Ok here it goes....

[grand master]

Hi all,

Ok here i go

I have never owned a boat before i have been on a couple and have driven one once (Driven,skippered not sure of the correct term)

Anyway i got a the bug and i REALLY want one.

I have decided on a rib but unsure of a few things so if i rhyme of a list would somebody care to point me in the right direction. (i apologise in advance for the big list)

1. Do i need a licence,qualifications to own and use a boat (in the sea)

2. I have a budget of approx £1500 and want a 3m> rib am i living in a dream world.

3. do you need a vhf (legally)

4. what would be the maximum engine i could attach to a rib

5. in a 3m rib is it still possible to have a steering wheel,electric start, throttle etc..

6. Can a 3m rib be deflated if need be (for space reasons or if i did'nt use it for a few months)

7. what would be the best make of rib for me (not bothered about pulling things but might like to dive off one and if i did would it hold 3 adults 2 of which would be diving or am i back in my dreamworld again)

Thank you in advance for you answers and again my apologies if i have posted this in the wrong place.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by grand master

Hi all,

Ok here i go

I have never owned a boat before i have been on a couple and have driven one once (Driven,skippered not sure of the correct term)

Anyway i got a the bug and i REALLY want one.

I have decided on a rib but unsure of a few things so if i rhyme of a list would somebody care to point me in the right direction. (i apologise in advance for the big list)

1. Do i need a licence,qualifications to own and use a boat (in the sea)

No you dont but it would be a sensible idea given your lack of experience to get some training. A PB2 course is a couple of hundred and would be a good investment.

2. I have a budget of approx £1500 and want a 3m> rib am i living in a dream world.

Yes a bit I'm afraid. You might get a 2.4m SIB (inflatable) for that money but not a RIB unless you are very lucky or its in very poor condition. Look on the boats for sale list there are a couple around the £2.5-3k mark. You might make an offer on this for example Flatacraft Force 4 - 55HP suzuki - £2,500 although 55hp on 4m needs a little bit of training lest you hurt yourself!

L

3. do you need a vhf (legally)

No, but its not a bad idea. Depends on where you are going to go. Handheld VHF for £200 ish. Need licence to operate.

4. what would be the maximum engine i could attach to a rib
How longs a piece of string? Or more accurately how bigs your RIB? 3m I'dve though 50hp practically.

5. in a 3m rib is it still possible to have a steering wheel,electric start, throttle etc..

Yes

6. Can a 3m rib be deflated if need be (for space reasons or if i did'nt use it for a few months)

Yes but it wont save much space comparitively

7. what would be the best make of rib for me (not bothered about pulling things but might like to dive off one and if i did would it hold 3 adults 2 of which would be diving or am i back in my dreamworld again)


I think doing any diving off a 3m RIB is a bit dreamworld I'm afraid.


Thank you in advance for you answers and again my apologies if i have posted this in the wrong place.

[grand master]

Thankyou very much for the quick response.
You have been more that helpfull.

I shall let you know the outcome..


Thanks Again.

GM

[simmons0]

Alan, you would seriously put a 50hp engine on a 3m Rib?

[Richard B]

Hi gm,

I'll try to add to what's been said...

1. Do i need a licence,qualifications to own and use a boat (in the sea)
Legally speaking, no, but without guidance and experience it would be foolish to use a boat in the sea, so attending an RYA approved training course would be a very good idea. Powerboat level 2 (which usually includes powerboat level 1) would be a wise choice.

2. I have a budget of approx £1500 and want a 3m> rib am i living in a dream world. Possibly... not sure if you're really after a RIB or a SIB? New SIB £600-£1100, New 3m RIB £900-£1500 and new 10hp engine about £800-1000. Secondhand obviously less, but beware of old unreliable equipment.

3. do you need a vhf (legally)
No, but if you venture into any tidal waters (including tidal rivers and estuaries, consider one, along with other safety kit like lifejacket. You will get good guidance on an RYA course.

4. what would be the maximum engine i could attach to a rib
Depends on what RIB, really. I would suggest about 10hp on a 3m. Manufacturers rate every craft, so this can vary from one manufacturer to another.

5. in a 3m rib is it still possible to have a steering wheel,electric start, throttle etc..
Yes, but don't bother on that size as there's not really any point.

6. Can a 3m rib be deflated if need be (for space reasons or if i did'nt use it for a few months)
Depends if it's a RIB (rigid hull) or a SIB (soft hull). With a RIB the outer tubes only deflate, making it slightly smaller. With a SIB it all deflates and folds/rolls up.

7. what would be the best make of rib for me (not bothered about pulling things but might like to dive off one and if i did would it hold 3 adults 2 of which would be diving or am i back in my dreamworld again)
Don't even think about "the best make" until you've a clearer idea about what you want.

At this point I would suggest doing the following:

1. Enrol on an RYA PowerboatL2 course. From Manchester I would suggest travelling to either Blackpool - Dave Mallett's Wavelength Training http://www.wavelengthtraining.co.uk/ or to Pwllhelli - Jono Garton's Professional Powerboat Training http://www.professional-powerboat-training.co.uk/

2. Go to RIBex at Cowes in June. Lots of RIBs and people who are interested in them.

Bear in mind that a 3m boat will limit your area of operation, but you can still have great fun. Keith Hart has a 3.4m SIB with an inflatable keel and floor (&15hp outboard) and has great adventures. I used to have a 3.6m SIB with an inflatable keel and solid wood floor (&18hp outboard) which was also good fun. At this size, the best compromise is the inflatable floor & keel type like Keith's IMHO.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by simmons0

Alan, you would seriously put a 50hp engine on a 3m Rib?

No I wouldn't, but I dont think that a 3m RIB is a serious proposition in any event. Answered this in a bit of a hurry whilst at work today and based my answer on the 4m Flatacraft and 50hp package for sale for as near to this chaps price range as possible on boats for sale. Even then as I said 55hp on 4m is probably not for the faint hearted!

[simmons0]

Agree with you entirely Alan.

[Daniel TD5]

dont go for the cheap option i looked at a lot of boats before buying and
waited more than a year before buying. my first buget was 2.5k i was concerned about age of the engines and boats in that range. so i saved over the year all so keeping a eye out on the information being posted on rib net
about new boats large and small what owners had to say about boats and
engine. by the way some nice boats come up for sale on this site but you have to be quick in the end my kids and wife come out with me i put
safety first and got a new boat if cost is a real problem try a air deck this
one is a friend who came out with us to WATER SKI YES WATER SKI ON THE BACK how much fun is that

[Alan]

That looks very much like Bradwell slipway then?!

[Paul Glatzel]

One of our clients has this boat and has a great time in it. Think it is 3.8m with a 40Hp. It shifts, has a nice hull and he happily runs some reasonable distances in it

Suspect though second hand you're looking at c2.5k

Paul

PS: It's a Zodiac by the way