Where do you see the value price point of 2nd hand RIBs...

[ooglewoogle]

I apologise in advance for another slightly abstract question. I have started building up a picture of quality makes of RIB...I am just struggling to see whether to jump in at one price point, or hold off and save for a larger/better spec RIB.

For instance, member DM's Searider ( http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F224166 ) looks a cracking little RIB to me. Newly refitted and good for trouble free boating for a few years. I am seriously considering this option (pending it still being avail.).

But then for a bit more, there is this RIBTEC 585 at Leeway ( http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/LWC052 ). I like the idea of more pods as I will occasionally have up to 4/5 in the boat, albeit mostly run with 2.

Up to the £9k+ bracket and then there is the likes of this Ribtec 655 ( http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F219374 )...which seems more like a real boat.

A bit more again and I could have one of the Camel Trophy boats ( http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F214529 ) which looks an awesome expedition boat....say should I want to go out to St Kilda or whatnot.

I suppose it's the eternal question...at what point to jump in. I'm just trying to gauge whether any 1 step up represents much better value or not. Also, resale value. Any one of these examples hold value better than the others...or are decent made ribs much of a muchness?

Many thanks.

[Downhilldai]

You'd perhaps be better looking at it from a different angle and ask yourself what you want from a RIB. Bigger isn't necessarily better, if, for example, you're launching it in difficult conditions, have tow vehicle restrictions and of course, there's fuel costs to take into account.
When you've decided the size of RIB which would suit you best, think about how much you'd like to spend and make the decision on whether a newer boat would sit more comfortably in the peace of mind/reliability v higher cost argument.
Decent Seariders (like DM's) are always in demand, so if you buy it (or one like it), then in a couple of years time, you decide on something different, provided you've looked after it, you should be able to sell it on quite easily. There always seems to be a strong market for clean RIBs in the £5000 - £8000 price range.

[sarahscottiedog]

I agree ! decide what you want it for, where you are going to keep it and where you are going to use it, then within a balence of cost to buy, running cost and age (I'm sure some wizz mathmatician could come up with a great formula) buy the larger rib you are thinking about !

[PeterM]

I thought it was a simple case of decide on ;

budget
size
hassle
useage
running costs
storage

Then ignore it all & buy what you 'like the look of' and have to solve all the above issues & explain to the other half why you ignored all your careful research ?

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by PeterM

I thought it was a simple case of decide on ;

budget
size
hassle
useage
running costs
storage

Then ignore it all & buy what you 'like the look of' and have to solve all the above issues & explain to the other half why you ignored all your careful research ?

[Polwart]

Oogle,

What everyone says is good advice, the maximum value to YOU comes from having a boat that you will use a lot with minimal hassle and enjoy using for your intended purpose, but you are obviously thinking about "long term value" when you come to resell.

Firstly I think that in the price range you are looking at depreciation rates are not as brand specific as on an nearly new boat.

A newer engine will probably be more important to the package retaining value than the boat itself - if you buy a decrepit engine now, in 5 yrs time it will look even older.

However bearing in mind your location, its worth thinking about who might buy your boat when you come to sell. Whilst you are possibly prepared to travel anywhere in the UK to get the boat of your dreams, it would need to be an amazing boat to drag someone up from the south coast to the Western Isles to look at it - they have a plethora of boats to pick from much closer to home. So selling a boat in the Western Isles will depend on the local market (which I guess might stretch as far as the Central Belt). So which of your boats will appeal most to potential users in that part of the world? What sort of RIBs do you see in the area? Different weather, boating environments, and uses means the type of boat you might want for a spot of island hopping or diving will be different from taking a family water skiing in the Solent.

[ooglewoogle]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Then ignore it all & buy what you 'like the look of' and have to solve all the above issues & explain to the other half why you ignored all your careful research ?

That's happened already! Ya come here...get the great advice...do loads of planning and thinking....then still find yourself getting fixated on the 'wrong' boats.

I'm beginning to think about possibly putting off the RIB until next year to give me a bit more time to look around, get my RYA PBII, plan a bit more etc...maybe up the price range a bit. The only thing is, I'm out walking every night now around this beautiful island...with the low sun making everything look magical...nary a ripple on the sea...little sandy beaches shining on nearby islets etc...sigh!

We'll see. I'll defo. keep looking in the meantime and see if I can see something to match my needs/budget. Perhaps I might get a litte SIB for this season and just use it to go out in the Sea Lochs...just to be out there.

I thank you all again for your kind sharing of info and advice...this is a great forum!

[tdavis]

I have been offered the above. they seem rare does anyone know anything about them?

[crazymac680]

From the sounds of things, your on the Isle of Lewis? I stay in Lochs and have a Avon Searider 5.4 Mercury blueband 85hp. Similar to the first boat you were looking at but much much more weathered! I'd happily take you out for a spin so you could guage if she is the type and size of boat that would be fit for your purpose.

[searover]

I asked all the questians, and thought of a small rib , but it didnt work out that way as i saw a loveley avon adventure. with a 115 on it, needless to say i bought it , and have never had so much fun im out on it all the time, cold or hot im not bothered, we love it . i worried about where to keep it afterwards, i soon found a home for it and laundhing is easy with a roller trailer so buy what u fancy ,a worry abt. it after. kind regards...