6-6.5 RIB advice please

[gotchiguy]

Dear all,

I have been running a Zodiac Pro 7 for the last three years around Brittany. We have attempted longer trips in it, and two years ago we even made the voyage to Alderney! (Allbeit by trailering to Cherbourg and launching from there!)

We tend to cruise at 15-25 knots but in anything but flat calm the ride can become very harsh and it has a great tendency to slam down into the water which creates large vibrations, and bounces all our kit around ( especially at the bow where the anchor is stuffed right up against the bottom) so we have begun to look at a replacement.

Round here the only RIB dealers are Zodiac and although this would provide a strong mainenance fallback Pro Open 650s do not get great press on the forum! I think therefore that buying in the UK and either sailing accross and buying a trailer there or trailering on the ferry is going to provide the best bet. The boat will remain on a mooring for most of the year so your thoughts on antifouling are also welcome!

So far I have been lokoing at Ribeye 650Ss this seems to have the sot of setup I am looking for (2 jockeys for me and my son and more comfortable seating for the flleting appearences of my wife!! However the tech spec of the boat seems to suggest that the boat is 6.6m long and round here in ports there is a charging category of 4-6.5 and 6.5-10 do you think the port autorities would allow us into the lower category on merit of the name only being 650?

In France we currently have an old Renault Scenic whose manual says that it can only tow 1300kg whereas the ribeye is 1730 will we need to change car at the same time?

And finally, is it possibly to launch such a boat with a 45 year old and a delinquent 14 yr old!!!??? Would we need to purchase an electric winch???

Many thanks in advance

[C2 RIBS]

The Ribeye 650 is what the charge should be based upon as you correctly state that is the model,
Launching/recovery of a 650 with a trailer I have done many times single handed but the weight will be about 1700kgs. I used to launch it on a long steep slip with strong cross tides but the trailer was a double axle with bunks which I found easier on the recovery for lining up. I also used to lower it down on a length of doubled over rope onto the trailer and the tow hitch of my van so the van never touched water and could be kept off the steep slope (twentyfoot of rope doubled for strength)
Not sure the car would do it on a steep slope. I did buy an electric winch which just clipped onto the tow hitch and then plugged onto car battery and this was OK for a slow trailer/boat recovery.
have sold the 650 now for larger 785s which get dry stack. Hope this helps

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Round here the only RIB dealers are Zodiac and although this would provide a strong mainenance fallback Pro Open 650s do not get great press on the forum!

So far I have been lokoing at Ribeye 650Ss this seems to have the sot of setup I am looking for (2 jockeys for me and my son and more comfortable seating for the flleting appearences ...

mmm... not sure if you search the forum that you will find "great press" on the forum about ribeyes! They seem to evoke a love/hate opinion. They did get a fantastic right up in RIB international with the "arneston" (sp?) bracket - but that will presumably take you over the size restriction.

Originally Posted by C2ribs

The Ribeye 650 is what the charge should be based upon as you correctly state that is the model,

surely not? surely the charge is based on LOA not brand name. i don't know how many marinas would measure it unless you were clearly wrong.

[stepheneyre]

have a look at

humber inflatables in hull
Humber Inflatable Boats
99 Wincolmlee
Hull
HU2 8AH
England

Telephone: +44 (0)1482 226100
Fax: +44 (0)1482 215884
Email: sales@humberboats.co.uk
-----------------------------------------------------

and northcraft near hull

Northcraft Rigid Inflatables
Unit 3A & 3B
Hall Rd
Withernsea
East Riding of Yorkshire
HU19 2XX

Tel: +44 (0) 1964 613815
Fax: +44 (0) 1964 613815
ask for john
----------------------------------------------------------------
ther ribs are used by divers so can take rough seas

i have had 2 northcraft ribs and the prices are a lot less than the big boys
and just as good value
i can recomend northcraft he has done some work on my avon

thanks

steve
in sheffield..

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by stepheneyre

ther ribs are used by divers so can take rough seas

I don't understand that argument. Surely in seriously rough conditions people don't go diving? I've never seen a RIB that wouldn't take the "type of seas" where people would voluntarily go into the water. Possibly used by dive clubs so "sensibly priced" or used by divers so "must be robust" would be more logical?

Back on topic. I'm not sure that Northcraft or Humber direct from the factory are the best suggestion for someone coming from France. He'll have another 5 hours ish each way to drive to collect it, and to return it if there are problems - but presumably Northcraft have a South coast dealer? and I think Humber have dealer(s) in France?

[gotchiguy]

I do believe that Humber have a dealer in Nantes and I will have a look at the website. I know that humbers receive a very good press on here, but arn't they more kind of diving and work boats? I think what I am more looking for is a leisure boat with reputable hull and I thought I had found this with the Ribeye? What about Ballistic? I have found some exdemo 6.5s 4 28k are these any good?

[chewy]

Humber now do a more leasure sort of layout, obviously it'll cost you more.
The normal Humbers are basic but do the job fine.

[SeaSkills]

I'm still v much a Ribcraft fan. Great hull, good support from the company, and the factory is reasonably accessible for someone coming over the Channel

[gotchiguy]

just to clarify, I live in the UK for most of the year so I have no issues with transportation from UK I only have a small apartment in Brittany as a second home from which we do our boating. I know that Humber do have the leisure set up but from what i have read in RIB international there is only the an 8m and a 10m. This is a bit big and I imagine that they are fiercely expensive. What sort of average seating setup and price will a humber 6.5 with circa 150hp be maybe 2-3 yrs old, and will it come in under 1300kg? do you think that I will have to change car regardless if so what to?

[alystra]

Humber have just introduced the Sports Pro. Got a great write up in Rib International. Humbers are good solid boats. The fit out is up to you, basic utility to the rather swish Sports Pro.

I've had my Humber 8 years. No problems with it at all, despite being driven by a speed crazed teenager for much of its life.

My boat is kept afloat all season nowadays. When I took it over from my son I antifouled it. Didn't bother with rubbing down or primer, just painted the stuff on. It stays on. It means though, that if I sell it the new owner can remove the a/f and end up with a shiny as new hull.