rookie requires direction in RIB purchase

Mike Brook · 07 October 2002, 08:17

Any one give some advice / direction please. I am looking for an all round leisure RIB with good sea going qualities and, like looking at stereos etc, find myself looking at bigger and better outfits that are fast becoming unmanageable from a towing point of view and a massive burden on the cash flow!! The outfit would be used mainly in the Solent area but I would want to be able to tow distance (Volvo 850) regularly. I have recently sold a 18' 135HP Bayliner bowrider sportspoat (family wanted the comfort of the 'enclosed' cockpit / canvass, nice – but impractical – seats etc.) as it proved impractical in anything other than flatish water and now want an something with an upright console (preferably double) with jockey seats with all accepting they will get wet if the weather changes!! What I need to know is what is the smallest craft / engine size I should be considering if I want to get out and have fun on the water in say up to a 4/5 with lumpy water. Any suggestions gratefully accepted

Keith Hart · 07 October 2002, 09:12

Now I could be accused of bias here, but you can have a lot of fun in a 3.4m SIB with a 15hp engine.

I can tell you that it will stand up to the rough stuff better than the Bayliner.

Keith [wet but happy] Hart

batfalcon · 07 October 2002, 09:50

He doen't want to transpose the length (18') with your engine power (15).

Keith Hart · 07 October 2002, 09:52

I've seen a 60 foot long boat with a 15 hp engine. Mind you it was on a canal!

keith [it's not the size that counts] Hart

Alan · 07 October 2002, 11:02

Mike,

Lots of advice to be had here - suggest you trawl through the forums for a perspective on just about anything to do with Ribbing. If your choice is being driven by tow car then you are looking for something around the 5.5 - 6.5m mark I'd say. I used to have a 6.5m and towed/launched with a Mundano estate. Good boats in this range would Ribcraft 585 ,Humber 6.3 or Avon 6.2 Lots of owners of said craft here.

You've found out that sportsboats with bucket seats are no use in a chop so look for a RIB with proper jockey seats you'll be sorted!

Cheers,
Alan

thewavehumper · 07 October 2002, 19:04

Mike you are welcome to come and talk to us and have ago in our tree Ribs, we will take you out on them if you want and that might help you. I'd appreciate a contribution for fuel but other than that it's all for free.

send me a PM if u r interested
regars
Stuart

DJL · 07 October 2002, 19:17

"Ribcraft are to stage a demonstration weekend, October 12th & 13th" in Portland, Dorset

Ribcraft Website

Daniel

John Kennett · 07 October 2002, 19:25

Shall we all go?

John

Alan · 07 October 2002, 20:07

Tempting thought John but I'll be in Weymouth for the BIBOA p*ss up! (By car unfortunately

)

Alan

jools · 07 October 2002, 21:26

Wavehumper - What are tree ribs? - are they wooden hulled?

Mike - We upgraded from a small fun boat to a 5.85m Ribcraft earlier this year. We have had great fun trying out various locations around the south/south west this summer. This is the advantage of trailering the boat - you can take it places! - We've launched at a different slipway every weekend - so much to see too little time....

We are building up our experience - its my wifes first boat - so at the moment we are staying in sight of land! next tear though......

Geoff - from boatlaunch recently went over to France in his 5.85 - so boats this size are quite capeable of crossing the channel.

Plenty of websites for you to have a look at! - Plenty of pics in the gallery...

I would say if you are thinking of going out in the rough stuff Jockey seats are a must. I took my cousin out in the Solent at the weekendfor the first time. When he got on the boat he said "Why does it have these funny seats" - After jumping over the wake of a few ferries and such like he understood!

Jools

Simon Guest · 08 October 2002, 08:28

Hi Mike,

You can certainly handle big seas in a small RIB, but how many passengers do you want to take? In lumpy seas, you need proper jockey seats for everyone.

I've had my Ribcraft 4.8 with Mariner 60 4 stroke one season now, mostly for family use (2 adults, 3 children), though on a calm day we took 4 adults and 6 children across the bay in comfort - with two adults sitting on the tubes though. I wanted a smaller RIB with plenty of safe seating, and am very pleased with what I have.

Just posted a couple of pictures to the gallery:
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1183

In rougher conditions, a few weekends ago was out in a F6 or so, with 2 adults and 4 children, everyone safe and happy, lots of fun had by all, as described in this thread:http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1039

cheers,
Simon

gaelforce · 08 October 2002, 23:50

blah blah blah..... jockey seats are better than bench seats. It all depends!
If you're interested in doing a bit of quiet shagging out on the ocean wave, you'll find the bench seats ideal.

thewavehumper · 09 October 2002, 00:13

That's a very valid point

John Kennett · 09 October 2002, 07:32

Thank you both for raising the tone here. Not!

John

thewavehumper · 10 October 2002, 00:30

John, I really am sorry for lowering the tone of this thread, I was led astray by Gaelforce.

Gaelforce can you e mail me on Stuart.hopkins@Kvaerner.com I have a captains eye test I think I need to send you