£3500 budget what can i get?

RossG · 22 January 2011, 21:33

I'm looking to buy my first Rib and would appreciate some advice on what I can get for £3500?

My requirements are;
- seat 4 people
- launch and recover single handed so weight is a factor
- 75hp ideally 90hp

The 5.4 Avon Searider looks a obvious choice what are the other options?

I'm probaly asking a lot based on my limited budget!

Thanks for your advice.

Nos4r2 · 22 January 2011, 22:11

You'll be very pushed to seat 4 on a 5.4 Searider without new console/seating or 2 sat on the tubes. It's 'cosy' with 3 on mine.

I'd increase the budget-£3.5k is unlikely to get you anything that you can get 4 people on without it being a heap of trouble.

chewy · 22 January 2011, 23:37

Humber Assault..............

Jizm · 23 January 2011, 09:06

Your passengers will ikely be sitting on the tubes....

spartacus · 23 January 2011, 09:39

Budget is limited. That's going to get you an old boat, engine and trailer. Fine if you want a project, but not ideal if it's your first RIB. You could opt for a SIB? Couple of options here.
The Futura is great little boat. The first thing I'd do is replace the steering pod and get a seat option.

http://www.penninemarine.com/product...rod=410&xSec=7
http://www.findafishingboat.com/heavyduty/DB28456

Andy B · 23 January 2011, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jizm

Your passengers will ikely be sitting on the tubes....

how much did you sell the tornado for......

BruceB · 23 January 2011, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Humber Assault..............

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

jambo · 23 January 2011, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

You trying to tell us something!!?? Come on bashfull spill the beans.........

chewy · 23 January 2011, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Lol, he's after something cheap and cheerful so the sh!te ride shouldn't be too much of a problem....

NickRB · 23 January 2011, 18:59

RIB currently on ebay - no reserve

Possibility?

Item number 150549926165

Andy B · 23 January 2011, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickRB

RIB currently on ebay - no reserve

Possibility?

Item number 150549926165

i looked at that one
wouldn't be yours would it?
its local to you, do you konw the boat?

Hightower · 23 January 2011, 19:50

You really will drag the bottom of the Sea Bed with a budget like that.

This might go cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Humber-rib-6-m...item25608f46d4

NickRB · 23 January 2011, 21:17

No not mine although it is local. Don`t know the boat or the vendor

I am looking for something newer

BruceB · 23 January 2011, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

the sh!te ride shouldn't be too much of a problem....

Well, an Assault will be fine then.......

RossG · 23 January 2011, 21:50

Thanks for the advice.

Further thoughts are;
- A console to seat two will be fine - my wife can sit on the floor! when i have more than two in the boat we will be pottering around in a very calm bay/harbour.

- I 'm happy to work on the boat and trailer but wouldn't get involved with the engine - not bothered if it is old and well used providing it is reliable and has a good few years left in it.

- I want something that is very capable in rough seas, so i feel the Sibs are a bit light weight for what i need.

- I'm picturing a commercial work horse of a boat with a well maintained engine - do these boats exist on my budget?

My wife is of the opinion i have far too many toys as it is - so i need to keep to my budget if i can!

Thanks again for the advice.

Nos4r2 · 23 January 2011, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by RossG

Thanks for the advice.

Further thoughts are;
- A console to seat two will be fine - my wife can sit on the floor! when i have more than two in the boat we will be pottering around in a very calm bay/harbour.

- I 'm happy to work on the boat and trailer but wouldn't get involved with the engine - not bothered if it is old and well used providing it is reliable and has a good few years left in it.

As the outboard is the most expensive (and most likely to fail) part of most boats you're asking a bit much here. With your budget, you'll have to be very hands-on with the whole package or you'll find the upkeep very expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RossG

- I want something that is very capable in rough seas, so i feel the Sibs are a bit light weight for what i need.

- I'm picturing a commercial work horse of a boat with a well maintained engine - do these boats exist on my budget?

Well...you'd get a cosmetically rough 5.4 Searider for that,or maybe something unbranded but whatever you get will be old and unless you've got hands-on with the outboard or paid someone who knows their stuff to check it all out you're not going to know what you're getting in advance.

Essentially, you might find something, but you're just as likely to find a drain on the wallet and time with no real reward for doing it.

chewy · 24 January 2011, 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by RossG

Thanks for the advice.

Further thoughts are;
- A console to seat two will be fine - my wife can sit on the floor! when i have more than two in the boat we will be pottering around in a very calm bay/harbour.

- I 'm happy to work on the boat and trailer but wouldn't get involved with the engine - not bothered if it is old and well used providing it is reliable and has a good few years left in it.

- I want something that is very capable in rough seas, so i feel the Sibs are a bit light weight for what i need.

- I'm picturing a commercial work horse of a boat with a well maintained engine - do these boats exist on my budget?

My wife is of the opinion i have far too many toys as it is - so i need to keep to my budget if i can!

Thanks again for the advice.

You've got more chance of getting the moon on a stick.

You'll have to compromise somewhere.....

This is up my neck of the woods:

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/CTC430

Searider · 24 January 2011, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

You really will drag the bottom of the Sea Bed with a budget like that.

This might go cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Humber-rib-6-m...item25608f46d4

I doubt it will go THAT cheap with a 150hp opti though.

Searider · 24 January 2011, 10:18

I think that the problem with the budget is that everything is likely to be getting on a bit.

Whilst this needn't be a problem if the engine has been maintained properly and not been dunked and runs reliably - BUT you're never going to know if it's going the be reliable until you've bought it and used it for a while.

You probably can spot the engines that are likely to be unreliable by looking at the service history and under the cowling however.

RossG · 24 January 2011, 20:50

Taking on board all your comments...

If I went for a smaller 4 metre Searider would I get a better example as opposed to get something that could become a money pit?

Also how does the 4 metre handle by comparison to the 5.4? Is it as much fun/versatile etc?