Rib Buying Advice

Cornwall Will · 11 July 2013, 10:14

Hi to all

My apologies if I'm the 1000th person to pitch up and post the classic which RIB to buy post but having read the guides, searched eBay, B.'s and O's and every broker in the South West I find myself no nearer to honing in on what to buy.

I'm after the following as a guideline:

5 - 6 metres
Up to 40kts ( I've been working on around a 90hp engine)

Plentiful seating
Good condition
Trailer
Covers

Budget of £9000 at a stretch

Intended to use for exploring the waterways in South Cornwall around Falmouth, High speed stuff out in the bay and Saturday barbecue trips to the beach with up to 8 on board.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated. I'm also very interested to hear from anyone whose operated around Falmouth for advice on storage and slipways etc.

Many thanks in advance

Will

Leapy · 11 July 2013, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornwall Will

Hi to all

My apologies if I'm the 1000th person to pitch up ...

No, it's way more than a 1000 :-)

Our Ribcraft 5.3 with a 90hp Suzuki & SS PROP will just about pull 40kts three up. Not sure I'd want eight on it though even though it's plated for that. Ours is configured for three.

There'll be plenty of folks on here with opinions about makes. For every solid recommendation there'll often be a negative. You might end up wondering if it's a fathomable puzzle!

As you've expressed views on size, power, seating, price, etc it may be worth searching and finding something you like the look of and then linking it on here to gather opinion. Surprising how often individual boats for sale are actually known on here.

We use the south Cornish coast out of Mylor, just up the Fal Estuary from Falmouth. Falmouth has a big slip too. A nice cruising area - although the locals will be on here to say stay away, the place sucks ;-)

Mollers · 11 July 2013, 11:26

Falmouth eh?

Do you actually live in Fal? 'Coz the Dinghy Park (Watersports Centre) slip and parking can get expensive.

8 POB on a sub 6m boat is gonna be a squeeze.

Mollers · 11 July 2013, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

- although the locals will be on here to say stay away, the place sucks ;-)

This guy lives here.

Leapy · 11 July 2013, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

This guy lives here.

Yeah, but was he born there? Makes a difference I'm told by some born in St Minver and who look upon Polzeath as an adventure. If he's from up country some locals - no names - might want him to stay ashore ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

8 POB on a sub 6m boat is gonna be a squeeze.

For sure

Mollers · 11 July 2013, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

I'm told by some born in St Minver and who look upon Polzeath as an adventure.

That's because Polzeath used to be a part of Cornwall. It's a suberb of Kensington now,

Leapy · 11 July 2013, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

That's because Polzeath used to be a part of Cornwall. It's a suberb of Kensington now,

Ah, a bit like Rock then

Mollers · 11 July 2013, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

Ah, a bit like Rock then

Polzeath is 'Rock Beach'.

Cornwall Will · 11 July 2013, 21:16

I'm in Penryn so certainly not a Kensington-on-kernow weekender!! Thanks for the help so far. I know 8 would be a squeeze but that would really only be for a 20 minute nip to st mawes so comfort not crucial!

In terms of boats I've seen the Ribeye playtime 500 has been my main focus, although getting a good one for 9 grand seems a challenge in itself.

Mylor seems a great option for storage if a tad £££

Thanks for the ongoing help chaps

Searider · 11 July 2013, 21:57

Ribtec 585?

Ribtec 585 Boats for sale UK, Ribtec Used boat sales, Ribtec Inflatable Boats For Sale Ribtec 585 - Great Condition - Apollo Duck

There you go - will do everything you need.

Mate of mine has one. 40 knots running light and will carry the weight when needed.

Mollers · 11 July 2013, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornwall Will

I'm in Penryn

Nice.

Try a Ribcraft 585, you should find a slightly older one within budget.

Cornwall Will · 12 July 2013, 08:21

I've looked at the ribcraft, the only thing that puts me off is the seating layout. Would prefer bench to jockey seats if possible. Hence Im keen on the Ribeye playtime series.

