First RIB - Opinions Required

[Flotsam]

Good Evening all

I am sure that many before me have joined this forum to gather as much information and advice prior to buying a RIB as possible, so I am sorry if I am repeating what others have asked... However, here goes...

A couple of years ago I owned a Stingray 240cs which was not my first boat, but was the first boat that I had owned that was worth looking after. It was intended for weekending, general fun and skiing whilst being cheap to own as it could live on a trailer. It ended up getting very little use as it was too small for comfort for a weekend, too big to tow down narrow lanes, too thirsty to ski behind and generally a compromise too far.

I sold the boat and miss the water so its time for another. Long story short, I have concluded that a RIB will satisfy my needs. I am looking for something that weighs less than 1.5 tonnes as I will wish to tow it behind a motorhome on occasion and it is only rated for 1500kg (this will include the trailer etc)

Something in the 6-6.5 bracket seems to be possiblel for this weight, so the question is which type and what engine?

It seems that outboard engines are something that go missing if not adequately secured, so I have read with a little interest of the RIBs that can be had with inboard engines. What are the downsides if any?

I will be buying new or nearly new and my decision will be based more on suitability than cost.

I very much look forward to your views.

Cheers

[GJ0KYZ]

Buy a Ribcraft 5.85 with a medium-sized four-stroke outboard motor and you won't go far wrong. Loads of people on this forum have them. http://www.ribcraft.co.uk/index.php/...-5-85-pro-boat

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by Flotsam

It seems that outboard engines are something that go missing if not adequately secured, so I have read with a little interest of the RIBs that can be had with inboard engines. What are the downsides if any?

Petrol inboards are very unusual on RIBs so really you are looking at a "petrol v's diesel" debate which has happened here many times before so you should do a search. Bear in mind that some of the older arguments for diesel on the grounds of cost of red diesel are partly or completely irrelevant now as diesel is no longer available "duty free"* for leisure use.

I've never heard the security argument used for outboard v's inboard before - in reality your boat is unllikely to be particularly secure anyway - so they'll just nick the whole boat if they can't take the engines.

The weight of the engine is likely to further restrict your choices (for total weight) if you go inboard diesel. The main downside, other than upfront cost, will be the loss of deck space - that may or may not matter depending on how many people you want to accomodate.

* technically it was never duty free - but the duty or red diesel of marine leisure use used to be insignificant. The amount of duty now paid will depend on how much is used for propulsion v's heating/cooking etc. On a 6m boat it is very unlikely you'll convinvce HMRC that you are doing that - so will be paying "road" prices.

[sarahscottiedog]

Agree, definately can't go far wrong with a Ribcraft, The only thing you havent said is where and what you intend to use it for........... Can make quaite a differnce.

[Anchorhandler]

Hi Flotsam

Just curious, how much/offen do you intend to use your rib? and in what geographical area?

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by sarahscottiedog

Agree, definately can't go far wrong with a Ribcraft, The only thing you havent said is where and what you intend to use it for........... Can make quaite a differnce.

Budget and new / second hand would also be relevant!

Whilst there is certainly nothing wrong with Ribcraft, there are plenty of other brands which are worthy of consideration and its probably a bit quick to be telling the guy he should be looking at just one specific boat

[Flotsam]

Thanks for the replies so far, with regards to my intended use, i would like to have skiing weekends with the boys, Fishing trips in coastal waters. Also I envisage holidays with the motorhome where the boat will be the transport (as I cant' tow the car too) for this the boat needs to be safe and dry to attract my wife. Destinations such as the Italian lakes, as well the European coastlines in addition to the UK possibilities. I would like to think that the Cumbrian coastline along with the South West Scotland coast linking with Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man will be manageable, conditions permitting of course.

What I really need is a boat that can be as versatile as possible whilst being easy to live with and manageable out of the water as well as in it.

Cheers

[Anchorhandler]

If your not intending to go out in the 'rough' stuff them i'm sure plenty of manufacturers will meet your requirements. Having owned many a conventional boat but only three ribs from three different manufacturers, i would not want to comment on a specific make. Im sure other people on this forum will give you good advice. One thing i will say though, is not to dismiss four stroke outboards, especially if you want ease of ownership. My last rib had a 90hp 4S Mariner fitted and it was almost a case of 'fit and forget'. Reliable and ran on vapour.

Very recently, i nearly purchased a diesel inboard rib but was disapointed with the encroachment into the deck space of the engine housing.

Also as Polwart said, nowadays, thieves just take the whole boat; thats not to say that outboards do not get stolen but the days of the chainsaw through the transom seem a distant memory!

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Erm, outboards arguably are getting stolen more again, specifically the large outboard 4 strokes for adventure ride boats abroad!! Chainsaws through transoms aren't needed as they use the weight of the engine to snap the locking bolts!!

[Flotsam]

Interesting stuff. RIBs of the size that I am considering are obviously designed for one engine. I am sure modern four strokes are highly dependable, but I have been in a single engined boat with engine failure an it is a really nasty place to be. Do RIBs of this size have the capacity to mount an auxilliary even if you can find a place to store one? How do people mangae this issue?

Cheers