which is best all weather 7-8m rib?

[marios]

searching to buy a new rib around 7-8m and need some advises. i need my rib for long trips in open sea, as i live in cyprus and like to visit greek islands some times...

[Richard B]

Hi,

What distance is that journey from Cyprus to the Greek Islands?

[marios]

it is about 450km for the first island...

[Richard B]

And you're going to do this 450km by RIB?

Is there anywhere to refuel on the way or is it open water?

[Alan]

Without a question its one of those South African Phalcon wonderboats. I think some bloke in Greece is supposed to be building them now.

[tim griffin]

go to www.nautimarmarine.com/kysiffos.html quite an adventure was had when they went to Kastellorizo.

[island8]

zodiac 733 hurricane

[marios]

dear Richard B ... no refuel is possible because the counrty next to us (Turkey) is not a friently one to us borders are closed so kastelorizo is the first refuel station and it is about 450km..

[codprawn]

It would have to be a diesel - easy to find anywhere there are fishing boats and better economy.

You could either buy a British boat and have it shipped over or look for something more local. The British boats tend to be able to cope with really rough waters!

http://www.cobraribs.com/ - they are stunning boats and have sold loads to your area so have plenty of experience of shipping. Really nice boats but not for very rough weather although will handle almost anything the med would throw at it!

http://www.revenger.co.uk/
http://www.scorpionribs.com/

These two are brilliant - usually fighting it out to make boats for winning offshore racing etc - hold many records between them - Revenger the fastest right around the British coast - and they don't come much rougher!

[Richard B]

Well, it wouldn't have to be diesel - the petrol v diesel would be a choice based on the availability of fuel at your departure point and at Kastelorizo.

Given that your journey is about 450km = 279miles, then your boat will need to be designed around the fuel tanks, and if you are planning to make the trip regularly, then you may want to have permanent underfloor tanks rather than flexible deck tanks.

This thread may be of interest to you - Fjord Transit their crossing of the North Sea was, I think, roughly the same distance (or a little more) that you are planning?

Codprawn has suggested three RIB manufacturers who build good boats. Scorpion are manufactured in Greece under license by Ribco and are one of the best all purpose RIBs available - I'm led to belive that the Scorpion (Ribco) has a drier ride than the Cobra, and a softer ride than the Revenger.

However, I think there's much more to decide before narrowing down Manufacturers - fuel type (ie petrol or diesel), number of engines (ie 1 or 2) and style of weather protection (ie cabin or open) being possibly the most important.