Beginner seeking advice - what type of rib to get?

[glenbelt7]

Hi guys,

I'm interested in getting some kind of rib or sib and was hoping to get some advice.
I've only got quite a small car (the seats fold down in the back though), and I was hoping to get something that could fit into the car boot and yet will be good enough to take out not far off shore but far enough to do some fishing.
I can't really go for the trailer option as I don't have room to store it, hence asking about boats that could fit into my car. Or maybe on a roof rack alternatively.

The boat would be used for taking out 2 or 3 people max at a time. I'd only want to go out in quite calm conditions, and not too far out either.

If anyone could recommend a type of rib/sib, and engine size, etc, that would be a great help, and if you know if such a boat exists that could be reasonably easily taken apart...


Cheers

[rik_elliott]

Boot of car use is difficult weight wise as well as size wise. A small boat with engine etc can easily weigh too much to comfortably use without a trailer. Easiest is air deck, so best general feeling is to go for either a bombard aerotec or a honwave 380. Depending on budget you could go smaller, but with a noticeable decrease in comfort. A ten hp engine would likely be easily manhandled and strong enough to get you safely to nearby fishing spots. Fifteen would be excellent performance wise and not too bad weight wise.

Originally Posted by glenbelt7

Hi guys,

I'm interested in getting some kind of rib or sib and was hoping to get some advice.
I've only got quite a small car (the seats fold down in the back though), and I was hoping to get something that could fit into the car boot and yet will be good enough to take out not far off shore but far enough to do some fishing.
I can't really go for the trailer option as I don't have room to store it, hence asking about boats that could fit into my car. Or maybe on a roof rack alternatively.

The boat would be used for taking out 2 or 3 people max at a time. I'd only want to go out in quite calm conditions, and not too far out either.

If anyone could recommend a type of rib/sib, and engine size, etc, that would be a great help, and if you know if such a boat exists that could be reasonably easily taken apart...


Cheers

[glenbelt7]

Thanks Rik. Is air deck a type of a boat? And do you think something like a bombard aerotec could be transported inside a car?

[BogMonster]

I'd look at whether there is any way you can have something small on a trailer and store it somewhere.

Boats that "just pop into the back of the car" sound neat and convenient, but IMHO aren't. I've got my 5.8m Vipermax on a trailer and a little cheapo 3.2m no-name SIB that bought for a couple of hundred quid to fit the aux engine from the Vmax on, and I can tell you it's ten times quicker and easier to launch the RIB off the trailer than build and launch the wee one, there is so much farting around inflating the boat, assembling floorboards, fitting engine on etc etc and then the reverse when you finish. A dive bottle and and air floor would certainly make life easier and quicker but you're still stuffing a wet/sandy boat into the back of a car.

[actions]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

I'd look at whether there is any way you can have something small on a trailer and store it somewhere.

Boats that "just pop into the back of the car" sound neat and convenient, but IMHO aren't. I've got my 5.8m Vipermax on a trailer and a little cheapo 3.2m no-name SIB that bought for a couple of hundred quid to fit the aux engine from the Vmax on, and I can tell you it's ten times quicker and easier to launch the RIB off the trailer than build and launch the wee one, there is so much farting around inflating the boat, assembling floorboards, fitting engine on etc etc and then the reverse when you finish. A dive bottle and and air floor would certainly make life easier and quicker but you're still stuffing a wet/sandy boat into the back of a car.

Got to agree with this, I used to have a 3.2 Sib with an 8hp and although when i was out there is was great fun it really was a huge amount of effort using out of the boot of a car and soon became fed up. It was fine if your going to out for a while but useless for a quick blast round on a summers eve after work.

Best idea if you cant have a trailer for it get some wheels for the back of it and an air pump too save hours of foot pumping.

[Ian M]

Yep, I'll add my vote to the 'don't do it' camp. I had a Quicksilver 4.2 and a 25 Mercury, admittedly both on the larger size for what you are looking for, but it was an incredible faff. I eventually bought a trailer, and launching wheels, both of which helped a lot.

[John Kennett]

Hi glenbelt7, welcome to RIBnet :wave

If you want something to go on a roofrack, how about a Bombard AX500 or Avon RIB Lite? These are 3.2m RIBS with folding transoms that pack down into a storage bag. They're very easy to set up and pack away, and with a 10hp they're pretty quick with a couple of people on board.

What sort of budget have you got?

[glenbelt7]

Thanks for the advice guys.
One of the reasons I was put off from having a trailer is that I've got no storage space - I'm a student in Cornwall and we don't have space on the driveway for it, I was going to try and see if there is any other storage available but not sure if it'll be quite expensive.
As I'm a student I don't think I'd be able to take it out that much, probably just a couple of times a month, so the hassle of taking the boat apart and putting it together probably wouldn't bother me so much. Something I could fit in a car or on a roof rack would appeal a lot more to me really...
Budget I'm not completely sure but could probably stretch to around 3 or 4k, obviously prefer not to spend loads. Do you think ebays the best place to look for ribs in general, or are there other places I should look?

[actions]

Originally Posted by glenbelt7

Do you think ebays the best place to look for ribs in general, or are there other places I should look?

There are a number of very light weight SIBS that you can easily lift onto a roof rack single handed and even the heavier ones are ok with two of you.
In terms of places to search i would try ebay but always try and look at it before you buy.
Also you can try the following sites.
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk
http://www.apolloduck.co.uk

You will also have a large number of marine dealerships that should be able to let you know if someone is selling anything and have local adds in their windows.

[glenbelt7]

Thanks actions.

Right now I think I'll have to look at the lightweight SIBS then, as it could be transported on my car roof. Would these still be good enough to use in the open sea? I'm guessing they won't be as sturdy/strong.

Does anyone know if storage of the boat/trailer elsewhere would be a good idea, or is it generally pretty expensive?