Having had the pleasure of being able to work at sea from a very early age, in addition to now having 26 years of professional sea going experience, it was a pure pleasure over the last couple of years to have professionally driven a Ballistic RIB (Rigid inflatable boat) in anger.

 

 I’m referring to the 7.8 Passenger model, that friends of mine have bought for charter and corporate events. Powered by a single 250hp Evinrude Etech, the Ballistic RIB easily powers onto the plane with her full load of twelve people. She was easy to handle and still cut through weather confidently.

Often, cleaning up after a full charter can be a pain in the butt, but the Ballistic RIB is easy, simply stick a hose on her, a bit of soapy water and she’ll be shining like a new pin in no time! (Ballistic RIBS have a  moulded deck so they are easy to maintain) There are no complicated scuppering systems to get clogged and it doesn’t matter where you point the hose - so long as it’s not anywhere obviously daft like the fuel tank.

Once with all passengers off, I had to run down the western Solent in a fair old chop and it was one of the most fun blasts ever! I was almost flat out all of the time, only backing off when the prop was out. I was actually laughing and trying to contrive excuses to stay out longer. Sadly the owner wanted to stick her on the trailer and go home. I think it should be part of a charter job that skippers can have half an hours playtime on their own!!!Â

I was having a chat with a few like minded keen RIB owners and the thought came up about a RIB cruise from the Solent in company somewhere.

 As there are a lot of Ballistic RIBS around on the South Coast the idea of an owners cruise came up, but as pointed out, not at the exclusion of others.

A plan would be to leave from Thornham marina and head over to Alderney in our , Cruising between 30 or 40 knots would make easy work of the short hop and the island itself is ripe for a run. If anyone wants to get involved in a Ribster adventure or has any ideas, feel free to chip in.

If you’ve ever been out on the water in your rib in heavy rain, here’s a tip. To stop getting blinded by the rain, use a pair of common safety goggles.

They are cheap as chips and do the job nicely. I got caught out when it was hammering down and put on a pair of these which had been left in my console after some work had been done on my rib and they did the job nicely, I now won’t have to spend loads on fancy ski goggles!!!!