11 BT Nov 2017 for archive

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RIBS
MONTHLY
Things to
look for when
looking for a
new RIB
Written by: Ellen Dunkerton
It’s always important to carefully inspect
all of the fixtures and fittings on a RIB
mercilessly. When you’re buying a new
RIB, you’ll want to make sure that they
are resistant to rust, properly bolted, and
if they’ll put up with extended abuse. Put
plenty of force on any frame, grab handles
or backrests.
If you can flex them with your hand, then
they are unlikely to withstand the full weight
of an adult with the added pressure by the
G-force from a rough sea.
Make sure to open every hatch and take a
good look inside it, even if you don’t ever
expect to delve in there. You want to ensure
that all cabling is neatly secured, that
fibreglass edges are tidy and bevelled and
storage spaces are properly drained.
Speaking of which, you’ll also want to
make sure that the deck also has adequate
drainage. At some point, every RIB will have
a wave over the bow, so they each need to
be able to shed water fast. Does the boat
have a dedicated boat for dry storage of
delicate items, in case of the event that
water does slosh all over the deck.
Bear in mind any special features that you
need when you’re buying a RIB, in addition
to inspecting the quality of the finish
and the build. There are plenty of types
that have more family-friendly seating
configurations, rather than relying on the
small seat at the front of the helm console
as a spare seat.
At the helm, your electronics need to be
large enough to be able to read at a simple
glance, and robust enough to cope with the
exposure of saltwater, and easy to operate
with a gloved hand.
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