Small Diesel RIB

[Biggles]

I am looking at upgrading to a diesel RIB.

Can anyone tell me what is the smallest inboard RIB you can buy ?

I see Humber offer the 6.3 m Ocean Pro at a reasonable price, but is their a smaller RIB ?

I would like to get a Diesel RIB with 4 jockey seats 2 x 2 behind a double console. Anybody got any ideas.

Regards Nick R.

[Hightower]

I would guess that you'll not be able to go below a 5.5m Rib, Nick. You just won't get the beam to accomodate a double console with anything smaller. The XS 550 is a really beamy boat, but I've never heard of a smoker in that size.

You fed up with your searider already .

Andy

[bogib]

Solent Ribs do 6 metre one with Mercruiser 1,7 diesel 120 hp and it gives a nice and decent speed as well about 40 mph.
SimmondsO has got one and I am sure Harry will be more than happy to tell you all about it.

Bogi

[slimtim]

Didn't avon make a small diesel RIB? I'm not sure if it was just in the development stages but it was on a thread a while ago.

Tim

[slimtim]

New Diesel Searider.

try that

[Biggles]

Hi Andy,

Not fed up of the Sea Rider, Just yet. But planning for the future.

I want a boat that is fun, reliable and econimical. I don't know if you can get such a boat but I'm starting to look now and plan 2 years ahead. I don't have bottomless pockets and want the next boat to last a few years.

I also want to be able to launch on quite a poor slip on my own. Hence the small size of boat. I also understand that even though Diesel is likely to lose its priviliged price position in the near future its still more economical than a traditional outboard, although slower and not as good looking.

I guess I'm just trying to cover all avenues.

[bogib]

Good points Biggles

Situation over here at the moment boatowners have payed less than 30 p for their diesel litre while we outboarder (petrol guzzlers) are paying some 90 p a liter.

As from July 1st this should change or we the guzzlers will raise up to our two feet and protest as we should get our fuel down to 30 p price mark

Bogi

[rbw156]

I've been doing some research as I'm thinking of upgrading from my 4.5m RIB. You are correct that the smallest Humber that will take a diesel is a 6.3m.

http://www.explorer-marine.co.uk/ sell a large range of diesel RIBs. The smallest is 5.5m

However, the conclusion that I've drawn is that you need to do at least 100 hours per year to recover the higher purchase and installation cost. Also, what is the latest on red diesel?

Regards

Rich

[JIY]

A note of caution - I owned a Ribcraft 6.8m Offshore fitted with a Volvo KAD32 diesel. A nice boat, but definitely stern-heavy because of the weight of the diesel - hard work in a head sea. Waterline length and hull volume is all important when fitting a diesel engine, so small is not necessarily beautiful!
The Mercruiser 1.7L diesel is a popular choice in small RIBs and is certainly lighter than most diesels, but personally I'm not convinced that it's a good engine.

I love my 8.5m Tornado with 250hp Yanmar diesel , it's a beautifully balanced boat and very economical (5.5 gph @ 32 knots), but if circumstances ever force me to change for a smaller RIB I would go for an outboard installation, to avoid being stern-heavy again.

[Colin F]

I own a Ribcraft 6.5m with a volvo D3-160. It doesn't appear to be stern heavy, but then the engine is 175kg lighter than the old KAD series. You do need to take into account the lost space inside from the diesel. I reckon there is as much space in mine as a 585 with an outboard. I am currently getting 36 knots out of her although the anti-fouling may knock a knot or two off

I'm really pleased with her

There are some pics in the gallery