What rib - 6.5 or 6??

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by Spot 48

Hi

I haven't posted for a while. A few years back this forum guided me wisely in getting a small rib rather than a sib and that advice served me well - thank you!! I got a Zodiac Pro 4.2m with a 40hp and although it’s been great, it’s feeling a bit small and i want to upgrade and would really welcome anyone’s advice.

Thinking of getting a 6.5m rib with 150hp. Main concern though is towing. Although we have a 3.0L mercedes E class estate with plenty of grunt, i fear getting stuck on wet slipways…do I need a 4x4 with this size of boat?

I want to be able to take up to 10 people (2 families with kids) so i reckon 6.5 is better than 6 - not only for the extra space but also better sea-keeping qualities etc. Is 6.5m much better than 6m?

Does anyone know much about open day-boats e.g. beneteau / centre console fishing boats as an alternative to RIBs? (I am expecting bias towards the latter on this particular site!). But they do seem like quite a good alternative - although I imagine the extra weight would be bit of a penalty.

Any other experiences / advice would be really welcome. I appreciate this question must get asked quite a bit, I will go to my local boat shop when the weather gets better, but I thought I'd start now!

Many thanks

Anthony

My immediate thought would be a 6.5m.

Towing - as others have said, check your vehicles towing capacity. A quick Google suggests the E Class has a limit of around 2 tonnes. With a 600kg trailer, it leaves 1400kg for the boat which I think is probably OK. I think it depends how much and what type of towing / launching you are going to be doing as to whether a 4x4 is a benefit.

10 people is quite a few but I guess this is the exception rather than the rule. There will be people stood up / sitting on the tubes but on an occasional basis this will be OK. I suspect that with 10 people and 150hp, performance won't be sparkling but you probably won't be whizzing around fully loaded.

Someone else has mentioned a Pac / Arctic 22 although these are around 2600kg with trailer.

Open boats - I considered a Boston Whaler when I was looking at boats. There is more deck space although accommodating ten people may be more difficult without tubes to sit on. Ribs are self fendering and feel secure with the tube between you and the sea. Ribs are probably a bit more child friendly as you have soft'ish tubes rather than a solid bulwark. I've fished from my Rib but I'm always paranoid about putting holes in it. Having removed the tubes from mine, I'm not sure an open boat will be any heavier.

I decided I wanted diesel which really limited my options plus I liked the Tonka toy qualities of my Pac 22. I still look at Boston Whaler's though.

[spartacus]

10 people in a boat is quite a responsibility. I'm assuming this is for glorious days only and close to shore?

I started on a Zodiac Pro, so the attraction of a bigger boat with better sea keeping abilities and an engine with decent grunt makes all the difference.

You want to start thinking about a few basics. Who else would be helping on board? I regularly go fishing with my brother, so launch and recovery are straight forward if you have someone who is like-minded. You can of course do it all yourself.

The slip you're likely to use? It's entirely possible to haul a 6.5m with a car and launch and retrieve. It's only on steeper slips that I've needed 4x4 capability. I've also used ropes when I didn't want to dunk my axle!

Came across this rib. Right size and power, but importantly jockey seating for 6 people.
For Sale in Topsham, Devon

Good luck with your search.

[breezeblock]

Originally Posted by spartacus

10 people in a boat is quite a responsibility. I'm assuming this is for glorious days only and close to shore?

I started on a Zodiac Pro, so the attraction of a bigger boat with better sea keeping abilities and an engine with decent grunt makes all the difference.

You want to start thinking about a few basics. Who else would be helping on board? I regularly go fishing with my brother, so launch and recovery are straight forward if you have someone who is like-minded. You can of course do it all yourself.

The slip you're likely to use? It's entirely possible to haul a 6.5m with a car and launch and retrieve. It's only on steeper slips that I've needed 4x4 capability. I've also used ropes when I didn't want to dunk my axle!

Came across this rib. Right size and power, but importantly jockey seating for 6 people.
For Sale in Topsham, Devon

Good luck with your search.

I wonder why the gearbox is of it?

[Ian M]

Er, it isn't the gearbox that I would worry about

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by breezeblock

I wonder why the gearbox is of it?

You never know, it might be in the middle of a service & having the impeller changed. The hull looks a tad shallow unless it's an hoptical illusion from the anti foul line.

[MatFromPoland]

I saw PARKER RIB 650, Mercury 150 and 8 jockey seats.
Console was moved to the bow.
You can ask @Andre about such setup

[breezeblock]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

You never know, it might be in the middle of a service & having the impeller changed. The hull looks a tad shallow unless it's an hoptical illusion from the anti foul line.

if it was you would at least wait till it was back together to get a picture ?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by breezeblock

if it was you would at least wait till it was back together to get a picture ?

Absolutely i would, but 'appen some folk aren't as particular. I was just pointing out that the gearbox being removed, might not be automatically a bad thing.

[Spot 48]

Not sure if my reply made it, just in case it didn't...a big thank you for all the responses. Really helpful.

It would be two families, so only occasionally 10.

Sounds like the slipway is do-able.

See you on the water...!