Transporting a Rib

[Dobieman]

Hi all,
I'm looking to buy a 4m ish Rib on a trailer from the Edinburgh area and need to get it down to High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.
I could of course go get it and trailer it back myself but it's approx 6.5 hours drive each way and will cost me around £160 in fuel.
Does anyone know of a company which will tow it down for a fee and what should I expect to pay?
Any input appreciated, thanks.

[Bern Hanreck]

Have you already stumped out for it without actually either inspecting it yourself or getting an independent " specialist " ( maybe a fellow RIBnetter ! ) to check it over ?

Can you be sure that even if the boat itself is ok , the trailer will be upto the journey ? Sticky brakes or a dodgy wheel bearing could all in tears . If it were me , I would want to test the boat on the water , and double check the trailer.

Perhaps you are considering putting them both on a low loader ? Just my thoughts !

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

, the trailer will be upto the journey ? Sticky brakes or a dodgy wheel bearing could all in tears .

Done this trip the other way a couple of times.
A 4mtr on it's trailer will probably fit on a car transporter trailer and that's how I dealt with it.
One of the boats wouldn't have made it out the yard on it's own trailer.

If it's the usual unbraked 10" wheel job the bearings/hubs are cheap as chips and probably worth doing before you do the trip.

[Dobieman]

Hi, If I go ahead with it I realise it's a bit of a gamble buying it without seeing it in the flesh, but it's from a very well established boatyard that has been around 30 years +
The boat is around £3.5k and the trailer is unbraked and has had new bearings this week ( fitted by boatyard ) and I would get them to fit brand new wheels and tyres for the journey too. ( I've also been the victim of poorly maintained trailers in the past ☹️)

Getting someone who knows what to look for to check it out on my behalf is a great idea, I'll put a post up asking if there is anyone local to it who might be willing to help.

Thanks very much 😊😊

[spartacus]

Definitely get the wheels and tyres changed (assuming I'm looking at the same RIB) in question. That trailer has seen better days, and the winch could use a spot of grease and a new strap. It's on a bunked trailer, so if you have spare cash, think about upgrading to a swinging rear axle roller trailer, such as Indespension or Snipe.

I've had the same boat so feel free to PM me, or happy to discuss on open forum.

[Dobieman]

Hey Sparticus, thanks for the advice.....what did you think of the Pro 420 then?
We are looking to use the boat generally with 2 adults but occasionally 4, messing around in the Solent, plus the tidal Thames through London and sometimes pottering up the non tidal Thames.
I've had an older zodiac Rib which was 5.5m with a 50 four stroke on it and loved it, the main reason I'm going smaller is it fits in my garage.

[spartacus]

I had the 7-man Pro (renamed the Pro 420). Great little RIB, but I'd have opted for the next size up, the 9-man Pro, which Zodiac renamed as the Pro 500 which is basically 4.7m. All very confusing.

The older boats are mainly thermo-bonded Strongan Doutex PVC tubes, but Zodiac can manufacture with hypalon if requested. One key feature is the tubes are fixed on a sliding rail system, so can be removed periodically for cleaning. There's a bow-strap and transom straps to hold in position.

It's got a relatively shallow V hull, so there is a tendency to slap in a confused sea state. Again, not a particular issue, but something to be aware of if the weather turns, and depending who you have on board, as it make for an uncomfortable journey if the wind gets up.

I had a Yamaha 40hp 2-stroke on it. The 420 is rated for 50hp. This is fine if it's 2-stroke, but most of the 4-strokes I've seen are lardy lumps, so you end up with a stern-heavy boat, given there's a bench-seat set back too. Might not be an issue if it was a larger RIB such as 9-Man Pro (500).

There's a drain-plug under the deck, that should be completely dry when you retrieve the boat. Any water from here - then there's a good chance Sikaflex wasn't used when the console and bench seat were installed. Also has a one-way drain valve in the deckwell area which is fine for getting rid on any excess water.

I've had a look of the boat in question online. Couple of things I've noticed. She's sitting on a bunked trailer with keel rollers. I used to have mine on an Indespension rear swinging axle trailer. Great trailers, and useful for beach launches and shallow slipways, as the Zodiac only needs a few inches of water to float off. The Indespension trailer tows really well, as the boat sits lower down and is wider than say a comparable Snipe trailer.

