Rib comparisons?

[MikeRH]

Is there a website or publication which compares ribs of various lengths? I want to buy a boat of around 6 metres, but I'm finding it hard to evaluate which features/ seat options/ accessories etc are available with each. I also suspect there may well be many other boats from smaller manufactures who have very limited advertising. Is there some directory of rib builders - ideally international as I may well buy one in Spain also?

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by MikeRH

Is there a website or publication which compares ribs of various lengths?

Rib International / Rib magazine used to produce a buyers guide which listed most of the manufuacuters/models but in relatively little "depth" - e.g. seat options would certainly not be included. Not sure if they still produce this, or if it will have the info you want.

I want to buy a boat of around 6 metres, but I'm finding it hard to evaluate which features/ seat options/ accessories etc are available with each. I also suspect there may well be many other boats from smaller manufactures who have very limited advertising.

Boat manufacturers will generally fall into one of two types here.

• higher volume (possibly) lower cost manufacturer (e.g. valiant, zodiac/avon, brig etc) who produce standard models with little option to customize (but often the option to "buy extras") - a bit like buying a car
• low volume "bespoke" manufacture, where each boat is build for a specific customer and you can pick the colour, seat design, spec your own electronics, even in some cases pick consoles from someone completely different, or buy a "bare shell" and fit it out yourself (or using a local dealer / expert) to your requirements.

Is there some directory of rib builders - ideally international as I may well buy one in Spain also?

Well there is always the RIBnet Trade Directory!