inflatables

hi all, ive little experience of boat fishing so have a few questions, my dad bought a 15 ft x 5ft inflatable rib a few years back but due to health probs he never was out in it, so i have it now,its a pretty solid looking boat, a yam 3085 its called, have a 15 hp mercury engine, anchor,new lifejackets, waterproof vhf radio, spare fuel cannisters, oars, flares, my wife doesnt like the idea of me and a friend going out in it tho,i was thinking of fishing not far offshore around cahore, would this be a safe vessel to fish from?, i wouldnt head out in bad weather or anything silly so would like some feedback from you guys please,i will post a few pics of it tommorow evening, thanks in advance, james.

The rib sounds fairly well equipped and OK for fishing very close inshore in fine weather - its only marginally smaller than a Warrior 165, altho a different kind of boat. But if you and your mate are both inexperienced that's a different matter. You need to find a sea-hardened boat angler who knows his stuff and go out with him on his boat a good few times to get the basics. Then maybe he could do a few trips on the rib with you till you get used to it. It's always the Unkown Unknowns that are the problem..... I'm sure there'll be somebody down your way who'll volunteer to help.

Most of the fishing at Cahore is done at anchor. I've not fished from a rib before, but I don't think it would be suitable for that type of fishing. Drifting over reef down at Kilmore would be ok, provided the weather was good.

I know guys who wouldnt anchor around Cahore and catch fish, if common sense is used with weather then it would be ok. Be careful of easterly breeze as the sea whips up pretty quickly.

hi all, ive little experience of boat fishing so have a few questions, my dad bought a 15 ft x 5ft inflatable rib a few years back but due to health probs he never was out in it, so i have it now,its a pretty solid looking boat, a yam 3085 its called, have a 15 hp mercury engine, anchor,new lifejackets, waterproof vhf radio, spare fuel cannisters, oars, flares, my wife doesnt like the idea of me and a friend going out in it tho,i was thinking of fishing not far offshore around cahore, would this be a safe vessel to fish from?, i wouldnt head out in bad weather or anything silly so would like some feedback from you guys please,i will post a few pics of it tommorow evening, thanks in advance, james.

The 380s is a SIB rather than a RIB ( you have a soft floor with an inflatable keel rather than a rib that has a hard hull) Either way it is a capable craft. You have all the gear so drive on! You could spend a few bob and do a powerboat course- if you have no buddies involved with boats that is is by far the best way to learn.

I spend a fair bit of time in my little inflatable. You'll get a flavour here
http://youtu.be/ULKFdyQe74s

thanks for all the info, you guys are great!, think i will do a powerboat course and a navigation one too, to busy to take it out this year but for sure getting a fishfinder to add to the gear, and maybe a smallish backup engine too, really lookin forward to gettin out in it, ill take her for a few spins around inshore to get used to it, thanks again lads

thanks for all the info, you guys are great!, think i will do a powerboat course and a navigation one too, to busy to take it out this year but for sure getting a fishfinder to add to the gear, and maybe a smallish backup engine too, really lookin forward to gettin out in it, ill take her for a few spins around inshore to get used to it, thanks again lads

Yeh you should give it couple of spins this season even if its only in an estuary, fan the enthusiasm!

Final pointer: if you're short of boating buddies for feedback, try getting in touch with your local lifeboat/coastguard crew. They're great lads and always keen to give friendly advice and guidance on boating safety - it cuts down their call-outs.