How did you get into RIB's?

[K&S]

I started Kayaking when i was 12. Bought my first Kayak at 14 (similar to JW i had the frame of a canvas canoe for many years but didnt get around to putting a skin on it) then got into sailing at 16. I did my PB level 2 at 17 then got into windsurfing at 18.
Started teaching watersports at 19 used a fair fewboats (from orkney's, Masstercrafts & Jet boats to a 32ft passenger carrying Starfish) during this time and bought my first 'proper boat ' at 32 (Hardy Pilot). I then became the proud owner of a 6.5m rib at 36.
I would love to get into Big boat sailing but have to be content with ribbing for just now as kids and wife not as obsesed by all things that float yet.......

[willk]

RIBs? Pah! I didn't get into RIBs - I got out of Inflatables (SIBs), known in those antediluvian days as Dive Boats. Or little rubber dingies . So, after a few years rolling out of those, I jumped out of small RIBs. Occasionally I was pushed. Jumping out of large RIBs followed. Finally decided to buy one and got to stay in the boat* (skipper's privilege) and drink the emergency hot drinks and eat the buns


* To quote a certain Yachtie "Gee guys, why'd ya wanna jump out of a Perfectly Good Boat?"

[doggypaddle]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

After a bad experience with a crap cabin cruiser a rib was the only way I could get the mrs to agree to me owning another
boat

Anyone else want join the.....
"I had a microplus 501/502 and nearly sh*t myself in it so upgraded to a RIB club"

The only pre requisite of membership is a near death or other unpleasant experience involving a microplus, and current ownership of a RIB.

[Jimbob]

Mine all started quite late really,

About 7 years ago, I was up in the lake district looking at all the ribs buzzing about on the lake. So when we got back I did some investigation on price and what would be OK as a starter rib for us. We started with a 5.0 Humber assault, which was handy for towing around.

Then one day I was sat on the beach near West pole (Chichester) and saw all the larger ribs making easy work of the waves whilst the hard boats were bobbing all over the place. So we upgraded and got a Scorpion, which was great, really great.

Over the last 18 months we have not had a boat, as I have been working away from home, but I have now started looking again, so we will see…………

The people I have met whilst boating have been great,,,,they also like drinking beer

[tinker]

My dad started it all with a Campari, which was like a balloon with an motor on, when I was about 8, then through C-Crafts, Searider's a Humber, 2 Fatacrafts a Zodiac and a finally a Rribcraft.

[iandl]

Father has a 50ft cabin cruiser ....with a little sib .......too slow and boring....but never really went near it until i started playing with and maintaining lifeboats about 15years ago ....got a searider then was hooked.


I

[Steve_B]

Been involved with the sea all my life. Father was in RN and then the RNR, I joined RNR at 16, became Ships diver and got to play on Her Majesty's SIBs whilst diving.

Current job took me away from playing on water for too long and then the kids came along. Did alot of crewing for others over the years. Finally 3 years ago, took wife along to the Sportsboat & RIB show on the Hamble, partly to convince "her in doors" a hard boat was not what she wanted!
After a couple of hours walking around with that "puppy dog" look, she said lets go for a coffee. It was then she said, "if you want one, buy one" and stupid me, I thought that was what she meant! So I did, how wrong was I.

Anyway, for someone who is sick in aircraft and car ferries, she has turned out to be an absolute addict and frequently beats me to "shall we go out on the boat". She loves being on the helm at high speed and towing me and the kids whilst wakeboarding.

Looking now at bigger/commercial rib

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by doggypaddle

Anyone else want join the.....
"I had a microplus 501/502 and nearly sh*t myself in it so upgraded to a RIB club"

The only pre requisite of membership is a near death or other unpleasant experience involving a microplus, and current ownership of a RIB.

It's worse than that...my first memory is of looking out of the cabin of my dad's Microplus 501 at a bright orange sign that said 'Danger' on Buscot Lock.I wasn't old enough to stand unaided at the time.
I found out it said Danger years later-it's still there.


