What RIB to get

[norcalhunter]

Hello everybody, I'd like to start off by saying I am new to this forum and new to RIBs. I am looking to by a RIB to use for primarily for spearfishing and diving. Ideally this boat would be able to hold me, my dive buddies and our gear ( I usually go with 7-8 people and that includes all of our gear) and take me at least 10 miles offshore. It would hopefully not cost over 20k. After taking these facts into account I think that the achilles SU-18 would be good for me. If anyone has any experience with this boat or has a recommendation of a boat that would better suit me than I would appreciate hearing about it. Thanks you so much.

Here is a link to the boat page:
http://www.achillesboats.com/boatmod...ortutility/su/

[jeffstevens763@g]

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en-gb/...e/?e%5B%5D=485

Have a look at these very capable boats PVC or HYPALON & welcome

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by norcalhunter

Hello everybody, I'd like to start off by saying I am new to this forum and new to RIBs. I am looking to by a RIB to use for primarily for spearfishing and diving. Ideally this boat would be able to hold me, my dive buddies and our gear ( I usually go with 7-8 people and that includes all of our gear) and take me at least 10 miles offshore. It would hopefully not cost over 20k. After taking these facts into account I think that the achilles SU-18 would be good for me. If anyone has any experience with this boat or has a recommendation of a boat that would better suit me than I would appreciate hearing about it. Thanks you so much.

Here is a link to the boat page:
http://www.achillesboats.com/boatmod...ortutility/su/

7-8 divers & gear, 10 miles offshore!! You're gonna need a bigger boat

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

7-8 divers & gear, 10 miles offshore!! You're gonna need a bigger boat

Yep!...
And if you really don't know that already,I'd suggest you need to get/do plenty more research/homework/diving/Sea going
experience

[norcalhunter]

I'd like to first say thank you for the replies. I don't know if this makes any difference but when I said divers I meant freedivers, not scuba divers. I'm sorry if I mislead you guys. Our gear would mainly consist of inflatable floats, floatline, spearguns and fins for bluewater spearfishing not scuba equipment. I will use it for scuba diving too but 10 miles off shore no way. I like scuba diving closer to shore. With this taken into account is this boat still ok or should I do more research.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by norcalhunter

I'd like to first say thank you for the replies. I don't know if this makes any difference but when I said divers I meant freedivers, not scuba divers. I'm sorry if I mislead you guys. Our gear would mainly consist of inflatable floats, floatline, spearguns and fins for bluewater spearfishing not scuba equipment. I will use it for scuba diving too but 10 miles off shore no way. I like scuba diving closer to shore. With this taken into account is this boat still ok or should I do more research.

The SU 18 has 11 person capacity 90 hp max outboard personally I would run that in good conditions but cut back if not

[Andy_Rs600]

Originally Posted by norcalhunter

I don't know if this makes any difference but when I said divers I meant freedivers, not scuba divers.

It does make a difference, but you are still pushing the capabilities of that sized boat. Most people wouldn't be buying a 5.5m boat to go 10miles offshore, or to carry 8 people. Both are possible, but neither will be comfortable in anything but smooth conditions. Personally, having done a fair bit of SCUBA divinf from RIBS wouldn't take 8 divers that far offshore in anything much smaller than a 7m boat. That isn't because you can't but more than if you end up with one pair cold/injured/unwell you are going to really struggle to get deck space. You will also struggle to carry 8 people and 8 people's worth of safety kit for that far offshore in a boat that size.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Andy_Rs600

.......Most people wouldn't be buying a 5.5m boat to go 10miles offshore

Aye! I'd want to be doing 50 minimum or its not worth turning out[emoji57]

[Andy_Rs600]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Aye! I'd want to be doing 50 minimum or its not worth turning out[emoji57]

Your maximally specced out Ribcraft probably isn't representative...

[andrew_ireland]

A 5.5 meter rib with a 90hp engine may even struggle to plane with 8 guys on board not to mind the weight of gear

[norcalhunter]

Thank you guys for all the replies. I really appreciate it. I also have been looking at the ard-730 from them however I can't find anything about it. Does anyone know about it this boat or what the price is? Thanks again for the replies. I'm relatively new to RIBs and I appreciate all the advice

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by andrew_ireland

A 5.5 meter rib with a 90hp engine may even struggle to plane with 8 guys on board not to mind the weight of gear

[emoji106] 6 pax in a 5.5m boat will be cosy.

[andrew_ireland]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

[emoji106] 6 pax in a 5.5m boat will be cosy.

Closer to the limit of cosy if u ask me

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Aye! I'd want to be doing 50 minimum or its not worth turning out[emoji57]

Well said give us a wave when you pass me in my 3.65m sib