Narwhal Neo Sport - WB 550

[AVRibber]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?