I'm glad my dad saw sense after 3 weeks of the Microplus and sold it.

I 'd always wanted a rib after seeing the early Atlantic 21s coming out of Poole.

[doggypaddle]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

It's worse than that...my first memory is of looking out of the cabin of my dad's Microplus 501 at a bright orange sign that said 'Danger' on Buscot Lock.
(I found out it said Danger years later-it's still there.)

Somehow i dont think this club is going to be exclusive, everyone who ever had a microplus must have had a near death experience, apart from the ones which didnt survive, i guess diying isnt "near death"

[mr_sav]

1. Had Exposure to them in my earlier years of work, so Had a real repect/regard for their capabilities.

2. Needed something nice to offset the Landy 110.

3. Needed ( err Wanted) a good dive and cruising boat, so as not to be dependent on others.

Had a SIB, but needed more power Scotty. So when an SR6 (Hens Teeth in Oz) came on to the market I flew the 2500km to see the boat, talk him down pay for it and park it at a friends house in that city.

Flew Home, changed the oil in the landy and drove the 5000+km return trip to pick it up.

I thank you English People for the Landrover 110 (1985) minus the Engine (Oz fitted 3.9 Isuzus to them), and On The Buses and The Goodies

You Welsh People - Thanks for the Avon. Job well done.

[JSP]

Originally Posted by doggypaddle

Somehow i dont think this club is going to be exclusive, everyone who ever had a microplus must have had a near death experience, apart from the ones which didnt survive, i guess diying isnt "near death"

Microplus 501 and that type of design are very popular up here.
Tis grim up North were death can be a turn up for 't books

[JSP]

Originally Posted by 250kts

........
After a couple of hours walking around with that "puppy dog" look, she said lets go for a coffee. It was then she said, "if you want one, buy one" and stupid me, I thought that was what she meant! So I did, how wrong was I.

Sounds like you were a lot luckier than this bloke

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by mr_sav

You Welsh People - Thanks for the Avon. Job well done.

You are vey welcome and thank's to your country for last Saturday

[JSP]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

You are vey welcome and thank's to your country for last Saturday

[Ian M]

Diving.
Spent many years falling out of them, but then decided that it was more fun staying in them Anyway, being the prat that I am, I am now try to mix fitting one out and diving

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Diving.
Spent many years falling out of them, but then decided that it was more fun staying in them Anyway, being the prat that I am, I am now try to mix fitting one out and diving

You must have a bloody great pond in that back garden then.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by mr_sav

1. Had Exposure to them in my earlier years of work, so Had a real repect/regard for their capabilities.

2. Needed something nice to offset the Landy 110.

3. Needed ( err Wanted) a good dive and cruising boat, so as not to be dependent on others.

Had a SIB, but needed more power Scotty. So when an SR6 (Hens Teeth in Oz) came on to the market I flew the 2500km to see the boat, talk him down pay for it and park it at a friends house in that city.

Flew Home, changed the oil in the landy and drove the 5000+km return trip to pick it up.

I thank you English People for the Landrover 110 (1985) minus the Engine (Oz fitted 3.9 Isuzus to them), and On The Buses and The Goodies

You Welsh People - Thanks for the Avon. Job well done.

Definitely a bloke after my own heart!!!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

You are vey welcome and thank's to your country for last Saturday

Classic!!!

[fred bolton]

Started years ago in a Campari inflatable complete with engine bracket!!! to which was attached a British Seagull 40+ great fun if you didn't mind giving the plug a clean every 1/2 hour petrol to oil ratio 10:1

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by fred bolton

Started years ago in a Campari inflatable complete with engine bracket!!! to which was attached a British Seagull 40+ great fun if you didn't mind giving the plug a clean every 1/2 hour petrol to oil ratio 10:1

I had a Campari ski jacket years ago. It didn't have a engine bracket though.