Oh, we even made it into the daily Portsmouth News!!

In the days leading up to the Powerboat and RIB Show 2012 Team JBT were slightly nervous about what the weekend weather would hold for us. However, after a few weeks of grey skies and torrential rain, the sun finally made an appearance this month as a light breeze fluttered the dozens of exhibitor flags in Gunwharf Quays marina.

JBT Marine took this opportunity to showcase their world renowned Ballistic RIBs. The dozens of compliments we received on the design and presentation of the Ballistic 5.5m, 6.5m and 7.8m is testament to the style and careful attention to detail that these RIBs are famous for. Those lucky enough to be taken for a sea trial on the Ballistic 5.5 or 6.5 got a fantastic chance to see just what a dry, safe and exhilarating ride the Ballistics give.

The bright sunshine, great location and brilliant atmosphere made for a top weekend for RIB enthusiasts. If you weren’t able to make it down to see us last weekend, don’t panic! We run regular demonstration events for our Ballistics. Get in touch with the office today on 0870 908 9336 or email us at info@ribsforsale.com

JBT will be exhibiting our Ballistic RIBs – the 5.5m Ballistic RIB with an Evinrude E-TEC 90HP engine, the 6.5m Ballistic RIB with an Evinrude E-TEC 175HP engine and we would usually be taking our 7.8m Ballistic RIB with a 250HP Evinrude E-TEC…however…stop the presses…we will, for the first time, be showcasing our new Ballistic 7.8 Twin Rig powered by twin Evinrude E-TEC 175HP outboard engines!! With blistering speed and pace, we are taking the performance and speed of the Ballistic 7.8 hull to a whole new level! Even with the twin rig setup, the Ballistic 7.8 still offers a safe and dry ride.

Call the office on 0870 908 9336 or email us on info@ribsforsale.com to book an appointment with us at the show.

Alongside JBT Marine will be a host of well known brands from the RIB industry, including: Ribquest, X-Pro Defender, Skua, Ribeye, Piranha RIBs, Shakespeare Boats, C-Fury, Arctic Blue, Hysucat, Azure RIBs, Brig RIBs and Parker RIBs. Other exhibitors will include: Suzuki, Raymarine, Garmin, Icom, Navico, You Boat Chandlers, RIB Shack Marine, Vector Marine, EP Barrus, MRL, Wolf Rock Marine, Landau Marine, Coastal Pro and Advanced Policing Skills. A full list of exhibitors can be seen on the RIB and Powerboat Show website.

A quick email to thank you all for such a brilliant service on both sales and after-sales. Even though i only bought a second hand rib the service i received was second to none.
Since the delivery of my 6.5 metre Ballistic, i have been on the water just 3 times because of this lovely weather we have been experiencing.
I and people i have had with me, cannot believe the handling of this rib in both flat and rough conditions. I have taken students out on a RYA powerboat course and all were surprised at, how easy it was to helm in planing and tight slow manoeuvring giving a dry smooth ride in all conditions.
Thank you for an excellent service and all the best in the future.

Regards
Kelvin
From Margate Kent.

Ribtec 9.2m Grand Tourer Cabin RIB

With twin 275HP Mercury Verado Outboard Enignes

Was £55,000.00 - NOW: £49,500.00

With a spacious cabin, brand new teak effect decking throughout and recently re-upholstered cushions…this Ribtec 9.2m Cabin RIB with twin Mercury Verado Outboard Engines is looking fantastic. Offering you the luxary of being able to shelter from the elements or stay overnight, this RIB is a truly exceptional design. Fitted with a sea toilet and kitchenette with microwave, this RIB does have everything you need for a weekend away!

Get in touch with JBT Marine today for further details. Our friendly and helpful sales team will be more than happy to show you around this RIB or any of our other stock! Call today on 0870 908 9336 or email us at info@ribsforsale.com

The Valiant 520 RIB (above) with a Mercury 80HP outboard engine has a great specification for a small RIB. She comes fitted with a GPS, VHF radio, marine stereo system and plenty of seating for five people. Built in 2010 she has been lightly used and is in great condition.

