4 metre (ish) RIB

I would recommend looking for a 4.8m Ribcraft, proper sea going hull, at least one has done round Britain. It's a proper work machine rather than a toy, which is what many of the modern ribs appear to be.

I had one, and kept it on a drying mooring, no issues doing that. I still regret selling it and would have another tomorrow. One with twin jockey seats would be best, and an underfloor fuel tank., leaves all the deck space clear, and just as importantly, the deck is flat so moving about is easy.
 
longjohnsilver said:
I would recommend looking for a 4.8m Ribcraft, proper sea going hull, at least one has done round Britain. It's a proper work machine rather than a toy, which is what many of the modern ribs appear to be.

I had one, and kept it on a drying mooring, no issues doing that. I still regret selling it and would have another tomorrow. One with twin jockey seats would be best, and an underfloor fuel tank., leaves all the deck space clear, and just as importantly, the deck is flat so moving about is easy.
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Bigger boat, bigger engine, bigger bills?
Ribcraft 4.8 580lb dry weight
Yamaha 60 249lbs
A few bits of kit and some fuel, takes us into braked trailer territory, which seems to be a world of pain.
My old sailing club had a Valiant 430 IIRc, it went OK with 40hp, not seen any for sale though.
 
lw395 said:
Bigger boat, bigger engine, bigger bills?
Ribcraft 4.8 580lb dry weight
Yamaha 60 249lbs
A few bits of kit and some fuel, takes us into braked trailer territory, which seems to be a world of pain.
My old sailing club had a Valiant 430 IIRc, it went OK with 40hp, not seen any for sale though.
Click to expand...

You seem better informed re weights but we didn't have a braked trailer, rightly or wrongly. Have had some experience with Vailants, wouldn't touch another one with a barge pole.
 
longjohnsilver said:
You seem better informed re weights but we didn't have a braked trailer, rightly or wrongly. Have had some experience with Vailants, wouldn't touch another one with a barge pole.
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Provided the car is heavy, unbraked limit is 750kg, which is do-able. SBS Trailers 750 unbraked has a load capacity of 580kg.

The club Vailant gave good service, but they buy new and sell at about 6 or 8 years. And keep the sun off them during the week.
 
I've driven both the sr4 (4.7 and 5.4 also) and the Ribcraft 4.8 performing mark laying duties for the club as a youngster. The Ribcraft was a fine rib, definitely better built than most leisure ribs, but build quality wasn't a patch on the Avons.

It was very comfortable to drive but rolled more at rest as no water hull. It was better in moderate conditions, on a par with the sr4's but was nothing like the larger Seariders in the heavy stuff. The club sold the two it had and bought more sr4.7's as they just held up to abuse way better and cosmetically looked better for longer.

Secondhand I would imagine a bit more expensive to buy than an sr4. Engine wise the one I drove had a 60hp 2-stroke and it was well driven with that engine, also with a flatter, wider stern it could probably take the extra bulk of a 4 stroke better so ultimate running costs would be similar to an sr4 imo.
 
Ferris said:
I've driven both the sr4 (4.7 and 5.4 also) and the Ribcraft 4.8 performing mark laying duties for the club as a youngster. The Ribcraft was a fine rib, definitely better built than most leisure ribs, but build quality wasn't a patch on the Avons.

It was very comfortable to drive but rolled more at rest as no water hull. It was better in moderate conditions, on a par with the sr4's but was nothing like the larger Seariders in the heavy stuff. The club sold the two it had and bought more sr4.7's as they just held up to abuse way better and cosmetically looked better for longer.

Secondhand I would imagine a bit more expensive to buy than an sr4. Engine wise the one I drove had a 60hp 2-stroke and it was well driven with that engine, also with a flatter, wider stern it could probably take the extra bulk of a 4 stroke better so ultimate running costs would be similar to an sr4 imo.
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Have never owned a Searider but they are legendary so won't dispute what you say. I've had other smaller Avon ribs and they are superb, my old 3.1 was still going strong after 20 years and looked almost as good as new.
 
Hi,

If drying mooring is the key item, I would forget the RIB's, get a fully foamed, safe and stable Boston Whaler.

The RIB concept is great - if boat is stored dry all year. Thats when its main advantrage (its lighter) comes out, because light on trailer, smaller tow cars etc.

The tube is the weakest link in the RIB concept - no tube lastst forever - and it will be a a big bumping fender slapping along against any wave in a bit of chop... until the weakest part fails - which is always the tube to hull connection because thats where all the friction accumulates. There are great RIBs out there, the RNLI can't be all wrong - but its not a low maintenance boat.

Whaler: virtually indestructible, stable trimaran style hull, self bailing,

This is a 17 ft, Boston Whaler Nauset. 40 hp Honda. Hull was built 1970. Yes sir that's 45 years ago.....

Please try before you move to RIB's

IMG-20140630-02093.jpg20150731_192341(0)_resized.jpgIMG-20140630-02093 xs.jpg
 
I remember the 1980s hull weight estimates for Dell Quay dories...330lbs for the 11ft version, 440lbs for the 13ft. And that's without an engine (extra 200lbs for 40hp)...

...I always liked the dory/whaler style, especially the extra space (from the narrow hull-sides which RIBs can't claim). Plus I've a memory of stepping into one, to get over to my boat, and the 11ft dory didn't move, at all. I thought it must be aground, but it was just very heavy, and rock steady in the water, by design.

But all that extra weight much cost lots in performance and frugality.
 
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Hi

As broker here are a few quick comments

1: the Sr4 is the best handling 4 m rib there is for remotely sensible money ie sub 5k for a good one
2: the Avon 5.4 would be my next choice if its about handling at sub 6m
3: 6m takes you into redbay territory and now think 15-20k so lots more money but hay well worth it!
4: Sorry the comments about noise are for me very very wrong. A 4 stroke yam or honda engine is not loud at all and you can chat at full revs without shouting.
5: the F-rib is a great to but sorry it is miles away from an sr4 but it will fold up and go in you boot so very versatile

so if you want a bit more acceleration get a good 2 stroke outboard with it and if you want quiet and better fuel put a 4 stroke on it.

Last but not least. classics are classics due to the way they handle and if you stick with these you will find them easy to sell if you do go bigger.

have fun
 
I have an old sr4 supersport with a pull start mariner 40 hp on it. I have to say its a pocket rocket if you can hang on even in a fair chop it flies yes its a bit bouncy but in a slight chop it will reach 30 plus knotts and on a calm day will drag a doughnut at full speed and is great fun but driven sensible it will take me to different spots fishing on about 15/20 liters all day what a boat even though its old. The only thing i would maybe change is to electric start
 
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