F-Ribs And Sibs - Inflatable Boat Community

Hi there folks. I have a BRIS 3 metre inflatable with a Parsuns 5HP outboard. While mates have aluminium dinghies and go out to sea a few kilometres, I prefer rivers, estuaries and lakes. I'm a lousy fisherman off the beaches and expect to maintain my reputation, even from the dinghy. Messy bloody pastime and I need someone to cook for me if I catch them ;)

I've only been out a few times and am still getting used to speed capabilities, tying off points, and where to attach ropes/winches when loading the boat on its trailer. Last time out a mate helped me with it up but he only hooked to the loop on the front. I prefer to hook on to both the side loops to spread the strain a bit.

Meanwhile, I am looking forward to reading what everyone does to launch/retrieve, run around, have fun, etc.

Hi Graeme, Welcome !!
Inflatables have a steady following over there don’t they, yet in the UK we’re all inflatable mad
Do your mates have aluminium floored boats and tubes to the sides, or are they full on tinnies ?

Great to have you aboard,
Enjoy the forum..

Martin

Full on tinnies, Martin. Most are about 17 foot or more with at least 50hp. They like to go about 5 to 10 km offshore, one even going 40 km out but I think he might have frightened himself with how far he went because he’s never done it again.

I’m the only person I know with an inflatable, and to be honest I think I’m sometimes a bit of a stranger to myself even….

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Could a preference for 'tinnies' over inflatables be anything to do with the prevalence of sharks in the sea and crocs in the rivers?

(Apologies if that reflects a stereotypical pom's view of Oz - sad to say I've never been although Mrs B came a couple of times on business and loved the place!).