How often/How many times do you use your RIB/Boat?

Vandad · 07 August 2011, 14:55

Just had a chat to a friend of mine who is thinking of buying his first rib, but worried that he may not be using it that often. Considering all costs associated with a rib/boat ownership, I was also thinking that how many times do you really have to use it to say "I need a RIB/Boat as I use it quite often".

So question for you guys,

1) How many times do you use your RIB?

2) Have you noticed any change in your usage compared to the first season when you first bought the rib?

Rib_Humber · 07 August 2011, 15:05

It is always the case, you buy the rib, use it often, then you get bored!

I have only used mine twice since last September, a bit of a shame really.

kerny · 07 August 2011, 15:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rib_Humber

It is always the case, you buy the rib, use it often, then you get bored!

I have only used mine twice since last September, a bit of a shame really.

Get bored

Try coarse fishing.

Pikey Dave · 07 August 2011, 16:10

[QUOTE=Vandad;414289]Just had a chat to a friend of mine who is thinking of buying his first rib, but worried that he may not be using it that often. Considering all costs associated with a rib/boat ownership, I was also thinking that how many times do you really have to use it to say "I need a RIB/Boat as I use it quite often". Never! Don't confuse "need" with "want". If you bought any boat purely on sensible economic grounds, well...........

So question for you guys,

1) How many times do you use your RIB? Not as often as I would like, due to work, weather & tides

2) Have you noticed any change in your usage compared to the first season when you first bought the rib?Can't remember that far back

If he has doubts, your mate has answered his own question.

BogMonster · 07 August 2011, 18:01

What Mr Pikey said ^^^

Few people can honestly say they "need" a RIB except for the Navy, ILB's and maybe sailing clubs for a rescue boat. Buy it because you want it and never try and impose any rational thought on the process

First season is always the busiest and the back end of my first summer was every weekend and quite a few evenings as I had the first RIB on a pontoon for a while - how often you use it after that depends on whether it is afloat or ashore, how long it takes to launch, weather, work, how much money you want to pour into the fuel tank, what the rest of the family say about going out vs. other arrangements they might prefer to make for the weekend and probably quite a few other variables. Personally I like to use mine at least once a month all year round to keep it happy, and after that it comes down to the other factors above.Sometimes if I have time and the weather is OK I'll use it a couple of weekends on the trot but more usually every second or third weekend during the summer. Most of the other boats in what passes for a marina in our part of the world go out much less than I do.

jezza2011 · 07 August 2011, 20:34

1) How many times do you use your RIB?
Used to use is all the time every weekend. when it was new it was every other weekend down to the coast diving, skiing and ringoing then for a few years could not get down so didnt use it much. Moved to the coast and used it every free weekend. now its been refurbed I am back in the midlands and dont get time to use it was much as I would like .

2) Have you noticed any change in your usage compared to the first season when you first bought the rib?yep defo. I was out all the time mainly diving. now its just used for a quick whizz arround and the odd week away with the kids.

dnv · 07 August 2011, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandad

...

So question for you guys,

1) How many times do you use your RIB?

2) Have you noticed any change in your usage compared to the first season when you first bought the rib?

1) 110hours this year sofar. 160hours sice last year's August, layed off from end of November to mid March (snow & ice).

2) more use

Boat is on a pontoon, high and dry at low tide

Jan

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Ruari 29 · 07 August 2011, 22:42

Dnv that picture is sweet.

I now live 800yards from a harbour so use mine weekly, when I had to travel 2 hours the nearest water there was alot more prep and hassle involved so boat was used monthly if I was lucky. Circumstances depending

1978SeaRider · 07 August 2011, 22:52

1) Nearly every weekend...

2) and use it more and more... the secret is to have lots of hobby's that supports its use... I dive from it, fish from it, pull wakeboards, pull a parasail, go around anglesey etc... other times we just drive to somewhere flat, have a sarnie & a can , then drive back.... I've owned a RIB for 17 years and the novelty has never worn off... but a lot of that comes to where its moored. I'm in anglesey, you can never get bored of that coast line !

Fenlander · 07 August 2011, 23:01

I live 150mls+ from any interesting coast but I don't care how little our boats get out related to their cost as it's always worth it. My previous 4m planing GRP boat on a trailer only ever went out for 8-14 days on our Scottish hols. But to hire a similat boat was £100+ a day or £500 a week... and that's if you could find one.

