footholds? yay or nay?

[ollyit]

How do you we rate foot hold oh here guys? - a big no or yes there good -
boat is a 4metre searider with 2 person console - thanks

[Matt]

On the 5 metre I used to drive they were a godsend in the rough.

[marknj]

Yes very good, used to use on 5.4 Searider in some very 'interesting' conditions and now with my Ribcraft. You don't have to use them, but you can't use them if there not fitted!

Mark

[ashleyd]

we were out in some rough stuff on saturday in my 8.1M. footstraps were invaluable. They have only just been fitted and made life a lot easier

[Rich L]

Where can you buy them please?

Thanks

[ollyit]

being a windsurfer myself aswell as a keen ribber - I reckon buy them from a watersports shop - u could get some really cool DA KINE about £20 - fully adjustable too

[Mark Halliday]

The only ones I have seen have been webbing held down by toe strap plates. Flat s/s or plastic strips to non-yotti types.
You just tread them down when not needed.
I have been told that when you have tripped over them a few times, they get removed.

[Daniel]

Invaluable. I did not fit them to this boat at first but within a few days had thrown myself out of the boat... i really do feel this would not have happend with foot straps, which are now fitted.

I bought a pair of windsurf ones, about £15, adjustable and rigid. The debate for rigid vs webbing which collapses when you stand on it is a valid one. On my previous boat i sometimes found it diffacult to get my feet into the straps because they were flat on the deck - see pic, unfortunatly i don't have a pic of the windsurf board style ones.

[Headhunter]

Rich

Humber sell them, Toe Straps in their price list £30/pair fitted, so maybe less if not.

Ask for Sue 01482 226100

John

[Daniel]

better pic...

Don't buy 'em - visit your local sail loft or chandlers who will sell you two short lengths of webbing and use 2large penny washers and self tappers on each end (8 washers, 8 screws) + some stikaflex to seal the pilot hole in the deck.

[Headhunter]

The Humber Toe Straps in my rib are a type of reinforced pvc so they flatten if stood on but return to a loop immediately, so no problem putting your foot into them, nor stubbing your toe on them.

John

[John Kennett]

I hate them! They never seem to be in quite the right place, and I prefer to be able to move my feet if I need to.

John

[Daniel]

John, i know you have said that before, infact i always thought it was because they were less usefull (or required) on a larger RIB. However, having done an Alderney run with Richard B on Blue Ice (7.5m) i would still say they are essential.

Opinions is opinions, however!

[ollyit]

Thanks for all your input guys, I think im gonna go with these when the time comes, as I do have a considerly smaller boat than most of you guys

some interesting comments thanks

[Rogue Wave]

I threw myself out of my rib because I didn't have footstraps. As a result i damaged my knee (ligaments ) and after a year it's mostly better but I don't have confidence in it when lifting.

My view is that at worst I would have suffered a broken ankle (which might have mended quicker) if I had toe straps and that would have fixed itself easier. The other thing is when you eject yourself at speed then it's a long way back to your boat

Fit em ...if nothing else they look cool

[Alan]

I fitted the Daniel style webbing and big washer jobs onto our DS21 and they were already fitted to blue ice. The only hassle is having big feet when some small footed so and so was the last to use 'em IMHO its not so much to prevent being thrown out but by being stable and not having to hold onto the steering wheel for grim death you are much more comfortable and in control. Also v good for your pax who dont have the steering wheel and throttle to hold onto!!

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by ollyit

footholds? yay or nay?

yay!! If you want to try them or just measure up how they are fitted, just shout!

[Rich L]

Richard B - just how many feet have you got??

[Richard B]

Octopus!

[Rich L]

Hey, I never mentioned Tentacles...