There have been rumours that powerboat and RIB drivers are going to have to be licensed and yet nobody seems to know if this is true. I’m on the fence about whether it’s a good idea, as I don’t think it can be efficiently policed. After all there are enough enforceable laws around at the moment but little seems to be done.

I have heard that some dealers will sell their highest powered , biggest, fastest powerboat or RIB, to the first numpty that has the cash and no idea.

At JBT Marine (specialist rigid inflatable boat dealers), we do our best to persuade novices to take a minimum course, but there is the case of it being the last free thing around. Perhaps the answer is to make a practical and shore based course compulsory with the purchase of a powerboat, or have speed or power related restrictions. What do you think?

JBT Marine specialists in RIBs and Zodiac boats www.ribsforsale.com Royal Yachting association  RYA - www.rya.org.uk RIBs are somtimes refered to as Zodiacs or inflatables

Having been buying and selling new and used Ribs and inflatables for nearly 14 years now it surprised me when looking, just how popular Zodiac still is. Zodiac boat searches in the internet seem to far out weigh the other major brands like ( Avon Ribeye Ballistic Tornado Revenger Scorpion Pascoe Ribtec Etc.

Try using the Overture suggestion tool to see how may people are estimated to have searched last month for your brand of Rigid inflatable boat.

Here is a list of search terms that I asked Overture how many searches there were last month, zodiac boat seems to be the winning brand and inflatable boat  the winning related search terms.

Let us know if you find a more popular search term that the ones I have already found relating to Ribs (rigid inflatable boats).
IN THE LEAD OF BRAND NAMES

Zodiac Boat with 2278 searches

Zodiac inflatable boat 838

used zodiac boat 238

zodiac boat for sale 79

zodiac boat accessory  34

zodiac rib repair 61

zodiac rib 61

IN THE LEAD OF RELATED SEARCHES

Inflatable boat with 10096 searches

rib boat 459

rib inflatable boat 67

boat inflatable 53

rigid inflatable boat 402

rigid hull inflatable boat 134

boat inflatable rib rigid 53

Here is a note that someone sent us last week: “I went to visit JBT Marine (pre owned Rib (Rigid inflatable boat dealers) at Thornham Marina the other day and thought it was such a pity that it wasn’t more accessible by sea as there isn’t a great deal of water available other than at the higher end of the tide.

Thornham Marina is a little oasis of boating heaven, unpretentious, relaxed and pretty. There’s a great little café as well as loads of services available; boat and yacht storage, shipwrights, cover makers, Marine engineers, yacht brokers etc. - not just JBT Marine, but for all boating needs.

When the tide is right this summer, I’ll be taking my nearest and dearest for a hearty brekka at the chipper little on site cafe, as being from Lymington, it will make for a fun and interesting blast down the Solent in a powerful Rib, followed by a peaceful cruise up the Thorney channel (Chichester harbour) to Thornham Marina. Stock up on carb’s and off for a jaunt round the back of the Isle of Wight. A great day out.”