RIB Choice - Humber 5m, Ribcraft 4.8m or Valiant V-450?

Vincent Vega · 21 April 2013, 20:35

After looking around I've narrowed down my search for a small RIB to the following three choices. Two have been offered to me by members of the forum, and the third I've found on ebay. The choices are:

Valiant V-450 in Red with a 50hp Selva

Ribcraft 4.8 with 50hp Mariner
RIB: Ribcraft 4.8 with Mariner 50 4-stroke outboard & roller trailer | eBay

Humber Assault 5m with 70hp 2 stroke Tohatsu
Humber Assault 5m RIB boat, Tohatsu Engine - Ribcraft, Ribquest, Ribeye, XS | eBay

This RIB will be used mainly for 3 weeks in Northern Spain and is dragged up onto a beach each night and chained up. Consequently one of the most important factors is weight. Whilst we're over there we'll be using it for ferrying the kids about and also for waterskiing and towing inflatable toys. The Humber is at the limit of my budget but if I can get away with spending less then that's always a bonus.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Pros and cons for each boat?

I'd love to buy this boat by mid week at latest, I'm super excited, so any feedback would be much appreciated. :-)

henryfreston · 21 April 2013, 20:52

Don't know much but what I can say is one of my mates has that 70hp tohatsu on his waterskiing boat and him and. Regularly use it without any issues, a very smooth and reliable engine. The 70 2 stroke won't weigh much for than the 50, and you will appreciate the extra power.

Happy boating, hopefully you won't regret your decision

willk · 21 April 2013, 20:54

Avoid the Valiant/Selva combo.

The Ribcraft is getting on and the layout doesn't suit your needs.

The Humber Assault will be a bit slappy in a chop, but then the Ribcraft at 4.8m will probably be too. What age is the Humber/Tohatsu? The layout is perfect for you and the performance will be superior. It's an age/condition call IMO.

Looking at them both quickly, if the motors, tubes and trailers were sound, I'd go for the Humber. I think she's more you...

Pedrode · 22 April 2013, 00:18

I've got an assault with a 60hp mariner on it which Im really enjoying. I find it rides well even in choppy stuff but its my first rib so nothing to compare it to. Only question is that you talk about pulling it up onto a beach - do you mean with a trailer? If not, they're bloody heavy things to drag.

BruceB · 22 April 2013, 00:49

I Had a 5.3m Assault from new with a 60hp and while the shallow V made it easy to launch and recover it was bloody horrible in anything less than a flat calm. I still have nightmares about a trip out to Coll and back a few years ago, I couldn't walk without pain for nearly three days due to the slamming coming back and it was only a light chop!
Taking this into account as well a build quality issue that had it return to the factory a few months after purchase I would prefer the 4.8m Ribcraft, if it was me.

MustRib · 22 April 2013, 02:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Avoid the Valiant/Selva combo.

The Ribcraft is getting on and the layout doesn't suit your needs.

The Humber Assault will be a bit slappy in a chop, but then the Ribcraft at 4.8m will probably be too. What age is the Humber/Tohatsu? The layout is perfect for you and the performance will be superior. It's an age/condition call IMO.

Looking at them both quickly, if the motors, tubes and trailers were sound, I'd go for the Humber. I think she's more you...

I think Wilik sums it up...
it what you need that counts.
Is where you are going to launch sheltered and relatively calm?
Are you taking your family / friends with you ?
go for the Humber.
If its an expedition with some swell encountered more often than not, then go with the Ribcraft.

Vincent Vega · 22 April 2013, 07:31

It will be launched at the beginning of the holiday and recovered at the end on a slipway at a Marina so that's no problem. At nights it'll be dragged up the beach and we use 3 large fenders to help pull it up. We currently have a 4.7 metre SIB with metal floor and a 50hp 2 stroke Mariner and with the help of the locals we manage to pull it up. I'm hoping (praying) that we'll be able to do the same with the RIB.

What is everybody's issue with the Valiant? Is it the boat or the engine? Are they just not as well made as the Ribcraft and Humber?

Thanks for all the input so far. :-)

Pedrode · 22 April 2013, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I Had a 5.3m Assault from new with a 60hp and while the shallow V made it easy to launch and recover it was bloody horrible in anything less than a flat calm. I still have nightmares about a trip out to Coll and back a few years ago, I couldn't walk without pain for nearly three days due to the slamming coming back and it was only a light chop!
Taking this into account as well a build quality issue that had it return to the factory a few months after purchase I would prefer the 4.8m Ribcraft, if it was me.

I've had a very different experience. According to Humber, this rib is a deep v. I've got a mate with a 6m shallow v boat - a wetline or waveline, can't remember which - and the Humber is a far better ride. On a separate front, I don't actually find it that easy to launch or recover! Mind you, mine's about 12 years old so maybe they've changed?

kerny · 22 April 2013, 13:22

One thing to look at Vincent is the extra weight by having a rib.

A 50-70 hp outboard will weigh in excess of 110 kg then a 4 mtr + rib with fuel is going to be dam hard to drag down the beach you may want to look at getting a launching trolly as well.

Which ever make you choose I'm sure that you will not be sorry for moving up to a rib from a sib and even then you will always wish you had gone bigger.

thomas · 22 April 2013, 15:28

Re Valiant/Selva - The old Selva two strokes are to be avoided at all costs, however Selva 4 strokes are re badged Yamahas and even come with Yamaha badged control boxes and gauges.

IMO the best boat is the Ribcraft, best engine is the Selva and the best all round is probably the Humber - The Valiant isn't in the same league as the other two but I should imagine it's the cheapest by a long way.

blueboy758 · 22 April 2013, 16:34

Ribcraft!

Boatnomad · 22 April 2013, 19:26

Humber Assault (for you).BUT it's going to weight double what you have at the moment!.

Ian_st · 22 April 2013, 20:04

Really stupid, try them both, only on the water will you see if it meets your needs. There may be peeps on here locally to you who have similar boats who could let you have a drive.

I have an assault, but have only been out a few times so have not tried it in the rough, but so far it's a great boat.

BruceB · 22 April 2013, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedrode

According to Humber, this rib is a deep v.

The Assault is not a deep V, absolutely and definitely not, nor is it built well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedrode

Mind you, mine's about 12 years old so maybe they've changed?

Confusion is sometime made with the earlier Attaque, eventually developed into the Ocean Pro range. These were well built and seaworthy deep V's. They are not comparable to the Assault in any way.

Vincent Vega · 25 April 2013, 19:10

Thanks to all for your advice and pointers. We went with the 5 metre Humber Assault in the end and picked it up today. Can't wait to get it out on the water now!!!! :-)

Pedrode · 25 April 2013, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent Vega

Thanks to all for your advice and pointers. We went with the 5 metre Humber Assault in the end and picked it up today. Can't wait to get it out on the water now!!!! :-)

Great choice. Enjoy.