Dive RIB Wanted - 5.8 - 6.2m

[paulford]

I particularly want to stay within as many of the following parameters as possible:

Premium manufacturer i.e: Ribcraft/Ribeye/Tornado/Delta/Osprey
Not more than about three years old
Not less than 5.8m - ideally not more than 6.2m.
Underfloor tank(s) - 120 litre minimum
Single (one man) console only - essential! (I just want the deck space)
Minimum100HP - four stroke preferred - twin engines better still!
Twin axle road trailer - can always resolve this locally if necessary.
Full electronics installation preferred VHF +DSC; GPS Plotter; Depth Sounder.

Realistic budget - Loooking for something with a real future!

Will not waste anyone's time if the boat fits the need.

Cheshire based but willing to travel nationwide for the right boat.

E-mail me with sensible offers

[Manos]

have a look at my email
Thanks

[paulford]

Manos,

Read your mail last night thanks and had a look at the Falcon site. Looks intersting - however I've now found three boats to look at during the next 7-10 days. I'll see how I fare.

Have come across a JMD 6.0m? JMD are the umbilical dive torch company.

Has anyone on this forum any experience of them? She's about 18 months old.

Just a little concerned over backup if something falls off! Apparently based on a modified Temptress hull.

Views on sea keeping qualities would be useful.

[paulford]

I've been offered a '95 Ribcraft 5.85 with a 2002 Suzuki 140 four stroke.

Engine has done about 30 hours.

That lump will give the transom a bit of a bashing won't it?

Any thoughts welcome.

[John Kennett]

Although that is at the top end for this boat, it is within Ribcraft's recommended range.

I would certainly want a sea trial to check how that much weight on the transome affects the handling. It would also be worth carefully checking the transome for any obvious signs of stress (cracks in the gel coat etc).

Presuambly it hasn't just done 30 hours since 1995. What engine did it have on before?

John

[paulford]

Thanks John,

I'm awaiting a response from the vendor on a number of questions - of which that is just one.

The mail he sent me yesterday was very much an outline, so I'm hoping that he'll fill in the blanks over the next day or so.

I'm a touch wary over a boat of that age, being my first RIB, worry about porous tubes and all that. I get the feeling that Ribcraft boats in general are highly regarded, and that the 5.85 has been singled out for particular praise.

Obviously every 8 year old boat will be different, but generally speaking do you think it's worth a look?

Regards

Paul

[John Kennett]

It's got to be worth a look. Even if it turns out to be a complete dog, at least you will have added to your experience of what to look out for!

At that age, the tubes may be almost as good as new, or they may be completely knackered -- depending on whether they have been looked after. Most likely they'll be somewhere in between. It's not the end of the world if they don't stay rock hard for weeks on end though -- so long as you can't hear them hissing they should be at least usable for a season or two . . .

John

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally posted by John Kennett
At that age, the tubes may be almost as good as new, or they may be completely knackered -- depending on whether they have been looked after. Most likely they'll be somewhere in between.
John

Is that another way of saying that they could be in any sort of condition

[thewavehumper]

If the tubes are weary then it doesn't cost much to retube em. less - than 3 k methinks for that size. Humber are sort of in your area and do reasonable retubes. So factor that in to your offer

Ribtec Hulls are good and strong so that should be cool and also Suzi 140's are small and light so you might well find the transom is OK.

I dunno about the RCD status however

BY sort of in your area I mean within 180 miles It all gets blurry after Watford. Before the Pedants get going yes yes I realise it's the other side of the country but it's not a very wide bit is it!