Carson Ribs

[Dirk Diggler]

Barry Carson : 1 trumpet blower : nil

[Salty]

Originally Posted by 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???

Excellent post Barry

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

Barry Carson : 1 trumpet blower : nil

[tonto]

so alan priddy has not responded?

[Dhf]

Originally Posted by tonto

so alan priddy has not responded?

He's probably organising a nice little get together with old friends, maybe a race round Humble Island.


I must say it's very interesting to here of the tales these racing guy's have to tell, the thought of chasing a runaway boat at 35kns..... footprints on the engine casing.....escapes from Colditz....Lynx choppers.....

I like this thread.

[tonto]

Originally Posted by Dragonhawk ficht

He's probably organising a nice little get together with old friends, maybe a race round Humble Island.


I must say it's very interesting to here of the tales these racing guy's have to tell, the thought of chasing a runaway boat at 35kns..... footprints on the engine casing.....escapes from Colditz....Lynx choppers.....

I like this thread.

We call it swinging the lead.

most people who work at sea do not need to brag about the things they see or how much they have done and certainly do not run down unfortunatate incidents they see others suffering!

[Salty]

Originally Posted by tonto

We call it swinging the lead.

most people who work at sea do not need to brag about the things they see or how much they have done and certainly do not run down unfortunatate incidents they see others suffering!

I thought "swinging the lead" meant being lazy?

[tonto]

Originally Posted by Salty

I thought "swinging the lead" meant being lazy?

Yes it does.

But it also means someone who talks about their experiences. I would suggest that someone who has been around the world might not brag about it!

[chewy]

Welcome to rib.net Barry, if your ever up my neck of the woods I'll buy you a pint or two.
Made my day that post!

[tonto]

Originally Posted by chewy

Welcome to rib.net Barry, if your ever up my neck of the woods I'll buy you a pint or two.
Made my day that post!

I am on my wayb north for hogmanay lets have a pint!

[Dhf]

Originally Posted by tonto

Yes it does.

But it also means someone who talks about their experiences. I would suggest that someone who has been around the world might not brag about it!

Then how are we suppose to learn, If these pioneers don't share thier experiences with us.
What's bad is certain others posting on here with misleading info.
Barry sounds like a highly experienced person to me, who could probably teach us a thing or two. so he gets my vote.

Can't wait to hear more tales from the deep blue. and his boat is very nice too.

[Pete7]

One of those nice chaps who live in darkened rooms peering at monitors constantly scanning Ribnet for spammers and other nasty people has kindly split the rib racing thread off to this fred:

Remembering rib racing - the early years

So back to Carson ribs which incidentally seem to be the weapon of choice for Sea Start on the south coast. The value of a cabin rib and some protection was brought home to me when Martin and Anto Curry and I arrived in Guernsey after a long slog against the wind and tide from St Malo. We met Nick from Sea Start outside the harbour entrance in his new Carson cabin rib. We despite wearing full waterproofs were soaked. He was wearing jeans, a light Helly Hansen top and held a mug of steaming hot coffee. Martin and I looked at each other with the same thought, we need cabin ribs.

Pete

[SPR]

so you said lets go the full hog and buy a yacht!

S.