Need help choosing a new rib/engine

[Craig H]

Can anyone offer me any help or advice in choosing a new rib/engine?

I currently own a Narwhal 450 with a mercury 50 4-stroke which has served me well for my first couple years ribbing but now i want something that can handle rougher water.

I'm limited to a maximum of 5 meters because of the size of my garage, so i'm looking for the best boat i can find for sea handling under 5 meters.

I've had a look at the menai sr480, does anyone own one of these? or know much about them? They appear to be well made with a fairly deep v hull, 50cm tubes, quite a wide beem and reasonably priced. Thinking of sticking a mercury 60efi 4-stroke on the back.

thanks in advance,

[Markyboyo]

Hows about a 4.8 ribcraft or Humber destroyer/oceanpro?
All pretty much up there in terms of seakeeping.......

[yoyo]

Hi Craig, I own the Menai 480SR. I have found it to be a very good all round little RIB. Like you I wanted it to fit in a regular garage and it does just! Tim and Jason at Menai marine are top blokes and very helpful, their after sales is also very good. During the build of my RIB they made me feel welcome to drop in and watch it being made at any time. They also allow owners of their boats to use the slip situated on their premises giving direct acess to the Menai straits.

Having been in both setups. I would go for the lighter 2 stroke engine, as the ballance and handling is defo better.

[Jon Brooks]

My vote would go to Ribcraft with a Suzuli engine hanging on the back.

Good luck

[Cypman]

The Ribcraft/Suzuki combination is a very good option. Another choice to consider is a Humber 5m Ocean Pro, or even the 5.2m one if you can squeeze it into the garage. I consider the Ocean Pro hull (at 5m length) to be equal in seakeeping performance to many longer hulls. In addition, Humber have some 30% off deals available on their website at the moment.
Regarding the engine options, I am a Suzuki 4-stroke fan and would suggest their DF70. At circa 162kg it is quite heavy,and will need careful positioning of the console (Way forward!!!!) to ensure a good balance. Other ideas on engine options are Tohatsu 70 TDLI (143kg) good value: Selva 80 2-stroke (still available?) (109kg), Light and inexpensive: Evinrude E tec 75hp (138kg), great engine and not too heavy: This list is not exhaustive, just some mixed views of mine, the choice is yours and good luck.

[Tim M]

Ribcraft 4.8 is a fantastic little boat

[Craig H]

Thanks guys, some good ideas to chew on!

A few decisions allready;

Ribcraft overpriced,

Suzuki DF, very good engines but to heavy for a boat this small,

Re-measured the garage, 4.9m max, cant squeeze in a 5.0m (unless i knock a hole through to the kitchen for the trailer hitch, but i think the missus might object to that!)

Mercury 60hp EFI at only 120kg seems pretty good.

So now its between the humber 4.7 and menai 4.8.

Yoyo: Glad to hear about the aftersales, i met tim yesterday, he seemed like one of the good guys! Are you happy with yours in rough water? and what kind of speed and fuel consumption do you get out of it with the 70hp?

thanks!

[Andy JC]

Originally Posted by Craig H

Re-measured the garage, 4.9m max, cant squeeze in a 5.0m (unless i knock a hole through to the kitchen for the trailer hitch, but i think the missus might object to that!)

Might be a bit of a pain in the arse but can you not remove the hitch when not in use? - my trailer only has 2 large bolts securing it on

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by Andyboy

Might be a bit of a pain in the arse but can you not remove the hitch when not in use? - my trailer only has 2 large bolts securing it on

you can get special hitches which swing... like this:


...I understand why people spec their boat on garage size, I did, but I think it is probably a mistake. Keeping the boat somewhere else is not that expensive, leaves your garage for storing all your other junk and lets you pick a boat that suits your needs rather than the suits a garage. I have now moved and have no garage and use the boat more than I did before!

[yoyo]

Originally Posted by Craig H

Yoyo: Glad to hear about the aftersales, i met tim yesterday, he seemed like one of the good guys! Are you happy with yours in rough water? and what kind of speed and fuel consumption do you get out of it with the 70hp?

thanks!

According to the GPS it makes 43MPH! flat out with a helping tide. It uses about 25lt of fuel for a good afternoon of messing about on the water. I carry two 25lts tanks but have never managed to use both in a full days ribing. The roughtest water that i have been in was over the new year with Jono Garton and co out of "Port mad dog" between the island and mainland of Abersoch. I had to slow down alot due to loss of bottle Generally the boat fairs very well for a smaller rib, rember it fits in the gararge, so its a compromise. All in all i am very happy with the boat and would recomend to anybody. your welcome to have a ride over the Easter period... You can also call over to W,ton to check my rib out if you want to.