New light 6.5m+ rib

[mickey]

I'm looking for help on choosing a 6.5m or 7m leisure rib with good rough sea handling capabilities (we want to travel long distances off north Cornwall and west Wales). My main criterion is that it must be light (bare hull no more than about 550kg), due to the tow vehicle that I have.

My weight limitation seems to rule out eg Ribcraft, and appears to leave XS (6.5m), Solent (7m), Rib-X (6.5m), and - if I re-mortgaged - Bananashark (7.7m) as the main contenders at my 550kg weight.

Have I missed any mainstream manufacturer out?

Does anyone have any comparative experience on the various ribs? Test drives are all very well, but I suspect that different sea conditions, trim, engines etc mean that firm comparisons are difficult. My impression is that XS gives a more solid ride, whilst Solent is a little more prone to porpoising but is more able to take heavy seas comfortably at speed (and the extra half metre would help, I presume). Rib-X does not seem to get a particularly good press, but I'm not quite sure why, apart from the fact that it's made abroad. And then there's Bananashark ...

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by mickey

Rib-X does not seem to get a particularly good press, but I'm not quite sure why, apart from the fact that it's made abroad.

It's because their eXplorer range appear to re-badged Falcons from S.A. but look at their eXpert range as they look like much better hulls.

One "mainstream" manufacturer you've missed is Osprey but I don't know what their hulls weigh in at.

[BogMonster]

Humber? My 5.8m is listed as a bare weight of only 350kg the extra metre can't add too much....

Just checked and according to the website a 7.0m Ocean Pro is 550kg and the 7.0m Destroyer is only 470kg.

http://www.humberinflatables.co.uk/

[mickey]

I should have said that the reason for needing at least 6.5m is the need to carry 8 people. Quite some party ...

[Jono Garton]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Humber? My 5.8m is listed as a bare weight of only 350kg the extra metre can't add too much....

Just checked and according to the website a 7.0m Ocean Pro is 550kg and the 7.0m Destroyer is only 470kg.

http://www.humberinflatables.co.uk/

I wouldnt take that much notice of these figures, we put a rib together and all the figures added up to under 750kg inc trailer, on the weigh bridge 900kg+

All depends on how much resin the laminators been sniffing on the day.

JOno

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by mickey

...the reason for needing at least 6.5m is the need to carry 8 people.

In a rough sea?

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Jono Garton

I wouldnt take that much notice of these figures, we put a rib together and all the figures added up to under 750kg inc trailer, on the weigh bridge 900kg+

All depends on how much resin the laminators been sniffing on the day.

JOno

I must admit I did a quick calculation and according to those figures my boat should only be about 700kg typical operating weight (350 boat + 150 engine + say 100 for the jockey console battery etc + 100 for fuel) but it feels like more than that when you are pushing it around by hand, and it feels a lot more than that when trying to drive it in a stiff breeze with 6hp and it goes pear shaped

The less said about the weight of my trailer the better (officer)

[Millermob]

This may be of interest, seating for 8, available right now. 150hp outboard Highly speced, well maintained. Pm for more info and pictures.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F120297/

Cheers Freddie

[Jono Garton]

Originally Posted by Millermob

This may be of interest, seating for 8, available right now. 150hp outboard Highly speced, well maintained. Pm for more info and pictures.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F120297/

Cheers Freddie

is the hull made of gold?

[mickey]

Originally Posted by Richard B

In a rough sea?

The salesmen keep telling me that a 6m+ rib is good for (more or less) any sea. Shouldn't I believe them?!

Anything must beat my 4m SIB in a Force 7 off North Cornwall this summer ...