Confused? I am!

[NSS]

The more I read this forum, the more confused I become. As mentioned a month or so ago, I've been looking at up-sizing to something of circa 4.5m in length and had been quite seriously considering Avon Adventure, Brig Falcon and Ribtec as potentials for my next RiIB.

However, it seems that there's a fairly vocal contingent on here who really don't rate Avon Adventure or Ribtec (not to mention a number of other brands!).

So, if you were in the market for a 4.5m (or thereabouts) RIB which you wanted for purely leisure use (mainly on the Solent), which would be on your list of possibles?

Please don't say "buy a 5.5m x, y or z" as, whether you agree with it or not, I have to be able to store it in my garage and 4.7m is the absolute max length (plus trailer nose) that I can accommodate.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Avon searider 4.7 with detachable bar on trailer.

Whatever you go for, just try and get a deep v hull. It Will make the Solent chop much more bearable. Avoid the newer avon designs and the humber assault, they are shallow v hulls.

[matt h]

as above, searider 4.7 but rare
Ribcraft 4.8
Ribcraft 5.0 (poss will have to shorten draw bar to fit in average garage)
Zodiac 500 (actually 4.7)
Ribquest 4.7
Solent 4.6
Ribtec 455 (almost the same as above)


with a good 60/50 Four stroke or e tec series they will fly

[njensen]

I'm very happy with my Avon SR 4.7 .... and my 90 HP E-tec :-)

[Doug Stormforce]

first choice

XS
old tornado

second choice

Ribtec
Humber

[PeterM]

I'll say it again .....

I love my 4m Adventure ......

Just get one with jockey seats & a 40 hp.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by NSS

However, it seems that there's a fairly vocal contingent on here who really don't rate Avon Adventure or Ribtec (not to mention a number of other brands!).

Are you sure about the ribtec? although made by ribeye they don't seem to get the same disparaging remarks.

In reality any 4.5 m rib will be fine for what you want in reasonable conditions, and you'll survive even quite bad weather. The point is some people think you'll enjoy it more in a better boat. Whilst it might not get everyone's agreement a boat that works for you in terms of layout / seating / styling (for the wife if she is so inclined) / easy to launch and recover etc is just as important as a boat that can handle rougher conditions - becuase you'll actually use it more.

There is no right and wrong answer - but you need to work out what you are trying to improve by "upgrading" the size - if that is comfort in the chop don't buy a shallow V hull. However despite the dozens of people who ask a very similar question each year - only you can decide which boat suits your needs best.

[NSS]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Are you sure about the ribtec? although made by ribeye they don't seem to get the same disparaging remarks.

In reality any 4.5 m rib will be fine for what you want in reasonable conditions, and you'll survive even quite bad weather. The point is some people think you'll enjoy it more in a better boat. Whilst it might not get everyone's agreement a boat that works for you in terms of layout / seating / styling (for the wife if she is so inclined) / easy to launch and recover etc is just as important as a boat that can handle rougher conditions - becuase you'll actually use it more.

There is no right and wrong answer - but you need to work out what you are trying to improve by "upgrading" the size - if that is comfort in the chop don't buy a shallow V hull. However despite the dozens of people who ask a very similar question each year - only you can decide which boat suits your needs best.

I'm looking to buy new and was pretty much set on the Ribtec 455, but comments I've seen about Ribeye have made me pause to re-consider. I know older Ribtecs are well liked but wasn't sure whether the same would be said of a Ribtec designed hull built by Ribeye or not?

Totally agree with your other comments about "a boat that works for you" being the first consideration, particularly in relation to the layout, but don't want to buy something that I may later find it hard to sell on because the boat has a poor reputation, whether that be for quality of materials/construction, quality of ride (and yes, I do want a deep vee), or simply because of where it may have been constructed (China/South Africa/Korea or wherever).

Am hoping my next RIB will be one that I'll want to keep and use for a number of years so it's important to get it right.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by NSS

Am hoping my next RIB will be one that I'll want to keep and use for a number of years so it's important to get it right.

Don't pay too much attention to the opinions on here, or anywhere else, especially the nay-sayers. There is certainly lots of good advice, but the advice should inform you of things to look out for and not for you to base decisions on.

Every boat is a compromise, find the one that fits in with what you (and you alone) need and you will be doing well.

[Downhilldai]

What's your budget and how many seats do you need?