What colour tubes? Fashion or function?

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Many of the more "hardcore" boaters tend to heading for black or grey fabric imprint tubes, yet conversely then try and make their boat as safe as possible with AIS, PLBs, flares, dry suits (in black) etc surely black/grey makes the boats and individuals in their suits pretty much invisible to a spotter.

Whilst cardinal yellow may not be for all, is having dark tubes and deck/fit out a little too much?

Are there any SAR people on here to comment on whether colour makes much difference in the event?

[Poly]

HP - there are only 3 colours of rib which are acceptable:

Grey - for those pretending to be in the navy. This should be accompanied by black dry suits and geckos. Grey hull etc are required too - white will not do.

Black - for those pretending to be in special forces. All kit must be full 'military spec' and suspension seating is really essential if you want to look the part.

Orange - for those pretending to be in the RNLI. Obviously done properly this requires RNLI spec LJs and White Geckos etc...


An alternative view might be that leisure boat users don't actually go to sea in the toughest conditions and whilst thinking through their survival plan is probably sensible if you define your boating by survival you probably won't enjoy it.

[jumpinjack]

Originally Posted by Poly

HP - there are only 3 colours of rib which are acceptable: Grey - for those pretending to be in the navy. This should be accompanied by black dry suits and geckos. Grey hull etc are required too - white will not do. Black - for those pretending to be in special forces. All kit must be full 'military spec' and suspension seating is really essential if you want to look the part. Orange - for those pretending to be in the RNLI. Obviously done properly this requires RNLI spec LJs and White Geckos etc... An alternative view might be that leisure boat users don't actually go to sea in the toughest conditions and whilst thinking through their survival plan is probably sensible if you define your boating by survival you probably won't enjoy it.

Lol Brilliant!!!!!! No mention of green tubes then !!!

[Trimix]

Perhaps you should get black with a creamy white top to them

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

An alternative view might be that leisure boat users don't actually go to sea in the toughest conditions and whilst thinking through their survival plan is probably sensible if you define your boating by survival you probably won't enjoy it.

So they can have any colour they like, but with a yellow streak in it then, P.?

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Poly

Black ...............suspension seating is really essential if you want to look the part.

Sh*t! Really?
If I slip a hemorrhoid cushion into the back of my salos, will that do?

[Trimix]

No one has done clear tubes yet - that would be pretty cool.

[sorabain]

Originally Posted by Trimix

No one has done clear tubes yet - that would be pretty cool.

crikey that'd be something

[willk]

Originally Posted by sorabain

crikey that'd be something

There are clear hulls though:

[Trimix]

Thats great, it would be like dry snorkeling !

[SPR]

Originally Posted by willk

There are clear hulls though:

That with clear tubes = invisible boat !

[GordyP]

Originally Posted by Poly

HP - there are only 3 colours of rib which are acceptable:

Grey - for those pretending to be in the navy. This should be accompanied by black dry suits and geckos. Grey hull etc are required too - white will not do.

Black - for those pretending to be in special forces. All kit must be full 'military spec' and suspension seating is really essential if you want to look the part.

Orange - for those pretending to be in the RNLI. Obviously done properly this requires RNLI spec LJs and White Geckos etc...


An alternative view might be that leisure boat users don't actually go to sea in the toughest conditions and whilst thinking through their survival plan is probably sensible if you define your boating by survival you probably won't enjoy it.

Brilliant!

[SPR]

Originally Posted by Poly

HP - there are only 3 colours of rib which are acceptable: Grey - for those pretending to be in the navy. This should be accompanied by black dry suits and geckos. Grey hull etc are required too - white will not do. Black - for those pretending to be in special forces. All kit must be full 'military spec' and suspension seating is really essential if you want to look the part. Orange - for those pretending to be in the RNLI. Obviously done properly this requires RNLI spec LJs and White Geckos etc... An alternative view might be that leisure boat users don't actually go to sea in the toughest conditions and whilst thinking through their survival plan is probably sensible if you define your boating by survival you probably won't enjoy it.

Or 4 - go out and buy a hard boat that pretends to be RIB and become a moderator of a RIB forum lol

s.

[GeoffW]

As "pretend special forces " its a valid point , but in practice , black is actually quite high vis, in most sea/light conditions it stands out better than light colours of grey/blue. And in the dark , dosen't matter what colour you are if you are lit up. Having also had vibrant/lurid green , that is hard to miss, but also hard to sell!

[willk]

Originally Posted by GeoffW

Having also had vibrant/lurid green

I'll thank you to refer to "St. Patrick's Day Green" by it's correct name

[Trimix]

Actually, Geoff makes a serious point. Grey in a UK sea is pretty much invisible.

(all the model battleships that I made as a kid were grey)

[Bern Hanreck]

From Cardinal Markers to lobster pots , are you not better off with two contrasting dark & light colours ?

[Bigtalljv]

Jeez, Poly writes those rules like he is a cyclist, similar tone.

Yellow tubes are totally acceptable. They are my favorite. Thats actually the thing I am most disappointed about my new boat, I don't have the money for new tubes but when I do I'm going with Ryan's Seatow Yellow!! Here's the old boat which is happily living out it's days on Lake Tahoe.

[Chris Caton]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Many of the more "hardcore" boaters tend to heading for black or grey fabric imprint tubes, yet conversely then try and make their boat as safe as possible with AIS, PLBs, flares, dry suits (in black) etc surely black/grey makes the boats and individuals in their suits pretty much invisible to a spotter.

Whilst cardinal yellow may not be for all, is having dark tubes and deck/fit out a little too much?

Are there any SAR people on here to comment on whether colour makes much difference in the event?

makes no difference HP, new tubes are same price whatever colour you go for

[gary222]

Why not have all the colours!