Newbie - basic/daft Q's

percyp · 04 February 2011, 17:04

Hi
We're looking to buy a boat to use in the Scilly Isles and until recently hadn't considered a RIB as we were thinking of a small cuddy boat. However, the more I think about a RIB, the more I like the idea. So...
With a budget of around £6-7K, what should I be looking for? I need seating for at least 4, with room for a dog too (!). We'll keep it on the islands, so won't need to tow once it is down there and we'll be using it mainly for island-hopping rather than any water skiing etc.
I've seen a few boats within budget, but they tend to be 'bare', so how easy/cost effective is it to add seats to an existing layout?

Sorry for such silly questions, but I haven't really found the answers anywhere else.
Cheers

Channel Ribs · 04 February 2011, 17:32

Helloo and welcome

No need to apologise, all good questions.

We have supplied SIBs (soft hulled RIBs) to customers on the Isles of Scilly and they love them, just as you say - for island hopping.

Aside from that option your budget should get you a nice tidy 6m RIB with seats a plenty. Have a look in the for sale section on here, but I am sure people will be along with links to your perfect boat.

Edit: Our last boat is probably a good example, that went for 6k and it was a 6.2m Ocean with two jockey seats and a 90HP outboard. A forgiving boat that is easy to get into the shallows. Spend your money wisely, there are some bargains out there!

Erin · 04 February 2011, 19:42

I may get lambasted for saying this and possibly banned from Ribnet, but don't overlook something simple like an Orkney 590 with cuddy. If you just want to island hop, and aren't too worried about speed then they are great economic boats with a nice flat large deck area. Very buoyant and robust and with seating in the cuddy.

Sorry for my aberration fellow ribnetters, what I really mean is get a 6m rib with a reliable engine.

willk · 04 February 2011, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

I may get lambasted for saying this and possibly banned from Ribnet, but don't overlook something simple like an Orkney 590 with cuddy.

Yes, you will, but only 'cos the guy said he doesn't want one!

If he did, I'd have instantly recommended a Redbay 21 Fastfisher

However, I happen to have seen a '96 Stormforce 6.1 in the shop with a Yammie V6 150hp for that kinda money. It looked ok, four seats, double console. Fast boat

percyp · 04 February 2011, 20:15

Thanks for the replies.
When I said I'd looked at a cuddy boat, I was sort of meaning something a bit faster such as a Bayliner or Fletcher etc. I drive a Caterham on the road, so like a bit of speed

. As the sea is so shallow around Scilly, I was thinking that a RIB might be more suitable as we don't really 'need' a cabin.
Trouble is that I know nothing about RIBs, hence asking on here. I'd really appreciate any advice/pointers etc

Cheers

willk · 04 February 2011, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by percyp

the more I think about a RIB, the more I like the idea. So...
With a budget of around £6-7K, what should I be looking for? I need seating for at least 4, with room for a dog too (!).

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

However, I happen to have seen a '96 Stormforce 6.1 in the shop with a Yammie V6 150hp for that kinda money. It looked ok, four seats, double console. Fast boat

Yellow tubes on white GRP, IIRC

willk · 04 February 2011, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Yellow tubes on white GRP, IIRC

Sorry, I forgot, you're new. Like this but yellow and older!

Mollers · 04 February 2011, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by percyp

Hi
We'll keep it on the islands...

Where?

percyp · 04 February 2011, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Where?

On Bryher - a regular haunt of ours.

Channel Ribs · 05 February 2011, 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

However, I happen to have seen a '96 Stormforce 6.1 in the shop with a Yammie V6 150hp for that kinda money. It looked ok, four seats, double console. Fast boat

Nice! A boat like that would be capable of a lot more than island hopping.

Mollers · 05 February 2011, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by percyp

On Bryher - a regular haunt of ours.

C/o Bryher Boat Services?

percyp · 05 February 2011, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

C/o Bryher Boat Services?

Nope - Bennets Boatyard (Daniel) - so it'll be stored out of the water.
Are you a regular down there then?

Mollers · 05 February 2011, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by percyp

Nope - Bennets Boatyard (Daniel) - so it'll be stored out of the water.
Are you a regular down there then?

The islands aren't far from here.

percyp · 05 February 2011, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

The islands aren't far from here.

Hadn't noticed your location - oops!
Do you take youe RIB over? If so, what's the journey like? I know the islanders don't like coming this way on the smaller boats (Cyclone etc) as it gets a bit 'bumpy'

Channel Ribs · 05 February 2011, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by percyp

Do you take youe RIB over? If so, what's the journey like? I know the islanders don't like coming this way on the smaller boats (Cyclone etc) as it gets a bit 'bumpy'

Mollers · 05 February 2011, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by percyp

Hadn't noticed your location - oops!
Do you take youe RIB over? If so, what's the journey like? I know the islanders don't like coming this way on the smaller boats (Cyclone etc) as it gets a bit 'bumpy'

Obviously we pick a favourable weather window, but yeah, it's good. Fal to the islands is about 60Nm. 35 ish to Lands End and the rest open water.

percyp · 06 February 2011, 09:42

With regards to adding seats etc - can someone point me in the right direction for more info regarding costs/how to go about it etc.
Would it make sense to add seats to a bare deck (diveboat?) or is it better to get a boat where seats were added at the time the boat was constructed. In other words - are retro-fitted seats as stable/secure as factory-fitted.
Again, sorry if this is a daft thing to ask.

Channel Ribs · 06 February 2011, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by percyp

In other words - are retro-fitted seats as stable/secure as factory-fitted.

It all depends on the factory!

Buying new seat units and having them professionally fitted to a second hand boat can feel quite expensive, for this reason many people try and find a boat that has the right layout to start with. Having seats put in is not a bad thing by any means, there are a number of ways to do it.

GJ0KYZ · 06 February 2011, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by percyp

As the sea is so shallow around Scilly, I was thinking that a RIB might be more suitable as we don't really 'need' a cabin.

Ribs aren't particularly shallowed drafted boats; Orkneys and the like have flatter hulls and therefore draw less water. However, with the outboard motor down both will draw about the same amount. For that kind of money I'd buy a boat with a cuddy; something like the Orkney Erin suggested. It'll probably be more economical than a rib and the cuddy or cabin will be beneficial if you're caught in a squall. It will also give a subjective feeling of safety if your crew become scared in bad weather. If you're using the boat to nip between the islands it doesn't really need to go that fast I would have thought. Ribs are ok, but they're not everyone's cup of tea; wives tend to hate them.

willk · 06 February 2011, 10:38

So that's two votes from RIBnetters for "Don't buy a RIB"