Mollers - Being a resident of the mighty 'ryn yourself may I ask where you store and launch?

Cheers

Leapy · 12 July 2013, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornwall Will

I've looked at the ribcraft, the only thing that puts me off is the seating layout. Would prefer bench to jockey seats if possible. Hence Im keen on the Ribeye playtime series.

Mollers - Being a resident of the mighty 'ryn yourself may I ask where you store and launch?

Cheers

Oh great. A Penryn resident favouring a Ribeye.

I think Mollers launches off Penryn Beach

Markyboyo · 12 July 2013, 11:42

I live in the Capital (Truro) but always launch at Mylor. Launching is free and parking £8 all day for the car and trailer. Its good about an hour each side of low water but it does get busy.

Best slip to Launch in Fal is beside Trago but it is expensive by the time you have paid over £15 to Launch and park the trailer. Doesn't inc car parking so you need to find parking elsewhere for that too.

Mark.

Cornwall Will · 12 July 2013, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

Oh great. A Penryn resident favouring a Ribeye.

Forgive both my RIB naievity and emoticon illiteracy, something I should know??!!

Leapy · 12 July 2013, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornwall Will

Forgive both my RIB naievity and emoticon illiteracy, something I should know??!!

Welcome to RIBnet

After you've been here a while you'll tune in! It's an excellent site for advice and information. Opinions too, though initially you might find some of them more difficult to understand than others

There's banter shared about the relative ability or appearance of the various RIB brands. Each has their own favourites and some folks opinions are stronger than others. Rest assured, it's only light hearted banter

Leapy · 12 July 2013, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornwall Will

I've looked at the ribcraft, the only thing that puts me off is the seating layout. Would prefer bench to jockey seats if possible. Hence Im keen on the Ribeye playtime series

If you'd like to look at/ride in a Ribcraft 5.3 (three jockey seats) drop me a Private Message (PM). We'll be based in Mylor 22nd July to 10th August

Cornwall Will · 12 July 2013, 12:21

Worry not Leapy, I took no offence! I was more interested in the pros and cons of the Ribeye. All advice much appreciated. You'll have to try a bit harder to get me to bite!! So any reason you would stay clear of the Ribeye?

Mark - thanks for the advice. Home storage isn't an option for me at the moment so I'm exploring storage options. Mylor seems a good candidate if a little pricey. HM has put me on to Trevissome house as an option. Any experience?

I have also been offered the possibility of a swinging mooring on the river. Is this a bad idea with a RIB in terms of maintenance and keeping it in good nick?

Cheers again

Mollers · 12 July 2013, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

Oh great. A Penryn resident favouring a Ribeye.

I clearly need to have a word with this guy.

Markyboyo · 12 July 2013, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornwall Will

Worry not Leapy, I took no offence! I was more interested in the pros and cons of the Ribeye. All advice much appreciated. You'll have to try a bit harder to get me to bite!! So any reason you would stay clear of the Ribeye?

Mark - thanks for the advice. Home storage isn't an option for me at the moment so I'm exploring storage options. Mylor seems a good candidate if a little pricey. HM has put me on to Trevissome house as an option. Any experience?

I have also been offered the possibility of a swinging mooring on the river. Is this a bad idea with a RIB in terms of maintenance and keeping it in good nick?

Cheers again

I keep mine at a friends place near Longdowns, Its a hassle and I want to move it nearer home really. There is a boat storage place on the road from Longdowns to Stithians too but I don't know much about it. Whats the rates at Mylor? I did look about 5 years ago and it was $$$ then. Basically if it is convienient you gotta pay for it.

I guess how often you want to use it, what you tow with and how happy you are towing has a bearing on storage location too.

Got any more details on the slip at Trevissome? I didn't know there was a slip down there.

Oh yeah, Ribeye....errrr....um. They are very pretty.