best 4m Rib

[Whizzbang]

Hi Im looking for a reliable and seaworthy 4m rib for fishing and cruising on the south coast in up to about force 5/6. For these reasons I would like a deep V and a high sheer bow, but it will be kept along the river in Christchurch, Dorset so draught may be an issue.

I preferably want a Ribcraft 4.2 but cannot see one second hand for sale.
My other option was an SR4.
I have seen a Zodiac Pro 4.2 are these any good?
And do you have any other better alternatives?
It must be no more than 4.2m/14ft due to mooring space.

Thnx WhizzBang.

[JamesF]

There are also some small Humbers (a 4.0 and a 4.3 according to this: Rigid Inflatable Boats - a vast range of quality ribs for both leisure crafts and sports craft from Humber Inflatables).

I'm not sure there is such a thing as a RIB that size with a high bow. The SR4 certainly doesn't fit that description — it's virtually flat along the whole length. The Humber appears to have some rise, but it's not what I'd call 'high' exactly. Perhaps a little more than the Ribcraft as well, but it's hard to tell.



Apart from the SR4, though, I don't know anything about them, other than that they exist .

[spartacus]

Ribcraft 4.2s are pretty rare. You'd be better off widening the search and include the 4.8m. it has a slight bow-rise, greater than the SR4, but by no means pronounced. The only RIB I'm aware of with a high bow would be a Delta 5m.

Plenty SR4s on the market in varying degrees of condition.

I used to own a Zodiac Pro 7-man later renamed the 420. They're nice ribs, but have a relatively shallow v hull so you can expect it to slap in the rough stuff especially in F5/6 conditions. In addition you really want someone up front to act as ballast if you're making your way back against tide and in head-winds given its light construction. They're more leisure orientated for calmer seas in my opinion.

Explain the mooring situation please regards the size of the RIB you can purchase?

[Whizzbang]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Ribcraft 4.2s are pretty rare. You'd be better off widening the search and include the 4.8m. it has a slight bow-rise, greater than the SR4, but by no means pronounced. The only RIB I'm aware of with a high bow would be a Delta 5m.

Plenty SR4s on the market in varying degrees of condition.

I used to own a Zodiac Pro 7-man later renamed the 420. They're nice ribs, but have a relatively shallow v hull so you can expect it to slap in the rough stuff especially in F5/6 conditions. In addition you really want someone up front to act as ballast if you're making your way back against tide and in head-winds given its light construction. They're more leisure orientated for calmer seas in my opinion.

Explain the mooring situation please regards the size of the RIB you can purchase?

We currently own a merry fisher 755 and a Boston whaler dauntless 16 as well as a 2.2m wetline rib outside of my house and a 4m rib is the largest that will fit on our mooring as some space is needed for tide difference.

From about the end of the blue rope there is a shallow rocky cill at low tide that any boat would sit on. The tender will be moved but that gap wouldnt fit anything over 4m.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Whizzbang

We currently own a merry fisher 755 and a Boston whaler dauntless 16 as well as a 2.2m wetline rib outside of my house and a 4m rib is the largest that will fit on our mooring as some space is needed for tide difference.

At this rate you'll have more vessels than the Royal Navy. If you're married - your partner must have the patience of a saint!

From about the end of the blue rope there is a shallow rocky cill at low tide that any boat would sit on. The tender will be moved but that gap wouldnt fit anything over 4m.

Launch and retrieve an option? Sell one of the boats?

[Whizzbang]

Not selling and once you have a mooring launch and retrieve is not an option
This boat is actually for my son.
Here a pic so the blue rope will make sense!

[Poly]

Fishing in a F6 in a 4m rib won't be too much fun. a SR with water ballast might be better, but still more of an adventure than a relaxing fishing trip.

[Whizzbang]

I'm not planning on fishing in force 6 exactly. Maybe just going out and cruising.

[Nos4r2]

You won't be doing much cruising in Christchurch /Poole bays in an F6 in a 4m either unless you've got a rubber spine.

[co46]

C-Furys are excellent little boats

[Whizzbang]

They are nice but a bit pricey for what they are.

[Whizzbang]

Seen a Ribcraft 3.5 for sale
Would it have better sea keeping abilitys over an SR4?

[Xk59D]

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/sr4-thin...tml#post676175

check that out.

i'd think the sr4/RC will be very similar when the going gets tough....great fun

the difference will be i assume the age of the boats which will be reflected in the price.

cheers

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Whizzbang

Seen a Ribcraft 3.5 for sale
Would it have better sea keeping abilitys over an SR4?

SR4's are generally regarded as "THE" best wee boat in the rough; that said RC3.5's are rare as hens teeth so not many people will have used one, even fewer will have tried them in the rough and less still will be able to make a fair comparison to a SR.

[JamesF]

I've seen one in the rough; we had one as a safety boat for the Scorpion Nationals in 2004. We had up to 5ft of swell that week, and we tend to get steep, short stuff. As far as I remember, it handled it well enough to last all week. The crew got a hernia, but whether that was crashing through the waves or handling marks and anchors I'm not sure — I think they were responsible for the holding marks off the leeward end of the course.

But it was ten years ago, and I didn't get to try it myself. Given the difference (huge) between an SR4 and a Ribcraft 4.8 in the rough, I'd not like to speculate on the difference between an RC3.5 and an SR4.

That said, a six or seven hour day in an SR4 can be pretty wearing when it's up in heaps, and the boat will easily outlast the crew. I imagine it's much of a muchness for most small boats.

[Whizzbang]

Was just thinking would the extra half meter be the difference?

[JamesF]

Some of it, but by no means all. Length, beam, hull shape, weight, seat position and other things I can't think of will all have an effect.

And then you get something like the C-Fury that co46 mentioned on the last page, which is completely different — a catamaran. They appear to have paid quite close attention to rough weather capability.

[matt h]

The RC 3.5 is an awesome little craft. I know that boat and great fun,capable in the rough and perfectly matched with that new engine.