New Rib advice pls.

[Simston]

Hi,

As a relative newbie, I would like some advice on buying a new rib on behalf of our family. We currently have a 3.3 Europa sports rib , with a 20hp 4 stroke outboard. We got it after completing our level 2 course for our holiday home in Anglesey. We have had it for a year or two now, and now feel ready to get something more capable. We want to have the flexibility to pull our boys around (donut/wake) and do a spot of fishing. Can't imagine that there will ever be more than 3 adults on it/ 4 kids (currently aged 9-14) but mostly 2 + 2. We don't want to be buying again in next 5 years and want reliability.
We are currently looking at Europa 5.2, with options of either 60hp tohatsu/80 mercury. Review on these are limited, but cost is good with initial prices £15-16.5K being quoted.
However, I know there are a lot of other suppliers and manufacturers out there. Our neighbours have just gone for a brig for instance?

Any advice will be welcome.

Many thanks,

Simon

[Pikey Dave]

I've never heard of Europa ribs, but you seem to have a healthy budget so I wouldn't rush into anything. The world is your crustacean

[jeffstevens763@g]

For that budget look at Humber , xs ribs sold by Barnet marine both British built
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-XS460-...p2056016.l4276

[Andy_Rs600]

For that budget you could get quite a lot of boat from a decent manufacturer. Humber, XS(formerly Tornado), Redbay, RibCraft, RibEye, Avon, Zodiac and Ballistic all make decent boats.

Ribcraft - 5.85 RIBs and Inflatable Boats for sale in Hampshire, South East | Boats and Outboards

AVON - 560 Adventure RIBs and Inflatable Boats for sale in Hampshire, South East | Boats and Outboards

Ballistic - 5.5m RIBs and Inflatable Boats for sale in , | Boats and Outboards

[Pikey Dave]

Where are the Europas made? It doesnt say on their website as I can see.

[matt h]

Guess?

[kerny]

Originally Posted by matt h

Guess?

Sweet & Sour!! with extra fried ....

[matt h]

Chicken chow mein?

[jeffstevens763@g]

it's where everything is made ni on

[chipko]

Last year we were in exactly the same position as yourself, we sold our sibs and upgraded to a small rib.
Usually only two aboard plus towing wakeboard/kneeboard/toy so after a bit of research finally went for a new 5m XS rib with a 60hp Mariner bolted on the back. Including a trailer it all came in well under your budget so you should be good to consider some of the UK built boats mentioned above.
Early days but pleased with quality and performance of ours.
Happy hunting.

[Orwell boy]

Ha Ha , here we go again !! , but post is starting to provide helpful info for the family ,
loads of links to 10 or 15 year old offshore capable ribs proudly built in the uk ,and then on the other side of the coin the Chinese offering , half the price ,same engines ,trailers and electronics ,tubes can be in pvc or hypalon dependant on choice , really equates to 5k for a hull or 20k , not saying either choice is right or wrong ,but its horses for courses , if you want to pound the waves on the open sea (with beard) then choose the home produced product (after all only the brits know the uk coastal waters ) ,if its just family fun in the estuaries ,waterskiing ,picnicking and the odd coastal excursion ,then maybe theres another way forward

[Dan Gurney]

I take your point, but another thing to consider is how well it'll wear it's years. You chinese RIB, if it's not well put together, could easily be looking pretty shabby after 5 years! are you going to keep it in a barn/garage? On the driveway? Sitting outdoors 365 can take it's toll. I certainly wouldn't expect to get much of your 16k back if you ever plan to sell it.

You pays your money and you takes your choice, but to be quite frank I'd take that XS460 over a Europa 520 at the same price all day long. We used an XS rib for our PB2 at Cumbrae and they're tough, well put together boats.

...and you *did* ask for advice

[jeffstevens763@g]

Look at the xs build vid on YouTube

[Dan Gurney]

You could get in a Highfield 460 for around that money too. No experience of them myself but the had a boat in the Round Ireland challenge the other year which seemed do ok. Bit more of a 'leisurey' layout which might suit better.

Also not british, if that's a problem. But then neither are Ballistic.

[Simston]

Thanks, think that's where I am heading....out of interest, did you buy new and where from?

[Simston]

Originally Posted by Dan Gurney

I take your point, but another thing to consider is how well it'll wear it's years. You chinese RIB, if it's not well put together, could easily be looking pretty shabby after 5 years! are you going to keep it in a barn/garage? On the driveway? Sitting outdoors 365 can take it's toll. I certainly wouldn't expect to get much of your 16k back if you ever plan to sell it.

You pays your money and you takes your choice, but to be quite frank I'd take that XS460 over a Europa 520 at the same price all day long. We used an XS rib for our PB2 at Cumbrae and they're tough, well put together boats.

...and you *did* ask for advice

Many thanks, that's why I asked......it's a minefield!

[Simston]

Originally Posted by chipko

Last year we were in exactly the same position as yourself, we sold our sibs and upgraded to a small rib.
Usually only two aboard plus towing wakeboard/kneeboard/toy so after a bit of research finally went for a new 5m XS rib with a 60hp Mariner bolted on the back. Including a trailer it all came in well under your budget so you should be good to consider some of the UK built boats mentioned above.
Early days but pleased with quality and performance of ours.
Happy hunting.

Sorry, I am new to forums.. posting all over the place.....where did you end up buying from?

[Dan Gurney]

Originally Posted by Simston

Thanks, think that's where I am heading....out of interest, did you buy new and where from?

We bought direct from Redbay. That's one of the benefits of buying british made is that your dealing with the people who actually make it. They'll tailor it to your requirements (within reason). Things like moving vents, or building up a binnacle for the plotter etcetc.

Barnet Marine are (I think) the retail face of the company that builds XS ribs. We found the gaffer very helpful over email regarding some initial queries.

[chipko]

Hi Simston,
We had ours built to order direct from the manufacturer XS Ribs who retail through Barnet Marine Centre in Welwyn Garden City
http://www.xsribs.com/
http://www.ribs.co.uk/

[mikew4]

Originally Posted by chipko

Hi Simston,
We had ours built to order direct from the manufacturer XS Ribs who retail through Barnet Marine Centre in Welwyn Garden City
XS Ribs Commercial Leisure Range of Craft 3.6 - 10 m
BEST UK PRICE Outboard Motor Rib Inflatable Aluminium Boat Package

I did same. Barnet Marine and XS are sister companies with common directors.

Very pleased with my XS 6.5 which was built to order to my spec.