Ribcraft 530 Vs. ProSport 585 - Help! - Page 2

The Garfish · 18 May 2006, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmitch

Someone might misread it.

wot wud yew noe. yew dokkers arr orl a bitt fikk.

gaRf

ADS · 18 May 2006, 22:51

Nothing wrong with Prosport, good hulls and good value for money, however I believe they have recently dissolved.
I don't think the smaller Ribcraft would be a great deal different from your current 5.5m Lencraft. The 5.85m feels is a very capable boat and feels much bigger than its length, they are well respected, extremely well made, and hold there value very well. They have quite a following on here. A 90hp Honda won't set the word on fire although I have seen them with 75HP. A friend has one with a 150 Optmax and that really shifts, the ideal engine combination is probably 115HP upwards, although 90HP is fine, the 140HP Suzuki 4stroke makes a nice package.

A few here, they tend to hold their value!

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F98630

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F96752 2smoke but cheap....

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F90744 As new, belongs to Robin on here.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F95064

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F92888 probably alittle underpowered

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/RFT045 Now your talking

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/RFT042

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/RFT033

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BEM296

Loads there, my choice would be a remortage and the Opti 150 or the Suzuki 140hp, give Ribcraft a ring as some of those are on brokerage with them, get a sea trial!

alt · 18 May 2006, 23:12

See the 3rd last one? Thats the one I want, but its a little over my budget.

I was trying to not go over the £16,000 mark.

The engine must be 4stroke... I was told by the hierarchy that its essential!

That Mariner 150 Optimax is a 2stroke, right? I'm not very familar with them

-Edit- Robin's Yellow 585 sold a few days ago!

Hugh Jardon · 18 May 2006, 23:24

the ribcrafts are nicer and will hold their value better than a prosport and have a far larger fan base, and will probably handle better. if you can stretch the money then go for a ribcraft 585 and if you can get 140 or 150 hp engine i am sure you would be chuffed to bits. reach out to some of the ribcraft 585 owners for their view.

Downhilldai · 18 May 2006, 23:33

Ribcraft 5.85 with 150 Opti would be an excellent rig. Don't let the heavy fuel consumption image of 'old-world' 2-strokes put you off. Things have moved on and Optis are as economical as four strokes in general use. A 150 wouldn't be working very hard on a 5.85 either.
Also have a think about deck space, if it matters to you. A 5.85 with a pair of single pods and bench would give a lot more open deck than a 5.3 having the same layout.
Nice dilemma to be in.

Poly · 18 May 2006, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

Nothing wrong with Prosport... ...however I believe they have recently dissolved.

I'm not sure this is entirely accurate - JK locked the thread - but as I understand it they were sold. And Prosport ribs (UK) Ltd [which may have had little or no connection to the Channel Islands manufacturer] was dissolved - but this company has been dormant for a while (so could have been set up as a trading vehicle and then a change of plan - and now wound up as a result of the sale)

Poly · 18 May 2006, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by alt

I'm only a wee college lad

Quote:

Originally Posted by alt

I can incrase my budget to about £15-16000

swginn · 19 May 2006, 00:13

Whereabouts in Ireland are you? Local dealer servicing should also factor into your decision. Personally I don't think either of the 2 boats you are looking at will be much of an improvement on your Lencraft as regards seakeeping.

If you simply want a change though it would be the Ribcraft for me anyway, no substitute for quality and although small they can be a lot of fun!! It should be dryer and is definitely a more efficient hull than your current boat. What engine do you have on your lencraft?

Marine Motors Cork have a nice 2005 Ribcraft 585 with a 2005 engine on it as well, can't remember what it was but it was goin for €23ish. Worth a look!

Nothing wrong with Mercury/Mariners either. The old carb 2-strokers were a bit thirsty but near bombproof from my own experience! Obviously the Opti is a peach!!

Finishing exams as well 2moro, can't wait 2 get back on the water!

IanE · 19 May 2006, 07:26

its on here

John Kennett · 19 May 2006, 07:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by alt

I was looking at a lovely Ribcraft 585 with a Honda 90 4Stroke, and others with anything upto a 140.... Would the 585 be sluggish with a 90 4Stroke?

A Ribcraft 585 will keep you happier for longer than either of the original two, with your sort of budget it would be a good choice.

They are fine with a 90hp motor, but better with a bit more, say 115hp. With a 140 or 150 it will be great fun, but the boat doesn't really need that much power.

If you must go 4-stroke then a Yamaha 100 would be great, although the Honda 90 would be OK. Anything bigger and your starting to get seriously heavy. Here are a few comparisons:

Yam 100 4-stroke - 162kg
Yam 115 2-stroke - 163kg
Honda 90 4-stroke - 169kg
Evinrude 115 Ficht - 170kg
Mercury 115 Optimax - 170Kg
Yam 115 4-stroke - 181kg
Suzuki 90/115 4-stroke - 189kg
Honda 115 4-stroke - 225kg

Why must you have a 4-stroke?

John

Erin · 19 May 2006, 11:54

Tuppenceworth from a Prosport 5.85 owner with a Suzzy 90.

