Brig vs x pro

Jonny white · 26 March 2021, 15:09

Hi all,

My search continues for my first rib and I've got a few leads and some helpful comments from here so far.

Would anyone have experience of these boats. Appears I can get a brand new x Pro for the same price as a 2014 brig both with 50hp on the back. Again, brand new on the x Pro.

Is new best, am I looking at repair issues with a 6 year old boat??

Any advice gratefully received.

Jon

RickW · 26 March 2021, 20:39

Have you spoken to Simon Bennett at Ocean First Marine? What size are you looking at?

I got a Ribcraft in the end but thought the alu hulled X-Pros were very good value for money

treerat · 26 March 2021, 21:24

What size are you looking at? I've the 5.5m X-pro Patrol and it's a cracking boat.

Jonny white · 27 March 2021, 08:08

I was looking at about 4.5m.

Its good to hear people who've actually got the boat, I've read a fair bit on here that says Chinese imported ribs are crap, regarding the x Pro.

I keep hearing you get what you pay for but surely a brand spanking new boat and engine is better than one that is 6 years old for the same price?

There is one boat from at "wolf rock" for £16999 brig falcon 450, 2017, trailer and 50hp. Or I can get the same spec but an x Pro all brand new for 15000.

treerat · 27 March 2021, 08:43

I've a number of posts on here based around the quality and design of the 5.5. The hull is made by a company called Delta Bay - their web site is easy to find and you can see the different boats they produce.

I've had the boat since 2015 where I bought her new from the importer of the time. She's taken everything I've thrown at her and responded very well.

I'm due a change of boat, and that's documented on here too - https://www.rib.net/forum/f8/the-sea...toy-85251.html

As the post says, I'd have had the 6m patrol if the figures had lined up, the Brig is another I liked the look of, both will do what you need I suspect.

Jonny white · 27 March 2021, 08:54

Nice one, cheers.

Would you say these are just affordable ribs due to where they are produced then and not because they are lacking in quality?

I never thought I'd be able to afford new tbh but these brands do make it achievable.

treerat · 27 March 2021, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny white

Nice one, cheers.

Would you say these are just affordable ribs due to where they are produced then and not because they are lacking in quality?

I never thought I'd be able to afford new tbh but these brands do make it achievable.

I would - it will depend on use though. I suspect if you were using the rib every day in a school you may well start to see faults, but the 50 hours or so social use a year it's fine.

I have replaced the seat covers as the material was pretty then and soon cracked but other then that she's as good as the day i brought her home.

Jonny white · 27 March 2021, 18:46

Sounds good to me, I think that's my decision confirmed.

Cheers.

Jonny white · 27 March 2021, 18:48

Oh last question actually, do you have room on the transom for an auxiliary. I've got a 2 stroke 3.5, which I like to take out as a back up.

Enough room on these boats for this when teamed up with a 50?

treerat · 27 March 2021, 19:07

Pass, the Suzuki 90 fills the transom faith in the 5.5. I suspect one would fit as the ladder does.

Jonny white · 27 March 2021, 19:29

Sound job

lakelandterrier · 27 March 2021, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny white

Oh last question actually, do you have room on the transom for an auxiliary. I've got a 2 stroke 3.5, which I like to take out as a back up.

Unless you are planning to voyage in remote areas why do you feel the need for a small aux? I have sea anchor, long anchor line and VHF if if I have engine failure.

I'm sure you don't have a back up engine on your car.

LT

Jonny white · 27 March 2021, 23:30

I once had an out of engine situation about 6 miles out at sea on my own

I had to call the coastgaurd and did not find it an enjoyable experience.

As I was able to buy a brand new 2 stroke that fitted on my transom and weighed next to nothing, I thought it a prudent safety measure.

I think any extra safety measures at sea are never a bad thing, just my opinion.

Calling the AA on the road side is a little different to calling the RNLI at sea if the weather starts to turn and your on your own.