Club del Gommone Magnificent Winter RIB Run

On 9 February 2023, members of the Club del Gommone held a winter RIB run on the beautiful Lake Como in Italy to open the season.

This 52nd edition of the Invernale started this year from Vercurago at the Cantiere Bolis on Lake Garlate.

After leaving the boatyard, the group sailed north to exit Lake Garlate and, after a short stretch of the River Adda, entered Lake Como just in front of the city of Lecco.

From there, they went up the lake for about fifteen miles, passing Abbadia Lariana, Mandello, and heading for Punta Spartivento di Bellagio, recognizable by the cliff that separates the lake into two branches.

Near the cliff, as is tradition, they toasted with an auspicious aperitif to start the season.

Invernale 2023 Club del Gommone @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
“Invernale 2023 Club del Gommone”

After the aperitif in the water, they returned to Vercurago (around 14:00-14:30) for an additional aperitif, which by then will have become a snack, at the Bar Restaurant ‘Il Molo’ opposite the boatyard for the 2022 edition.

There was no participation fee.

As a good organiser some agreements were made:

  • On Lake Garlate, you may not exceed a speed of 10 knots.
  • Under the bridges along the stretch of river connecting the two lakes, you must not exceed 5 knots
  • On Lake Como, you cannot exceed 22 knots.
  • The boatyard has fuel.
  • Navigation communications channel 73.

Their other RIB Raids are impressive as well.

About Club del Gommone

The Club del Gommone is an association of pneumatic boat owners founded in Milan in 1970 with the aim of gathering all nautical pleasure enthusiasts and promoting nautical tourism. The Club organizes gatherings, raids, and competitions, and is non-profit and apolitical. The Club is known for its organization and educational initiatives, making it one of the most respected nautical clubs.

Where they are
Currently due to renovations, the temporary headquarters are at the Centro Pavesi Via Francesco De Lemene 3 Milan.
We meet two Wednesdays a month from 21:30 to 24:00

On the Web
www.clubdelgommone.it
www.clubdelgommone.com/forum
info@clubdelgommone.it
clubdelgommone@tin.it

Sporty Costa Rica RIB Raid First News 2024

Alexis Del Sale is one of the organizers and he disclosed already some of the Costa Rica RIB Raid first news to RIBs ONLY.

Only 20 teams of 4 will be able to sign up. So 80 competitors in total.

All RIBs and gear are provided by the Organization and the entire logistics and food and beverage for the event is also included in the signup fee.

They’ll be using 7 m RIBs powered by 250 hp engines.

More news is to come.

Meantime check out this high-paced video of the Rubson Raid Turquoise.

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4/3/2023 RIB Run Mansual Forts With a Cool Bang

RIB Run Mansual Forts @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
RIB Run Mansual Forts route

Once in a while I post news of a RIB Run. This one came to my attention and is really very well documented. So enough for me to publish it on RIBsONLY.com.

The event is organised by Miles Hill. Here is the information of this great RIB Run.

“This is very much weather dependant and its your call on what you consider to be safe conditions.”

This Is the RIB Run Route (Navionics)

Heading for a tour of the Mansual Forts (Red Sands, Shivering Sands, Knock John Tower, Roughs Tower aka Sealand), Dinner in Harwich (TBC) then returning via Clacton Pier for Fireworks around 21:00 before returning to Brightlingsea to recover.
Route is approx 90 nM and there is no provision to purchase fuel on route so you will need to carry sufficient for your vessel.

The legs from Clacton Pier to Brightlingsea will be in darkness, and you will require nav lights on the vessel.

Great trip to build hours especially night hours if required.

I’m awaiting clarification on the approximate time of the firework display at Clacton Pier. These are usually around sunset (17:40 on the day) but maybe a little later.

This is a cruise in company but you are responsible for your own passage planning, your boat must be adequate for such a trip and suitably equipped and provisioned.

If you’re unsure if this RIB Run is for you feel free to ask, happy to offer guidance if required.

Suggested equipment as advised by the RYA.

I will drive a Highfield RIB cruising around 20/25 kt.

I will be launching at Brightlingsea around 10:30 am at the top of the tide.

Published Tide Times for Brightlingsea on the 4th March 2023.

  • 04:46 – 0.9 m
  • 10:27 – 4.1 m
  • 16:57 – 1.2 m
  • 22:51 – 4.2 m

Brightlingsea

Brightlingsea Harbour is a very nice and easy launch, the local Harbour master does charge a nominal Harbour Due but the slipway is accessible for most of the tide on a solid base without fear of sinking.

There is a local business offering a tractor launch and recovery for £30 in and out but they will not be open for recovery after the fireworks unless you can prearrange this with them.

The Harbour master may have berths available overnight if required (pre-booking advised).

This is very much weather dependant and it’s your call on what you consider to be safe conditions.

Anyone is welcome to attend, please share and invite.

Fantastic RIB Raid Dragonera 2011 Mallorca

Where is Dragonera?

Sa Dragonera is an uninhabited islet situated off the western coast of Majorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain. It is currently a natural park.

Limited information is available regarding this raid, leaving me with only the video footage and the official rankings to draw insights.

This video was published on the ZAR FORMENTI YouTube channel.

I published more videos of the Italian built Zar Formenti RIBs and about one more RIB raid.

Ranking

RIB Raid Dragonera 2011 Mallorca ranking @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
RIB Raid 2011 Mallorca ranking
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