Tough rib wanted - advice needed

[liquido]

Hi There, first post, looks like a nice meeting spot for rib enthusiast.

Im looking to purchase a rib and feel that I would need some advice on what to consider as well as what to stay away from...
Im sure there are many questions like mine but to my defense I have used the search function with to many results to even know where to start.

Anyway, Im looking for a tough rib... with that I mean Im interested in a rib that is seaworthy... Im less interested in looks, just something reliable (if it looks good thats ok as well).

We are a family of 5... me, my wife, 1 upper teenager and two 9/10 year olds.
Is it correct to assume that something around 6.5 meters would be more then enough for us + occasional company?

I feel very inclined towards a British rib as I get the impression they in general can cope with tougher conditions then lets say the average Italian rib (I might be wrong though).

How flexible are the makers in terms of layout?
Having children I would rather have the console in the back with good view of the passengers in front of me.

So... any recommendations?
It has to be something tough... think in terms of rescue/patrol/military kind of grade at a reasonable price.
I really dont need flashy sofas and leather sunbeds just a good reliable transportation that could take me home on a bad day.

Budget? Between 20-30,000 new or used.

Thanks

[CJL]

Welcome to RIBnet.

Hmm. Nice open brief there!

Well tough tends to equal a more commercial rib. You could consider a second hand Delta. There are a few on Apollo Duck you could look at.

The ex Navy artics and pacific are very tough but they are very heavy, so heavy they can't be easily towed and nice ones can be hard to come by.

Ribcrafts and some of the early Ribtecs have crossed over from leisure to the commercial market pretty well.

Jockey seats tend to give you a much safer feeling and unless your little uns are very small they will be much better choice than bench seats.

I would be tempted to buy second hand with your budget. You will get much more for your money doing it this way.

Chris

[jyasaki]

Just a bit of clarification: Are you looking for tough, as in "Going to be running into things", or tough as in "something that will handle rough water"?

If the former, I'd say to try to avoid hitting things.

If the latter, well, you're probably generally right about the British RIBs being more capable than the mainstream Italian boats. Somebody more familiar with those will comment on them, I'm sure.

jky

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by CJL

...Ribcraft...have crossed over from leisure to the commercial market pretty well...

We had the same brief as was outlined in the original post...got a new Ribcraft 5.3 last December...very pleased and would recommend them highly

[Rogue Wave]

where is your cruising area?

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Leapy

We had the same brief as was outlined in the original post...got a new Ribcraft 5.3 last December...very pleased and would recommend them highly

For a family of five + friends

Must be good friends

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by bedajim

For a family of five + friends

Must be good friends

Same brief of boat, not family (although the boat is rated by Ribcraft for up to 8)

[Rogue Wave]

That's the ce plate presumably, if so that's more an indication of carrying capacity than comfort. My lovely SR4.7 is also rated for eight but the fkkrs would have to be standing up

[havener]

As CJL said, you won't go far wrong with Delta - absolutely rock solid, in use with a lot of the emergency services and military so built to be abused.

Halmatic (Pacific 22 for example) are built like a brick sh-thouse, and easy to reconfigure should you need to.

Humber are worth a look, especially a used Quinqari commercial.

As has been said, you'll get a lot more value buying used - it's even worth looking at the RNLI disposals for an Atlantic 75 if you want something virtually indestructible.

[Andy Moore]

I can recommend an Avon 620. We are very pleased with ours.

Mine cost £21,000 all in.

Andy