Rib Sharing ?

Bern Hanreck · 17 February 2003, 16:58

No , I'm not talking about the Adam & Eve type concept.
I'll hopefully soon have enough money for my first RIB but there won't be enough left over for a 4WD to launch and recover it.
I can see that it could be fraught with problems , but has anyone out there ever tried actually sharing a RIB. With an absolute max. of almost 40 days holiday a year ,I'm not exactly going to wear one out am I ? Could it work for two ( or more ? ) like-minded reasonable people or do the obvious disadvantages really make this a non starter ?

Manos · 17 February 2003, 17:01

Difficult I think.

Tiger · 17 February 2003, 19:26

Not imposible, best find a friend who is into Ribs also, obvious I know, but maybe someone wants a speed boat etc.

Money and ownership of course are going to need to be arranged from the start. I would think initial cost would be simple, its servicing and repairs. What happen when you smack up the £200 stainless prop?

Decisions by committee are much harder also as most of us know!!!

Alternatively, by the boat you want and hire a 4x4 for the day etc!
among others
www.shb.co.uk

Tiger

bryan edwards · 17 February 2003, 20:44

bern , in my experience of rib joint ownership mate forget it me and my best mucker tried it , we never came to blows but it got close ,regards bryan

Pete7 · 17 February 2003, 20:47

Why worry about having a 4x4? what you need if you don't have a 4x4 is the knack and a long pice of rope. This country is blessed with some excellent concrete slips which with practise and the knack won't cause any problems. Have a look at the pics forum for some launching photos.

Pete

Daniel · 17 February 2003, 22:26

For years i have shared speed boats with a friend, no real problems, he put a hole in it and i helped fix it. I blew up an engine and he paid half the new one etc. but we are real good mates, don't even consider this with someone you havent known well for years.

Of course, i hear you all ask, do you still share your boat with this guy? Well, no, and why - he got married!!!

Daniel

crazyhorse · 18 February 2003, 02:20

We have a cheap Tractor instead,but im considering sticking it in a Marina on the trailer and they will lounch her when we want.Its not to expensive ,£2o in and 10 out,when you look at the running costs of a 4x4 all yr round and if its not your prefered car then its no fun.

You dont even need a tractor as you can keep her at most secure yacht/boat clubs,then borrow a van for any long distance stuff you might want to go on.It not a nessasity to have the 4x4 as well.Most slips attached to yacht clubs have ther own tractor or winch for lounching.

crazyhorse · 18 February 2003, 02:20

We have a cheap Tractor instead,but im considering sticking it in a Marina on the trailer and they will lounch her when we want.Its not to expensive ,£2o in and 10 out,when you look at the running costs of a 4x4 all yr round and if its not your prefered car then its no fun.

You dont even need a tractor as you can keep her at most secure yacht/boat clubs,then borrow a van for any long distance stuff you might want to go on.It not a nessasity to have the 4x4 as well.Most slips attached to yacht clubs have there own tractor or winch for lounching.

Aging Youth · 18 February 2003, 08:25

At present I tow my boat with my own car a Ford escort estate T/D.

Depending on the size of your boat why do you need a 4X4? You can pull easily upto 85% of your car's kerb weight. I also tow a caravan which is 95% with brakes of course No trouble although a bit slow on long uphill gradients, use third gear & lots of engine tourque.

I get great economy from the escort. I have not yet come across a launch site that l cannot launch/recover from.

I have rigged up a pulley system from the tow bar which is excellent should i need to man handle the trailer down a steep slipway.

If you are launching on softish ground rig up a trailer wheel for front of trailer a lot easier to move (spreading the load).

Last but not least use the crew to help you to get the boat in & out of the water.

I hope this helps happy playtimes.

regards

benjamin · 18 February 2003, 11:13

Boat share and ownership by syndicate are well established in the sailing world - they have also been the end of many good friendships!
The most common piece of advice, and , in my view the soundest, is to budget an extra 200 pounds into the project in order to get a really good contract drawn up by a solicitor and signed by both (all) parties. That way, once the bonds of friendship have been terminally broken, there remains at least a defined legal relationship and defined obligations to enable any wrangle to be sorted out. Sounds drastic, I know, but this actually happened to an acquaintance of mine, and the boat in question was a 30 000 pound + racing yacht. In fact, what happened was 1 party was declared bankrupt, and the liquidators seized the boat and sold it. Only the legal paperwork enabled my friend to recover his share of the initial investment!... You have been warned!!!

Bern Hanreck · 19 February 2003, 09:18

OK Guys , Thanks for all the comments and tips.

Aging Youth , Thanks for your input , but it was never the straight forward towing that worried me ( I've pulled a caravan for about three years now ) . I'm only too aware of how a 2WD Mondeo Estate can get stuck in a muddy field , with the 'van on the back , or develop terminal wheel spin on on smooth dry concrete with a fine sprinkling of dry sand ! Add a slip with a 30 Degree angle and a bit of slime..........warning bells were beginning to ring.

bryan edwards · 19 February 2003, 09:34

hi bernie,( re saundersfoot) its a piece of p//s to launch there as ive said before, just me ,my boy , & the trusted audi a4 , now amroth at low tide is another thing , my mate almost glugged his motor there , the jcb had to pull him out , ( although he got his bum wet )

& it cost him £60.00 , money well spent , regards bryan

Andy · 19 February 2003, 12:03

Yep my Audi A4 Estate (2WD) has wheel spin problems all the time. The answer is to get your mates to sit on the bonnet of the car. Works a treat!! providing theur fat arses do not dent the bonnet! However the car is of little importance, all that matters is the safe recovery of the RIB!

I have always found that basic cars seem better at pulling up slips that the higher performance cars. My little Escort 1.4 did a better job than the 2.5 v6 Audi! The torque was better placed and the wheels did not spin so much.