This ex-demonstrator Azure 520 RIB with a Honda 75HP 4-stroke outboard engine  (above) is nicely finished and has been barely used. She comes fitted with cushioned seating throughout and seating for at least six. She is fitted with a GPS, VHF radio  and engine gauges. Why not come down to our site at Trafalgar Wharf near Portsmouth to view her for yourself! Call the office today on 0870 908 9336 for any further questions about either of these RIBs, our friendly and helpful sales team will be more than happy to answer your queries.

Don’t forget, JBT Marine can help organise training for you. We can recommend decent powerboat instructors who will show you the ropes and ensure that you have all the knowledge to have fun on the water safely. Call the office today on 0870 908 9336.

The Leeway 6.3m RIB (below) is not only fantastic value for money, priced at £11,995.00, but is also a great looking boat. Her yellow and black colour scheme definitely makes her stand out from the crowd and she comes ready to go on a roller trailer with everything you need to get out on the water. Powered by a Mariner 135HP engine this RIB is designed for speed, her pointed bow and sculpted hull design means she is ideal for screaming across the water for a spot of lunch or a quick blast out in the evening after work. Drop us an email to info@ribsforsale.com to come and see her for yourself.

If you require any further information about either the Revenger 27 or the Leeway 6.3m, or any of our other stock for that matter, visit our current listings to see what we have to offer. Alternativly, give us a call today on 0870 908 9336 to speak to our helpful and friendly sales team.

Hi Tom,

Just a quick note to say thank you to you and the team for the friendly and pleasant service received whilst the RIB has been drystacked over the last 5 months.

I had a great run back to the Hamble on Saturday with my new jacket (warm as toast), hope to catch up with you during the warmer months where you can show me the finer skills of wakeboarding!

Cheers

Graham & Loraine

Ballistic 6.5 with an Evinrude E-TEC 150HP Outboard Engine (above)
Was: £23,995.00  NOW: £20,500.00!!

Ballistic 650 with Yamaha 150HP HDPI Outboard Engine (above)
Was: £16,000.00  NOW: £14,995.00!!

Don’t miss out on these two Ballistic RIBs for sale, get ready for the new boating season with JBT Marine – pick yourself up a bargain today! Call us on 0870 908 9336 or email us at info@ribsforsale.com to arrange your viewing today! Also, remember to keep checking our stock list for new listings, we will help you find the right RIB for your needs!

This Ribeye 650 Sport RIB with a Yamaha 150HP outboard engine (above) only has 132 hours on the clock and has a seating arrangement which would suit families or social RIBsters. She comes ready to go on a twin axle roller trailer and is available to view today.

The Marlin 22 Diesel Inboard RIB (above) comes with a Mercruiser inboard engine which was fitted in 2005. With plenty of space around this RIB, an overall length of around 7.25m and a large sun pad at the transom this is one RIB not to be missed out on. Get in touch today to view her for yourself.

Lastly, we have a Leeway 6.3m RIB with a 135HP Mariner outboard engine. This RIB is a bargain priced at £11,995.00. A good looking RIB which would be ideal for blasting across the water at high speeds. Again, this is one not to be missed out on so get in touch with any further questions.

Contact us today on 0870 908 9336 or email us at info@ribsforsale.com to get further details about any of these RIBs above. Keep checking our full stock list for new listings. We are open 6 days a week and would be more than happy to show you around our RIBs.

]]> http://blog.ribsforsale.com/new-ribs-for-sale-latest-ribs-at-jbt-march-marlin-ribeye-and-leeway/feed/ 0 http://blog.ribsforsale.com/ribtec-ribs-at-jbt-second-hand-ribtec-ribs-are-now-available-for-sale-with-jbt-marine/ http://blog.ribsforsale.com/ribtec-ribs-at-jbt-second-hand-ribtec-ribs-are-now-available-for-sale-with-jbt-marine/#comments Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:20:02 +0000 Elliot http://blog.ribsforsale.com/?p=1899 Team JBT are delighted to announce that we have recently taken on three Ribtec RIBs. We now currently have a Ribtec 535, Ribtec 585 and a Ribtec 9.2 ‘Grand Tourer’ Cabin RIB in stock and on brokerage. Ribtec …

