New 5m Rib

andy d · 11 January 2007, 20:08

I am fairly new to RibNet and I am seeking some advice about a new rib.

I am looking to buy a new rib of about 5m some time this year. I have looked at a various manufacturers and would welcome any suggestions or recommendations in this area as I do not have experience of many other boat builders.

I am planning to buy the boat as a bare hull and tubes and fit the consoles, engine, electrics and rigging myself to save money. I am currently in the process of building the consoles for the boat myself, also in the pursuit of saving money, these consist of a two man jockey seat twinned with a relatively small console. Any advice about the fitting out of the boat and engine etc. would be invaluable.

I would like to fit the boat with a fuel injected two stroke in the pursuit of performance and minimising weight without compromising too much on fuel economy as I plan to use the boat quite a lot, I would appreciate your views on these engines, I am looking in the range of 60 - 90hp.

The boat will be based in Aberdovey, North Wales and use for some cruising and a lot of wakeboarding and some rough weather expeditions as the estuary and surrounding waters can get very rough without prior warning, so the boat needs to be able to handle a good chop.

I want to save as much money as possible but do not want to do anything to compromise the quality or safety of the boat.

Thanks

Andy

Downhilldai · 11 January 2007, 21:35

Ribcraft 5.3 is a nice boat. They go really well with a 90. The Evinrude e-tec 90 would suit very nicely. Ribcraft would supply a bare boat, for you to fit out, if that's what you fancy doing, but the additional cost of a jockey console and steering is not too much more.
Whatever you get, consider an inbuilt fuel tank - below deck, or inside the console, as this will save you a lot of deck space.
What sort of budget are you working to?

Jono Garton · 11 January 2007, 21:45

Andy

Your not to far away, if you want to pop over sometime and try a Humber or just have a chat your more than welcome.

Jono

yoyo · 11 January 2007, 21:51

Try Tim & Jason at Menai Marine. http://www.menaimarine.biz/

They offer substantial hand laid hulls, and your always welcome to view the build of your rib. They are always very helpful, friendly and professional.

Bare boat or full packages available with a great choice of custom consoles at very reasonable prices. They are located in Caernarfon NW. I recently purchased a 4.85m and I am very impressed with it. They also make a 5.5. etc...

andy d · 11 January 2007, 22:14

Thanks very much guys for all your advice, I didn't expect such quick responses.

Jono, I am coming down on the last weekend in January to do a powerboat course with you so I will be able to have a look then.

Thanks

Andy

Jono Garton · 11 January 2007, 22:29

Hi Andy

Just clicked who you are.

Jono

andy d · 12 January 2007, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Ribcraft 5.3 is a nice boat. They go really well with a 90. The Evinrude e-tec 90 would suit very nicely. Ribcraft would supply a bare boat, for you to fit out, if that's what you fancy doing, but the additional cost of a jockey console and steering is not too much more.
Whatever you get, consider an inbuilt fuel tank - below deck, or inside the console, as this will save you a lot of deck space.
What sort of budget are you working to?

Hi Downhilldai

I've had a look at some of the Ribcrafts and they look very nice.

However my budget might not stretch to a 5.3 as I would ideally like to spend around £9k and think a 4.8 would suit me better.

What do you think would be a good engine choice for a 4.8, I wouldnt mind between a two or four stroke.

Does any body have any experience of this boat and what engines do you have and would you recommend them. What sort of performance do you get from your set up.

Thanks Again

Andy

andy d · 12 January 2007, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoyo

Try Tim & Jason at Menai Marine. http://www.menaimarine.biz/

They offer substantial hand laid hulls, and your always welcome to view the build of your rib. They are always very helpful, friendly and professional.

Bare boat or full packages available with a great choice of custom consoles at very reasonable prices. They are located in Caernarfon NW. I recently purchased a 4.85m and I am very impressed with it. They also make a 5.5. etc...

Thanks yoyo

The menais look nice and they are pretty handy as I'm based in Cheshire.

How do you feel about the PVC tubes, have you had any problems.

I havent had much experience with them and dont really have a huge preference but a lot of people on this forum seem to view hypalon as superior.

