[Capt J]

Originally Posted by Henning

Ribs are the worst of both worlds. They have the maint and leaking cost/problems associated with inflatables and take up all the room (and more) on deck of a regular hard tender. The only reason the design is so popular is that any moron can be sent off with the guests in it and bounce their way back onboard. With a decent driver and a couple of properly placed fenders, or some white D rail around the tender and you could use a much better rigid boat.

I agree totally, not to mention with RIB's you really have to stay on top of them to keep them looking clean. Not to mention when you carry any real weight in a RIB (like over 4 people or gear), they won't get on plane and are wet. They're also very small inside for the space that they take up beam wise.

My favorite smaller tender was the Boston Whaler 13' I think they called it alert. It was an all fiberglass unsinkable boston whaler and had a 6" soft foam filled inflatable material type rub rail that went around the entire thing that served the same purpose as an inflatable that you could inflate or it still protected well un-inflated. I really don't know why they didn't catch on and they stopped making it around 2004 or so.

[K1W1]

Hi,

I have done a lot of miles in both RIBS and Hard Boats.

On one particular day as a passenger in an AVON 4.5m Sportboat I was with one other crew member and the boat operator trying to get out from behind the breakwater in Bounty Bay, Pitcairn Island into a 4 to 5m breaking sea. It was a combination of exhilaration and sheer terror as we roared around the front of the concrete wall and straight up the face of one of these breaking monsters after a signal from the Island Magistrate who was watching the waves on the seaward side of the wall. We made it alright to out main vessel that was standing too offshore. I would have not got in a rigid boat to attempt that. Not actually sure that being 26 yrs older and wiser I would do it again either.

Before I get abused for being stupid It was necessary to go there and then as the weather was not abating and out mother ship was unable to hold her anchor in the unprotected waters surrounding the Island or stand off for an indefinite period.

I can think of many times I would rather be in a rib than it's hard counterpart especially when handling dive gear and divers and dealing with riders of jetskiis etc.

[NYCAP123]

Someone else's boat and possibly losing a job vs; losing your life? Of course it was stupid. DK why people don't insure their kids higher. Guess they feel funny about profiting over their kids deaths. Kids like you were (and me) give way better odds on a pay off than any casino. I consider my last 25 or so years of life an unearned bonus. That said, the bendable features of non-rigid inflatables are what make them so good for white-water rafting and maneuvers like you describe. Maintenance, longevity and resale value are their down sides though.

[Henning]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

I have done a lot of miles in both RIBS and Hard Boats.

On one particular day as a passenger in an AVON 4.5m Sportboat I was with one other crew member and the boat operator trying to get out from behind the breakwater in Bounty Bay, Pitcairn Island into a 4 to 5m breaking sea. It was a combination of exhilaration and sheer terror as we roared around the front of the concrete wall and straight up the face of one of these breaking monsters after a signal from the Island Magistrate who was watching the waves on the seaward side of the wall. We made it alright to out main vessel that was standing too offshore. I would have not got in a rigid boat to attempt that.

That may be, but it isn't really for any good reason. A properly constructed rigid boat will do just as well in the same conditions. Hell, look at every life boat on a ship or drilling rig. Look at the USCGs Surf Rescue boats. The inflatable collars only true gift is that it's a huge permanent fender.

[Henning]

Originally Posted by Jack Willy

So if you are in difficulties in rough weather and the only boat that can get near you is a RIb , you are going to turn them away. Right !

Any moron etc. Don't you want your guests back then ?

Ribs have their place. Don't knock them.

Reading comprehension isn't one of your strong suits is it? How in the hell did you come up with that from what I wrote?

Would I choose a RIB to buy as a tender? No I would not. In Rough Weather, no one needs to get near me. I shoot a messenger line to a tug who is standing off in a proper working position. Even a RIB coming alongside in rough weather is an accident and serious injury/death waiting to happen. If the boat that comes out is a RIB, so be it, but mostly RIBs can't do much for me in those conditions but evacuate, and no RIB is necessary. 20 years running boats in the oilfield and tugs in all their jobs taught me that you don't have to hit things even close quarters in heavy weather.

Any Moron, yes, I can send any moron out in a RIB tender and trust he can get the guests ashore and return to the boat without doing any real damage. Driving a boat is pretty **** simple if you can bounce at the finish.