In very good condition, this Cobra 755 RIB with a Yamaha F250 Outboard Engine is the ideal family social RIB. The ample storage around the RIB means she is ideal for weekend trips away, with plenty of space to store beach gear, watersports toys or even picnic hampers! Fully kitted out with a GPS Chartplotter, VHF Radio and marine stereo system, the Cobra 755 has everything you need to get RIBing as soon as possible. . She has been well looked after with the deck, hull and upholstery clearly having been cared for. Having been recently given a full valet, this Cobra is a RIB not to be missed.

Call JBT Marine on 0870 908 9336 or email us at info@ribsforsale.com to come down and view this RIB for yourself, our helpful and friendly team will be more than happy to show you around.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sea Start will be there for you. There has to be nothing worse for a boat owner than driving down to use your RIB or powerboat, only to find the engine won’t start. Or getting all the family together for a day trip and, mid cruise, your engine gives up on you. The team at Sea Start are specialists in marine breakdown assistance, their website proudly states that their service gives you:

	Sea Start operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week and 365 days a year, so you can call us out any time of the day or night.
	Your membership will include unlimited callouts.
	Sea Start will give assistance on your home berth.
	We will attend moored alongside or up to 3 miles offshore, from our designated ports.
	We will endeavour to repair the problem so that you can be underway again in as short a time as possible.
	90% of the time we rectify the fault.
	First aid fouled propeller clearance.
	Sea Start will tow your boat to a nearest safe refuge if the repair cannot be carried out alongside.
	Service area not only includes most of the south coast of England, but also the Normandy and North Brittany Coast of France, the Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly.
	If you simply have some technical questions you can give us a call and we will do our best to answer them for you.
	And if you need to contact family or friends, we will act as a relay service.

The experts in breakdown assistance at sea have teamed up with JBT Marine and the guys at The Drystack to offer you two fantastic deals. Firstly, if you buy a RIB from JBT Marine in February we will give you a years free membership to Sea Start. Ensuring that our RIB customers based on the south coast are covered. Secondly, if you take up a year contract with our friends at The Drystack at Trafalgar Wharf (mentioned in our previous blog) then they will also give you a year free membership with Sea Start.

Interested in a new or second hand RIB? Check out our website at www.ribsforsale.com or call us today on 0870 908 9336

Looking for somewhere safe, secure and undercover to store your RIB or powerboat? Call The Drystack today on 02392 706384 or visit their website at www.thedrystack.com

Arguably I am rather biased towards the brilliant service that The Drystack at Trafalgar Wharf provide, we keep our brand new Ballistic RIBs in their Drystack, when customers want to trial one of our RIBs I can have it clean and fuelled ready for when they arrive. The fact is, here at JBT we always reccommend to our customers that they look into joining The Drystack. The service that the lads provide is second to none. No matter how many lifts they have done they always greet us with a smile or wave, sometimes even stopping in for a coffee and chat, I wouldn’t trust many people to precariously move about our RIBs ten feet above the ground.

The new addition of the fuel valet service at The Drystack is another great reason to get in touch with them today about storing your RIB or powerboat there. Their automated payment system for petrol or diesel is up and running, give Lisa from The Drystack a call today on 02392 387833, or email Lisa@TrafalgarWharf.com.