Thanks

Andy

Jimbo · 12 January 2007, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy d

What do you think would be a good engine choice for a 4.8, I wouldnt mind between a two or four stroke.

Andy, if you can find one in budget, I would go for a 50hp Etec. On the 4.8 you want to avoid a heavy engine, i.e. most 4 strokes, and if you avoid 4 strokes in order to avoid heavy fuel bills you really need to go new tech 2 stroke!

I ordered a Ribcraft 4.8 for Portsmouth uni just over a year ago now, and we specced a Mariner 60hp Bigfoot 4 Stroke. Although the engine is good and economical, it really is too heavy and puts far too much weight on the back of a little boat. Were it not for availability issues at the time, I'd have gone etec.

Downhilldai · 12 January 2007, 19:36

If it's a Ribcraft 4.8 you're looking at, then go for a 2 stroke. Yam 60/70 is a lovely engine, as is the Soozook 65.(Second hand, as they're no longer made)
I personally wouldn't worry too much about fuel consumption on something around 60-70 hp, as even the old tech, running on carbs aren't too thirsty and there's a lot to be said about keeping things simple under the hood.

I've been on a 4.8 Ribcraft with a 75 e-tec and that was a very nice set-up

Mollers · 12 January 2007, 19:42

I wouldn't get too hung up on new. There are some great used boats around 5m for £9k or less.

andy d · 13 January 2007, 14:08

I've had a look at the mariner 60hp outboards as there seem to be some very good deals around on them (around £3.5k new) for the two stroke but it seems to me that 2 stroke is 100kg and 4 is only 112kg. Would that amount really make a huge difference.

What difference in fuel consumption would there be between the two as they are quite small engines. Does anybody have any fuel consumption data for either of them.

Thanks

Andy

Jono Garton · 13 January 2007, 16:40

Depending on boat-

1 Litre per n mile 2 stroke - 60hp

.5 litre per n mile 4 stroke - 60hp

We have 60hp Mariners normally in stock @ £2500 ish, normally under 10 hours use, these normally go out on a fully kitted up 5m Humber, Roller Trailer, A frame etc for £9995

Jono

andy d · 13 January 2007, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono Garton

Depending on boat-

1 Litre per n mile 2 stroke - 60hp

.5 litre per n mile 4 stroke - 60hp

We have 60hp Mariners normally in stock @ £2500 ish, normally under 10 hours use, these normally go out on a fully kitted up 5m Humber, Roller Trailer, A frame etc for £9995

Jono

Sounds like a great price for the mariner, is that for the 2 or 4 stroke.

How do you think the weight difference would affect a small boat.

Thanks

Andy

yoyo · 13 January 2007, 17:19

Jono sniffs another sale

Jono Garton · 13 January 2007, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy d

Sounds like a great price for the mariner, is that for the 2 or 4 stroke.

How do you think the weight difference would affect a small boat.

Thanks

Andy

Hi Andy

2 Stroke, weight difference would have minimal effect.

Keith @ Llyn Marine is doing great deal on E- Tecs - http://www.llynmarine.co.uk/evinrude-e-tec.html mention my name for good deal.

Jono

Jono · 13 January 2007, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono Garton

......Keith @ Llyn Marine is doing great deal on E- Tecs - http://www.llynmarine.co.uk/evinrude-e-tec.html mention my name for good deal.

Jono

....but don't, under any circumstances, argue with him or try to bargain further....unless you're very "fleet of foot".......

GED · 13 January 2007, 18:47

You may want to take a look at Liverpool Power Boats. The 5mt aircraft ribs have been in production for years. They have been used as rescue boats for many local companys on the Mersey and rest of uk, seem to be bullet proof!. I know he's got three in stock now, one without console. he is also one of the biggest etec dealers.....Give me a pm and I will send you some picys if you want.....

Jono Garton · 13 January 2007, 19:04

The sailing club at Abersoch have a 5m Aircraft with Yamaha 50hp 4 stroke, it goes well, well recomended. I think they paid £14000 ish for it couple of years ago.

Have you got any pictures Ged?

Jono

Endeavour · 13 January 2007, 19:12

Aircraft 5.2mtr