ski racing

Cagedbanana · 28 January 2011, 08:39

i have it in my head that i want to race next year,(2012) ski racing nationals in a rib
it would be F3, limited to 21ft long and 150hp.
would i really be at a loss tying to keep up with bernicos and cyclones (doing around 65mph max) with a rib? and is there any reason why, to my knowlage, a rib hasnt been raced before. My budget will be very tight so most if not everything will have to be second, third or fourth hand, but as i see it i have a year and a bit to prepare it all.
any help/ advice would be great
thanks
chris

Poly · 28 January 2011, 08:51

Someone who knows more about racing will be along shortly - but it strikes me that what we consider a good rib in the UK usually = deep V so less efficient use of HP than most "ski boats" - therefore you'll not go as fast. I can't see the main advantages of a RIB being a priority in conditions where you want to tow a skier at 60+ mph - presumably that needs fairly good sea conditions for the skier.

Cagedbanana · 28 January 2011, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

Someone who knows more about racing will be along shortly - but it strikes me that what we consider a good rib in the UK usually = deep V so less efficient use of HP than most "ski boats" - therefore you'll not go as fast. I can't see the main advantages of a RIB being a priority in conditions where you want to tow a skier at 60+ mph - presumably that needs fairly good sea conditions for the skier.

Well exactly, thats my point, it is very rare in the uk to get waters which would allow flat out all the time. If it was a completely flat race for the whole hour, i couldnt see us being able to keep up. My main reasons for wanting a rib, compared to a hard boat are

i previously had a ring 18 with a 225 promax, and as much as it was very fun and very fast, the ride wasnt great.

i also like using my boat for fun too, and like watersking, wakeboarding etc, i find you have alot more storage for equipment and passengers on a rib too.

lastly, after skiing behine a few ribs, i do find that in rougher water, the tubes do seem to flatten the wake a bit more making it easier to ski behind.

if i was lake racing/river racing and knew the water would always be flat, i wouldnt consider it, but considering 90% of the races are done offshore, i think, think being the important word here, a rib could be a viable option

gotchiguy · 28 January 2011, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

presumably that needs fairly good sea conditions for the skier.

http://vimeo.com/13668861

Nos4r2 · 29 January 2011, 01:23

Are you thinking of installing a water ballast system into the rib?

Cagedbanana · 29 January 2011, 02:00

That video seems to be doing the rounds at the moment, that was a particularly hard race, but they're far from flat. An yes was thinking of installing a bow tank when I find the right boat

Cookee · 29 January 2011, 10:23

There is a ski racing section on Boatmad.com, but they're all hard boaters over there - the thing with the current boats are they are designed for the job whereas there aren't and RIBs designed for the job, it would shake the established racers up a bit though!

Cagedbanana · 29 January 2011, 11:43

I'm on boatmad as freedom, but didn't fancy asking the question on there, just assumed I'd get the response why do you want tubes? I fancy doing something a little different. Like i said above tome there definatley are some potential advantages to running a rib for me. I definayely think it would be intresting to see the results. (you don't do any hulls that would conform do you?) The main things I have to consider are in f3 no carbon or Kevlar hulls are allowed neither are stepped hulls I belive.
Thanks
chris

Cagedbanana · 29 January 2011, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Are you thinking of installing a water ballast system into the rib?

And For sure, put a sun pad over it for the leisure times

Cookee · 30 January 2011, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cagedbanana

I'm on boatmad as freedom, but didn't fancy asking the question on there, just assumed I'd get the response why do you want tubes? I fancy doing something a little different. Like i said above tome there definatley are some potential advantages to running a rib for me. I definayely think it would be intresting to see the results. (you don't do any hulls that would conform do you?) The main things I have to consider are in f3 no carbon or Kevlar hulls are allowed neither are stepped hulls I belive.
Thanks
chris

What size does an F3 ski race boat have to be?

Downhilldai · 30 January 2011, 21:13

Solent 6.5 is a quick RIB with 150hp.

gotchiguy · 30 January 2011, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Solent 6.5 is a quick RIB with 150hp.

Solent 6.5m we looked at before Jigsaw with a 200HO did 65knts. (verified, not fibnet

)

Downhilldai · 30 January 2011, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Solent 6.5m we looked at before Jigsaw with a 200HO did 65knts. (verified, not fibnet

)

Were you on the ski?

Cagedbanana · 31 January 2011, 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

What size does an F3 ski race boat have to be?

No longer than 6.5m and no less that 5.5 or 18ft to 21ft
thanks chris

Cookee · 31 January 2011, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cagedbanana

No longer than 6.5m and no less that 5.5 or 18ft to 21ft
thanks chris

Nothing long enough or short enough I'm afraid - check where they measure to as well - for regular racing it's from the front of the tube to the bottom of the transom excluding the rear part of the tubes.

Cagedbanana · 31 January 2011, 08:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

Nothing long enough or short enough I'm afraid - check where they measure to as well - for regular racing it's from the front of the tube to the bottom of the transom excluding the rear part of the tubes.

They measure the running surface, so as far as im aware and the info im getting mean this doesnt include tubes
thanks chris

Adam Younger · 01 February 2011, 12:29

The new version of the KR7 is to go into production - new moulds and with soem modifications. This could make a very quick and capable ski race boat with the right lay-out / set-up.

It could be made to just measure in at below the 6.5m measurement too.

John Kennett · 01 February 2011, 17:26

Who's building the K7 now Adam?

Adam Younger · 01 February 2011, 20:09

Hi John - bit early to say - hopefully there maybe one at RIBEX or around that time.

All new lay-out and new console / deck moulds.

In the meantime I have up-dated my original boat and will be testing that soon. She has the hull modifications and now a hard bow - but still the original lay-out.

Cagedbanana · 13 February 2011, 11:02

That is an amazing looking boat Adam, I am in awe of pretty much all yours and cookees creations, however I am experiencing problems with the possibilty if using a rib, which I hope to overcome. But just for fun how much would one of your beautiful boats go for, as I very much doubt I'd have the budget to accomadate it, maybe some more saving to be done