RIB SELECTION

An example of our outstanding training RIBs:-

RIB - Rigid Inflatable Boat
Boat: 6.2 metre Avon RIB
Motor: Yamaha 115hp outboard
Planing speed: 20-40 knots
Seating: For 6 adults
Navigation: GPS & Colour Chart Plotter
Electronics: VHF & Depthsounder

Introduction
Much as I enjoy reading the excellent reviews and technical specs in magazines like RIB International I feel that it would be interesting to look at selecting a recreational RIB from a different angle. As so many people are being drawn to RIBs from other watersports and different backgrounds it may be a good exercise to see what they are really looking for in their new boat and how they will choose it. Not just by looking at the boat, engine and equipment but by looking at the influence of personal experiences and being realistic about what they will really be using a RIB for.

A different drum
From a manufacturers point of view it is important to recognise that as this market grows you cannot be all things to all people. We are not all doing the Camel Trophy, smuggling across the Straits or delivering a squad of Marines onto a breaking surf beach at midnight. It makes superb reading and I am up for two out of the three but probably not with my own boat!. A safety organisation, the military or a local authority will probably select a commercial RIB using a checklist to find the boat that satisfies the 'defined needs' within a budget. There may not be much room for personal input because an accountant or someone not using the boat may well make the final decision.

The point of this description is to show how all this affects my choice of boat. My blend of experiences on the water in other craft is bound to influence my choice of RIB. On occasions I have ended up using boats designed for leisure purposes in very testing conditions and for pretty basic reasons I encouraged them not to fail!

RIB & Equipment Selection
The idea of this next section is to give you a checklist to consider when choosing a RIB. When you get into combinations of boat sizes and equipment the possibilities are endless. The following example is based on a classic set of 'recreational requirements'

Basic requirements for a recreational RIB to safely carry 6 seated teenagers or adults
• A boat capable of handling the variety of conditions the South Coast may spring on us
• A boat of 20' (6m) plus will give a "more comfortable ride"especially for Solent chop
• A range that will take us from Christchurch to the West Country or possibly cross Channel
• To be able to wakeboard and ski behind the boat preferably from a high towing point
• To not have to spend a fortune on fuel as the boat may get a reasonable amount of use
• To tow it behind a car (not necessarily a 4WD) and be able to launch it single handed
• To be able to manoeuvre the boat and trailer unhitched without breaking my back
• And finally a good re-sale value when I come to change the boat

How can you meet these requirements?
• I have three main categories that I call essential, secondary and non-essential equipment.
• These are based on my experiences and the type of use that will be inshore cruising.
• Every person writing a list like this will include different items
• Like a newspaper competition different people will give different priorities to this list
• (and then come up with why they chose their RIB in less than ten words!?!).
• I respect the opinion of others but remember this is going to be a recreational boat
• It is for regular but not daily use and sometimes it will be used at night
• We are not kitting out a boat for special forces to use in any conditions
• But equally we are not going out on a flat calm boating lake.

My main criteria for the boat and equipment
• I aim to 'keep it simple' and I want every item to perform when I need it and still have something in reserve
• If I have made the right selection I expect the manufacturer to have done the 'destruction testing' for me
• A novice can very cautiously choose the days they go afloat but the sea and weather provide a rapidly changing set of conditions.
• That combination of the sea, the weather and equipment can all be going in your favour when something 'unexpected' happens.
• Then you will find out fast whether your gear selection and preparation was any good or did you just simply 'go for it'

Being able to react to problems at sea is part attitude, part experience and part preparation