Advice on new RIB

[Gster001]

Hi, new to this forum.
Looking to buy a small RIB and outboard to take the kids out around Christchurch harbour.
Will only be used to get the kids used to the water and so only on flat calm days.
Ideally would fit 2 adults and 3 small kids in it and would pack away into the boot.
Any advice on best RIB option and what size outboard?
Thanks

 

[gordmac]

Might be worth asking here:
http://www.rib.net/

 

[longjohnsilver]

Hi, new to this forum.
Looking to buy a small RIB and outboard to take the kids out around Christchurch harbour.
Will only be used to get the kids used to the water and so only on flat calm days.
Ideally would fit 2 adults and 3 small kids in it and would pack away into the boot.
Any advice on best RIB option and what size outboard?
Thanks

If it's a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) then it almost certainly will not fit into a car boot as the hull is solid fibreglass. What you're probably thinking of is something similar but with either an inflatable floor or roll up floor?

I'd be looking at an Avon, just about the best for a small inflatable from my experience. Or a Zodiac or Honwave, both excellent alternatives.

There are lots of manufacturers nowadays but whether their products will last the test of time is debatable, whereas Avon, Zodiac and Honwave have proven themselves time and time again.

Have a look on the for sale forum, someone has just advertised a Zodiac.

 

[jfm]

Hi, new to this forum.
Looking to buy a small RIB and outboard to take the kids out around Christchurch harbour.
Will only be used to get the kids used to the water and so only on flat calm days.
Ideally would fit 2 adults and 3 small kids in it and would pack away into the boot.
Any advice on best RIB option and what size outboard?
Thanks

Seriously, to do that in any sense "well" and with a nice big margin of safety it won't pack in the boot. Sure, it technically can be done with a boot-roll upperer, but not well and with a big margin of safety, imho. And anyway, a RIB will never pack into the boot, only pure inflatables will do that

A RIB is much better for this than a roll-up, and that means you'll need a trailer to move it around. A good size for what you describe might be say a 4.5m RIB, approx, with 40hp motor, but there is a big range to choose from so don't follow any of that too closely.

It's hard to advise on specifics without more info. These boats come in simple/utilitarian designs, and luxurious. They can be bought new or used. There will be loads at London Boat show this weekend - why not visit? also BHG in Lymington is near Christchurch and they have much stock

If you are new to all this get training before you go out in UK waters - the waters are tidal and cold and there is a certain amount of knowledge that you need to have. There are some good instructors out there, like Solitaire on this forum for example (and he will be on a stand at boatshow offering trianing courses)

Good luck with the venture. On reflection, though I'm mentioning tide/sea dangers above, I need to warn you of another danger too: I started out with a 4m inflatable with 20hp outboard and it did just roll up in the boot or a box trailer. I got hooked, and now I'm lumbered with an 80 foot long machine with all sorts of machinery to look after.

Good luck with it all and ask specific questions on here any time

 

[Nick_H]

Seriously, to do that in any sense "well" and with a nice big margin of safety it won't pack in the boot. Sure, it technically can be done with a boot-roll upperer, but not well and with a big margin of safety, imho. And anyway, a RIB will never pack into the boot, only pure inflatables will do that

A RIB is much better for this than a roll-up, and that means you'll need a trailer to move it around. A good size for what you describe might be say a 4.5m RIB, approx, with 40hp motor, but there is a big range to choose from so don't follow any of that too closely.

It's hard to advise on specifics without more info. These boats come in simple/utilitarian designs, and luxurious. They can be bought new or used. There will be loads at London Boat show this weekend - why not visit? also BHG in Lymington is near Christchurch and they have much stock

If you are new to all this get training before you go out in UK waters - the waters are tidal and cold and there is a certain amount of knowledge that you need to have. There are some good instructors out there, like Solitaire on this forum for example (and he will be on a stand at boatshow offering trianing courses)

Good luck with the venture. On reflection, though I'm mentioning tide/sea dangers above, I need to warn you of another danger too: I started out with a 4m inflatable with 20hp outboard and it did just roll up in the boot or a box trailer. I got hooked, and now I'm lumbered with an 80 foot long machine with all sorts of machinery to look after.

Good luck with it all and ask specific questions on here any time

OP did say Christchurch Harbour, which is very small and really just means pootling up and down the river and through a few swinging moorings, which can of course be safely done in a small inflatable. If he wants to go out of the harbour, your comments obviously apply.

edit; actually I guess "take the kids out around Christchurch harbour" could be read either way.

 

[jfm]

OP did say Christchurch Harbour, which is very small and really just means pootling up and down the river and through a few swinging moorings, which can of course be safely done in a small inflatable. If he wants to go out of the harbour, your comments obviously apply.

edit; actually I guess "take the kids out around Christchurch harbour" could be read either way.

Ah, ok, i dont know the area. I was thinking it would be a tidal place at least. These questions are hard because we have no idea of OP's experience with boats, ability to fix it if engine conks out, age of kids, etc etc. You could write "take a VHF and an anchor and spare fuel" but you're at risk of telling folks how to lower the internal pressure of an egg. Twas ever thus!

 

[JSYmartini]

You'll find lots of useful info and advice over at http://www.rib.net/forum/

 

[grumpy_o_g]

If you really are restricting yourself to Christchurch Harbour then I'm not sure a rib would be the best thing as there's a 4 knot speed limit throughout the harbour and river. People have been hit with hefty fines for really bad cases too. If you want stability then an inflatable makes sense but otherwise maybe a lightweight dinghy to go on the roof?

Edit: Just in case you don't know Christchurch the Harbour is tidal all the up to Tuckton but the current isn't too bad except for the Run, the stretch alongside Mudeford Quay where the Harbour empties out through a fairly narrow channel into Christchurch Bay. I think the speed limit there is 8 knots FWIW but the current rips through at at least 4-6 knots on the ebb and flood, sometimes more. There's no overfalls or anything but do make sure you get the tides right.

 

[landlockedpirate]

To try and answer the original question without recommending that the OP buy something at least the size of Match 2 to travel safely on the model boat lake

As mentioned, you will probably get more feedback on Rib.net, the soft inflatable boat (SIB) part of the forum.

What you are looking for is a SIB, not a RIB. It is possible to get 2+3 in a SIB in safety, but if you want it small enough to put in your boot, there wont be much room aboard when on the water.

I think you need a minimum of a 3.1m which will weigh 30-35 kg and fit in a decent sized hatchback boot. If you have the room I would go slightly larger, a 3.6m will feel a lot lot bigger than the 3.1m

At this size you have a choice of floors, solid and air floor (flat or 'V' Floor). Solid floors are heavier, more difficult to put together but are more solid-especially when using higher power engines. I think solid floors are too much of a pain to inflate and deflate regularly.

Air floors are are lighter, very easy to inflate but can deform under high speeds and bigger outboards.

All boats are a compromise, especially at this size. A lot will depend on your budget and size of car.

If it was me, I would go for a Zodiac 320 with a flat air floor or a Honwave 3.2 V air floor. Engines are a choice as well, 5-6 hp is fine for slow runs in sheltered water with little current, if you want to plane you need about 15hp.