You are here

Category: how-to

Winter RIBbing : 7 Important Lessons Learned (For Free)

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate
Winter RIBbing by Fraser and Erika Mackie @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
Winter RIBbing – Erika Mackie at he helm

By Fraser Mackie and Erika Mackie.

Preface

The RIBs ONLY Facebook group is a treasure trove of engaging posts and discussions.

Members eagerly share their experiences and adventures, showcasing RIBs of all sizes—because, let’s face it, they’re all amazing!

Recently, Fraser and Erika Mackie contributed a fascinating firsthand account of how to venture out on a RIB during winter. Here’s their story.

7 Winter RIBbing Experiences (with Photos)

It was our first run out of the year on Great White, probably second coldest day out we’ve had.

The trip went along the West Coast of Scotland. Dunstaffnage, North through Sound of Mull today Salen in Loch Sunart.

We stopped in Tibermory on Mull (island) for coffee and cake and back home.

  • Things take longer when it’s cold, from getting ready for the drive, defrosting the hitch lock, accepting that the roller shutter on the 4×4 isn’t going to open.
  • The painter tied off on the samson post will freeze and be VERY hard to get off.
  • Wear layers, many layers, don’t have bare skin exposed.
  • Break ice off deck before refuelling so you don’t slip and slide.
  • Bilge pumps don’t work when frozen, use the elephants trunk, a couple of buckets of salt water helps.
  • Power steering WILL make weird noises for a while.
  • Make sure you stop by and say Happy New Year to friends, but BEFORE you launch or AFTER you recover the boat.

If you can survive the cold, the awkwardly frozen bilge pumps, and the power steering screams, you’re officially a RIBbing legend!

Enjoy Their Great Winter Ribbing Photos

RIB Trip Suggestions

Belgium

Are you interested in exploring Belgium and abroad? Take a look at these posts and magazines from the Belgian Pneumaticlub for inspiration and insights!

Italy

Check out these Italian magazines from the Club del Gommone to get inspired.

Wind, Waves, Swell: Beaufort vs Douglas Sea Scale

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate
Wind, Waves, Swell and Beaufort vs Douglas Sea Scale @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
Beaufort vs Douglas Sea Scale

>> 4 minutes read time

Beaufort vs Douglas Sea Scale: Application

Before we dive into the scales, first let me point out what the difference is between waves and swell. They’re two distinct types of water movement, each shaped by different forces.

Get in the spirit by visiting my RIBs ONLY YouTube channel, where, guided by this overview, switch your focus on the unique settings and conditions of each action video instead of the RIB.

Waves

  • What They Are: Waves form due to local wind blowing across the water’s surface.
  • Features: These waves tend to be shorter, choppy, and irregular, shifting quickly with changes in wind direction and speed.
    Their size and pattern are directly influenced by the strength of the local wind.
  • Look and Feel: When the wind is strong, waves can become steep with breaking tops, resulting in rough, unpredictable conditions.
  • Lifespan: Waves are temporary and subside once the local wind decreases or stops.

Swell

  • What It Is: Swell is created by winds from distant storms or strong weather systems and can travel over long distances.
  • Features: Swell consists of smooth, evenly spaced waves with longer wavelengths.
    It moves independently of local wind and maintains a steady rhythm.
  • Look and Feel: Unlike the sharpness of waves, swell appears as gentle, rolling waves that don’t break as often and have a more relaxed shape.
  • Lifespan: Swell can persist even when local winds are calm, often traveling for days across the ocean.

Scales Explained: One Doesn’t Exclude the Other

Beaufort Scale

(more…)

Essentials for Safe Boating in Rough Waters

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

>> 1 minute read time

How to Navigate in Rough Waters

Training for the sea requires a strong foundation in both theory and hands-on skills.

Venturing out safely, especially with loved ones, demands a well-rounded and proven knowledge of maritime conditions.

Being at the helm means handling any sea state with confidence and reliability—because the sea isn’t something to take lightly.

You, as a skipper, are responsible for everything and everyone on board. Check beforehand your for instance the safety equipment and the weather forecast. Verify the fuel and radio. Inspect the condition of your RIB and engine.

Ensure alarm signals and the fire extinguisher are ready to use.

It’s only logical to do it every time you go out, whether it’s in rough waters or as calm as a mer d’huile, as the French so beautifully put it.

If you need to know more, check out these articles:

Now, Back to the Rough Waters Video

(more…)

Essential Steps to Winterize Your 4-Stroke Outboard

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate
Winterize your outboard © Ulrich Dregler Pixabay @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
© Ulrich Dregler at Pixabay

>> 3 minutes read time

Winterize Your 4-stroke Outboard

As the boating season comes to an end, it’s essential to prepare your outboard engine for the colder months.

Properly maintaining your Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) B is essential to ensure smooth sailing on your next adventure (video). This way, you can avoid any unexpected surprises along the way. So you should also winterize your precious outboard engine.

To winterize your engine properly it will keep it in top shape and ready for next spring. Here’s a straightforward guide to what needs to be done. Here’s the translation:

Some owners can do these 10 steps themselves. If you don’t have the necessary tools or skills, here’s what your mechanic will do.

Advanced owners will find an extra instructional video below the guide to winterize a 4-stroke and a 2-stroke.

(more…)

Mastering Raz de Sein on a Tide Coefficient of 105

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

>> 1 minute read time

OLM Offers Training for Mastering Raz de Sein

OLM Permis Bateau is a training organisation for boating licenses.

I’ve published more great videos of RIBbing in this renowned area.

Christophe is in Plogoff with a clear goal. He wants to gain a better understanding of navigating the waters around Audierne.

He also aims to confidently cross the Raz de Sein (Brittany, France) safely with his small 90 hp Guppy.

It’s a great moment of awareness and responsibility while mastering Raz de Sein.

Christophe is honing his skills in this challenging area. This ensures he can handle the strong currents.

He can also manage the unpredictable weather conditions often found in this part of the coast.

His determination to navigate safely with a smaller boat like the Guppy shows his respect for the sea.

It also demonstrates his commitment to mastering the craft of seamanship.

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

Proud to share that RIBCRAFT UK is a Friend of RIBs ONLY.

(more…)
1 2 3 … 12