My Adventure In The Garage

stu1288 · 25 February 2006, 00:34

Hi there ribbers i bought my boat back in november im only 17 and never realy messed with boats well not ribs any way. As this is my 1st rib i didnt realy want to mess with it and fuck it up as my mom said (i had a leaky tube) but rung about and asked for help but know 1 wanted to help i think they just wanted to rip me off and the nearest place who could fix it was 100 mile away. So thats when my adventure started to find the air leak i could slighty here it coming from the front underneath the tubes so i got me bottle of fairy and heat gun and started pulling it apart.

So i say a bit of DIY can pay off my boat is now ready for my first outing on the open sea

ANY IDEAS ON WERE TO GO !!!!!!!

Andy Stevens · 25 February 2006, 07:25

I'd start with the place you midlanders dont get to see too often dude.

The sea!!!

BOG RAT · 25 February 2006, 08:40

There is a large-ish Lake I know off, it's near Shrewsbury, it's about 3/4 of a mile long X 1/2 a mile wide, it has a slip, a jetty, and a portacabin to get warm in,

I & a few others use it to test engines, & new boats, etc,

The matey that owns it will insist that he see,s your insurance, & he will lighten your wallet by £40 if you want half a day there.

you will need to book as he only allows two boats on at a time.

If intrested Send me a message & I'll dig out his number for you.

AS I am sure everyone on here will agree, there is no subsitute for the sea, I think you should tow it to the coast & get wet. Have a look at boat launch.

GET SOME INSURANCE IF YOU HAVENT ALlREADY, MOST SLIPS NOW WILL TELL YOU TO BUGGER OF WITHOUT IT.

SultanOfSoltron · 25 February 2006, 12:44

Where abouts are you in Bromsgrove?

AndyB007 · 25 February 2006, 12:53

As a Birmingham-based boater I usually head down the M40/A34/M3/M27 (2.5 hours) to the Southampton area, and from there you've got a choice of places to launch from. I head for Calshot Activity Centre and launch from there; nice wide slip, usually easy to launch and recover (can be a bit tricky at certain times, and with wash from the ferries), and straight into the Solent, no trekking up and down Southampton Water (useful for me as I have limited range).

As it's your first time out I strongly suggest you arrange to meet up with someone more experienced for advice and any assistance you might need (plenty of helpful folk on this forum, if really stuck send me a message).

Stay safe and have fun!

Andy Beach

nugent · 25 February 2006, 13:06

brean sands for me 4x4 req.. , from bromsgrove 1.5hrs weston if want an easyer launch. 2hrs either side of hight tide,, i go out with the tide in summer and return wid it,,
appart from that 2.5hrs exmouth all day nice blue water, travel round torquay brixam etc,

Rogue Wave · 26 February 2006, 05:04

River Severn ?

before you go anywhere check your trailer bearings

Northern Tim · 26 February 2006, 12:34

If I was you, I'd go and do RYA powerboat level 2 (coastal) first. It's not cheap, but you do get 2 days playing about in other people's boats and I found it was a great confidence boost. I'm certainly glad I did it before I went out anywhere. It might also get you a bit of discount on your insurance.

The cheaper option is to do what AndyB007 suggests and take someone more experienced with you.

As Rogue Wave says - check your bearings. I bought my first boat last summer and when I stripped down the hubs to check the bearings they were in a total mess. The guy who owned it before, obviously never maintained them! Having said all this - have fun!

Tim

AndyB007 · 27 February 2006, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Tim

If I was you, I'd go and do RYA powerboat level 2 (coastal) first. It's not cheap, but you do get 2 days playing about in other people's boats and I found it was a great confidence boost. I'm certainly glad I did it before I went out anywhere. It might also get you a bit of discount on your insurance.

The cheaper option is to do what AndyB007 suggests and take someone more experienced with you.

As Rogue Wave says - check your bearings. I bought my first boat last summer and when I stripped down the hubs to check the bearings they were in a total mess. The guy who owned it before, obviously never maintained them! Having said all this - have fun!

Tim

I fully agree with the comment about doing a Powerboat course. That said I would still take someone more experienced with you first time or two out - my son still entertains folks with the tale of our first 'solo' launching!!

Andy