Need advice please

[JSP]

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]

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]

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

[Nos4r2]

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]

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

[JSP]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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