Don’t forget, it is still not too late to try a Ballistic RIB for yourself. Our demonstration day is on Saturday 4th Febuary and we still have a couple of slots left. Get into touch with JBT Marine now to book your space. Call the office on 0870 908 9336 or email us at info@ribsforsale.com

Don’t forget, keep checking our stock list for updates on the second hand RIBs that we have in stock. If you see something that takes your fancy why not give us a call today on 0870 908 9336 or send us an email to info@ribsforsale.com

Alternatively, if you have a RIB to sell we may be able to broker her on your behalf or buy her for cash. Get in touch with Tom and Elliot who deal with our Sales and Brokerage at info@ribsforsale.com

Carefully wrapped inside the container were four brand new Ballistic RIBs, two 6.5m and two 5.5m. Each one is kitted out with her electronics, tubes, A-frame and console – all that is left to do is to get the powerful Evinrude E-TEC engines rigged to them. Here is a short video of our new RIBs being unloaded:

Don’t forget, JBT Marine are having a Ballistic Demo Day on the 4th of Febuary and there are still a handful of spaces left. If you don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity to try a Ballistic for yourself, then get in touch today! JBT Marine are experts in new and used RIBs and we currently have lots to offer you, remember to check out our ‘Current Stock’ page on our website so you don’t miss out on the perfect RIB for you!

Got a question about any of our RIBs? Do you have a RIB to sell? Would you like more information about our new Ballistic RIB range?

Get in touch via email: info@ribsforsale.com or by phone 0870 908 9336.

A lot of the RIB buyers I have spoken to, chose not to visit the boat show in London this year. So I thought it would be great to give you not only the chance to see the RIBs you might like for FREE, but also try one too!

We have the widest range ever of used RIBs in stock, so I’m sure I will have a RIB to suit your needs and wallet. With the 7.8, 6.5 and 5.5 in the water ready to take you for a spin out in the Solent this is a great opportunity to find out what size and layout works well for you. Don’t forget I have a number of used Ballistics in stock and fantastic deals to be had on my ex-demonstrator RIBs. I am also offering you two fantastic free gifts, when you buy a one of our stock RIBs from me:

“Buy a Stock boat from me and I will not only give 

you free indoor Drystack storage until the end of march, but 

also a 12 month free Sea Start membership.“

If you would like to join us then please give Me, Elliot or Kim a call to book your place as soon as possible 0870 908 9336 or email info@ribsforsale.com. I’m happy for you to bring along a guest or the family, getting out on the water is always more fun in a group!

I look forward to seeing you on the 4th February,don’t forget if you would like to see my current stock list click here.

Best wishes,

Tom

The XS-650 (above) is a carefully crafted and well designed RIB. Her roomy cockpit and practical seating arrangement means that she can be used by a group of at least eight people for fun weekends on the water, or in a multi-role capacity whether it is as a dive support RIB or a safety/chase boat for sailing or yacht clubs. The non-slip deck is easy to clean and would be ideal for those with a commercial purpose in mind. This RIB has been finished to a high standard with quality stainless steel fittings and a large GPS Chartplotter in the central console. Full details of this RIB can be found on our website, get in touch with JBT Marine for further information.

Designed for strength, stability and comfort, the XS-550 RIB is a great multi-role RIB which maintains high levels of performance for a RIB of her size even in the harshest of conditions. Perfectly suited to cruising, diving or water sports, the XS-550 is powered by a single 100HP Mercury outboard engine offering ample speed and control. In fair weather or rougher seas this RIB would make the perfect dive boat, there is lots of space around the jockey seats and room at the transom. Fantastically priced and ready to go on her trailer, the full listing for this RIB can be found on our website.

If you would like further information about either of these RIBs or any others that we currently have in stock then get in touch via our website or give us a call on 0870 908 9336.

Not looking to buy but would like to get rid of your RIB? Send us your details and maybe we can sell her for you!

The Avon Adventure 580, as shown above, is a fantastic family RIB. Ideal for heading to a beach or nipping across to The Island for a swift half-pint in the afternoon. She is powered by a Yamaha 100HP outboard engine and comes with overall covers and a roller road trailer. An ideal package for new RIBsters or for someone looking to upgrade from a smaller RIB. With room for at least 6 people the Avon Adventure 580 would be a perfect family RIB. Full details can be found on our website.

The Avon Seasport 580 De Luxe, as shown above,is a brilliant sports RIB and would be perfect for families or groups of friends looking for a weekend social RIB. There is plenty of deck space and can comfortably seat seven people, with storage room for watersports gear or picnic items! She comes with a roller road trailer, mooring cover and is powered by a Mariner 115HP outboard engine – a great RIB at a fantastic price, certainly not one to be missed! Full details can also be found on JBT Marine’s website.

