first rib?

[snowsports1]

4.8m ribcraft looking like a decent option, then. just read an old magazine article saying it is £7.5K new all in with trailer, 60hp engine and VAT, was 2006 though.

[Max...]

Blimey - that is a bit out of touch - getting on for double that now I should think...

[9D280]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

for reference my 5.6m avon is actually 5.9m total length with the outboard down

Yep, good example of LOA vs paper. I gained something like 4" when I swapped my old Yam 55 (long, low case, stuck out a mile from the transom) for the Merc (3 cyl short, tall case). Might be worth asking or measuring engines too.

Also w.r.t. engines, I have to move the stop pin on the clamps when I park it vs afloat - the position for sailing means the tail of the cav plate hits the wall first. By going "full in" I gain another 2".

Originally Posted by Xk59D

and thats not including the 1m sticking out the front on the drawbar.

Yep. Braked hitches take up a lot of room. One option is to be creative - as I said before, use the solid hull length rather than the "on paper LOA". that will give you a more appropriate sized chassis. Then combine it with a creative snubber This is an old Snipe variant (now sold by Mersea Trailers) - apologies for the pic quality, I had just craned it across form it's old deathtrap trailer and only had my phone to hand). As you can see, I've reduced the hitch overhang to about half a metre. (and the winch has been packed out so it pulls straight since that was taken)

Net result - 5.3m (on paper) boat fits a 5.7m garage.

[yoyo]

Snowsports1 you have a pm.

[snowsports1]

looks like i am going for a new bombard SB500 with 60HP mariner. spent the last two days at southampton boat show and seen every rib going. The bombard seems a great buy.

please let me know if you think it is the right boat!

[lakelandterrier]

Hi Snowsport,
Welcome to Ribnet.
You seem to be in the same situation I was, wanting to introduce a young family to the water.

I'll pm you with my experience & suggestions

Bob

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by snowsports1

please let me know if you think it is the right boat!

Here's a clue, if it doesn't begin with R, O, H, or possibly an A with a SR after it, don't buy it.

[wiLlfish]

Originally Posted by Mollers

R, O, H, or possibly an A with a SR after it, don't buy it.

orl yew nead iz a e an e an a L an yorr abowt rite

wIlf

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by wiLlfish

orl yew nead iz a e an e an a L an yorr abowt rite

wIlf

Yep, buy an Eel.

[wiLlfish]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Here's a clue, if it doesn't begin with R, O, H, or possibly an A with a SR after it, don't buy it.

Originally Posted by Mollers

Yep, buy an EEL.

fuk mee i luv annagrams

[willk]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Yep, buy an Eel.

No, yew irriot,

Rohasreel - fower yer sphwinkler

[willk]

Originally Posted by wiLlfish

fuk mee i luv annagrams

ah crap, he spoiled it

[Bigmuz7]

I have to say .... a guy comes on here looking for advice and you loons cant get a word out straight sorry op they'll be ok in a minute

[wiLlfish]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

a guy comes on here looking for advice

hee woz orlrite til hee sed heed bort a bommbard

thenn hee woz fare gaim

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by wiLlfish

hee woz orlrite til hee sed heed bort a bommbard

Not bought it yet.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I have to say .... a guy comes on here looking for advice and you loons cant get a word out straight sorry op they'll be ok in a minute

Ai'm sorry, it was the game wiv the letters wot suckered me in.

I'm ok now...

[snowsports1]

not a great response to bombard then! , out of interest what are the reasons? I am struggling to make sense of the hundreds of 5m ribs. The package i have been offered is £11K new with a 60HP mariner. Can anyone suggest a better package for £11K budget?

[markymarkP]

i have a 6.2 Bombard, and its a cracker of a rib.
i have a 115HP mercury on the back.

very nice, stable and takes loads of weight without flinching

like all things (like cars etc) some love them, some dont

i for one am very happy

they use a lot of Zodiac stuff on them, so replacement valves etc are not expensive either

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by snowsports1

not a great response to bombard then! , out of interest what are the reasons? I am struggling to make sense of the hundreds of 5m ribs. The package i have been offered is £11K new with a 60HP mariner. Can anyone suggest a better package for £11K budget?

Same predicament I was in. RIB manufacturers make their profit by selling you the complete package. You could source a 60 or 70hp engine yourself and complete the fit-out yourself.

Nothing wrong with Bombard. They're owned by Zodiac, who incidentally also own Avon. Not sure if they use Hypalon or PVC materials. I know Zodiac use Hypalon for some of their leisure range, but normally use PVC (Strongan Duotex). The boat finish is normally excellent, comes with an extensive sales support structure, and has more branded accessories than you can shake a stick at. As far as I can see the Bombard Explorer DB or SB finish is basically a Zodiac Pro 500. Takes a long-shaft engine up to 70hp.

I used to have a Zodiac Pro, but sold it as it slapped in anything rough, although saying that, it felt safe and I had complete confidence in its build. However a lot will depend on where you're planning to go, weather conditions, number of people on board, etc. Like you, I stayed under the 5m mark as it has to be garaged. I will post pictures of the Ribcraft when I get a minute.

RIBS on my shortlist included:
Humber Ocean Pro 5m (2.1m beam)
Ribcraft 4.8m commercial
Ribquest 4.8m commercial

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Nothing wrong with Bombard.

Possibly, but I'd rather invest my £11k in something that was really good rather than "nothing wrong".