Hi....purchasing advice please

[Shipwreck]

Hi I've owned a couple of ribs in the past, and have decided to get back on the water.
I'm keen on a humber for its simplistic ruggedness and seaworthy rep, however I torn on size and not sure what difference I will notice between a destroyer and ocean pro.

Generally it will be two to four of us out in the Solent and skirting the coastline down to Poole or Swanage etc. However on a rare occasion, in good weather, maybe 6 ish will be out for a spin.

In the past I've had a cobra 7.5 with diesel inboard, expense on maintenance, very seaworthy but difficult to manoeuvre at low speeds and a rib tec freeway, the opposite in most ways

I'm interested to know if a 5m ocean pro will be significantly more unstable in choppy waters than a 6m destroyer? As it generally just 2-4 of us in the boat. Will it be significantly better in unsettled waters than the freeway, which was scary!

Should I simply go as big as possible? My budget may stretch to a 7m destroyer

I'd welcome your advice

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

I'm keen on a humber for its simplistic ruggedness and seaworthy rep,

As do-

Osprey
Redbay
Ribcraft
Ribquest
Parker and on.

[Poly]

Storage, close quarters handling, launching and running costs for a 7m and a 5m are going to be very different. Assuming those are not issues that will limit enjoyment then without doubt a 7m is going to be better in a big sea than a 5m.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Mollers

As do-

Osprey
Redbay
Ribcraft
Ribquest
Parker and on.

I think what he might be suggesting is those guys pride themselves on the quality of the build whilst Humber will build to a budget ;-)

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Poly

I think what he might be suggesting is those guys pride themselves on the quality of the build whilst Humber will build to a budget ;-)

You said it.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

I'm interested to know if a 5m ocean pro will be significantly more unstable in choppy waters than a 6m destroyer? As it generally just 2-4 of us in the boat. Will it be significantly better in unsettled waters than the freeway, which was scary!
Should I simply go as big as possible? My budget may stretch to a 7m destroyer...I'd welcome your advice

A meter means a lot at that size. Splash rails aside, I'd suggest that the 6m Destroyer will be much more capable in a bit of a chop - maybe a bit wet?

I'd suggest that an Oceanpro around the 6m mark would be a much better solution, but maybe there's a budget restriction?