If you would like more information about these two RIBs, or any others we have in stock, do not hesitate to give us a call on 0870 908 9336, email us at info@ribsforsale.com or drop in and see us in Trafalgar Wharf, near Portsmouth.

New in 2011, this RIB is a fantastic price and would suit a first time buyer or someone looking to get a great deal on an inshore RIB. View the full listing on our website. Get in touch with Team JBT to find out more about this RIB, come down to our site in Trafalgar Wharf near Portsmouth to see this fantastic RIB for yourself!

TW Xmas

Have a great Christmas and New Year and we look forward to seeing you all in 2012.

Enjoy!

A guide on catching the very popular mackerel

Mackerel are a very common fish in our waters. They taste great and are a good fish to use as bait. Here is a guide to the various methods and ways of catching a mackerel.

You will see I use the word “Generally” quite a lot. This is because fishing isn’t set in stone and they will spring surprises on you quite often. With that said here we go:

You have a few options for catching mackerel. They are:

- Float fishing
- Spinning
- Feathering

So let’s look at these in more detail:

FLOAT FISHING FOR MACKEREL GUIDE

If you’ve never used a float before then you need to look at my “How to set-up for float fishing guide“. Mackerel generally remain at the same depth which is between 8ft to 20ft. They also generally stay quite close to cliffs and walls. If you’re fishing from a pier then you will probably only need to be casting out between 5 to 30 yards.

The best places to catch mackerel are piers and rocks which are out past the shore line. Mackerel don’t normally come in too close to the beach. This doesn’t mean that they don’t but as a general rule you’ll get much better results if you’re fishing away from the beach.

The best baits are the shiny ones. The most common bait used to catch mackerel is mackerel themselves. Mackerel strips are excellent baits. You may also want to see my “Setting up a mackerel for bait” guide in the beginners guide section.

Other baits used include garfish, scad, sand eels and squid.

When a mackerel attacks bait on a float it’s normally hard and fast. Your float will disappear quickly and the vast majority of people will strike as the float goes under.

On light gear mackerel put on a real fight. When I feel in the mood I often go down my local pier with a cheap and nasty telescopic 8ft rod. I use a reel I bought for a tenner and I have a 4lb line on the reel. With this kind of set up what used to take a few seconds to reel in becomes a 5 to 15 minute fight as you battle to bring it in. I really do recommend doing this when you can, it’s great fun!

SPINNING FOR MACKEREL GUIDE

There are so many lures on the market now it’s very confusing which one to get. The job of spinning is an easy one. You attach a snap swivel on the line then the lure to the end of that. Then you’re ready to go. The one lure that is mentioned time and time again for mackerel is the Dexter Wedge which is shown here:

[The dexter wedge is a great lure for catching mackerel and bass]

This lure has been around a long time and is a well established mackerel and bass lure. There are a few sizes but my advice is if you’re fishing from the shore don’t go too big. Even the smallest of dexter wedges can catch some mighty fish.

Once you cast out there are a few ways of reeling the lure back in and it’s really up to you to experiment to find the one that works for you. The few more common methods are as follows:

1. The big long pull

Once you have a tight line after casting you simply pull the rod back in one continuous motion while keeping it at waist height. You then move the rod forward again whilst reeling in the slack. You then repeat. You will probably make 3 or 4 complete turns on the reel when you do this.

You can also pull back the rod from ground level to above your head. The first way keeps the lure at pretty much the same depth while the down-up motion will raise the lure in the water. I prefer the first method but choose which suits you.

2. The short sharp twitch

Once you have a tight line after casting you keep the rod tip low down and give small gentle pulls on the rod while slowly reeling in the line. By small movements I mean around half an arms length at a time. This is a good method for lures with rattles.

3. The delayed reaction

Once you’ve cast out and you’ve tightened the line keep the rod still and give the reel a few turns so the lure moves a couple of metres and then pause for a few seconds (4 to 8 is good). Then keep repeating this process.

