Looking to buy a RIB

[Paddy L]

Have just sold our beloved Fletcher and now looking to buy a RIB (preferable for the rough Irish coastline!) Looking for a 5.75 -> 6.5 in very good condition. Engine size 90HP to 130hp. Willing to travel to UK for right RIB, right price. Any advice ......... thanks

[chewy]

Willk seems to have a thing for Redbays and is the right side of the water to point you in the right direction.
Alot also depends on what you want to use it for?

Welcome to the forum!

[willk]

Hi Paddy - pretty much like Chewy says.

I've looked at the costs of getting a boat back from the UK and it's fairly eye-watering, unless you have an empty artic coming back anyway. The motivation being the brutal cost of boats here.

The Redbay 6.1 and 6.5 are both stunning RIBS. The 6.1 gives good performance with smaller engines, the 6.5 is usefully larger and needs about 150hp+ to get the best from them. They're not cheap, but they're handbuilt in Ireland for our conditions.

There are lots of other boats/makes about that would suit. If you plan to get the most out of them, I'd suggest a non-leisure style, so deep V and no bucket seats. Our waters are rarely calm so top speed is not as important as the ability to deal with a chop or swell and maintain a good cruising speed in comfort.

Avoid Irish manufacturer's with an "N" in their name

[Paddy L]

Hi Willk and Chewy, many thanks for your welcome to Ribnet Forum and responses. Yes, we have looked at Redbay and all reports have been good. Are there other brands /makes that you particularly recommend? Any views on prices ....... ROI V NI V Rest of UK ?? ... thanks, Paddy

[willk]

Prices on the island as a whole are fairly similar, both are pricier than the UK. I'd guess by about 10-20% ? There is a lot of overpriced rubbish floating around Ireland, probably as the market is so small. Our tendency to haggle may make the asking prices seem high - not sure if this happens in the UK so much. If you're not set on a precise boat then you'll find a good one here if you wait. If you travel to the UK to buy a boat, it'll be harder to "walk away" as you've already invested time and money.

[boilermaker1]

Hi, check out afloat.ie,,O'Sullivan marine (Kerry) have a 5.5m Osprey with yamaha 115 four stroke engine..i have seen this rib needs a bit of wwork and a good tidy, but is priced good and I imagine for cash there would be a good discount..

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Welcome. What's your budget and how old would you go? Then you can start thinking about makes and sizes. Most boats halve in value in 3-4 years in broad terms. That will give you a guide to what you're looking at.

[spartacus]

Redbay 6.5m with twin Suzuki 70hp (Clyde) here: redbay boats - FAFB

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Paddy L

Have just sold our beloved Fletcher and now looking to buy a RIB (preferable for the rough Irish coastline!) Looking for a 5.75 -> 6.5 in very good condition. Engine size 90HP to 130hp. Willing to travel to UK for right RIB, right price. Any advice ......... thanks

With a large purchase item like a RIB,I would certainly agree and not be put off traveling to get the right boat at the right price. Not minding a bit of hassel and expence at the begining will open up alot more choice for you,and enable you to cast the net alot wider.
With the internet and all the tools like, camera phone's, video emails, ect,at our disposal these days it takes alot of the guesswork out of the equation.(Although not all!) You could always line up a few ''potentials'' and make a weekend of it.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Maximus

With a large purchase item like a RIB,I would certainly agree and not be put off traveling to get the right boat at the right price. Not minding a bit of hassel and expence at the begining will open up alot more choice for you,and enable you to cast the net alot wider.
With the internet and all the tools like, camera phone's, video emails, ect,at our disposal these days it takes alot of the guesswork out of the equation.(Although not all!) You could always line up a few ''potentials'' and make a weekend of it.

Or, just go straight to Yeovil.