Please help me ID a RIB I'm considering buying..

[Diamond_Geezur]

Good afternoon,

I live on the Isle Of Wight UK and am more experienced with sailing and diving than motors and RIBs.

I currently own a small 2.4m tender (£140) and also a very vintage project (Avon redcrest £40!) but am looking to get my first RIB.

I'm happy to work in getting it good and improve it so a shabby boat is ideal.

I'm considering this one (see link) and would really like advice on what it is?
GRP hull, 2.4m(?) and it looks old 1990's?

I'd like to know if it's PVC or beloved Hypalon and preferably the brand. The rowlocks are different to most and used in zodiac cadets and other brands.

Any help would be much appreciated as the owner has not much information.

£250 with trailer..

https://www.wightbay.com/cowes/boats...n-250-5861746/

[Diamond_Geezur]

Hello again,

I seem to have answered my question but would still like advice if possible.

I think this is a Valliant D240 Rib which from what I've read is a mass produced but decent rib. Is this correct?

Any confirmation from someone more experienced than me would be great. Also the hull V shape on advert is shallow from what I can see, would you agree?

Regards,

DG

[Navajoturquoise]

There's a good article on identifying the type of material in the following link: https://www.ribstore.co.uk/pages/identify-fabric
The vendor mentions that one patch was professionally repaired last year but it’s now not holding up so willl need to be repaired again. Have you verified that there is a leak at that particular spot or somewhere else? Also, the yellowish colour that appears on the area most subject to ultra-violet light seems brittle. If it gets tacky when cleaned it would indicate that the fabric has deteriorated. If the yellowish colour returns after cleaning then there is a problem with the integrity of the material.

[Poly]

I can't say for sure if that is a Valliant, but its possible. In which case it would not be Hypalon (Valliant make PVC and PU boats, at this size I'd be surprised if it was anything other than PVC except in some premium brand).

Like Navajo says that discolouration on the top is a classic sign of PVC going bad. Add in the leak issue and I think its heading towards a retube - which on a boat that size is likely to be economically stupid. I'm surprised a "professional repair" overlaps that rubbing strake like that.

Yes its a shallow V - any 2.4m boat is going to be. You're not thinking of putting your seagull on it are you?

[Ferryman]

They make 2.4m ribs now??

[Ferryman]

I live on the IOW as well and if you need any help on viewing boat condition etc, I am happy to assist!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Ferryman

They make 2.4m ribs now??

Its a yacht tender.

[Diamond_Geezur]

Thank you to everyone for your splendid replies - I think after consideration I would be wise to give it a wide berth and have gained a free lesson.

The material was tacky and sticky and I thought perhaps it just needed a good clean with some 'August race' cleaner which was worked well for me with the others.

I'm also now glad to have seen the guide on ID of materials used as that's excellent advice. My first I flats me was an old tender which is PVC and after feeling the strength of the old Avon Redcrest - I now feel the difference.

Like comparing a balloon to a leather ball.

Originally Posted by Ferryman

I live on the IOW as well and if you need any help on viewing boat condition etc, I am happy to assist!

I may take you up on that offer and it's always great to have more island contacts. I love the island for water activities, so much coast to explore and some pretty nice reefs and sealife if you know where to look.

This journey into looking at that tender has lead me to realise I do want a bigger boat, I no longer mind the trailer and storage idea either.

I'm a side note I've just missed out on a 2006 Honda 4 stroke 2hp for a bargain price.