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Category: how-to

Mercury Active Trim® Setup Guide First-Time Users

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

How to Use the Active Trim®

This Mercury trim system removes the guesswork from engine trimming, allowing boaters to focus on enjoying their time on the water.

  • Before using the system for the first time, switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
  • Trim the engine fully down and hold the switch for five seconds.
  • Next, trim fully up, hold for another five seconds, then return the engine to the down position before starting.
  • Once on open water, bring the boat onto the plane at a comfortable cruising speed.
  • Fine-tune the trim profile until the boat runs efficiently without porpoising.
  • Save the setting by pressing both arrow buttons simultaneously.

Active Trim will automatically remember the optimum trim profile.

To me, you learn al lot by not using systems like this.

Active Trim is certainly a useful feature, but learning to trim your boat manually helps you become a better skipper.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how speed, wave conditions, wind, passenger load, and weight distribution all influence your boat’s performance.

This video was published on the Mercury Marine YouTube channel.

More info on the Mercury Marine website.

Watch more content here from this engine brand.

Living the Boat Life in Fowey a 3 Day Weekend Vlog

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Boat Life is Matt’s Second Nature

In the RIBs ONLY 2.0 Facebook group, many members that share their stories.

Matthew Paul is one of them. He also runs a YouTube channel and does a great job (see below).

I asked him if it was okay to post one of his stories here on RIBsONLY.com. So here it is. Thank you, Matt.

This episode follows a three-day boating adventure in Fowey, Cornwall, featuring coastal scenery, good food, and time with friends.

Thursday Evening

The trip began with a drive from Gloucestershire to Fowey, meeting Anthony halfway before arriving late that evening.
They slept in their cars, preparing for an early launch during high tide the following morning.

Friday Morning

The boats were launched at Caffa Mill Slipway before the cars and trailers were parked nearby.
The group then travelled across the river to meet others launching from Penmarlam Marine.
Everyone enjoyed breakfast at Penmarlam Quay Café before starting the day’s boating activities.

Friday Afternoon

The first major trip took the group to Lantic Bay, where drone footage and photos captured the stunning scenery.
Afterwards, they returned to the marina, and some checked into Penmarlam Lodge Retreat for the weekend.

Friday Evening

That evening, the group travelled by boat into Fowey for food, drinks, and a relaxed evening together.

Saturday Morning & Afternoon

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Force 5 Challenge: Rémy Crosses the Raz de Sein Solo

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Force 5 Wind Can Be Tough

Rémy is navigating the Raz de Sein alone in Force 5 winds and genuine offshore conditions.

Every decision matters in this demanding passage.

This training exercise takes place in one of Brittany’s most challenging boating areas.

The Raz de Sein in France, is famous for strong currents, confused seas, and rapidly changing weather.

Throughout the crossing in Force 5, Rémy continuously assesses the sea state and adjusts his course.

He manages speed, anticipates swell patterns, and maintains safe boat handling.

Most importantly, he makes every decision independently while keeping crew safety as the highest priority.

This video was published on the OLM Perfectionnement Mer Formée YouTube channel.

How is a rough sea named? Check out my article on this matter: Wind, Waves, Swell: Beaufort vs Douglas Sea Scale.

I truly value Olivier’s training, which is why you’ll find an extended collection of videos on RIBsONLY.com, focused on mastering navigation in agitated and rough seas.

BlueNav Makes Docking and Position Holding Easier

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Bluenav Shaping the Future of Mobility

A recent demonstration shows how modern assistance systems are reshaping everyday boat handling on the water.

Technologies such as Smart Mooring, Virtual Anchor, and the mobile application simplify docking and low-speed maneuvering.

The system helps skippers approach a dock with greater precision and reduced stress levels.

Once alongside, the boat can maintain its position while passengers step on or off board.

Users can also adjust positioning remotely through a smartphone interface.

The technology supports lateral docking, 360-degree turns, heading stabilization, and cruise control assistance.

According to BlueNav, the system focuses on comfort, control, and easier manoeuvrability.

This video was published on the BlueNav YouTube channel.

This article fits perfectly in the range of articles in the category: how-to.

RTM Technique: Resin Transfer Molding Explained

Boyd Tomkies
RTM Technique: Resin Transfer Molding Explained @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
RTM Technique: Resin Transfer Molding Explained @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
Northstar Vega 3.5

Have You Heard of RTM?

You probably know hand lay-up, chop, and vacuum infusion techniques, but RTM?

It stands for “Resin Transfer Molding”, and is a closed mold technique used to manufacture small to medium parts.

Common in the automotive industry and less common in boat building. Some boat manufactures have adopted RTM production for small parts like lids and hatches.

RTM gives you a finished underside of the part. Also extremely important is thickness control.

Using an a and b mold, the cavity between the two molds can be closely controlled.

This achieves repeatable, uniform, and predictable thicknesses. The Resin Transfer Molding has virtually no waste.

Molds are reusable. Other than the hoses used for resin, there are no consumable materials.

NorthStar Vega Lite tenders are RTM- single shot production.

A unique aspect of the process is the foam-filled cavity between the deck and hull. This adds rigidity and eliminates the need for stringers and secondary bonding.

100% composite construction with zero wood, RTM process achieves a high-quality, strong, and light durable boat with very consistent results.

This enables us to manufacture the hull and deck as a single piece. This method ensures a very high level of consistency. It eliminates an incredible amount of rework and waste.

NorthStar is proud. It is one of the only known manufacturers to completely build one shot, one piece RTM hulls.

Specs

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