Tip: Read Our Guide to chartering a rib, BEFORE chartering one and BEFORE you set off! Also always go for a skippered boat wherever possible, they're all qualified and know the Solent hazards. Those who go for a bare boat charter, and claim to 'Know it all' may just click away from this page at their peril - so read on!
1.) Most RIB charter companies offer wet weather gear as standard, but do ask to make sure. If not you might get a little wet...and cold (even in Summer the wind chill should not be underestimated, also we'd recommend taking sunblock and plenty of water).
2.) Ensure everyone has a life jacket included for the hire fee, and more importantly ensure they are worn at all times and correctly. If you are on your own and fall over the side you will find with wet clothes even a fit person will find it nearly impossible to pull themselves back into a rib un-aided.
3.) Does the rate quoted include fuel and is the daily mileage limited? (Also does the boat come full of fuel and are you expected to take it back full of fuel? - Beware of penalty charges, also see our note on fuel barge opening times, not being able to get fuel and then being charged a penalty for leaving the boat empty can't be blamed on the fuel barge not being open)
4.) Are you fully insured for all aspects of the boat?
Is Towing inflatable toys included?
Is waterskiing / wakeboarding covered?
5.) For a Rib charter you should also establish: -
If it's a bare boat Rib charter do you have to take out your own insurance?
Is anyone on a bareboat charter allowed to drive under the terms of the insurance? Or do they have to be qualified to RYA level II Powerboat? - Bear in mind that an average charter RIB will have a replacement value of £30,000+ yet every summer we see unqualified Rib drivers dashing around the Solent. So to those chartering Ribs think carefully, after all you wouldn't let an unqualified driver loose in a £30,000 sportscar with no training would you? If you think well the kids will be okay to use it for the afternoon won't they? Think again, last summer a Rib with twin 150's clipped the putboard legs on Bembridge ledge - resulting in physical injury and a bill of £25,000 for the parents of the unqualified and hence uninsured driver.
Can you use the radio? Stupid question? Not really, around 2/3rds of solent users have no radio license or training. Just remember that when your untrained drivers engine cuts out and you start drifting towards rocks...
Can more than one person use the radio? Stupid question? Not really - if your driver is incapasitated then who'll call for help.
Do you know how to carry out a man overboard rescue?
Flares - where are they, are they 'in date', and do you know how to use them?.
Does the Rib have more than one safety cutoff lanyard, if your driver falls out of the Rib at speed with the only engine cutoff tied around his leg, you may find it particularly hard to pick him up with out the ability to restart the engine...
Where can you get more fuel? More importantly what time does the local fuel barge close? None are 24 hours - some don't even open on Sundays.
6.) Unless you absolutely have to or are extremely competant DO NOT go out on a Rib alone. Even in calm seas - Why? what can happen when it's so calm, well as we've pointed out even with a lifejacket on you are unlikely to be able to get back on board unaided if you do fall overboard. With oillies on forget it!
7.) On this last note we'd also point out the hapless case of one individual who did just this on a calm day, couldn't get back on board so swam to the nearby shoreline. Fine you say! Not so, his Rib was floating and salvaged claimed by another vessel resulting in a staggering £60,000+ loss
8.) Just remember even the Pro's get it wrong sometime
If you found this information useful please help this site to keep going by making a small donation, Many thanks
