New to Ribbing

gingercoastie · 01 May 2003, 19:41

Hi,

I am due to get my first rib in about 3 weeks. A humber 6.3 ocean pro, with Suzuki 115hp 4 stroke.

Unfortunatly it will be just to late for the Plymouth meeting and the Southwest cruise.

Strangely, I don't see many people from Cornwall, am I going to be on my own down hear (should keep the slips clear though).

Charles · 01 May 2003, 20:10

Hey, everyone is welcome - does not matter where you come from!

Tiger 2 · 01 May 2003, 21:19

Great variety of coastline to explore, rocky, sandy and shingle beachs all close by. Bit of long SW swell, very nice to blast around for the day in the summer.

If you can find a good, free slip and no que of divers then life is good!

Tiger

Mike Garside · 02 May 2003, 07:31

Quote:

Originally posted by gingercoastie
...Unfortunatly it will be just to late for the Plymouth meeting and the Southwest cruise.

Strangely, I don't see many people from Cornwall, am I going to be on my own down hear (should keep the slips clear though).

Gingercoastie, you'll be just in time for the Scillies trip on 6/7/8 June

And you're not alone down here. We are just over the bay in St Mawes. And there's Toby Budd in Falmouth. Looking forward to meeting up in due course.

Cheers!

gingercoastie · 02 May 2003, 10:27

Thanks for the welcome.

Now a request for some advise. I have been recomended to wait until I have my boat before I do my Level 2 Powerboat course.

Is there any advantage to using my own boat, or should I save my pennies and use the schools own boat?

Brian · 02 May 2003, 11:22

Firstly, welcome to the forum and to ribing.
I am organising the S/W Cruise and the Scillies Cruise and will also be at the Plymouth meeting.
You will be most welcome at all of the above functions. If you do not have a boat by date X, jump on my boat for the duration. Plenty of room.
Contact me directly (PM or e-mail) if you wish.

Re your course.
I would always advise people to use other peoples kit (boating or diving). It broadens your experience and you will learn good and bad points about their equipment. You would never believe how much you learn (some of it sub-consciously).

Bilge Rat · 02 May 2003, 12:18

Hi Having just completed my level 2 i'd recommend using the schools boat as there will probably be others with you using your boat, its also worth listening and making up a comprehensive kit list before you go looking at boats, your'll also learn whats what and more importantly whats important and what really isnt, we all go on about GPS but a chart, compass and a little local knowledge is a lot cheaper way to get about. I recently bought my first boat which only came with a crappy set of paddles, engine and trailer, i've started to fit it out but have had to spend money of bits and pieces i didn't recon on, we all know what a GPS, VHF, echo costs but remember the spare wheel, trailer lock, trailer jack, prop bag, straps, lighting board, greese gun etc.

In hind sight i'd have looked to spend a little more money and buy a boat which the previous owner was willing to throw in all the bits, of course this is not always possible as most upgrade boats to bigger or newer and tend to move the kit across, its all about what your willing or want to spend.
I also took out sea start trailer cover before towing my new toy home paranoid with the fact that if i had not one of the wheels was bound to fall off, all worth the money but does add up. I've budgeted about 1k to kit the boat out completely and this has included having the engine overhauled by a trusted marine mechanic.

Richard

Bilge Rat · 02 May 2003, 12:22

Forgot to add Boat insurance, i got loads of quotes all ranging massively in price in the end i went with Mardon who quoted me £120 comprehensive with a £150 underwater gear excess policy, priceses do range and i had quotes up to £300 so it pays to shop around.

R

gingercoastie · 02 May 2003, 19:07

All this advise is great, I have just asked Mardon for a quote.

I would like to go on the Scillies cruise, but the wife and kids need to be back at work Monday.

Mike Garside · 03 May 2003, 07:40

Quote:

Originally posted by gingercoastie
I would like to go on the Scillies cruise, but the wife and kids need to be back at work Monday.

Get them to take a day's holiday.

Opportunities like this to get out and about with other ribsters are thin on the ground. You will all learn a lot, meet some nice people, have fun and give yourselves the confidence to tackle the Scillies on your own. It's one of the world's best micro cruising grounds - and it's on your door-step.

To me that little package seems to be worth a day in anyone's brief life...

gingercoastie · 03 May 2003, 14:01

Thanks again for the advice.

I have booked my Level 2 course for the end of the month, so hopefully will be trained and have boat within 4 weeks.

Bilge Rat · 07 May 2003, 13:18

Well done the level 2 course is really good and worth every penny spent on it, i couldn't believe the amount of untrained people that go out with no spare kit or anything, vhf or anything should something nasty happen, i totally agree with other forum members who say there should be a minimum requirement of level two before you can buy a boat, lets face it you cant buy a shot gun without first gaining a licence to use it can you. When you evetually come across jet skiers your'll understand exactly what i mean as they are law unto themselves.

Richard

Brian · 07 May 2003, 16:11

Actually Richard both shotgun and firearms licences are "permission to hold" licences.
They are absolutely not "certificates of competance" and do not impute any capability at all on the part of the holder.

gingercoastie · 07 May 2003, 18:43

I think that the CBT that you take before riding a motorcycle is a good comparison, and nearly as expensive.

Jono Garton · 07 May 2003, 18:53

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bilge Rat
[B] i totally agree with other forum members who say there should be a minimum requirement of level two before you can buy a boat,

Do you want to be my best freind?

Level 2/ICC : driving test for boating - oh yes