How far to travel for a day on the rib

Regal · 07 November 2011, 18:10

We are still not sure whether to keep the rib on a trailer in our garage or leave it in a marina.

I will most probably be living in Midlands (near Warwick) so far enough from any open water. Form there to Southampton is just over 2hrs but not sure how often I may be able to tow the rib.

Again, we don't want to just try one location and the whole point of selling my previous boat was that we got bored of staying in Thames.

Just wondering if anyone here lives far enough from any open sea, and travels regularly (ish) to use the rib? And how far? and how often do you use?

Poly · 07 November 2011, 18:32

I know people who use their boat almost every weekend and travel 2.5hrs each way to do so, and I know people who are walking distance from the slipway and don't use it even once a month. So I don't think distance is the key factor. Other things (wives, children, work etc) get in the way. If you remove the hassle factor from launch and recovery (by dry stack / marina) then you may well use it more. On the other hand if you are based in the midlands then if the boat is in S'ampton then it will get left unused if you decide to spend the weekend in wales, cornwall or even head to civilisation (north of the M6!) for the weekend, when you might have dragged the boat otherwise. Nobody else can tell you what will work for you, and what works this year might be different from next...

Chris · 07 November 2011, 18:34

My nearest launch point is 45 mins from Bristol Marina and 1 hour from Portishead. I used to regularly tow the boat down to Southampton, Teignmouth, Salcombe, Rock all at least 2 hours away.

It is a bit of a ball ache to be honest however I think its worth it as you do get to check out lots of new places whereas if your boat was at a dry stack you would naturally tend to spend more time in the area your boat is stored.

I would stick to the trailer and then you can always leave it on a mooring somewhere over summer for a few weeks and then plan some weekends around it.

bedajim · 07 November 2011, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regal

We are still not sure whether to keep the rib on a trailer in our garage or leave it in a marina.

I will most probably be living in Midlands (near Warwick) so far enough from any open water. Form there to Southampton is just over 2hrs but not sure how often I may be able to tow the rib.

Again, we don't want to just try one location and the whole point of selling my previous boat was that we got bored of staying in Thames.

Just wondering if anyone here lives far enough from any open sea, and travels regularly (ish) to use the rib? And how far? and how often do you use?

My rib is stored in NN17 and I launch at Southampton & the east coast on Day trips and even do Cornwall for weekends

Pikey Dave · 07 November 2011, 18:56

We are in South Yorks & Whitby is our "local" launch, 2 hrs away. We've done Anglesey a couple of times which is 3 hours. We regularly do the Farnes / Seahouses for the weekend or even the day, which is 170miles each way. Saying that, I'm off to Glasgow in the morning to carryout an inspection which should take me a couple of hours & then drive back. 500 mile round trip, 10 hours driving for 2 hours work.
Keep the trailer!

Ribochet · 07 November 2011, 19:53

Some questions to ask yourself are:
How heavy is the boat/trailer?
What is your trailer nose weight
How capable is your vehicle at towing?
How confident are you towing?
How handy are you at maintaining trailer brakes and bearings?
Would you have all the necessary to be able to change a wheel?

If all your answers are positive then definitely keep your RIB on the trailer as it opens up endless possibilities - you are only limited by your imagination.
With my previous twin engined 6.5 m I often left home @ 0630 - towed it 85 miles - launched at Cushendall - went to Ardbeg with the Redbay gang for lunch - reversed the journey and back home for 2200 - what a blast.

mick · 07 November 2011, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribochet

Some questions to ask yourself are:
How heavy is the boat/trailer?
What is your trailer nose weight
How capable is your vehicle at towing?
How confident are you towing?
How handy are you at maintaining trailer brakes and bearings?
Would you have all the necessary to be able to change a wheel?

If all your answers are positive then definitely keep your RIB on the trailer as it opens up endless possibilities - you are only limited by your imagination.
With my previous twin engined 6.5 m I often left home @ 0630 - towed it 85 miles - launched at Cushendall - went to Ardbeg with the Redbay gang for lunch - reversed the journey and back home for 2200 - what a blast.

You were brave towing that rib round those narrow lanes as I now know.

jezza2011 · 07 November 2011, 20:37

I live in the Midlands. Well just in Northamptonshire and we do Poole and Portsmouth regually with no issues.

Vandad · 07 November 2011, 20:52

It just depends on your circumstances;
Can you afford fuel cost both for your car and your rib? Do you have a reliable car for towing? Can you tow confidently?

Are you passionate enough to wake up at 4am on a Saturday Morning to leave before a low tide Poole for example and then get home after 10pm?!

Things to consider: Cost, Time, Car for towing, reliable trailer, your capability.

If not, then consider a bigger SIB with 15-20hp outboard so you can pack them and just drive to wherever you fancy each weekend.

A 4m SIB, with 20hp outboard is quite a capable boat.

Jizm · 07 November 2011, 21:03

Starting to feel a bit it guilty about moaning about towing mine the 8 miles to hamble now!

TRevor Lawson · 07 November 2011, 21:21

As Has been said before car, trailer ,ability to tow launch etcwill be a decieding factor, My 4 mtr sib +25hp is on a trailer, i live in hertfordshire, most places are about 100mls /2hrs from us, we go to Whitstable, sheerness, poole , shoreham, alderburgh & the norfolk broads . with the boat at home on trailer we are not tied to same place every time, we try to use boat as much as time allows, & tides/weather often deciedes where we go .

Maximus · 08 November 2011, 12:14

One of the major advantages of Rib's IMO is the Towability of such a seaworthy craft,and the great diversity of our Island coastline they can open up, to experiance and explore.After spending some time in Texas,and seeing the distances those giuys travel for thier sport, believe me, no-where is THAT far over here!Have RIB - will Travel...just make sure the Trailer is Good!

biffer · 08 November 2011, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jizm

Starting to feel a bit it guilty about moaning about towing mine the 8 miles to hamble now!

I was just thinking the same thing. Don't know if I could cope with all that towing now

sent from a remote device

willk · 08 November 2011, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by discomick

You were brave towing that rib round those narrow lanes as I now know.

Lanes!? Those are flippin' motorways mate. Two cars can pass on them! I towed to Redbay for the same trips and for the first mile, the tubes touched both hedgerows! Towing to the Donegal coast from my gaff is 40 miles and as the trip progresses, I'm pulling in for lorries and finally cars...

I'll grant you that the Glendun viaduct and it's wee neighbour to the north need to be approached with good brakes and a sound heart!

jezza2011 · 08 November 2011, 16:22

I used to tow the old girl down to Plymouth and back in a day!!
or Sarnau by Cardigan. but thoes days are gone. :-)

with a good trailer and a descent car you can get to many places to launch without issus.

Launching can be tide dependant but not if you choose good slipways that are accessable at all states of the tide.