Well, excepting some 'teething problems' it runs well and I get 35knots in a good sea. Normally cruise at 28-30. Fantastic engine (previous experience was a Honda). Maybe a lighter boat than the ribcraft so better fuel economy and greater speed. Can't offer any comparison in rough water handling though as I've never owned any other rib, only driven a few.

ADS · 19 May 2006, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

I'm not sure this is entirely accurate - JK locked the thread - but as I understand it they were sold. And Prosport ribs (UK) Ltd [which may have had little or no connection to the Channel Islands manufacturer] was dissolved - but this company has been dormant for a while (so could have been set up as a trading vehicle and then a change of plan - and now wound up as a result of the sale)

It was sold to a company in the U.K hence the address on the Prosport Site, although if you look at this listing on the companies house site, it wass dissolved very recently, although as you say it had been dormant for a while, so you may well be right.
Im unsure however whether the new company has started trading yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alt

See the 3rd last one? Thats the one I want, but its a little over my budget.

I was trying to not go over the £16,000 mark.

The engine must be 4stroke... I was told by the hierarchy that its essential!

That Mariner 150 Optimax is a 2stroke, right? I'm not very familar with them

-Edit- Robin's Yellow 585 sold a few days ago!

Ok, what about this one, similarly priced to the Honda one, may well be sold though:
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F95064

The Optimax engines are high pressure direct injection 2 strokes, which are almost as economical as the 4 strokes, generally lighter and far better at putting a smile on your face

Downhilldai · 19 May 2006, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Yam 100 4-stroke - 162kg
Yam 115 2-stroke - 163kg
Honda 90 4-stroke - 169kg
Evinrude 115 Ficht - 170kg
Mercury 115 Optimax - 170Kg
Yam 115 4-stroke - 181kg
Suzuki 90/115 4-stroke - 189kg
Honda 115 4-stroke - 225kg

John

According to Yamaha, their 115 4-stroke weighs 194Kg (Long shaft)

codprawn · 19 May 2006, 18:26

Looks like the new company will start trading soon. Jason intends to concentrate on bigger RIBs - or so I have been told.

And I don't know any more so no 3rd degree!!!

John Kennett · 19 May 2006, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

According to Yamaha, their 115 4-stroke weighs 194Kg (Long shaft)

Quite right. You're obviously better at Googling than me!

john

Downhilldai · 19 May 2006, 18:55

No - I just happened to have the brochure open on the right page at the time

alt · 19 May 2006, 19:27

Guys,
Thanks a million for the posts, its great getting feedback!

The layout I want to go for is Twin Jockeys, with Bench to the rear (Hence the 2 boats im looking at at the moment)

I want a 4stroke because of Economy. I know the likes of Evinrude ETEC's are quite good - unfortunately I don't have much experience with other engines. But something like a 150HP engine just scares me!

I will mainly be using the boat in inland waters. But inland waters can get quite choppy. I want to feel safe if I get caught out in a wind. I will also be using it on salt waters maybe once every 3 weeks, but would only be heading out on a day that I know is calm.

From the things people are saying, i'm guessing the Ribcraft would hold up better.... Lets just take something for example. Say there was a Ribcraft 530 and a Prosport 585 going side by side and a Force 4 wind picked up.... Which would you feel safer in? Deck space is quite important to me, but at the same time I wouldnt mind sacraficing it for a more rigid hull

alt · 19 May 2006, 19:38

Here is a picture of the Prosport... Should this be of concern
You will see on the hull there is some gelcoat missing. The problem is that the hull is blue, so its not just a matter of sticking on some gelcoat filler. Can I get a colour to mix in with it?

The second picture shows the console... Should I be concerned about the hairline crack at the bottom?

Things are looking up for the Ribcraft...

Rogue Wave · 19 May 2006, 19:53

Yep you can get a colur to mix in with the filler. Chandlers sell a pack of three little toobs of pigment of varying shades of the same colour. The ideais you mix it up until yoiu have a match. Alternatively ask the manufacturer to supply you with a drop of the actual pigment or advise what the pigment make and cat no is.

I'd be interested to know what caused the removal of the Gell coat at the join of the spray rail

Regarding your choice of Boats . I would think after a couple of years the quality of manufacturing would begin to show on the boats choose the one that looks the better made

alt · 19 May 2006, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Yep you can get a colur to mix in with the filler. Chandlers sell a pack of three little toobs of pigment of varying shades of the same colour. The ideais you mix it up until yoiu have a match. Alternatively ask the manufacturer to supply you with a drop of the actual pigment or advise what the pigment make and cat no is.

I'd be interested to know what caused the removal of the Gell coat at the join of the spray rail

Regarding your choice of Boats . I would think after a couple of years the quality of manufacturing would begin to show on the boats choose the one that looks the better made

The seller says it was like that when he bought it new but didnt notice it. He says its a manuf. fault (the boat is still under warranty) He seems very genuine, had a good chat with both sellers on the phone.. Which sucks because if one of them sounded dodgy I would walk away. The problem is that the Prosport warranty is no good to me as im in Ireland