I said previously I am providing some feedback which an open minded organisation trying to widen its membership might want to take on board. But if they are quite happy with their membership, and that they are percieved by some as a "big rib" club then I have no objection to that - and they should stop pretending not to be.

Having not been a member for a few years maybe there needs to be a SIB or small RIB committee member to represent their interests. Again it needs someone to step forward!

Yes - i'm not even sure if technically SIBs fall in their remit - although I am sure they would be made welcome. I am guessing they don't have too many committee meetings in Scotland though - so practicality would make you a better volunteer for that role!!!

[jambo]

Having researched and had correspondence with BIBOA I can only support most whole-heartly everthing that Polwart has raised in relation to this organisation.
J

[Merlins helper]

I joined them 5 or 6 years ago. Only had a little boat then, was tld to mail details and they would get me an board a boat on the next cruise........chased them but never had a single reply to mails.
Didnt renew & would give them the time of day.........bloody ignorant!!

[Julian]

I joined BIBOA about 15 years ago and the club has been fantastic, joined when we sold our dory and brought a 6mtre Humber. Was introduced to lots of people who had been on ribs for years, alan priddy etc and they spent a lot of time with us showing us how to do things and we gained a hell of a lot of experiance.

Been on Ribs for 15 years now, ran the cruise side of the club a couple of years ago and run about 6 events throughout the year. Not all of them are long distance ie Solent to Dartmouth etc and we have boats from 6 mtres to 10 mtres on the events.

Up to you if you want to join etc but if your interested in Ribs and meeting with like minded people then 50 quid is not exactly a lot of money to depart with.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Julian

Not all of them are long distance ie Solent to Dartmouth etc and we have boats from 6 mtres to 10 mtres on the events.

reinforcing the idea that the club is not really for small (e.g. 4-5m) boats.

Up to you if you want to join etc but if your interested in Ribs and meeting with like minded people then 50 quid is not exactly a lot of money to depart with.

if you are in a big rib you are probably right - what does 50 quid buy you - an hour or maybe two of fuel, a week's storage in the marina/dry stack. But if you are a small ribber boating on a budget - 50 quid is probably a whole weekend's fuel, or 2-3 months+ storage etc. Or 2.5 years of RIBnet supporter status.... or you can chose to benefit from rib net FOC, and achieve many of the same benefits! ... or 30 months subscription to RIB international... or 18 months membership of the RYA.

[Julian]

I think your just looking for an argument to be honest.

As your so against BIBOA Probably better if you dont join.

[Chris]

I have just joined, the reason.... I want to go on longer well organised cruises next year now that I have forked out for a larger boat. Previously when I had a smaller boat I did not really feel comfortable going long distance and did not feel I would benefit from joining Biboa.

Now I do.

I can't really see what the problem is, The fact the the clubs membership has become predominantly larger Rib owners is just a sign of the times and the way the Rib market has changed over the last decade.

I don't see this as a bad thing. If there was a large volume of members that joined with smaller boats and became active in organising trips that suited then perhaps that would help the club develop in that area. Its like any club you get as much out of it as you are prepared to put in.

I have always found RIBnet as the best resource for organising shorter day trips or excursions as it seemed more suitable.

[philb]

Originally Posted by Chris

I have just joined, the reason.... I want to go on longer well organised cruises next year now that I have forked out for a larger boat. Previously when I had a smaller boat I did not really feel comfortable going long distance and did not feel I would benefit from joining Biboa.

Now I do.

I can't really see what the problem is, The fact the the clubs membership has become predominantly larger Rib owners is just a sign of the times and the way the Rib market has changed over the last decade.

I don't see this as a bad thing. If there was a large volume of members that joined with smaller boats and became active in organising trips that suited then perhaps that would help the club develop in that area. Its like any club you get as much out of it as you are prepared to put in.

I have always found RIBnet as the best resource for organising shorter day trips or excursions as it seemed more suitable.

Chris

Thats the most sensible post to date re BIBOA and bang on the money, exactly how my last 2 years have gone. Look forward to seeing you on some of the trips next year. You could drag that wave jumping madman along, we can always syphon off some fuel mid channel to keep him flying.

Phil

[philb]

Jambo/Polwart

If you PM Louise nicely :-) she maybe able to send you a copy of the 1/4 riblines mag, havent read in full yet (so dont quote me on anything) but looks as if they had a great Scottish cruise this summer, ribs from 10m down to 4m running together.

But please ask nicely chaps.......