Rib choice for cruising in Outer Hebrides

[uist]

Hi to all "ribbers" !

I am looking for 6 to 6.5 meter RIB that will be used for cruising, fishing and transportation in the Outer Hebrides where we have a holiday house.

I live in France where most people uses french or Italian crafts. So don't know a lot about british ribs and have never tried one. But I am sure it is the best choice regarding the seas up north west of scotland.

I am currently looking at :

XS RIbs 600 & 650
Osprey Vipermax 620 & 650
Solent Ribs 600 & 650

I excluded RIbcraft and Humber as they don't reply to foreign customers (in my experience).

I am lookin for good Sea keeping ability, a safe and dry ride and good performance in rough waters.

Could someone higlight the differences forces and weaknesses of these crafts ?
Which one would would be best for intended use?


Thanks

[Mollers]

Hi and welcome.

You've clearly done your homework, that's a decent short list that you have there.

My vote would have to be for the Vipermax 6.5 having owned one. I currently run a 7m Vipermax. All in all, the VM is a great allrounder in my opinion.

Others will soon be along to extol the virtues of the whatever they own.

[uist]

You've clearly done your homework, that's a decent short list that you have there

Yep ! I have been studying for some time now
But it's hard to make a choice without seeing/trying the crafts !

[Siochair]

Have you considered looking at Redbay? They have a good reputation and seem to be a good fit for your requirements.

[uist]

Have you considered looking at Redbay?

No, haven't heard about them until now. The stormforce range looks well built indeed.

[willk]

Originally Posted by uist

No, haven't heard about them until now. The stormforce range looks well built indeed.

The 650 would be ideal. I used to own one - nice boat. If you're buying new, tell them it's going to Uist - they like sending boats out there.

[Dan Gurney]

Originally Posted by willk

The 650 would be ideal. I used to own one - nice boat. If you're buying new, tell them it's going to Uist - they like sending boats out there.

They're basically your local rib all up the West coast of Scotland, so if/when you come to move it on it'll be a much easier sale.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by uist

Yep ! I have been studying for some time now
But it's hard to make a choice without seeing/trying the crafts !

If you haven't tried a lot of the Boats...hopefully in a few different conditions IMO you've not done enough "studying".
It really shouldn't be too hard to organise a few tests over a weekend,in this country somewhere like the Solent....and it would certainly make a lot of sense,especially if you're going to spend the kind of money NEW RIBs cost!
Otherwise you may realise(when it's too late) that you've bought the wrong Boat!...like some on here have done!
As to Ribcraft not dealing with Foreign customers,I saw a nice high spec 6.8 French lifeboat being PDI'd at the Factory last week.....
and a 7.8 going to Sweden last month.

[spartacus]

What about looking at something second-hand that's mint? This Ribcraft 6.5m (2006) is even on the west coast!

Ribcraft 6.5m Deep V - FAFB

[jumpinjack]

1st choice Redbay....
2nd choice Redbay

Slightly bias (granted), but these boats are designed, built tested and trusted off the Northern Irish and Scottish Atlantic coasts.

[Short fuse]

If I was you I'd be considering RibQuest, they have a new 'in between' hull with the same deep v. They do this in what is called the supersport version, this can be changed to a commercial design, and they do this in the 6.5m-7.5m range I think

You would have to contact them for mor info,

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by jumpinjack

1st choice Redbay....
2nd choice Redbay
Slightly bias (granted), but these boats are designed, built tested and trusted off the Northern Irish and Scottish Atlantic coasts.

Originally Posted by Siochair

Have you considered looking at Redbay? They have a good reputation and seem to be a good fit for your requirements.

Originally Posted by willk

The 650 would be ideal. I used to own one - nice boat. If you're buying new, tell them it's going to Uist - they like sending boats out there.

Originally Posted by Clamchowder

They're basically your local rib all up the West coast of Scotland, so if/when you come to move it on it'll be a much easier sale.

+ 1

[Chris]

Hi Ian....

We sold one our 6.5 Vipermax Ribs to a company that operate in St Tropez... They use the rib in St Tropez for most of the year and then bring it over to the UK for the winter... I know they have been really happy with its performance both as a boat for water sports and then a serious cruiser for the UK coast

If you speak to Lester or Jenny I am sure they can give you an experienced opinion.

https://www.adventure-sports.co.uk/b...rter-st-trope/

[Tony Hill]

RIB support on Scotland's west coast including the Outer Hebrides.
One of the major obstacles here is product support. You specifically dismissed Humber (and Ribcraft).
What you may not be aware of is Humber have a Scottish agent at Yampower based in Glasgow. Philip Beckwith is the person to contact. They provide a full fit out service so you get the boat you want and it can be specifically adapted.
Support if things go wrong, as with all manufacturers the service is back to base however Yampower do have access to engineering premises and visit various commercial operators throughout the west coast including ourselves at Ballachulish, Kyle of Lochalsh and have been out to Loch Maddy.

Find Yampower on the internet, make contact, it's worth the phonecall. My personal preference for boats out here are the 6.3m Ocean Pro with Twin 70's or 7.5.with twin 150's

Tony

[Pikey Dave]

I believe that Ribcraft have a French agent now, I'm not sure where he is based (apart from France :P: )

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Others will soon be along to extol the virtues of the whatever they own.

**JK** can we change Mollers username to Nostradamus ?

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Maximus

If you haven't tried a lot of the Boats...hopefully in a few different conditions IMO you've not done enough "studying".
.

IMHO, that's an often repeated line which is not helpful and slightly patronising

This guy has gotton his shortlist down to some very able craft (Yes, he should take a look at Ribcraft and Redbay). Unless he's Dag Pike, or at least very experienced, he could take every one of them out in every condition in the book and struggle to find a great deal of difference between them all.
He's not comparing apples and pears here, his has a tidy basket of apples.

He's come on here and asked the right questions, I'd say go get the best deal.

Honestly, how many brands did you trial and in how many varying conditions prior to buying your 545? Nothing to do with RC being 5 mins up the road?

I got lucky with my VM6.5, I VERY nearly bought a Avon Adventure.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by uist

No, haven't heard about them until now. The stormforce range looks well built indeed.

Good luck in getting a response from Redbay

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

**JK** can we change Mollers username to Nostradamus ?

Not sure how Nos4r2 will react, but it's certainly classier than "sh1tst1rrer"

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

it's certainly classier than "sh1tst1rrer"

There maybe a few chests to pin that one on around here.