Looking to buy a RIB

Paddy L · 01 January 2012, 15:13

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 · 01 January 2012, 15:17

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 · 01 January 2012, 15:49

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 · 01 January 2012, 16:05

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 · 01 January 2012, 16:17

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 · 01 January 2012, 18:14

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 · 01 January 2012, 18:15

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 · 01 January 2012, 19:01

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

Maximus · 02 January 2012, 19:16

Quote:

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 · 02 January 2012, 19:22

Quote:

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.

gotchiguy · 03 January 2012, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

New Years resolution to be a little more serious eh!?

willk · 03 January 2012, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

New Years resolution to be a little more serious eh!?

He might know where I live...

two stroke mick · 04 January 2012, 15:28

Paddy what part of ireland are you in any where near mayo?

Bal · 04 January 2012, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Paddy what part of ireland are you in any where near mayo?

Hi paddy have you looked at Ribquest in Derbyshire? Cheers

Paddy L · 04 January 2012, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Paddy what part of ireland are you in any where near mayo?

Hi 2Stroke,

I am in Dublin but willing to travel if suitable RIB comes up

Thanks

Paddy

Paddy L · 04 January 2012, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bal

Hi paddy have you looked at Ribquest in Derbyshire? Cheers

No, but will start now!

Thanks

Paddy

Bal · 05 January 2012, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy L

No, but will start now!

Thanks

Paddy

Hi paddy
Did you look at Ribquest website? Cheers

Paddy L · 22 January 2012, 12:24

Hi WillK,
Have you a view on a Valiant 620, saw one recently that looks very neat, it has an 'N' in its name!? Thanks PaddyL

Boats&Outboards · 22 January 2012, 13:01

Hi PaddyL

I'm about to market a 2004 Ribeye 600 with Yamaha 115HP 4 stroke + SBS trailer. Priced £10,750 with a little movement or Ribnet members. If it of interest PM for more details or have a look in the "Ribs for sale" section later today

Cheers

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

Poly · 22 January 2012, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy L

Hi WillK,
Have you a view on a Valiant 620, saw one recently that looks very neat, it has an 'N' in its name!? Thanks PaddyL

There may be some delay in getting a response from Willk...

...I think he was mostly referring to boats built in Ireland which contain an N in the name. Valiant is well enough known throughout the UK and beyond that you should be able to get a reasonable response from the rest of the forum.

I suspect when you distill any feedack you get it will come out to be something like this:

- Valiant are a big manufacturer making lots of boats so they must be doing something right. They operate a dealer system - there are pro's and con's to that - it probably matters less for 2nd hand.
- They are generally targeted towards the lower budget end of the market and so some people here will (unfairly?) compare them to much more expensive boats and tell you they are not as good.
- Generally fit out is OK but not outstanding. Some of it may be done by the end dealer in which case could be subject to variability. With second hand boats you always need to be aware the dodgy DIYer anyway. Even some of the best respected names in the industry put our "friday afternoon" boats - so what matters is how your boat is finished not how the others are.
- The tubes are made from Polyurethane not Hypalon (PU is not to be confused with PVC). >95% of people on here will tell you Hypalon is the way to go and is much better; most of them have no real experience of PU. The marketing material for PU says it is better in many ways. The handbuilt tube makers prefer hypalon. The machine built tube makers prefer PU (because in can be welded rather than glued). If the tubes are in great condition hold air well etc then it certainly wouldn't put me off. If the tubes are getting tired or have several diy patches etc then I would be budgeting for new tubes.
- When you buy a valiant usually you get a standard set up / format of seating etc. This might be more restrictive than a "typical ribnetter" would want, but it does mean it has probably been well considered and reasonably good for the intended purpose.
- Quite a lot of their boats have "bench" type seating rather than jockies. This is much less popular on ribnet. Depending on your use it may suit you. Some valiants have a standing/leaning bolster type arrangement which some users claim is even better than typical jockey seats.