Humber Destroyer 6.5 worth saving?

[Carlos2]

Hi all,


I just came across this great forum and wanted to ask you folks your advice. I have an old Humber Destroyer 6.5m that followed when I purchased an engine.


The boat is in bad shape as the tubes are leaking everywhere and there is a big crack in the fiberglass under the waterline at starboard side.


As I am not afraid to start a project, I am more afraid of the final result. Will I be happy with the performance of the boat. I have NO experience with Humber RIBs. I am used to operate Zodiac Pro's and Valiant PT.


I am mostly cruising offshore and like to have a hull capable of speed, performance and big waves


I like the deep and narrow hull of the Humber, but I am quite sceptical to the fact it has almost no "lifting strakes" (is that the name in english?). Compared to other boats it seems some manufacturers cant get enough og theese.


To complete this project I need new tubes, fixing the GRP, new center console and seats. Costly and time consuming.


Is it worth it?? If the performance will blow my mind, yes..


-Carlos

[beamishken]

Take a look at ribworld, humbers sales web page & check out the prices of their stock boats, they regularly have heavily discounted new old stock boats for sale which will give you an idea of value of your boat. To do what you propose your looking at north of £10k which in my opinion isn't worth spending on a humber. There not the worst ribs but not the best either, reasonably solid but kind of middle of the road quality wise. I think you'll probably find an up & running boat for what you'd need to spend

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Take a look at ribworld, humbers sales web page & check out the prices of their stock boats, they regularly have heavily discounted new old stock boats for sale which will give you an idea of value of your boat. To do what you propose your looking at north of £10k which in my opinion isn't worth spending on a humber. There not the worst ribs but not the best either, reasonably solid but kind of middle of the road quality wise. I think you'll probably find an up & running boat for what you'd need to spend

i was just looking yesterday and if i remember rightly a brand new 6.5 destroyer was somewhere around £25k they had 6 meter ribs closer to £20k. bearing in mind the work involved in all the repairs and what it will cost new is an attractive proposition

[Oliver_ribfan]

I believe that most real Humber fans would prefer the Ocean Pro over the Destroyer series because it is considered to be more offshore-capable and has a deeper V than the destroyer models. But that could be a prejudice. Maybe the Humber geeks can comment on that.

To me the condition of the tubes decides between bargain and a costly construction project. If you say they need to be replaced that would be the break-even-point for me.
Repairing a hull and getting a RIB in shape in general does not have to be expensive and it is a lot of fun....not counting the working hours of course. New tubes change the calculation dramatically.