Feathering for Mackerel

Feathers usually have 4 to 6 feathers, plastic strips and other such things attached to a hook as seen here:

[ Type of feathers used to catch mackerel ]

You attach one end to your line and attach a weight on the other end. That is all their is to it. For the weight I wouldn’t go heavier than a 4oz weight (I usually use a 2oz weight). You want a nice streamlined weight to make distance casting easier. I use the torpedo style weight for my feathering as, for me, they cast well on my set-up. Here is what they look like:

[Torpedo weights are great for streamlined casting]

There are other types of weights. Bombers are also good weights to use. They are smaller than these and they can also cast far.

Most store bought feathers have loops at the top and bottom. To attach the weight you simply push the loop through the weight and then pull the weight. Here is an example:

[ Click to enlarge this image]

You will also need to attach the line to the top loop. The most common knot for this is probably the half blood knot.

When mackerel are about in numbers in isn’t uncommon to reel in a mackerel on every feather.

The most used method for using these is the big pull. Once you have a tight line after casting you simply pull the rod back in one continuous motion while keeping it at waist height. You then move the rod forward again whilst reeling in the slack. You then repeat. You will probably make 3 or 4 complete turns on the reel when you do this.

Information provided by torbayfishing.com

Hi, its Tom from JBT here, I thought would let you in on a little secret…

…for me, this has always been the best time of year to buy a RIB! Why? Quite simply choice and value:

• I have some great end of season deals on my ex- demonstration Ballistic RIBs as I make way for my next year’s new stock.
• My number of  used brokerage listings are at an all-time high, I get offered twice as many listings at this time of year than any other.
• I’m buying used RIBs into stock ready for the coming season, grab yourself a quick sale deal.
• We have been so busy that some RIBs are not even listed yet, so give me a call to be the first to know what’s coming in!

If these aren’t reasons enough to buy a RIB from me in November, then I will give you a month free Drystacking with our neighbours  The Drystack at Trafalgar Wharf!

Go for a well known brand, such as Icom or Standard Horizon. Cheaper VHFs will have, comparatively, limited life span and will be more difficult to get parts for. The larger brands tend to offer more comprehensive warranties and offer more accessories.

Shop around. It is worth picking up a deal on a VHF at a Boat Show. You can sometimes find around £10 off the normal RRP.

Fill out your warranty card. Something which is easily forgotten but could be useful at a later date.

Do your research. Do you know what IPX ratings are? (a recognised waterproof rating for marine electronics). Dual or Tri Watch functions? (have your radio set to listen to transmissions on two or three stations).

Get a licence. Learn all the correct jargon to get your message across in an emergency. Find out on the RYA website your local training centre and get your Short Range Marine VHF Certificate. To use a VHF radio on your boat there are a number of legal requirements. Don’t forget to register your boat’s radio with Ofcom, details can be found on their website.

Connect your fixed VHF radio to your GPS unit (if it is modern) to enable the DSC (Digital Selective Calling) function which means the rescue services to find you quicker.

Brief your crew. Make sure passengers and crew on your RIB have a basic understanding of how to work your radio and which channels to make an emergency call on.

For further information check out the RYA’s website section on communication systems on board boats. There is some useful information about radio functions and what the worldwide GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) is.

If you don’t already have one, which one do you buy? There are dozens of different brands and types on the market. Personally, I prefer my life jacket to have a Hammar Automatic system. This means that the jacket automatically inflates when the mechanism is immersed in water (working by the weight of the water pressure). This means they are less likely to go off when stored on the boat and if someone is knocked unconscious as they fall overboard the jacket will inflate keeping their head above water.

Choosing a life jacket can be confusing. There are various types, Newton ratings and categories. Coastal and inshore life jackets tend to be around 150-175 Newtons - 10 Newtons = around 1kg of flotation (your body will weigh less in the water). Offshore lifejackets are rated at 250 Newtons and are designed to keep your head above water in heavier swells.

