Advice on used RIB purchase

[Lee argyle]

Looking to purchase a used RIB and after a few pointers.
I'm based on the IOW and spent many, many hours on the Solent, including crewing for Cowes inshore lifeboat. I've just sold a Phantom ( 20 with a 280hp ) and I'm looking for something more family friendly.

Criteria:-

Up to 20K, (poss 25k)
Outboard
Leisure / fishing / fun
Towable - going to be kept at home
Seats up to 6
I'm thinking a 6-7m??

What makes should I be keeping an eye out for and are there any I should steer away from.

Thanks in advance

Regards


Lee

[Nos4r2]

Welcome to Ribnet

You sound like someone who'd get on with a Vipermax.

[Anchorhandler]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Welcome to Ribnet

You sound like someone who'd get on with a Vipermax.

Hi Lee and Welcome also.....

We were in the same situation as you with a pretty similar budget 6 months or so ago.....

As Nos4r2 said, we opted for a Vipermax from a fellow ribnetter and are very pleased with it... We have to cart around our 2yr old, a 35kg Weimerana, loads of gear........oh and the misses too! Very well built and nice handling RIB....

Although there are surely other good boats out there, i for one would highly recommend a Vipermax...

Simon

[Lee argyle]

Thankyou both for the welcome, ref the Vipermax, what model / size do you think would suit - and of course engine HP to match? Do they do a 6.5?

Thanks again

Lee

[PeterM]

Or Cobra, or ribeye ( go easy) , or ribcraft, or avon ( go easy again) and many other options... just have to wait till May and tell people you are going to Ribex and you can try several out - maybe even come ribneters may take you out too !

[Anchorhandler]

Originally Posted by Lee argyle

Thankyou both for the welcome, ref the Vipermax, what model / size do you think would suit - and of course engine HP to match? Do they do a 6.5?

Thanks again

Lee

Yep, ours is a 6.5 with a 200 optimax hanging off the transom...
For more info and pictures, 'Gotchiguy' on here is putting together a nice website for us Osprey anoraks.....
www.osprey-owners.co.uk

(ours is the green one lurking in a few of the pictures )

ALthough we have never owned one, Ribcraft's get a good write-up so may be worth a look also....something we considered instead of the Osprey.

Have fun looking around...

Simon

[250kts]

Welcome aboard.
There is a wealth of knowledge and information to be had on here and lots & lots of opinions too.
Just like with cars, owners have their likes and dislikes, sometimes completely contridictory. My advice is to consider anything, but look for and listen out for those that consistanly come up with "dont touch with a barge pole", which fortunately are few.
Before selecting the one for you, try as many as you possibly can and in the area/conditions you might venture out in. Also make sure you try the boats from the position of your passengers whilst out, while you may be having a great time at the helm, if your wife or crew are getting soaked and uncomfortable, they will be unwilling to come out again.
As Pete has already said, Ribex is a great place to start.

Good luck
Steve

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Welcome to Ribnet

You sound like someone who'd get on with a Vipermax.

For £25k and a sharp pencil, you could be in a new 6.5m Vipermax wearing a 200 Opti. That is a heck of a rig.

[Top banana]

hugh jardons ex 6.5 vipermax is for sale in boats for sale section, 21,000
Awsome boat and build quality

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by PeterM

ribeye ( go easy)

I think we all have to remember just where the S series Ribeyes came from...

Originally Posted by Mollers

For £25k and a sharp pencil, you could be in a new 6.5m Vipermax wearing a 200 Opti. That is a heck of a rig.

I don't mean to put a wet towel on your little sales pitch there, but is that strictly possible? I've seen you quote that figure a fair few times, but ours is quoted in the Sportboat&RIB article (see the resources section on the site) at being £38k plus. Obviously thats all RRP, and no one would pay it, but theoretically we've got a 20k engine and so have you more or less. I think to have a 6.5 fitted out by Osprey like Chris' for instance would cost you upwards of 30k. Obviously if you home built then you could possibly bring it down to 26/27 or even considerably less if you play your cards right, but thats just speculation. Depends how hard you drive the bargain. Bare hulls (6.5m) from around 6.5k inc tubes... I think, although don't quote me.

If you want more info, don't hesitate to PM, either me, Mollers, Chris, Hightower or anyone else who has their boat listed as a Vmax. I think we're all a fairly sociable bunch, and obviously with the website I've got access and a fair few contacts already even though it;s only a few days old. One week yesterday actually!

Originally Posted by Top banana

hugh jardons ex 6.5 vipermax is for sale in boats for sale section, 21,000
Awsome boat and build quality

A fine boat . Just been at the boatshow for a week I believe, if he hasn't sold it already, he might cut a good deal. A very, very high quality build and fit out that one, easily a match for factory fitted boats.