Narwhal Neo Sport - WB 550

AVRibber · 14 April 2010, 18:56

Hello,

Ik want to ask some information. I am planning to buy me a new rib, and I like the ribs of narwhal, because they are good looking and have a nice V shaped hull I think...

I am interested in the Neo Sport 550, witch is completely installed in the factory, with console and leaning post, so this have a double bottem, but I think with the dobble bottems, you have a lot of loose of space in the back. The WB 550 is an empty boat, and if I would take that boat I would instal a stearing console with jockey seat. (Any recommandations? )

Is their anyone who can give me some advice for making a choise for with type of boat is best for some trips over sea , and when you want to play in/ with the waves

Is anyone familiar with the Quallity of Narwhal ? is the hull powefull... ? the tubes... ( I know it is not hypalon )

If you have an advice about another type of boat it is also welcome.
For the moment I have a Avon 450 but my opinion is that this type of boat is not a recommended one for seas.

Any advice is very welcome

Thanks already

Pablo · 14 April 2010, 19:50

I personally don't rate Narwhals at all. There are lots of them here in France. I agree that the hull design isn't bad but the boats perform very badly. The only thing I can put that down to is build quality. Compared to most UK ribs i've driven they are not good. Look at the hull length on a Narwhal 550. It will be shorter than say a Humber 530 for a start.

AVRibber · 15 April 2010, 08:40

So the quallity of a Narwhal is not good?
I've heard the hull is completely full, wich means he is unsinkable, even without air in the tubes.

ribdraft · 15 April 2010, 09:39

i've an old narwhal 580 and its not great ,tubes leak everywhere and over all build quailty is poor, we have a 4.8 ribcraft which is around same year and meter smaller and its far better sea boat, still looks great, tubes perfect and could sell it in the morning for good money if it was for sale. i can't give the narwhal away [been tryin to sell it for 2 years]. i don't know what new hulls are like but even if they are great the narwhal name is going to make it hard to sell again

Pablo · 15 April 2010, 10:17

All ribs will float with the tubes down. Narwhal filled the hull with foam so that in some European countries like France the boat is rated as being unsinkable, thus removing the need for a liferaft. It's more marketing than anything. Did you receive my PM?

AVRibber · 15 April 2010, 11:03

Okay , then I am convinced about Narwhal's quallity.

So perhaps I would better look out for something more like a Ribcraft or Humber.
Is anyone familiar with Tornado?

Pablo · 15 April 2010, 11:12

Ribcraft, and XS-Ribs are both exceptional. Humber are very good but it would appear they are cutting costs a bit and build quality is bound to suffer. Nobody seems to have any information on Tornado since they've started making them in China.

What do you want to use your rib for?

AVRibber · 15 April 2010, 11:30

It is specially for playing in the waves, and making some trips over sea. I want a sporty rib, not just a bench, something special.

For the moment I have an avon, a 450 with jockey seat and stearing console, but this is a very bad type for the sea I think.... ?

Pablo · 15 April 2010, 11:34

A Solent 540 might interest you then.

Have a look here: http://www.solentribs.com/

But don't forget the Sea-Ways in France. They are going to be ideal for what you want to do

AVRibber · 15 April 2010, 11:37

What is the beam external beam of a Sea-Way ? Because it may only be 2m - 2m28 max, because when we are on holiday have a long trip to go with the car, and the more beam, the more difficult and unplesant for on the road.

So the tornado ribs are made in China?

Pablo · 15 April 2010, 17:00

The Sea-Way will be 2.3m wide.

Yes, Tornados have been made in China for a few years now.

Ian M · 15 April 2010, 17:20

Others to consider that spring to mind and have a good reputation for sea-worthiness are are Osprey, Coastline and Ribquest (to name a few).
You need to decide what you want in a boat, and what you don't want, put the specification together and then e-mail round the various manufacturers to get like for like quotes. You will then get prices that you can compare.
As a starter, do you know whether you want a 2 stroke or four stroke engine?

AVRibber · 15 April 2010, 18:51

And what do you think about a Zodiac Pro 550, open and installing in their a jckey seat and steering console.

I have already a 4 stroke engine

Pablo · 15 April 2010, 19:19

A 5.3 Humber Assault would blow away a Pro Open 550 every day. I know, i've tested and proved it many a time and yet the Assault is not reputed to be a good hull by Humbers standards.