What SIB for Vanuatu?

Spooled · 31 March 2011, 11:51

I'm moving from Australia to Vanuatu next year and I'm a fishing freak so need to be able to get on the water. I have looked at importing a boat into Port Vila from the US but the shipping costs are amazing (think US$14000+) So I've had to broaden my horizons a little and am now sussing out my different options. The main thing is that SWMBO and I will have a container provided to us to ship our belongings and this is at the employers expense. If I could take something that would fit in the container it would be a huge plus as shipping would be at someone elses expense. I've been looking at fishing kayaks but I'm now looking into SIB's as these look like a great option as well. I guess my question is, what would be the best SIB to take over for the purpose of fishing offshore in the partly protected waters of Vanuatu and would it be able to be packaged in a reasonable size to fit in the container with our other belongings? My budget would be roughly US$9000. Will this be enough for what I need? Apologies for the long post

Spooled · 31 March 2011, 14:19

I've just noticed someone mentioning RIBs that can be broken down for storage/shipping? Is this possible?

prairie tuber · 31 March 2011, 16:03

A Zodiac Ribster 530 LSC is a collapsible RIB. Kind of a SIB/RIB hybrid with a hypalon floor that is sandwiched by a sectional aluminum V hull beneath and and aluminum hull above.

http://www.seaandshore.co.uk/military/ribster.html

Spooled · 01 April 2011, 04:23

Thanks PT that's exactly the sort of thing I'm after. Are there any alternatives to the Zodiac? Anything that would be available in Australia?

John Kennett · 08 April 2011, 06:20

I haven't seen that before. It looks like a very specialised piece of kit and I would confidently bet that it will be eyewateringly expensive!

azzurro · 08 April 2011, 08:09

You seen where Vanuatu is man?
If I ever get there I would appreciate hypalon & inmersion proof engine & MMSI VHF & GPS & PFD with distress satellite locator. There are coral reefs there and a huge ocean; plenty of islands at a day journey; sharks; whales; whatever.

"Partly protected waters". Protected from what?

Oh sorry, I forgot these aussies are used to all of that plus giant crocodriles plus killer jellyfish plus marine snakes...

sinkingpete · 11 April 2011, 18:56

As for the Ribster - it is eye wateringly expensive. I would go for a commercial spec Zodiac such as a HD or GR series both built like tanks and easy to fix. If you do go for a GR try and get and older one with the inter communicating valves as they allow you to balance the tube pressures more in hot weather plus blow it up from a scuba cylinder.

Pete