Gemini WR600

[ThundercatRob]

Hi all,

Ive recently become the owner of a Gemini WR600. Its previously know to this forum. It was previously owned by Mitchc. https://www.rib.net/forum/f8/1999-ge...one-55814.html. Ive previously owned a Caesar Thundercat and Gemini GRX420, but never a RIB.

She is a 2000 build boat and has an Opitmax 150hp motor. It went through an overhaul around 2014 with the seats being reconfigured, new tubes from Ribshop, new double axel trailer and I think some new electronics.

Ive only been out once in her once when I first got it in January. A very cold day in the Solent, but she seems like a good boat.

Its currently in Lymington and hoping to use her around the Solent. Currently just trying to decide if I should put her on a mooring through the summer. It will probably mean I can use it a lot more.

[jonp]

why does a mooring mean you could use the boat more ? Are there no public boat ramps.

Ive just had a friend visit from the UK where we trailered my boat to different ramps and used the boat almost everyday for the past three weeks.

Personally I would not want to leave my boat on a mooring at all. Theft, vandalism, marine growth on the hull, UV exposure etc etc.

[ThundercatRob]

You make a lot of good points, and I have some of the same concerns, mainly because I have no experience in leaving a RIB on a mooring.

The reason I can potentially see it being used more is just down to how easily I can get it ready to go, and how long it takes. I have a young family, so it needs to be as easy as possible and I will likely be doing it all on my own. Launching, recovering etc.

Whilst the Lymington slipway is fine, it can get busy and is semi tidal. It’s also shared by the RNLI and two sailing clubs, so it can take a long time to get in the water if there is a queue. Also, the parking situation isn’t great.

If the boat is on a mooring, I could cycle down in 5 mins, and then just paddle out and be onboard.

It’s obviously a bit harder on the boat which I don’t like, but there are many RIBs kept on moorings (these are bow stern moorings). This is really what I’m trying to decide.

The reality is I will probably try the mooring for a year at £550, and just use it for shortish periods, and take the boat out of the water when I don’t plan to use it for a number of weeks, or the weather is bad. I will probably only use it between June - August anyway.

Any thoughts welcome though

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by ThundercatRob

You make a lot of good points, and I have some of the same concerns, mainly because I have no experience in leaving a RIB on a mooring.

The reason I can potentially see it being used more is just down to how easily I can get it ready to go, and how long it takes. I have a young family, so it needs to be as easy as possible and I will likely be doing it all on my own. Launching, recovering etc.

Whilst the Lymington slipway is fine, it can get busy and is semi tidal. It’s also shared by the RNLI and two sailing clubs, so it can take a long time to get in the water if there is a queue. Also, the parking situation isn’t great.

If the boat is on a mooring, I could cycle down in 5 mins, and then just paddle out and be onboard.

It’s obviously a bit harder on the boat which I don’t like, but there are many RIBs kept on moorings (these are bow stern moorings). This is really what I’m trying to decide.

The reality is I will probably try the mooring for a year at £550, and just use it for shortish periods, and take the boat out of the water when I don’t plan to use it for a number of weeks, or the weather is bad. I will probably only use it between June - August anyway.

Any thoughts welcome though

Nothing wrong with keeping a rib on a mooring my only concern is I hate antifoul on tubes but if you can get it out every few weeks to keep it clean then it should be fine. Definitely far easier to use the boat, just turn up & go & far easier to find a parking space for a car than it is a car and trailer. Fuel may be an issue depending how much you use unless theres on water fuel available closely but often not & buying & transporting large quantities of fuel can be an issue although unmanned fuel stations can help out with that.