We have bought a RIB and looking for a site where we can launch it, either lake or river. We want to try it before taking it on the sea. Near to Shropshire
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Can't give any help on suitable camp sites, but as someone with decades of experience of small (15-18ft) powerboats, I can urge you to pick your waters carefully!
An unknown boat on unknown waters is a 'mishap' just waiting to happen! Don't know if you have any boating experience at all, so that may throw in yet another danger factor!
Rivers flow, some quite fast, any loss of engine power for ANY reason (it may be a mechanical issue, or just weed/debris fouling the prop - just about every boat user suffers that at some point) and you can quickly get swept down stream out of control! Powerboats without the engine running don't steer! Lakes are generally better places to try out and learn about a new boat, BUT lakes can be quite large and wind can easily blow you a long way from your launch/recovery point. Even inland lakes can get quite choppy in wind, and plenty of water can end up inside the boat, some sort of bailer is wise, a waterlogged boat doesn't handle well AND uses an enormous amount of fuel to go not far!
Regard fuel rationing as 1/3 used for outward trip, 2/3 reserved for return, to account for currents and/or wind. Paddles and preferably an anchor too (with sufficient rope for depth of water) are essentials on open water. If you've got a safety cord engine kill 'dead mans cut out' ALWAYS USE IT, it's so easy to get knocked out of a small boat and get run down by your own now circling boat! Doesn't matter how well you can swim, wear a buoyancy aid, it's very easy to get thrown out of a small power boat and knock yourself senseless in the process - you can't swim when dazed or unconscious!
Apologies if teaching Granny to suck eggs, but over the years had a few mishaps which we learnt from, and rescued rather a lot more from themselves and their own ignorance/inexperience.
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 11/9/2022
Can't give any help on suitable camp sites, but as someone with decades of experience of small (15-18ft) powerboats, I can urge you to pick your waters carefully!
An unknown boat on unknown waters is a 'mishap' just waiting to happen! Don't know if you have any boating experience at all, so that may throw in yet another danger factor!
Rivers flow, some quite fast, any loss of engine power for ANY reason (it may be a mechanical issue, or just weed/debris fouling the prop - just about every boat user suffers that at some point) and you can quickly get swept down stream out of control! Powerboats without the engine running don't steer! Lakes are generally better places to try out and learn about a new boat, BUT lakes can be quite large and wind can easily blow you a long way from your launch/recovery point. Even inland lakes can get quite choppy in wind, and plenty of water can end up inside the boat, some sort of bailer is wise, a waterlogged boat doesn't handle well AND uses an enormous amount of fuel to go not far!
Regard fuel rationing as 1/3 used for outward trip, 2/3 reserved for return, to account for currents and/or wind. Paddles and preferably an anchor too (with sufficient rope for depth of water) are essentials on open water. If you've got a safety cord engine kill 'dead mans cut out' ALWAYS USE IT, it's so easy to get knocked out of a small boat and get run down by your own now circling boat! Doesn't matter how well you can swim, wear a buoyancy aid, it's very easy to get thrown out of a small power boat and knock yourself senseless in the process - you can't swim when dazed or unconscious!
Apologies if teaching Granny to suck eggs, but over the years had a few mishaps which we learnt from, and rescued rather a lot more from themselves and their own ignorance/inexperience.
Very concise, but you left off the most important item, life jackets!
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 11/9/2022
... wear a buoyancy aid, ...
Very concise, but you left off the most important item, life jackets!
No I didn't, just called it a buoyancy aid!
We always used 'waistcoat' type buoyancy aids as opposed to traditional inflatable life jackets as 1) they always work without interaction from wearer to inflate, 2) they pad your upper body from impacts (we did water sports, skiing, wake boards etc. and frequently when you took a tumble you got clouted by the 'hardware', even a high speed tumble, 30-50mph, onto water hurts the torso without padding!)
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 12/9/2022
Very concise, but you left off the most important item, life jackets!
No I didn't, just called it a buoyancy aid!
We always used 'waistcoat' type buoyancy aids as opposed to traditional inflatable life jackets as 1) they always work without interaction from wearer to inflate, 2) they pad your upper body from impacts (we did water sports, skiing, wake boards etc. and frequently when you took a tumble you got clouted by the 'hardware', even a high speed tumble, 30-50mph, onto water hurts the torso without padding!)
When I was young life jackets or buoyancy aids were not available so you needed to be a good swimmer. Only thing I had was a wet suit top. Came a cropper a couple of times when skiing and you soon learnt to make sure that you never came off the skis.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Lakes or river sites to launch a RIB
via mobile 11/9/2022 at 2:29pm
