Carson Ribs

[huwbakes]

anyone have any info on the record in 1999 where the boat crossed Dover to boulogne and back! was it a world record?

[Alan Priddy]

To my knowledge No Carson boat hs ever set or broke a World Record apart from the fastest run down Loch Ness in 1990 when the boat didnt make the final turn before coming to the bank. The Skipper had to throw it round so hard that the back broke out and threw the crew out resulting in one broken collar bone and an arm (I think) We were all too busy laughing.Alan P

[huwbakes]

found a phtocopy of an article in november 1999

[huwbakes]

pic of how it used to look!

[huwbakes]

the new look for 'Quickstep'

[Alan Priddy]

This is all very well but the record was approved by Carson!! Just because he wrote about it doesnt make it a record Alan P

[huwbakes]

It was taken from Garmin Europe Ltd - news release

[huwbakes]

As she is today!

[Searider]

Barry used to live next door to me - he moved to Hythe a couple of years ago.

Good to see what you've done to "Quickstep". She looked good (but big) on the drive about 10 years ago when Barry had her but was in a very sorry state when she was at Trafalgar Wharf up for sale.

[chewy]

Originally Posted by Alan Priddy

This is all very well but the record was approved by Carson!! Just because he wrote about it doesnt make it a record Alan P

Touchy!

[huwbakes]

just what I thought Lol

[Alan Priddy]

Not at all. I have know Barry for over twenty years and we both cut our teeth in antiquated boats, unreliable engines and zero electronic navigation aids but we still managed to cover amazing distances and find our way home. These days all records have to approved by the RYA/ UIM who in their wisdom have turned them into a version of War and Peace! Alan P

[Barry Carson]

"To my knowledge No Carson boat hs ever set or broke a World Record apart from the fastest run down Loch Ness in 1990 when the boat didnt make the final turn before coming to the bank. The Skipper had to throw it round so hard that the back broke out and threw the crew out resulting in one broken collar bone and an arm (I think) We were all too busy laughing.Alan "

I am new on here but have over the years from time time read various comments regarding Carson RIBS. Most have been complimentary and my thanks to those kind individuals. Unfortunately the above comments from Alan Priddy are both inaccurate and misleading.

It is fair to say there was an incident in 1999 on Loch Ness with a Carson 750 which was entered in the first ever Round Scotland RIB Race. The crew was a MOD Marine Police Unit from Faslane. The 1st day entailed a speed run down Loch Ness. However the rest of Alan's comment is totally misleading. At the end of the run (which incidentally was the fastest run on the day) confusion onboard was caused when no marks for the finish line were displayed by the committee team. This necesitated an unexpected fast alteration in course at a crucial point that did cause some crew injury. The race officials had not expected any boat to reach the end of the Loch so quickly and were therefore caught unawares! The boat did NOT break out at all as claimed by Alan. What Alan and "us" were laughing about in such a situation and people are injured is beyond me.

I note also that Alan fails to mention that despite this unfortunate incident this boat not only was the fastest down Loch Ness completing the course but also easily took 1st overall place in the Round Scotland RIB Race 1990 after an arduous week's racing round the North coast of Scotland from Fort William to Inverness, a distance of over 500 miles, in a record time that stood for many years as I understand. The following year, 1991, the same boat came 2nd overall as I recall despite by then competing against several 'specials' built specifically for racing. This very basic standard Carson 750 was built in only 3 weeks prior to the start of the 1990 event and only had twin 150hp Mariners (50kts+), compass, paper charts, a basic echo sounder and log. No GPS or other nav. aids were used. Real pioneers! Had we had bigger engines as often supplied to our Military customers this model, like other large Carsons, can easily achieve well over 60 knots.

Regarding Alan's other comment "This is all very well but the record was approved by Carson!! Just because he wrote about it doesnt make it a record Alan P" I would like to respond by saying this also is totally incorrect and misleading.

The Dover - Boulogne Record was in fact broken by my team consisting of Bryan Forster, Dave Lane and myself as skipper/driver. We took up the challenge for the Bobby Time Trophy and not only took the record on the outbound run to Boulogne but also beat it on our return run later that day! This was in the stepped hull RIB Quickstep (7.5m with 275hp Volvo petrol & duoprop leg). All was recorded and confirmed at the time through the RYA (who also scrutineered and measured the boat beforehand), Dover HM Coastguard and the Yacht Clubs in Dover and Boulogne who very kindly offered their official timekeepers to monitor the event. Further we were met in Boulogne by the town's mayor and a senior officer of the Yacht Club. That was in October '99 and in January '00 at the London Boat Show presentations were awarded on the Garmin stand by reps of Bobby Time from Belgium.

Now regarding the article. Contrary to Alan's claim I did NOT write that article. However its content is accurate as confirmed by the above mentioned authorities that may be checked by anyone who cares to do so.

Carson RIBS have often made some quite remarkable achievements and notable firsts, in various parts of the world and generally without fanfare and publicity. More were modest. I chose it that way as it is not my usual wish to have the publicity and often due to the type of work Carson RIBS are used for by many professionals in the special forces, military, etc.

It is disappointing that someone who ought to know better has made such inaccurate comments when he could have easily checked the facts with me and others beforehand and who are informed.

In conclusion we have always approached our modest challenges professionally and without need to call on help, eg. after running out of fuel, being lifted onto passing ships and then claim we had fully succeeded in achieving a record when we clearly had not and could not without outside rescue assistance! Unlike some others!!! (Beating the Big One by Alan Priddy, published 1997).........people in glass houses???

[dougcrock]

can confirm details given of 1990 and 1991 race round scotland the carson was fast and definetely ahead of its time in design It was skippered by Mike Southward and the organiser had not put down a clear defined finish line
doug

[Searider]

Hi Barry,

Welcome to RIB.net

How's things?

Duncan
From Number 24

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by dougcrock

can confirm details given of 1990 and 1991 race round scotland the carson was fast and definetely ahead of its time in design It was skippered by Mike Southward and the organiser had not put down a clear defined finish line
doug

Had the same problem in the 1992 race, got down to the end of Loch Ness and no finishing line, oops

[Squid Boat]

Welcome sir, nice bit of history from the horse's mouth.

Cheers, Don

[Barry Carson]

Thanks for the welcome chaps. I'm very well thanks and nice to hear from you I hope all is well with you and yours.

[Boatnomad]

Originally Posted by huwbakes

As she is today!

Looks an absolute Gem

[huwbakes]

quickstep is going for sale! will be doing an advert prob on the weekend!