RIB 'Bursts' on BBC's 'Top Gear'

Paul Beaurain · 04 July 2005, 14:45

So here we had it typical Top Gear entertainment (ie not much to do with cars or motoring) 2 presenters set off by Ferry from UK East Coast to Kristensand and then powerboat to get to Oslo. Clarkson drives via belgium dennark sweden etc in McLaren SLR car.

The big powerboat was accompanied by a RIB possibly with camera crew for shots of the powerboat on route. The powerbaot fails - black smoke Kaput etc and they transfer to the RIB.

This was great in that RIB boats get very little coverage - and here it was on prime time TV assisting the short guy and the one with birds nest hair to complete their journey and beat Clarkson.

Then it Burst, they stuffed the bow into a wave and the front tube let go.

Was this right that it failed so easily? was it an old boat? Those with some knowledge may be able to say what boat it was - maybe our Norwegian friends can help on this one.

It was not just the tube that was deflated.... The reputation of the RIB as being seaworthy fell well short of the required mark.

comments awaited.

PAul

Clyde Rib'r · 04 July 2005, 15:15

Afternoon Paul,

just posted the same thing in 'Other stuff'

Dont think the RIB was old from what I seen, but then again it could just have been well looked after, as to the tube bursting so easily, well the seas they were in were very rough by any standards with big rolling waves that they were going into I think, and again even though you could hear the guy at the helm laying off on the throttle as they hit the waves they were hammering it up to Oslo, so thinking of the combination of speed and the seas thats probably a good combination to break the RIB

although from where by the sounds of it they had the breakage the done wel to get it ashore

Absolute quality race though, car was a bit pricey mind you

swginn · 04 July 2005, 15:27

The hardboat was a Goldfish 32 and the RIB was a Goldfish 29

www.goldfishboat.com

They also specialise in tuning Yanmars and making custom exhausts. They can tune the 300hp Yanmar to 370hp but they still run it on a Bravo One (I bet it was the drive that failed!!)

Nice console & bolsters though.

Richard B · 04 July 2005, 15:34

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/thisweek/
Repeated on Thursday at 7pm (London region) in case you missed it like I did!

swginn · 04 July 2005, 15:36

You gotta watch it, only just to hear the sound from the DBR9

Clyde Rib'r · 04 July 2005, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by swginn

You gotta watch it, only just to hear the sound from the DBR9

drrrrooool , waow, one of the best sounding tuned engines ever

even my 6 month old son was glued to the tv at that point

But yeh if you missed that episode then its a must see.

Dave

Andy Gee · 04 July 2005, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Beaurain

Then it Burst, they stuffed the bow into a wave and the front tube let go.
comments awaited.
PAul

Should have bought a big Redbay

. I dont think it was the Leg going by the reek.
Andy

The Jackeens · 04 July 2005, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Beaurain

Then it Burst, they stuffed the bow into a wave and the front tube let go.

No boat's indestructible I guess.

Us

ribraff · 04 July 2005, 17:04

...did it actually burst?, if they were piling it into waves as it looks like they were and getting a bit excited what with the TV coverage n'all, maybe the Pressure relief valve opened and expelled a lot of the air?

I must say, i thought the Yanmar sounded better than the DBR9!

codprawn · 04 July 2005, 21:05

Missed this - really pissed off!!! MUSt try to catch the repeat - mate told me the Aston knocked 10 seconds off the fatest ever lap time!!!!

yes I was also rather miffed a RIB suffered a ruptered tube - just goes to show how pretty is not always the best when it comes to RIBs!!!

Think I will definitely use a stuffing strap on mine!!!

gavin · 04 July 2005, 23:27

You only really need a stuffing strap when, you are longer than 7.5m and running a stern drive

Cookee · 05 July 2005, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavin

You only really need a stuffing strap when, you are longer than 7.5m and running a stern drive

Of course if you have a hard nose it isn't a problem!

kevinrhead · 05 July 2005, 10:08

Having been at Le Mans a couple of weeks ago DBR9,s were very impressive but couldn't quite make it the full 24hrs. Beaten by the Corvettes in the end.
If you are into the sound of engines it's the place to visit.

codprawn · 05 July 2005, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinrhead

Having been at Le Mans a couple of weeks ago DBR9,s were very impressive but couldn't quite make it the full 24hrs. Beaten by the Corvettes in the end.
If you are into the sound of engines it's the place to visit.

Yes but the Astons haven't been racing long!!!

Anyone remember the Aston Martin Nimrod - raced at Le Mans on a shoestring budget back in 1981??? They finished 7th which wasn't bad considering they were only running 1 car and had a tiny amount of backup - they would have done even better if they hadn't forgotten to number the ignition leads and mixed them all up in the pits!!!

paul tilley · 05 July 2005, 18:35

i think my new ducati monster s4r sounds better

Brambles · 05 July 2005, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul tilley

i think my new ducati monster s4r sounds better

I'd agree with that Paul, especially if you have some after market pipes on it

I had a 900ss years ago, the old one with 4o mm carbs abd the Conti exhausts - what a noise!

The best sounding motorcycle engine in my opinion was the original Laverda Jota, with the 180 degree crank. I can still remember the sound on one of those as it roared down to the Creg-ny-Baa at the Isle of Man TT Races on mad sunday in the early eighties. Perfect

craig_c · 05 July 2005, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavin

You only really need a stuffing strap when, you are longer than 7.5m and running a stern drive

What and how does a snuffing strap work gavin?? better find some info since my boat is 7.4 and with a big diesal!!!

codprawn · 05 July 2005, 20:38

From what I have been told it is simply a ratchet type strap or 2 attached to the towing eye and pulled up and over the bow like a pair of braces - then attahced to something on the deck and pulled tight.

Why you only need one on a boat over 7.5m with a diesel is a bit beyond me though............ maybe it is something Irish????

Richard B · 05 July 2005, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

a ratchet type strap or 2...

A device favoured by Tony Lee-Elliott I think, and his on "Hush" is/was a three way strap - one over the nose and one either side.

Alternatively just attach your bow painter to a large secure cleat at the front of the deck, no need for extra gadgets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Why you only need one on a boat over 7.5m with a diesel is a bit beyond me though

Big heavy boat = lots of kinetic energy = large force on the nose in case of a stuff.

Alternatively, drive sensibly!

jwalker · 05 July 2005, 22:55

View through the front room window.