The engine has had hydrofoils fitted at some point. If I'm not mistaken there's holes drilled in the anti-cavitation plate. Might be worth renewing, given it's heavier engine than a 2-stroke, and with 1-up on board, there's a tendency for it to rise unless you're quick on the throttle to get it on the plane.

There's plenty genuine accessories for these RIBS from Zodiac. Not cheap, but materials are pretty good and you get what you pay for. Outhill also do accessories, consoles and bow cushions, etc. Outhill Products by Cheetah Marine - British designers, manufacturers and suppliers of high quality Boat Seating and Marine Components

Best of luck.

[Dobieman]

Great info - thanks very much.

I particularly want to go for the 4.2 as I am able to store it inside.

Just one thing - can you explain what you mean when you say 'with 1-up on board, there's a tendency for it to rise unless you're quick on the throttle to get it on the plane.'

[ShinyShoe]

Your thread got hijacked a bit there! In answer to transport...

I'm sure there will be people who would tow it, or put it on a car transporter. Your best bet is to find someone who is transporting something up the country who is travelling back empty. shiply.com is an online quotes setup for such things...

Or a one way car hire and jump a cheap flight up. But you'd need a car with a tow bar which may not be something you can book as a one way hire...

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Dobieman

Great info - thanks very much.

I particularly want to go for the 4.2 as I am able to store it inside.

Just one thing - can you explain what you mean when you say 'with 1-up on board, there's a tendency for it to rise unless you're quick on the throttle to get it on the plane.'

Apologies ShineyShoe! Dobieman is running two threads, so answering questions.

1-up is basically one on board. If you head out yourself (which is no fun) then get some weight up front, as the bow will twitch under speed. I'm thinking builder's sand (bagged of course) in the bow locker.

You can keep the bow of the boat down with adjustment to the outboard trim setting. You can overcome to a point by giving it full throttle to get it on the plane quickly, then throttle back.

Back to the original thread. Get a good night's sleep, pack plenty bottled water, fuel up and head north. I've driven to Somerset twice to pick up boats.

[beerbelly]

Back to the original thread. Get a good night's sleep, pack plenty bottled water, fuel up and head north. I've driven to Somerset twice to pick up boats. [/QUOTE]

that's what I would do but I would probably book a room in a premier and have a night out then pick the boat up next day. iv done this a few times on the south coast now (both times not buying the rib for various reasons)

[GuyC]

www.shiply.com
www.returnloads.net

are a couple I found via Google.

I've used Shiply before and whilst he unfortunately failed to get my RIB on the back of his car transporter, I couldn't fault him for trying and he didn't want any cash for his abortive attempt.

The trailer wasn't roadworthy which is why I was wanting it transported. I ended up renting a big flat bed trailer. I then jacked the boat and trailer up in the air until I could roll the flat bed under the wheels. It brings me out in a cold sweat just thinking about it!

[Trevor G]

Originally Posted by Dobieman

The trailer is unbraked and has had new bearings this week ( fitted by boatyard ) and I would get them to fit brand new wheels and tyres for the journey too.

If you have the time, I'd say drive up and look at the boat and trailer in person - if they can fit new hubs and bearings and new wheels and tyres, with a 4m Rib and no brakes there is not that much else should go wrong towing it back.

If there is a problem with the trailer, maybe it's better to find out now towing it back from Scotland than on your first boating outing, when you'll also lose a day on the water as well as having a stressed wife / partner / kids in the car as well!

[Dobieman]

Hi,
Thanks for all the input, a fellow Ribnetter has very kindly looked at the boat for me and said it all looks good, I've had lots of PM's about Bosuns and it's all very vey positive so I think I'm as confident as I can be about the boat.
I've had another quote of £208.00 to tow it down which i think is a bargain, this was on 'Uship' and the company's feedback was great too.
Looks like I'm buying a Rib!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Dobieman

Looks like I'm buying a Rib!

Congratulations, that was the easy bit, now comes the expensive bit[emoji57]

[Tim M]

Shiply - use it all the time for all sorts of stuff. Never had any issues and usually very cost effective