Jockey vs Double width console on a 6.8m

[Simon B]

Our club is buying a new boat, we are currenly deep in discussion over whether the merits of having a wider console out strip those of the a jockey console. The main stumbling block is cost, the boat in question would be a Ribcraft 6.8

It will also have a dual battery system I believe housed in whichever console.
Our previous boat had a small console and this did present some limitations.

Feedback please esteemed fora members.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

on our humber 6.3 we went for double console which gives much more protection from the elements and also a bench seat in front. It then houses two 70 litre tanks and two batteries on a shelf above. It two jockeys for driver and passenger, great for when it's choppy. We then put a bench behind for calmer, family cruising days and for masses of storage. horses for courses and all that.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Simon B

Our club is buying a new boat, we are currenly deep in discussion over whether the merits of having a wider console out strip those of the a jockey console. The main stumbling block is cost, the boat in question would be a Ribcraft 6.8

If I was spending over £20k for a new 6.8m RIB, the couple of hundred between a Jockey or Console wouldn't really factor.

It's got to be a double console! Your club won't regret it, I'm sure of that! All that protection, space for instruments, batteries and gear, the fact you can stand next to someone whilst out cruising without having to look over your shoulder every 5 seconds.

And when you come to resale, I doubt that many would want a large RIB with a Jockey console and would be much more difficult to sell on because.

[Simon B]

Cheers Chaps,

There must be more opinion out there surely? I must confess I'm with the larger console school.

[BruceB]

Dive RIBs generally have a jockey console to maximise the deck space on the boat for kit and kitting up. I am not sure I can remember ever seeing one with a double console before.
I have a double console on mine with two jockeys and use it for diving as well as cruising but I suspect if it was just for diving I would have put a jockey on instead.
It does allow plenty of kit to be mounted though and leaves the remainder of the deck space left completely clear.

[Chris]

For A dive club I would have thought a side by side would be a right PITA it does make it more diffucult to get around the boat especially from front to back

[willk]

My console is side by side and I'm a big fan of them AND I'm a diver, dropping the odd stick or two off the rib. But for a Dive rib, belonging to a dive club - jockey is the way to go. Get clever with the electronics. IF you don't plan to store dive gear or deploy/seat divers forward of the console then it's fairly unimportant which you choose.... but if you go Jockey - your Cox'n WILL look like they're on a kid's rocking horse

[Hightower]

But if a double console is as close to the bow as possible, why would you want to get up the front end, except throw the anchor? There would be acres of space behind the seats for gear etc.