Is this worth it?

[j.i.wilson]

I am a fairly experienced boater but am new to this forum and "ribbing". Be gentle (0:

I have been offered the RIB in the photograph for £2,500. Details are:-

RIB is of unknown manufacturer, the boat does appear well built (ie solid). It was built locally (Lymington) on a commercial hull. It has been retubed at some time in the past. Nevertheless it is leaking from the starboard stern tube, the other 3 tubes appear OK. Leaking tube looses pressure overnight.

Engine is a Honda 50HP 4 stroke. It has a full service history and low hours. The top bracket, which carries the steering arm, is badly rusted and pitted. Looking at other Hondas this appears to be a common problem with these engines. I am assuming this is easily sorted, remove, repaint or replace.

Also included is a Yamaha 5hp auxiliary, DSC VHF, and a GPS plotter (not sure of make - not seen them yet).

Trailer is a Brenderup unbraked in good order.

Everything is about 10 years old. Has been stored for past 4 years under cover. During its life it will have been lightly used. Seller is first and sole owner and is a friend who I trust so no worries there. This is good, but it also means that once the deal is done there will be no redress.

Looking at adverts elsewhere this looks very good value for money, do you, with more experience than me, agree?

Thanks in anticipation

Ian Wilson

[Pikey Dave]

pictures of the hull from bow & stern would be useful to get an idea of the "V". Gut reaction says it's a good £2.5ks worth to get you on the water. Make sure you have a sea trial, you need to give the engine a good workout before parting with your cash.

[spartacus]

Welcome to the forum!

After a quick glance at the pictures, it looks like a shallow v hull although more pictures would help. The sponson cone ends extend quite a bit back, which is unusual and will make getting on the plane harder I'd have thought - depending on how many people are on board. There's plenty seating with the three jockeys, and is that a bench seat at the very back? The Honda 50hp is probably a little underpowered for the length of the rib, but will be adequate. I'd check out the sacrificial zinc anodes (regards corrosion) on it to see if they're still there?

What kind of things do you want to do with the boat, specific use, number of people on board, area you'll be launch from, etc.

[j.i.wilson]

Thanks for the quick (like lightening!!) responses.

More pictures to follow when I get them.

I want to use mainly for fishing/run about. Main launch will be Lymington into the Solent. Pottering across to IoW and Newtown Creek etc. A mate has a dory with a 40 on so we intend to make a little flotilla and mess around. I suppose, in short, I just want to get on the water again.

Skiing and doughnuts are not intended but maybe later. Will be happy if it does 20 knots with 2 up.

I did have thoughts of putting a second 50 to match the existing one. Thought I may be able to get one for about £2k - am I dreaming? I have installed second engine before so am aware of the pitfalls (or some of them!).

Interesting to see you initial thoughts. When I first heard his price I thought Bl^%dy He!! that's a bargain, perhaps not as a big a bargain as I first thought?

[spartacus]

Used Honda 50hp here - but take advice before going for twin set up!
Outboard Engines - Ardoran Marine

[Boats&Outboards]

Seriously ? That's a no brainier... The motors almost worth that on its own.

My advice, if it passes all your quality checks, sea trial etc Snap it up- if you don't then let me know where it is!!!!!!

Peter

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Seriously ? That's a no brainier... The motors almost worth that on its own.

My advice, if it passes all your quality checks, sea trial etc Snap it up- if you don't then let me know where it is!!!!!!

Peter

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

Cant Beat 'Trade advice' like that! I agree with the Rest of the Guy's too Looks Great Value..even befor you Chip him!

[biffer]

If you don't want it ill have it

[ribraff]

Are they Gemini Tubes?

[j.i.wilson]

How do I tell if they are "gemini" tubes

More pictures attached.

[willk]

Originally Posted by j.i.wilson

How do I tell if they are "gemini" tubes

At least one of them will be deflated

[ribraff]

Stitching on the edges of the strake and fitted with inner tubes, the bow section will might have a Zip on it!

[j.i.wilson]

Looks like they're Gemini then!

My conclusion from the replies is that this decision is a "no Brainer"

Helps to have these views, thank you.

[Tim M]

Those are definitely Gemini tubes (which probably doesn't mean anything to you, but if you search on here you'll find much information on them - they are shocking quality (I bought a RIB with them once and it was a prime example of s**t they are), so on that basis assume it needs a retube. (The photo even shows one side deflated so they probably don't even hold air!). The £2500 is therefore for the engine, a trailer and a bare hull. It'll probably cost you around £3k to get retubed, so think some more before purchasing. You might be lucky and get a bit of use out of it before the tubes fail, but it's a case of when rather than if. As has been said, they are outting skins with inflatable inners. The outer bits seemed to be made in a very similar way to bouncy castles. I'm normally very optimistic when it comes to the state of boats (I buy and sell them on a daily basis) but this really is one I would steer clear of, especially if it's your first and you don't really know what you're looking at.

If you've got £2500 to spend I should keep your eye on the market and buy elsewhere - there are plenty of bargains out there at the moment. Having said all of that, you could buy this, keep your eye out for a cheap hull with decent tubes (something like a Searider, Ribcraft 4.8, Humber etc) and swap everything over and ditch the original hull.

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Those are definitely Gemini tubes (which probably doesn't mean anything to you, but if you search on here you'll find much information on them - they are shocking quality (I bought a RIB with them once and it was a prime example of s**t they are), so on that basis assume it needs a retube. (The photo even shows one side deflated so they probably don't even hold air!). The £2500 is therefore for the engine, a trailer and a bare hull. It'll probably cost you around £3k to get retubed, so think some more before purchasing. You might be lucky and get a bit of use out of it before the tubes fail, but it's a case of when rather than if. As has been said, they are outting skins with inflatable inners. The outer bits seemed to be made in a very similar way to bouncy castles. I'm normally very optimistic when it comes to the state of boats (I buy and sell them on a daily basis) but this really is one I would steer clear of, especially if it's your first and you don't really know what you're looking at.

If you've got £2500 to spend I should keep your eye on the market and buy elsewhere - there are plenty of bargain out there at the moment.

As I said, assuming it passes quality checks on inspection. If the Tubes are shot walk, if they have life talk - Im Looking at it as boat worth £900, Trailer worth £600 and motor £2,000, so anything around £2,500 is a good price in my book

Didn't realise you were in the trade Tim, what's your company called ? Always worth knowing another contact in this trade

I

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

As I said, assuming it passes quality checks on inspection. If the Tubes are shot walk, if they have life talk - Im Looking at it as boat worth £900, Trailer worth £600 and motor £2,000, so anything around £2,500 is a good price in my book

Didn't realise you were in the trade Tim, what's your company called ? Always worth knowing another contact in this trade

I

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ BoatsandOutboards4Sale | Hand-picked boats & motors, fully tested, delivered nationwide. ~ 07930 421007

PM sent. I don't trade on here as too tight to cough up for trade membership

[ribraff]

I'd take a bet on it being a Tornado 5.1 or 5.3, shallow V hull so should go alright with 50hp just not so good in a big sea.

[paul tilley]

Copy of ring hull gemini tubes

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by biffer

If you don't want it ill have it

Now..... THAAAT!!.. IS the ULTIMATE ENDORSEMENT!!

[ribraff]

Originally Posted by paul tilley

Copy of ring hull gemini tubes

Second that.... Didn't notice the other pictures at first.

Probably built by Jim Robinson