You can customise your life jacket with a number of extras, if you are a regular RIB driver then it may be worth investing in some of these to maximise your safety on the water. Crotch Straps are useful to prevent a life jacket riding over the head while water or manually activated lights can help you be seen at night. The RNLI provide plenty of useful advice on their website about fitting and choosing life jackets.

Some may be put off by the price, starting from around £50, but you wouldn’t get on a motor bike without a helmet would you?

Be safe on the water, wear a lifejacket!

JBT Marine currently have stock of the KRU 175N Manual life jackts, priced at £54.00, if you buy 4 or more we will be happy to do you a deal. Check out our other blog on RIB Safety, do you have a grab bag for on board emergencies?

Stay tuned for our final safety blog which will be posted on

Monday 14th November.

Grab Bags are a great way to keep you safe on the water and to conveniently have a number of useful items to hand in case of an emergency. Here are a few bits that you may want to include in yours:

Flares. The most commonly used are red hand flares and parachute rockets. If you are heading out into The Solent for example, I would take a red hand flare (which can be seen from up to three miles away) and a parachute rocket which can be seen from twenty miles – pick up a flare pack from your local chandlers depending on what sort of boating you will be doing; be it inshore, coastal or offshore.

Knife. It is always handy to have a knife on board – not just in case you encounter the Kraken! Keep out of reach of the kiddies, but it will come in useful for cutting rope in an emergency. Check out the ‘Race Rescue Knife’  which has a rounded tip which would be ideal on a RIB.

Multi-Tool. Not the type you get for £4 in a petrol station, a decent multi-tool such as a Gerber or Leatherman that won’t rust. Pliers are always useful on a boat, as are the screwdriver heads – not to mention the bottle opener.

Cable Ties. Need to attach something to your A-frame or grab handles? Use some plastic cable ties (here at Team JBT, we find the mixed packets the best).

First Aid Kit. Fairly self explanatory, pick up a ‘space blanket’ (giant foil sheet) from a camping shop to aid warming the body if someone falls overboard.

Tape. Gaffer tape is the best to have as it shouldn’t leave much of a mark if stuck to stainless steel or the deck also can come in handy if you are in a jam.

Ski Goggles. When driving a RIB in the rain, there is nothing worse than water in your eyes. Ski Goggles are often polarised to protect your eyes from the sun and anti-fogging to keep you seeing clearly.

Waterproof Bag. Keep all your safety items dry in a decent waterproof bag.

These are just a few examples of the stuff that we take when we head out in RIBs – if you have any extras that you find handy, let us know! You can obviously customise your Grab Bag with extra stuff, the important thing is to be prepared in an emergency and to always put the safety of your passengers first. Stay tuned for more safety blogs from Team JBT!

Don’t forget, JBT Marine can provide you with lifejackets priced at £54.00! We also offer discount on these if you would like 4 or more!

Having worked in a marine chandlers’, while the staff are often helpful, they are there to sell you the nice looking Musto and Henri-Lloyd gear – which we all know isn’t cheap.

• Looking for a fleece? Try TK-Max or a big camping shop at an end of season sale, you can usually save yourself at  least a fiver. Berghaus and other walking brands make perfectly good fleeces which, while not always as stylish as boating clothes, will do the same job but a little cheaper.
• After thermal under layers? The marine brands will charge you around £20-£30 an item. Find an Army surplus website and you can find a full set of thermals for under £20.
• Many retailers will offer some discount if you purchase items for the whole family at once.
• Get your gear out of season; remember to look for last year’s stock and sale rails!
• If your clothing has broken or is faulty not long after you’ve brought it then TAKE IT BACK! After spending lots of money you should always ask what the shop can do about a faulty garment. Quite often zips can be replaced or seams can be re-stitched (often free of charge).

When not to be saving the pennies on clothing!

Sometimes, you can’t scrimp when it comes to buying clothes to go boating in. It is often far better to invest in something that lasts a long time, there are two things which we at JBT do not like to buy cheaply.

