avon Adventure 450 RIB

paul sparkes · 10 January 2015, 15:24

Hi,

Just bought a 2001 Avon Adventure 450 RIB, needs a little cleaning up and some new seat coverings but otherwise not bad. Has anyone any experience of these boats?

whisper · 11 January 2015, 10:07

Yes what do you need to know?

paul sparkes · 11 January 2015, 10:18

General opinions really, any tips on what sort of conditions it can handle, ease of launch etc......

beamishken · 11 January 2015, 11:37

My pal has one they usually take a slating whenever anyone asks about one on here as there not a deep v & tend to slam a bit in the rough
I've been out a few times in my pal's & it's ok in the conditions you'd want to be out in a small boat for fun.If you want to go out for endurance in poor weather then it's probably going to be uncomfortable
Easy to launch & planes well with fairly modest hp.
My pal's boat is getting on &was used as a club rescue boat for the first few years of its life so probably been abused but still looks tidy & nothing fell off

paul sparkes · 11 January 2015, 11:59

I got this boat for family cruising around the coast of Devon and for use in the esturies. Not planning on massive ventures out to sea. Only been boating since July, started with a 3.3m SIB and got hooked. Felt a bit vulnerable in the SIB with the kids as they are only young so fancied something a little bigger for some more exciting days out. The one i have bought has a leisure seat set up and a lot more on deck space than the sib so hopefully be a bit more enjoyable. It has a Evinrude 50hp engine which should be fine for what we want to do.

Wibs · 11 January 2015, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

Yes what do you need to know?

Are they any good for dogs..?

I've owned one.

Easy to launch, nice bit of deck space forward of the console, pretty boat.

Choose when you launch with family onboard wisely and she'll be ok the bench seat layout means not a lot to hold on to when it starts bouncing around(which it will do)

Rides on the tubes rather like a large sib.

Was this from Wolf Rock.?

paul sparkes · 11 January 2015, 14:06

Hi Wibs, yes it was from Wolf rock. Have you seen it?

Funny you should mention dogs, my wife wants to take our collie on it! im not so sure............

beamishken · 11 January 2015, 14:49

Sounds like the boat will be spot on for your use
our black lab loves our rib she sits right in the bow checking where we're going
I'm sure you'll enjoy it!!

paul sparkes · 11 January 2015, 14:52

What about the claws on the tubes, is it an issue?

PeterM · 11 January 2015, 15:30

Had the 4m since 2006. Great day /beach boat with space and water sports.

Not a deep v so not for offshore or bad weather but having said that it'll cope with it, but slowly. Been round the island a few times on mine with no trouble and one of those days wasn't a calm one....

I think the 4 is marginally better than the 4.5 as the extra 0.5 m means it hits into the next wave rather than drop into the trough and come up again.. But that's a minor point.

Had a jack Russell and labradoodle on mine. Dogs claws can always scratch tubes so if it's pristine take care.. If not it's just a scratch and cam be avoided by putting a towel etc over when they're getting in etc.

Pics of mine in me album and on several threads. ;-)

Wibs · 11 January 2015, 18:41

Paul.

A friend of mine showed me a link to it the other day.

He knew I owned one and wanted an opinion.

I only mentioned the dog thing as I belive mine got sold to someone who brought a dog along for the test drive.

Can't comment on the dog claws vs hyperlon debate I never took mine on.!

The boat builder I use did take to my 'white tassels' with a blow torch once, so I think they are pretty durable.

You'll have fun.

paul sparkes · 11 January 2015, 18:54

"white tassels"............?

Wibs · 11 January 2015, 20:41

Heh...

My tubes started sprouting white threads about 50mm long. Think it's quite common.

Some people attack them with nail clippers/sharp knife.

I've seen them disappear in secs at the hands of someone who knows what he's doing and a well set up blow torch.!!

Wouldn't have the balls to do it myself but it shows how durable hyperlon can be.?

Peter_C · 12 January 2015, 05:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul sparkes

Funny you should mention dogs, my wife wants to take our collie on it! im not so sure............

The dogs personality will dictate if they are comfortable on a boat.

The topic even has it's own thread.
http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/dogs-in-boat-56851.html

SpearRib · 12 January 2015, 06:09

seen one. look good. avons a strong brand. not as good as caribe but im bias ;-p

before buying can you get it checked out by a professional?

my rib is 4.3, i find that a good size for towing. not too small, not too big. of course not an offshore machine but great inshore cruiser size.

Pete7 · 12 January 2015, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpearRib

before buying can you get it checked out by a professional? .

There is probably more knowledge on Ribnet about ribs than most surveyors know. There are exceptions and a couple post on here but at the end of the day a rib is a surf board with some tubes glued on it.

Pete

gooner-paul · 12 January 2015, 12:09

I've got the 5.6m version its been OK for me as was my first boat! It does slam a bit!

Have taken it round the Isle of Wight and down to Poole (from lymington) and various trips in the solent

I rarely take it out on windy days, I'm more of a fair weather boater!

did my pb level 2 on it its been fine for what I wanted but:

Since buying that rib I have been lucky enough to helm a few other ribs and notice the difference between them and now have a better understanding as to what I'd look for in my next rib!

For me it's been a great little boat for learning experience I can't knock it!

But I am looking to change to a more comfortable rib at some point in the future! Having used it I have a wish list now

I have a little jack Russell, he isn't too keen when it's slamming, mind you nor is the wife! But on fair days the dog is fine!

Huib1965 · 12 January 2015, 14:57

Hi... i got the 4.7mtr with a 60 Mariner and love it.... Yes. It slams when a bit rough but its great fun. Get 2 to sit on the tubes and its fine .. Wouldn't have more then 4 people on it though ....

paul sparkes · 12 January 2015, 15:01

So to summarise:

I havnt bought a lemon (thank god)
I can take my dog
I WILL have fun
Prepare to be bumped about a bit if it gets choppy

Sounds good then!

If anyone is ever down in Devon give me a shout if you want to meet up

paul sparkes · 02 February 2015, 14:36

Collecting in the morning.......im a little bit excited!!