What should I look for?

[jlanng]

Hi guys!

I'm in the market for a RIB at the moment, but I'm not quite sure what to go for. I'm looking for some really good performance and handling (reformed 130hp jetski owner!) as well as safe cruising ability.

I'd really love to be able to take it over to the Channel Islands or maybe France. What sort of size boat should I be looking at? I don't want anything enormous as it has to be launched and recovered by my Passat

Perhaps I'm asking too much? Any input would be very gratefully received

[jlanng]

Oh yes, and my girlfriend wants to be able to ski behind it!

[Daniel TD5]

As me being a ex jet skier and jet biker if you want the same performance
as jet bikes forget a rib no boat i know of will perform like a jet bike. as for ribs ive just got my first boat three weeks ago i went for a new boat due to
warrenty. i have a vailant 4.5m vanguard with a mariner 40hp two stoke
go for the newest boat you can aford and go for a good name boat. costs for outboards will be more than the boat in most cases so look at what power you
need i don,t water ski so 40hp is fine try getting out with some of the boys
they like showing off boats good luck

[Alan]

Its one of those how long is a bit of string questions.

You've defined size by wanting to tow/launch/recover behind a normal saloon car. What you also need to share with the esteemed panel is your budget.

If your aspirations are cross channel then as big as poss. However given your tow vehicle then less than 6.5m probably around 5.5-6m is the size to go for. Go for as newer engine as poss - preferably new tech 2 stroke or 4 stroke.

The how much you can spend will define your choice.

HTH,
Alan

[Richard B]

Hi jlanng,

Good questions, and you're not necessarily asking too much.

For good performance and handling, you probably want a plenty of power in relation to the size of RIB, depending on what you call good performance! And as far as handling goes, if you mean in all weather conditions, that probably means a deep-V hull.

For safe cruising ability, assuming that you mean long inshore/offshore passages, you probably want a hull 5.5m+ and jockey seats (or possibly bucket seats if they are your thing).

For going cross-channel, then again you probably want 5.5m+, but anything 6m+ will give you a more pleasant ride. In general, the longer the hull, the faster you can go in a given sea condition. I've never been across the channel in anything smaller than 6.5m and that was hard enough work.

And you want to tow behind your Passat. Well, I would look at the handbook and find out what the max. towing weight is. That will be a major factor. Bear in ming that if your car is 2-wd you will need to be a little bit selective about slipways (tarmac/concrete only and slime-free). And don't forget to add the trailer weight to the boat weight.

I don't know anything about water skiing!

Many people in your position go for 5.8m to 6.5m RIBs and a very popular choice is the Ribcraft 5.85 typically powered with anything from 90hp to 140hp. And for cross-channel use, make sure that a suitably large fuel tank is fitted (120 litres+) depending on where you make the crossing. We were in a similar position last year but chose a larger boat to maximise comfort, but this puts us at the limit for towing, although I daren't put my 2-wd car on a slipway with the two-ton rig in tow!

Of course, the big question is "budget?" So that will probably put a whole different slant on it.

HTH!

[Richard B]

Crikey, we both managed to say almost the same thing, and neither of us mentioned Scorpions.... D'oh!

[swginn]

As Alan & Richard said, its all to do with budget. If money is no object, then the new Scorpion Mk2 is the one to have (I'm surpised Richard hasn't said this in his post!! ).

One thing I will say to you is, as you are an ex jetski man (and a very powerful jetski at that!!) you will probably prefer the quicker acceleration, better holeshot and of course the sound of a direct injection 2 stroke such as an Optimax, Ficht or Yam HPDI. Failing that a supercharged Verado. Mk2 Scorp with a Verado on the back, mmmmmm!! (sorry I'm getting a bit carried away.)

edit: I see Richard has mentioned has got his word in about Scorpions after all!!

[simmons0]

I was in exactly the same situation as you, i wanted to cruise long distances but can only tow with a mid range estate car.
If you want to do channel islands cruises dont go smaller than 5.5m but realisticaly a 2wd car wont tow anything bigger than 6m up a slip way.

i searched for months to find the perfect boat, spent a long time looking for the right ribcraft 5.85 to crop up. Nothing was coming up for sale with the right seating/engine setup.
Eventually i bought new and got the perfect boat for what i want.
Petrol or Diesel was something i couldnt decide on but the enormous fuel savings was the deciding factor. I will have roughly 16 hours cruising range which could easily take me 450 miles.

ps. Will you gas guzzlers stop giving me bad reputation every time i type the word DIESEL!

[Colin F]

Originally Posted by simmons0

I was in exactly the same situation as you, i wanted to cruise long distances but can only tow with a mid range estate car.
If you want to do channel islands cruises dont go smaller than 5.5m but realisticaly a 2wd car wont tow anything bigger than 6m up a slip way.

i searched for months to find the perfect boat, spent a long time looking for the right ribcraft 5.85 to crop up. Nothing was coming up for sale with the right seating/engine setup.
Eventually i bought new and got the perfect boat for what i want.
Petrol or Diesel was something i couldnt decide on but the enormous fuel savings was the deciding factor. I will have roughly 16 hours cruising range which could easily take me 450 miles.

ps. Will you gas guzzlers stop giving me bad reputation every time i type the word DIESEL!

have you got your boat now, any pics?

[mstacey]

Performance -

rib v jetski you are going have no contest at least in the range of rib that your going to tow behind your car.

Cross-Channel

A rib with deep v hull.

I have been across the channel in my 5.85m Ribcraft and also across to the Scilly Isles. A good boat of this size with competant crew is more than capable of such journeys. In general terms I think its fairly widely accepted that a longer hull is likely to give you a better ride.

I'd choose jockey seats, you can stand astride them or sit on them as the conditions dictate.