So still worked out cheaper to keep ours even for so few days a year.

Well that's what I told the Mrs.

andyxs · 07 August 2011, 23:08

as above. if you have a rib "just for cruising" you might cut down your usage after time but i use it as a safety boat, to fish from etc so we use it alot.

GJ0KYZ · 07 August 2011, 23:16

Good questions!

1. Not that often nowadays. I think I've only been out about half a dozen times this year, although the wx has been fairly lousy.

2. I plan trips far more than I used to and hardly ever do any 'aimless' ribbing except to take the boat around the bay to keep the batteries charged and the engine ticking over.

actions · 07 August 2011, 23:20

1. Use it as much as possible. For example 4 times this last week due to perfect shifts for tide times and weather. Its easy for me though, 3 seconds from the slipway and five minutes to launch it. Got it all down to a fine art.

2. More if i'm honest as this rib is bigger than my last so can handle the chop a little more. Would love a bigger rib, but would need a bigger garage.

Honestly, as the others said this is a want item not a need item.

My only concern is the word "CHILDREN" keeps getting mentioned.

Less rib time possible on the horizon, unless anyone knows of any rib kid seats

kerny · 07 August 2011, 23:46

For me it's a want item, I love ribbing, I love the camaraderie, I love the challenge of learning new skills, and meeting and making new friends, so whether I'm out 3,4,10 times a year it doesn't matter as long as I have got a rib to launch as and when I can. I have met a few like minded and good people from this website and owning a rib has opened all these doors for me and the mrs she's paid half (joint account)

so I think it's money well spent for me /us.

I guess it's becoming a way of life .

Long live ribbing.

diver 1 · 08 August 2011, 00:42

Used mine about 24 days so far this year and covered over 400 miles on short trips out to dive sites and fishing sites since April. The fuel bill obviously adds up after a while but I've mentally offest that with some incredible dives and memorable fishing trips that would never be possible on a charter boat even if one was available at split second notice when I suddlenly find the days work has finished and I'm home at 2pm :-)

Plus my freezer is well stocked with Scallops, Lobsters, Mackerel, Bass, Bream, Plaice --- you name it plus we've had some pretty awesome seafood barbeques which would have cost a small fortune if the fish was sourced from a quality fishmonger :-)

My only regret is not buying a slightly larger rib, getting it coded and using it for work as well.

boristhebold · 08 August 2011, 08:42

I use mine nearly every weekend and in addition if the weather is nice during the week then at least once in the week in late afternoon / early evening. With fuel prices what they are if spent over £3K on fuel alone since January 1st. I never get bored of it, use it to get some fresh air on the sea very relaxing.

Oscarguitar · 08 August 2011, 09:52

Use it most weekends , both days if possible, happy on my own but with the boss and dog if they want to come. Occasional evenings. If I'm not using it my sons and their friends are! (Provided I put the fuel in) Season from about April to November.

I don't use my RIB as much as Boris, since I see him every time I'm out!

Dry Run · 08 August 2011, 13:52

I guess it depends on your individual circumstances as to how often you get to use your Rib. I sure everyone would use it more if they could? Some of us are lucky and live by the sea and have a Rib available in the water anytime - so a spur of the moment decision to nip over to The Island for supper is an easy option.

Many customers of The Dry stack only use their boats ocassionally (maybe just 4-5 times a year) as they live in London or further afield. Some locals go out on a regular basis (to go sailing or act as safety boat).

Either way, I'm sure we would all agree that a good day out on the water is "priceless"!

Chris · 09 August 2011, 08:02

When I first got a rib I used it practically every week but having upgraded to a larger boat my ribbing is now aimed at longer trips with overnight stays etc. You get far more out of it this way. Also fuel is far too costly now to just go out for a 2 hour aimless blast!

tonymac · 10 August 2011, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandad

So question for you guys,

1) How many times do you use your RIB?

2) Have you noticed any change in your usage compared to the first season when you first bought the rib?

1) As often as work, weather, tides and family circumstances allow it. Which I am glad to say is quite often! For the past four weeks it has been on the water for at least three days a week.

2) Certainly! I use it much more often now. Also I use it for longer trips - would think nothing now of heading out to Tory island for a pint and a walk these evenings.