• Get decent sailing boots. When out in the winter there is nothing worse than wearing soggy and cold deck shoes. Dubarry, Musto and Henri-Lloyd all make decent Gore-Tex lined boots with excellent grip on the soles which will certainly keep your feet warm and dry.
• Jackets. Foul weather jackets are stringently tested to perform well in the harshest conditions. That said, they are not always cheap. If you want a new jacket then scour the sale rails (I got about 25% off a Gore-Tex coat recently because it was a last season colour scheme!). The bright fluorescent hoods and SOLAS reflective strips do make a difference when trying to find someone who has fallen in the water.

These are just a few handy hints from Team JBT. We hope you find them useful! Did you know JBT can do you a great deal on Life Jackets, Click here to find out more…

Layers:
It is important to get plenty to have plenty of layers of clothing. Most marine clothing manufacturers insist that their foul weather jackets work best in conjunction with two other layers of clothing – what is termed a ‘3 layer system’. The most popular brands of marine clothing are Musto, Henri-Lloyd and Gill.

If it really is chilly, like when you have to spend ages scraping your windscreen before getting down to the boat, then maybe slip on some thermal underwear first. Then stick on a thick polo or rugby shirt, something that is fairly thick on its own yet comfortable.

Secondly, stick on a decent fleece or mid-layer. Polartec fleeces provide decent insulation while mid-layers (sometimes called ‘soft shell jackets’) are great for cutting out wind and keeping your body temperature up.

Finally, finish off the ensemble with a decent waterproof jacket. If it is really nippy maybe some Gore-Tex, but certainly a coastal rated jacket if you are planning to head out mid-winter.

Accessories:
All the fashion gurus tell us that to complete an outfit you must add accessories! Heading out in the winter months should be no exception!

Gloves. There are so many different types to choose from! For RIB driving, a few companies make great helmsman gloves which are fleece lined and waterproof. For passengers, check out the brand ‘SealSkinz’ who make some super warm winter items!

Bobble Hats. This really needs no explanation!

Scarves. Fleecy tube neck warmers are a great alternative to the long trailing woolly scarf.

Socks. Head to a camping shop for some nice thick socks, why not go nuts and wear two pairs!

Check out Part 2 of this blog which will be uploaded on

Friday 4th November.

Many thanks to the Marine Superstore for allowing us to take some snaps in their shop.

There are a number of advantages to owning a Diesel RIB, Team JBT have put together a blog to highlight some of the pros and cons of these RIBs.

Running Costs. The cost of marine diesel fuel is lower than petrol meaning that you have a few extra £££’s to go out and enjoy yourself!

Consumption. Diesel engines use less fuel than petrol ones. It’s why diesel cars are so popular. Some engines can suffer from ‘turbo lag’ and as a result take a little longer to get onto the plane. However, when cruising at high speed a turbo diesel engine can be a very fuel efficient, benefiting from more torque from less power. The sheer power and torque of a marine diesel engine means that a lower horsepower engine is required compared to the petrol outboard equivalent. This is great on a bigger, heavier RIB where multiple outboards maybe be required to get enough driving force.

Availability. Diesel is more common on marine fuel pontoons as not all offer petrol.

Reliability. Marine diesel engines are, generally, refined and marinised versions of industrial engines. As a result they can offer a longer service as they are based on an engine designed to run for thousands of hours a year. The common nature of brands like Yanmar and Volvo means that obtaining servicing parts are not usually a problem.

Space. Yes the space a diesel inboard engine uses at the back of the boat is compromised by the need for an engine bay. However, without the outboard engine there is plenty of space for a sun pad and bathing platform on the transom. Always popular with guests when at anchor.

Weight. Although heavier than petrol engines and slightly slower onto the plane, the extra displacement on diesel RIBs can provide a smoother ride in the rough, and if you are Tom from Team JBT, a bigger wake for wakeboarding! This means more air time!!! Check out this video of a V-Type Diesel Inboard RIB we currently have in stock!

Modern. Long gone are the days of diesel engines on RIBs being slow plodders, modern marine diesel engines have impressive power to weight ratios and coupled to an outdrive means great performance. These examples are worth a look….

JBT Marine currently have three diesel RIBs in stock. Click on the listings below to see more details: