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