RIB vs cruiser

[Screaming04]

Hello from British Columbia (Vancouver)

Great site, I've read every post (ha!)

I've got a question for those that have owned larger cruising boats before moving to Ribs. I've owned 24 to 28 ft cruisers as well as a 40ft trawler in the past. I'm thinking of moving to a rib because I just don't seem to have the time for extended overnight trips.

My concern is being out in the open. How bad is it? Do you ever boat in the off season? I've speced a custom built 7.3m rib with a three sided pilothouse. Having never owned a rib before, I'd hate to spend the money having it built only to find that I don't use it because its too cold/wet. There would be pretty much nil demand for a large used rib over here.

Your thoughts? One of the reasons I'm going to a rib rather than a runabout is because I have to cross a 10 mile strait that can get pretty rough...20-30 kt winds with a steep 4-5 foot sea...even in summer. Although I don't intend regular crossings in those conditions, I need a boat that can deal with those conditions when required. Am I going in the right direction?

I'm probably just looking for positive reinforcement...I'm not going to get any from the wife. (in more ways than one)

Thanks Adrian

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

I've speced a custom built 7.3m rib with a three sided pilothouse. Having never owned a rib before, I'd hate to spend the money having it built only to find that I don't use it because its too cold/wet.

Hi Adrian,

A three sided pilothouse will give you loads of shelter, even on an open RIB I regularly go out in the cold and wet - which is fine so long as you have the right gear.

[Screaming04]

Thanks for the reply Malthouse. I've since gone through the gallery again and find that it's rare to have a pilothouse in the UK. You guys certainly do more recreational ribbing than they do here.

Perhaps you are on to something... maybe I should avoid the commercial style pilothouse and just tough it out like you do there.

[Petter]

I have owed a variety of boats in the past including cruisers.
7.3m is quite small to carry a wheel house, I would rather have invested in some good heavy weather clothing myself.

[JSP]

It's something I've wondered about too as I've only really ever been on larger sailing boats and motor yachts. So when I first thought of getting a RIB I had the opportunity of going out in one. I'm hooked!
It's a tad like driving around in a big 4X4, radio on, heater fall whack going over snake pass here in northing England. And then getting on a sportsbike and doing it. Your out in the elements with not much comfort at all but the thrill of the ride is 200 fold.

[willk]

7.3m will take a wheelhouse just fine. Ezgoing (on here) has this http://www.redbayboats.com/news/newbuilds/kado.htm and cruises in comfort in all sorts of weather, including crossings to Scotland from Ireland. I'd imagine you'd want the top off in your summer , floating around off Galliano Island etc. You lucky dog!

[Hightower]

Hi and welcome to RIBnet.

Yes, I think a 7m RIB is too small to carry a wheelhouse. More like a 9m or above I would say.

Most people over here who own a RIB IMHO do enjoy the out door life and it's very common to find that RIB owners Off road their cars, camp...Etc.

However I think there could be a demand for a Consol on a RIB that would offer a better level of protection without ruining to look of the RIB or affecting what we love about RIBs which is their openess.

So why not design your own?

I have had a thought of creating a bowrider style RIB, with a two part consol one on either side of the deck with a centre walk though. It wouldn't be too difficult to create a centre roller door type cover that would effectivly Zip both parts together making two consols into one. This would offer brilliant protection for those rough days and still providing plenty of space during the Sunny days we sometimes get. The only problem you'd then have to overcome is the roof section and this could store behind the front seats as a solid fibreglass roof that could be lifted up and locked into place.

Or buy one of These:


One of Redbay's better looking craft.

[Mollers]

I went from a Searay 260 Sundancer to a rib. For us it's not about the protection. As mentioned, with decent wet weather gear it's fantastic battling with the elements. The thing we miss with the cruiser is the ability to drop the hook and sleep on it.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Yes, I think a 7m RIB is too small to carry a wheelhouse. More like a 9m or above I would say.

.....and two more 7.4m ribs that are too small to carry a pilothouse/wheelhouse :

http://www.redbayboats.com/images/sf...20(Medium).JPG

I haven't used one, but the owners seem to like them. Looks are another matter. The Wraparound (soft-top) concept should work well in all seasons. Screaming04, have you any of your plans/concepts to show us?

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by willk

.....and two more 7.4m ribs that are too small to carry a pilothouse/wheelhouse :

http://www.redbayboats.com/images/sf...20(Medium).JPG

I haven't used one, but the owners seem to like them. Looks are another matter. The Wraparound (soft-top) concept should work well in all seasons. Screaming04, have you any of your plans/concepts to show us?

There as no Doubt that they do their jobs well, but they do look gut ugly.