| Until recently I was a lover of all things land, that was | | | | a RIB, from life jackets to a change of clothes to |
| until I sampled the delights of a RIB. | | | | picnic baskets, bags, cameras etc, most RIBs have |
| A RIB for the uninitiated is a Rigid Inflatable Boat, to | | | | been well designed to maximise the available space |
| digress further it means the boat has a fixed hull and | | | | Onboard Safety |
| is buoyant from the use of inflated air tubes that run | | | | Ribs are extremely safe; fitted with hi-tech GPRS |
| parallel along the sides of the vessel. | | | | satellite tracking and sophisticated sonar equipment |
| So is a RIB any different to a traditional speedboat? | | | | you will always know where you are in your RIB, |
| In many ways yes, but the most essential aspect to | | | | along with radio communication to the coastguard, |
| a RIB is its speed so in effect it can come under the | | | | going out and enjoying yourself in a RIB should not |
| category of a speedboat. | | | | be a danger. |
| RIBs are crafts that can be utilised in many weather | | | | Of course the wearing of a life jacket is a must |
| and sea conditions; RIBs provide a fast ride, which is | | | | whenever you venture on a small craft into a sea or |
| safe as much as it is exhilarating. | | | | river; sadly there are all too many people who |
| RIBs can attain speeds of 70MPH; the flattish hull | | | | choose to ignore this crucial safety factor. |
| skims the surface of the sea whilst powerful engines | | | | Who uses RIBS? |
| thrust the craft forward over the water. As the | | | | RIB's are widely used by a number of organisations |
| speed builds on a rib it's hull lifts from the water, the | | | | including The Royal Navy, the RNLI. Royal Naval |
| effect is less drag and quicker speeds. | | | | commandoes are frequently seen using RIB craft |
| What can you do with a RIB? | | | | whilst exercising their duties including their pursuit of |
| Virtually anything you want, RIBs can be used for a | | | | drug runners; more sombrely, RIBs are used by |
| number of water sports including waterskiing and | | | | terrorist organisations for their speed and agility. |
| wakeboarding. | | | | RIB mooring |
| Leisure trips are easy to make, from the South of | | | | Unlike conventional speedboats, RIBs have a distinct |
| England it is easy to make the Isle of Wight, France | | | | advantage; they do not need to be moored. This can |
| or Jersey and Guernsey. Imagine taking your RIB for | | | | save much money just in mooring fees alone. Whilst |
| a ride to France where you enjoy lunch, stock up on | | | | a RIB can be moored, a RIB can also be attached to |
| cheap fruit, your favourite cheeses, wines & | | | | a trailer and parked securely on dry-land storage such |
| beers. | | | | as a drive or backyard. This alone is one of the |
| RIBs are so robust they can ridden ashore allowing | | | | principle reasons many speedboat owners are taking |
| you to find secluded picnic spots, plus many RIBs also | | | | RIBS ever more seriously. |
| come with sunbathing areas which allows you to | | | | If you are looking for a speedboat it is certainly |
| simply moor the craft safely and enjoy the sunshine | | | | worth your while experiencing a Rigid Inflatable Boat |
| away from the hustle and bustle of day to day life. | | | | (RIB). |
| Surprisingly enough there is a great deal of storage in | | | | |