Need advice please

JSP · 08 September 2008, 10:32

Hi,
I'm another person new to RIBs. And I'm yet to buy a boat. I'm experienced with sail at sea plus sometimes Joky a princess 38 motor yacht. But as for RIBs I haven't got a clue.

I'm after something cheap from 3-5M. I'm all over ebay and Boats and Outboards but I can't decide what I want.
Those little flatacraft force 3's look like fun but maybe too small. I have seen an 5M ex RNLI RIB with double skinned Hull, single joky seat, 70HP 2 stroke mercury and the tubes have a black cover over the tubes. Trailer is knackered though. He wants £2500, that sound about right? He says engine and boat are both in perfect working order.

Any suggestions on type of boat would be great. I will spend up to £2500 and I already have all the safety gear.

Cheers,
John

P.S. Anyone know some good slipways around the Southport, Preston and fylde coast areas?

tinker · 08 September 2008, 11:57

IMHO An avon searider, 4 meter one would be ideal, best RIB for that type of money. Once you go over 3 m you must trailer it, so may as well go to 4m, which should fit in an average garage and can be towed easily with most cars.
The engine and trailer are very important and deserve more attention than the actual RIB
Ps Try an EBay search for searider, Avon....

JSP · 08 September 2008, 12:17

Thanks Tinker, I'll do that.
I'm towing with a VW transporter.

Nos4r2 · 08 September 2008, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Thanks Tinker, I'll do that.
I'm towing with a VW transporter.

New type or a camper van? Sounds like an odd question, but some do tow small boats with them.

JSP · 08 September 2008, 12:34

No it's a people carrier version of the transporter van
http://www.tollgatehire.co.uk/vehicl...er-shuttle.jpg

JSP · 08 September 2008, 12:39

The seariders look good. My only sticking point is I am thinking "only thinking" of taking my photography business into photographing peoples boats on the water. (I have done a few of these and found people love them. After all they never get to see themselves sailing there own boats.) And the room on the searider seems restricting. I think I maybe better off with a single joky seat in the middle that I can get around with a giroscope fitted.

Nos4r2 · 08 September 2008, 12:55

I think realistically you need to do some sea trials before buying anything.

If you were after a Searider and it absolutely has to be under 5m, it'd be worth hunting for a 4.7 rather than a 4 if you need more room than the 4m can provide.

JSP · 08 September 2008, 13:01

Easier said really.
I think I could get away with the 4M if I fitted a centre console. Or do you think I would still struggle.
Most of all this would be for family fun (Excuse used for wife, kids hate going out on the water and so does she. But I've talked her round

)
It would also be dragged behind the Princess and taken further out to sea.

Nos4r2 · 08 September 2008, 13:17

How much room do you need?
The sr4 dimensions are here:-

http://www.avon-workboats.com/page/sr4m

and for the 4.7 here:-

http://www.avon-workboats.com/page/sr47m

tinker · 08 September 2008, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

If you were after a Searider and it absolutely has to be under 5m, it'd be worth hunting for a 4.7 rather than a 4 if you need more room than the 4m can provide.

Or a Ribcraft 4.8

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tab%3DWatching

Nos4r2 · 08 September 2008, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinker

Or a Ribcraft 4.8

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tab%3DWatching

Yeah that'd do the job!

Quite impressed with the amount of room on those.

JSP · 08 September 2008, 15:05

Thanks for the links

I'll have a good look at them. I don't need much room at all really. Only so I can move around the boat. Trying to get over the bench seats would be a pain.

And I have that Ribcraft on my watch list. But it's over 3 and half now and the reserves not met. So that's out for me...Bugger!

Looks the Mutts Nutts as well.

Nos4r2 · 08 September 2008, 15:17

To be honest if you're looking at 3.5k max then the best (and maybe only) option will be a 4m Searider. You'll quickly become addicted to one though

JSP · 08 September 2008, 15:27

I take it they are good fun then?

What are they like in bigger seas though?

Thanks for your help both of you. It's always good to get advice off people who know. Cheers.

Just spotted this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=230288483147 What do you think?

Nos4r2 · 08 September 2008, 15:48

Depends how wet you mind getting. I did things in my sr4 that people wouldn't do in 6m boats-but I may need corrective therapy for doing so

The boat will take far more than you can and it IS only a 4m boat,but a very very tough one. Try one before you buy-any decent seller won't mind that if you pay the fuel.

That ebay ad doesn't look ex RNLI to me. Engine might be, but the hull is very shallow V so it'll go like stink but slam a lot. It's not immediately recognisable as to brand but I'd leave it anyway-PX,bad wheelbearings and an unspecified 'needs work' on an ebay ad spells trouble.

Thinking about it, it may be a retubed Flatacraft Force 5 or possibly a Humber?

JSP · 08 September 2008, 16:01

Ah right, thanks mate.
I have seen one like this advertised somewhere else. Think it was boats and outboards.

Ian Sharlot · 08 September 2008, 16:55

This one is cheap and cheerful, e-bay Item number: 280264610252

JSP · 08 September 2008, 17:03

Thanks Ian,
I bet it goes for allot mroe than that.

Would a 25HP be a bit crapy on a 4M Searider? http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F186982 The only thing catching my eye is it being 4 stroke.

There's this one as well with a 50HP but 2stroke.
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F186571

I'm getting a bad head!

Nos4r2 · 08 September 2008, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Sharlot

This one is cheap and cheerful, e-bay Item number: 280264610252

I think that one might belong to SamT on here? It's worth asking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Would a 25HP be a bit crapy on a 4M Searider? http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F186982 The only thing catching my eye is it being 4 stroke.

There's this one as well with a 50HP but 2stroke.
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F186571

I'm getting a bad head!

The last one you linked to is a 5.4 with a 75hp...

Good boat and price too!

I wouldn't entertain 25hp on one. They are an animal with 40 or 50, but I suspect wouldn't handle rough weather too well with 25hp as it'd take a long time to empty the flooding hull.

Ian Sharlot · 08 September 2008, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Thanks Ian,
I bet it goes for allot mroe than that.

Would a 25HP be a bit crapy on a 4M Searider? http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F186982 The only thing catching my eye is it being 4 stroke.

There's this one as well with a 50HP but 2stroke.
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F186571

I'm getting a bad head!

It's sure to make more than £500 but my guess is you will get it for £3500 and have plenty left to send the wife shopping. The console makes it look sh*t so wouldn't be the finest looking rib

Here is another but the searider would be a better boat! Item number: 320296665938

Your second one on B&O is well worth a look.