What do you think of this RIB?

cdr · 03 October 2014, 08:10

I'm looking to replace my existing 5m Wildcat RIB with something larger and with more comfortable seating!

What do you think of this RIB?

cobra 7.5 rib mercury optimax 2001 power boat px motorhome rv | eBay

I like the look / layout of Cobra RIBs, but not sure what the quality or handling is like. Any suggestions?

Maximus · 03 October 2014, 09:23

Hard to really say without seeing it,and assuming it's GENUINE!!..but certainly seen a lot less advertised for a lot more!
A call and a visit,and hopefully a trial should sort it

Starovich · 03 October 2014, 09:25

Ended: 01 Oct, 2014 16:46:48 BST ?

cdr · 03 October 2014, 09:38

Genuine? Are there counterfeit RIBs?

It ended at £10 but didn't meet its reserve price, so not sold. I didn't buy it.

Ovey · 03 October 2014, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdr

Genuine? Are there counterfeit RIBs?

It ended at £10 but didn't meet its reserve price, so not sold. I didn't buy it.

It's not the RIB that's not genuine - it's the "seller". It's not the first time a scam has been used to advertise a boat that, for some reason, the seller ensures you can't see before handing over cash.

If you're able to see it, meet the seller, see paperwork and "get a good feel" there's a chance the sale is genuine. FWIW, I'd get a good feel about that boat, as the £10k (reserve not met) seems a genuine(ish) price for the boat in question so is probably a genuine sale, but I'd still ask to see it and meet the seller first.

And the only boat I'd sell my beloved Ribeye for is a Cobra, so don't worry about the quality providing it's been looked after (or I could be tempted with a cabin rib!)!

Good luck in finding a boat, but please use the forum if you're not sure about any potential purchase that seems too good to be true.

cdr · 03 October 2014, 09:55

Thanks. Looking through the for sale form, I see it has been advertised on here for £16.5 before, a while ago though.

Is 600 hours high for a marine engine?

My current RIB has 45 hours on it since new, in 2002.

I'm finding it very difficult to gauge what a RIB is actually worth vs what people are asking for, as the prices do seem to vary a lot.

Ovey · 03 October 2014, 10:01

I have a 2003 Yamaha with just over 200hrs on it, but it hadn't been used much by the previous owners - but I'd say 600 hours is fine - especially if the engine has been looked after.

The best way to guage prices of RIBs is to compare similar boats on "ribsforsale", "boatsandoutboards", "apolloduck", etc to get a feel for it. The forum will also help as there is a vast amount of experience on here.

IMO each boat is going to be different as there are some really nice older boats that have been looked after, some poor new boats that aren't given as much tlc, and everything in between. Throw into the mix the wide range of electronics, extra features and you have a range of prices.

I think it's always going to be a case of what you're prepared to pay, and what you can get for that price.

Ovey · 03 October 2014, 10:14

Used Boats | Cobra Ribs

Hopefully this will give you a guide to the prices of Cobra Ribs - but these are used boats from the manufacturer so will be priced slightly higher than generally available.

Dan Gurney · 03 October 2014, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ovey

The best way to guage prices of RIBs is to compare similar boats on "ribsforsale", "boatsandoutboards", "apolloduck", etc to get a feel for it..

Do be aware though, that the second two are plagued with the aforementioned scam adverts. So that 2010 Ribeye 650 with 200 hours on it for 6k may not be entirely indicative of the market price.

cdr · 03 October 2014, 12:00

Cheers guys.

Are there any other brands / models that you would recommend looking at?

I want a leisure RIB, with comfortable seating (ideally not jockey seats), needs to do 30 knot+ and cost around £15k.

Ovey · 03 October 2014, 12:17

Most RIBs can be specced with jockey seats or bench-type seats, but I would guess most are specced at initial build and remain like that (standfast some of the guys on here who rebuild their boats!), so it's best to look around for one that seems to fit what you are looking for. I would say that a large number have a rear bench seat, although some of these put your passengers higher than the tubes which was a worry for me with two young boys.

I was looking for similar to you when I bought mine and I was looking at Cobra, Ballistic and Ribeye through personal choice, a bit of boat knowledge and "the look" of them. I'm sure there are more recommendations going to be offered though!

Maximus · 03 October 2014, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdr

Cheers guys.

Are there any other brands / models that you would recommend looking at?

I want a leisure RIB, with comfortable seating (ideally not jockey seats), needs to do 30 knot+ and cost around £15k.

After you asked the question...If it's right?.. and not sold?...why haven't you seen it yet then??....could be pretty good bargain if he'll take an offer

boristhebold · 03 October 2014, 12:47

On the Cobra Ribs website there is a 2003 7.5 at around £19,995.00 , for its age and engine hours I reckon that would be a reasonable price, you could make them an offer as its priced to sell, looks like the seats have been redone from the pictures. The full description doesnt look correct as they state in one place a yamaha engine and its clearly not. worth having a look at in my opinion.

cdr · 03 October 2014, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

After you asked the question...If it's right?.. and not sold?...why haven't you seen it yet then??....could be pretty good bargain if he'll take an offer

Because I don't want to buy the wrong boat (again)!

When you understand all the brands / options / combinations it probably makes sense, but its quite overwhelming when you are a newbie. There are so many brands.

I don't know who else makes good leisure RIBs. I don't want to spend 15k on a Cobra and then realise that someone else makes a RIB better suited to my needs that could be had for the same / cheaper price.

Ovey · 03 October 2014, 14:01

In that case I'd have a generic "Rib" search on the web, starting with the sites I said before, not necessarily buying from there. After a while you'll start to get an idea of what you want, what is available and what you can get for your money.

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Poly · 03 October 2014, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ovey

And the only boat I'd sell my beloved Ribeye for is a Cobra, so don't worry about the quality providing it's been looked after

OK I've tried to ignore this but I can't...
...regardless of your view of Ribeye or Cobra... can this really be true? and does stuff like that make the rest of your advice equally "eyebrow raising".

Ovey · 03 October 2014, 18:29

I'm not sure how my views on my boat or preference of boat brings my advice into question? Cobras are of good quality, so if it's been looked after there shouldn't be an issue. Happy to hear what you have against Ribeyes or Cobras but questioning other aspects of my advice seems a bit harsh, especially as I give it in good faith based on experience or investigation.

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Lee argyle · 03 October 2014, 18:41

I've owned neither a ribeye or cobra, heard mixed reviews about both brands from professionals, owners and keyboard warriors - but that can be said about every rib ever made. My advice would be do your research , get out on the water and make a informed decision , good luck

mhb100 · 03 October 2014, 19:14

The reserve on this boat was £14500, I inquired about it the other week. I didn't see it.

Poly · 03 October 2014, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ovey

I'm not sure how my views on my boat or preference of boat brings my advice into question? Cobras are of good quality, so if it's been looked after there shouldn't be an issue. Happy to hear what you have against Ribeyes or Cobras but questioning other aspects of my advice seems a bit harsh, especially as I give it in good faith based on experience or investigation.

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You've missed the point. Your post suggests the only two boats you would consider owning are your ribeye or a cobra. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with either but it seems remarkably narrow minded which made me wonder what your logic is. I mean most ribeye owners would be prepared to consider a scorpion, a goldfish, or a revenger not to mention some of the other popular brands on here. To imply the cobra are the only people on the planet that could make a boat to compete with your ribeye is clearly not rational though.