Help - 7.3 or 6.0 metre RIB??

[JimmySA]

Hi Guys,

Our club is trying to decide between a Gemini 600 and 730.

Frustrating thing is that our dealer has a 730 at the old pricing, so we can get them for basically the same price.

600 is 2.54 beam, 730 is 2.7 beam.

Naturally the 730 will be better in the water, but as a club with multiple towers etc, we are just worried it is simply too big.

estimates is 12 pax on 600 14 on 730.

Tow weight is 350kg more.

Anyone had first hand experience on similar sized RIBS?

The 600 is still an awesome hull and will no doubt handle seas much better than the 5.5m ally it is replacing.

Our other boat is a 5.5m Gemini, so either way we will have one medium and one large RIB.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by JimmySA

Hi Guys,

Our club is trying to decide between a Gemini 600 and 730.

Frustrating thing is that our dealer has a 730 at the old pricing, so we can get them for basically the same price.

600 is 2.54 beam, 730 is 2.7 beam.

Naturally the 730 will be better in the water, but as a club with multiple towers etc, we are just worried it is simply too big.

estimates is 12 pax on 600 14 on 730.

Tow weight is 350kg more.

Anyone had first hand experience on similar sized RIBS?

The 600 is still an awesome hull and will no doubt handle seas much better than the 5.5m ally it is replacing.

Our other boat is a 5.5m Gemini, so either way we will have one medium and one large RIB.

Towing a 7 meter is not that much more than a 6 meter. Main thing is the trailer, get that set up right and it will tow well. The 7 meter might push the towing limit on the vehicles for insurance purposes so you might want to check this (so might the 6 meter BTW)

For diving I would always have thought space is worth its weight in gold for getting kit and people on board.

[wavelength]

When lottery funding was available I spoke with a number of guys who's dive clubs had bought big ribs with all that money, and then regretted it cos nobody would tow it, well at least not a second time.

[JimmySA]

Thanks Chris and Dave for the feedback.

Both boats will be under the 2000kg for insurance etc, definitely something we have been looking into. We have enough members who could tow the bigger boat and our uni has a hire 4wd if we ever get really stuck.

I guess I am trying to better understand is the extra sea handling of the 7.3 (and deck sapce) really worth the extra effort to launch, handle, retrieve etc?

Is a 7.3m (2.7m beam) RIB with really going to handle that much better in the sea than a 6.0m (2.54m beam)?

James

[Lee argyle]

I ran a 6.6 up until july this year then upgraded to a 8m - I’d never go back!
A joy on the water, loads of room, safe and I still launch / recover with two semi-competent adults!

[JimmySA]

Thanks for all the help guys. We went for the 7.3 - pumped!!!