Newbie - basic/daft Q's

[percyp]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 (!).

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]

Originally Posted by willk

Yellow tubes on white GRP, IIRC

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

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by percyp

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

Where?

[percyp]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Where?

On Bryher - a regular haunt of ours.

[Channel Ribs]

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.