First RIB, Advise about buying

[thomas]

Hi All

I'm looking at getting my first RIB for use on the Solent, mainly as a taxi for the family from Chichester to Bembridge. Looking to get something two or three years old with a budget of about £15k, the two boats that I have in mind at the moment are an Avon A580 or a Ballistic 5.5 - any other ideas very welcome.

When buying/selling do you treat it the same as a big boat as far as MCA paperwork is concerned? and is there anything I should look out for?

Cheers.

[sarahscottiedog]

Hi,
As this can be a lumpy section of water to cross you definately want a great sea boat, and as you have a health budget to spend I would definately be considering a Ribcraft (not that I'm biased.... honest, just an avid fan of them) but talk to most of the comercial guys and they won't buy much else..... a 5.85 would you very well

[thomas]

Thanks, since posting I've been reading up and may not have picked the right boat as it needs to be good in harder conditions, we have been spoilt as our last boat, Targa 30, never gave us any worries regardless of the weather.

[Downhilldai]

For the size you're looking at, you won't get much better than a 5.8 Vipermax.

You'll probably need to squeeze a bit more out of your budget though, to get a premium RIB of that size, 2-3 years old.