looking for 1st boat

Prattyboy · 30 March 2009, 14:19

Hi. We're lookign for our first rib boat and would welcome your expert views before we buy. We want to do some water skiing / wake boarding / fishing and be able to explore the South Devon coastline and check our crab pots without having to canoe miles to get their! I guess the most adventurous thing we will do is cruise round to Salcombe from Brixham once in a while.

I was thinking about a 5.75 - 6.0m rib with circa 100-125 hp 4 stroke engine. Any thoughts on size / power ratio and good makes to look out for? Plus what sort of electronics I need to kit it out with? Budget under £20k. (Yes we have registered to to RYA up to level 2 atm).

Basically any advice would be gratefully received from forum members - we don't want to rush out and regret a purchase later!

Thanks a million.

Prattyboy.

JSP · 30 March 2009, 14:40

Welcome to RIBnet,
you'll find a wealth of good advice here as I did and still do.
Have you checked out the RIBs fir sale section?
After a quick look I thought this one maybe worth a look? http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=26116

Prattyboy · 30 March 2009, 14:59

Thanks I'll check the section out.

chewy · 30 March 2009, 15:10

I was going to suggest Humber, decent but basic boat from what I've seen.
You'll be able to get a decent used boat for alot less than £20000.
How many people are you wanting to take and what age range and what gear?

Prattyboy · 30 March 2009, 16:43

We got 2 adults and 2 kids plus usual friends now and again. Was looking at the rib-x 575..saw one for sale with 115hp yama for £15995...2004. Do u think this is too small for offshore cruising? I don't see many ribs for sale with dual outboards...any reason why not?

JSP · 30 March 2009, 16:47

I can imagine it's expense, you hardly ever see high powered twin 4 stroke craft on the second hand market.
A Rib-x 575 with `115 yam would be very nice.

Tim M · 30 March 2009, 22:49

I'd recommend this: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/TWR169

Downhilldai · 30 March 2009, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

I'd recommend this: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/TWR169

This VM 5.8 is incredibly good value:
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F203267

Prattyboy · 31 March 2009, 08:26

thanks for all the replies peeps...really helpful!

chewy · 31 March 2009, 09:20

As regards going offshore it all depends on the weather... I wouldn't recommend it with kids (depends on age though). You and your better half might enjoy going out when its rough though?

You could get a cracking Pacific 22 for less than £20000!

Rogue Wave · 03 April 2009, 17:59

I think THe ribcraft is a cracking boat, Rib X construction is dubious (here we go) made in SA by a company called Falcon and i Think it's very pricey.

Other good makes would be Solent, Osprey, Ribtec all make good boats in this size. But If I was you I'd leave 1O k in the bank and buy a cracking 5.4 Searider with a good trailer and put a new etec 75 or 90 on it You'd get most of your money back in a few years if you wanted to sell it and the reliabilty of a good new engine plus the best rugged sea boat in it's class

Mollers · 03 April 2009, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

This VM 5.8 is incredibly good value:
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F203267

Seriously, buy this boat. You wont go wrong with it, it's as good as you'll get at a very, very good price. You'll faff about for months and find no better.

Pete7 · 03 April 2009, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Seriously, buy this boat. You wont go wrong with it, it's as good as you'll get at a very, very good price. You'll faff about for months and find no better.

The one make of boat I would want to be in when it turns really rough, and the one I really regret selling. You are going to have to trust us here but this is the one to buy. Easy to tow and will happily cross the channel with the family on board. Keep the rest of the budget in the bank and enjoy some great trips.

Pete

Hightower · 03 April 2009, 21:13

As stated above, the RIBcraft is OK and the Osprey is even better.

You might just want to buy package and go! But have you considered home build?

You could easily buy a new Osprey Vipermax hull at around the 6-6.5m size and get a good quality secondhand/ex demo outboard of around 150hp, new trailer and learn about how the RIB is built and get it to your exact specs for less than £20k.

It's a fair bit of work, but many find it very rewarding.

I think you really need to find some RIBnet members around your area and see if they will let you crew for them. I'm down at Brixham at the end of May for a week, if the other half allows me to bring my RIB over by Sea, I'll take you for a spin. If you're ever in the Solent area then post up and let us know.

Downhilldai · 04 April 2009, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

You could easily buy a new Osprey Vipermax hull at around the 6-6.5m size and get a good quality secondhand/ex demo outboard of around 150hp, new trailer and learn about how the RIB is built and get it to your exact specs for less than £20k.

Personally, I wouldn't bother when there's one ready to go for £12900. Just buy it, before someone else does. It'll be worth that much for years.

JSP · 04 April 2009, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Personally, I wouldn't bother when there's one ready to go for £12900. Just buy it, before someone else does. It'll be worth that much for years.

If I had £12900 I know I'd be going to pick that up this weekend. It looks the part and from owners testimonies that I've read, acts the part too.

Anyone want to buy some kids?

Daniel · 04 April 2009, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

The one make of boat I would want to be in when it turns really rough, and the one I really regret selling. You are going to have to trust us here but this is the one to buy. Easy to tow and will happily cross the channel with the family on board. Keep the rest of the budget in the bank and enjoy some great trips.

Pete

Ditto.

Buy this boat.

From another ex-esprey owner who agrees with all of pete's comments re: seakeeping and regret of selling!! My 6m osprey safely covered thousands of miles including the sillies and solo to the channel islands and france. i had a 150 opti and it was quick, reliable, and economical (ish).

Hightower · 04 April 2009, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Personally, I wouldn't bother when there's one ready to go for £12900. Just buy it, before someone else does. It'll be worth that much for years.

Yes, I would be tempted too at that price and if it fits your needs then go for it! However was just indicating that for another £5/7k or so you could have a brand new hull, tubes and configuration/colour of your choice, new trailer and electrical gadgets and learn how it all goes together. A pretty small price for getting something you really want and possibly better than upgrading a year or two later like so many do.

Go for the biggest RIB you can and make sure it fits your needs for years to come. In the long run it could be the cheapest option!

1978SeaRider · 07 April 2009, 11:14

I've just read this thread with a massive smile on my face...... safe in the knowledge that 'this boat' is sat outside my caravan in wales... and i have 6 days off on wednesday to enjoy it again !

Whilst I'm glad he didn't take your advice.... All your comments confirm that I did the right thing buying it !!!!!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/robu4/DSCF1708.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/robu4/DSCF1713.jpg

Mollers · 07 April 2009, 12:12

We couldn't have made it any clearer.

We'll done for buying, you deserve the smile.