Advice on 5.5 -6 metre

[nickpw]

Hi all, I've been out of ribbing for a few years but now keen to get back out with the kids.

We previously had a Zodiac Medline with a 150 Merc saltwater.

What would be a good selection of ribs to start looking for in the 5.5 - 6 range?

I want something for day tripping on the Solent, bit of fishing, towing & general messing about.

Would like to top out between 12-15K & ideally a 4 stroke.

I saw a 90hp, 2004 5.3 metre Ribcraft on Marketplace for £13,500 which is probably a bit too small - also seems a bit pricey to me but as i said I've been out of the game so not sure what the state of the market is like.

Cheers

Nick

[treerat]

I run a 6m Highfield Patrol, coupled with a 135 Honda, and its a superb vessel.

Plenty of seating, lots of storage, a huge bow rise for a dry ride and a range of towing cleats and points. Well worth looking at what Rob Perry Marine or other (local) dealers have in the brokerage sheds.

[nickpw]

Originally Posted by treerat

I run a 6m Highfield Patrol, coupled with a 135 Honda, and its a superb vessel.

Plenty of seating, lots of storage, a huge bow rise for a dry ride and a range of towing cleats and points. Well worth looking at what Rob Perry Marine or other (local) dealers have in the brokerage sheds.

Lovely boat - I'll deffo add that to the list thanks for that

[spartacus]

You can be out of the market for a few years and then be genuinely surprised at cost to buy back in. I’m not shocked at Ribcraft 5.3 at £13,500, although a 2004 hull and assuming original tubes is getting on for 21 years. I agree it’s probably too small for what you want, but never say never. Depends on condition. It’s also start of the season, so sellers are likely to take a cheeky punt so to speak. It’s also based on supply and demand. After COVID, you could have basically named your price.

Few things for you to consider. How old are your kids, assuming early teens, seating arrangements for them and compromises you’re prepared to make on any outfit? To be honest £12-15k will be an older rib and engine combination at this size.

Ribcraft 585, Delta Dash 5.5, Humber Destroyer 5-6m, Tornado 5.5m. I’m sure there are more, but all have proven deep hulls, and sea-keeping ability. I’ve seen a Ribcraft 585 and a Humber Destroyer with a Yamaha 100hp at your price point which is adequate but won’t set the heather alight. Again, depending how many on board, then minimum of 115hp, or better still maximum hp rated for the transom.

Don’t forget the double check the trailer. You’re probably looking at £3.5k minimum to replace.

[ThundercatRob]

I picked up a Gemini Waverider 600 at the start of the year.

Old hull and engine with it being a 2000 build, but retubed in 2014 and new trailer and seems a really solid boat.

Took it out on Saturday across the Solent and it seemed really good. Popped over to Yarmouth for breakfast. Very quiet, no one else seemed to be out.

[nickpw]

Originally Posted by spartacus

You can be out of the market for a few years and then be genuinely surprised at cost to buy back in. I’m not shocked at Ribcraft 5.3 at £13,500, although a 2004 hull and assuming original tubes is getting on for 21 years. I agree it’s probably too small for what you want, but never say never. Depends on condition. It’s also start of the season, so sellers are likely to take a cheeky punt so to speak. It’s also based on supply and demand. After COVID, you could have basically named your price.

Few things for you to consider. How old are your kids, assuming early teens, seating arrangements for them and compromises you’re prepared to make on any outfit? To be honest £12-15k will be an older rib and engine combination at this size.

Ribcraft 585, Delta Dash 5.5, Humber Destroyer 5-6m, Tornado 5.5m. I’m sure there are more, but all have proven deep hulls, and sea-keeping ability. I’ve seen a Ribcraft 585 and a Humber Destroyer with a Yamaha 100hp at your price point which is adequate but won’t set the heather alight. Again, depending how many on board, then minimum of 115hp, or better still maximum hp rated for the transom.

Don’t forget the double check the trailer. You’re probably looking at £3.5k minimum to replace.

Yes it’s been over 10 years now since we had a rib. One of the reasons we sold was to get a bit more protection and convenience for the young kids.

We actually did alright out of the Covid bounce & sold a Four Winns cruiser and a caravan and chucked it all into a 32 foot sailboat which we’ve owned since and had many happy holidays on it and it’s been a pleasant relief to work on myself and costs fairly minimal which wasn’t the case with the Four Winns 6.0 litre lump & needy repairs/upgrades!.


But yep kids are now teens and have got a taste for a bit of speed and quick local boating for fishing, wakeboarding & we’re 5 minutes from the local slipway for launch & recovery as opposed to a 35 minutes drive, prep get out to sea and eventually sails up etc...it’s starting to be a challenge to motivate them.

I thought I’d pickup something good & hopefully reliable enough for the money as cannot justify to myself or afford having 2 pricier boats - and my beloved sailboat is not for negotiation :-)

So it’s got to take 2 boys, me and my wife/day gear and be able to get us home without too much bother if the chop gets up as it often does. So seating also a watch out.


We’d probably do some complicated convoluted plan of getting the rib to the sailboat in the summer so we can have both to use when we go and anchor off Studland or the like.


I’d prob compromise and lift budget a bit for the right boat and accept a sharp punch to the ghoulies for another one of her kitchen upgrade stopping ideas :-)

[nickpw]

Originally Posted by ThundercatRob

I picked up a Gemini Waverider 600 at the start of the year.

Old hull and engine with it being a 2000 build, but retubed in 2014 and new trailer and seems a really solid boat.

Took it out on Saturday across the Solent and it seemed really good. Popped over to Yarmouth for breakfast. Very quiet, no one else seemed to be out.

What a smashing looking vessel that is - hope you have a great season.

[nickpw]

Originally Posted by spartacus

You can be out of the market for a few years and then be genuinely surprised at cost to buy back in. I’m not shocked at Ribcraft 5.3 at £13,500, although a 2004 hull and assuming original tubes is getting on for 21 years. I agree it’s probably too small for what you want, but never say never. Depends on condition. It’s also start of the season, so sellers are likely to take a cheeky punt so to speak. It’s also based on supply and demand. After COVID, you could have basically named your price.

Few things for you to consider. How old are your kids, assuming early teens, seating arrangements for them and compromises you’re prepared to make on any outfit? To be honest £12-15k will be an older rib and engine combination at this size.

Ribcraft 585, Delta Dash 5.5, Humber Destroyer 5-6m, Tornado 5.5m. I’m sure there are more, but all have proven deep hulls, and sea-keeping ability. I’ve seen a Ribcraft 585 and a Humber Destroyer with a Yamaha 100hp at your price point which is adequate but won’t set the heather alight. Again, depending how many on board, then minimum of 115hp, or better still maximum hp rated for the transom.

Don’t forget the double check the trailer. You’re probably looking at £3.5k minimum to replace.

Very helpful information, thank you.