Aluminium RIB

[Whitelighter]

Quite fancy a RIB on the next boat, but since it is going to hang over the arse, I dont what anything too heavy. Had a google, but cant find any makes sold in the UK.

Where could I go for a decent sized, light weight Ali RIB of around 3m in length?

 

[Wiggo]

The lightest RIB I found was a Bombard AX500 - a single skinned GRP thing that weighs sod all. I believe it is lighter than the New Zealand built ali ones.

 

[Whitelighter]

ok, but being single skinned will it stand up to a bit of 'A Pontoon' style punishment?

 

[buster3]

what about this bit of a all rounder



Watch the video


2.74 m
9' 0"Inflatable boat : rigid inflatable tender Walker Bay


Walker Bay's Rigid Inflatable Dinghy (RID) combines the best features of a reliable hard-shell dinghy with the stability and utility of an inflatable. The Variable Profile Design (VPD) tube, unique to Walker Bay, engages with the water only when required.

Features include a large cockpit area for passengers & cargo, and a hull that puts out a minimal wake, tracking easily while under tow. The perfect boat to load up and take out for that day trip. Available in two sizes: 310 or 275.


STANDARD FEATURES:

• Available in 1100 Decitex Polymer or Orca® Hypalon® material

• 4-chamber VPD tube

• One piece High Impact Marine Composite (HIMC) hull

• 3 layer reinforced seams

• 4 easy grip handles

• Stainless steel davit lifting eyes

• Deluxe rub rail

• Includes Hydro Curve oars


SPECS:

MODEL: RID 275

LOA: 9’ - 275 cm

BEAM: 5’8” - 132 cm

WEIGHT: 89 lbs - 40 kg

CE MAX HP: 4 hp

CE MAX CAPACITY: 3 Persons


MODEL: RID 310

LOA: 10'2'' / 310cm

BEAM: 6' / 183cm

WEIGHT: 149 lbs / 68 kg

CE MAX HP: 6 hp

CE MAX CAPACITY: 4 Persons

More specifications...



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[Wiggo]

Depends how hard you treat it, I guess. We broke one up, but only because some numpty fitted a console to it and the front corners of the console became hinge points. Without that console, I have every reason to think it would still be going strong.

 

[Whitelighter]

Yes, I quite like the look of those. Does anyone know how heavey the l;ight weight 310 with the light console is? Infact, how heavy is a 15Hp 4 stroke motor?

Its going to have to sit either on davits or on the bathing platform of a 37-40ft sports cruiser. Quite tempted to have a look at the ali boat davits launching system as well, as this means you can stor the tender futher out a bit.

Dont want to over load the boat mind...

 

[buster3]

look at the valliant 300 ours as had hard use and looks like new and sits on the bathing platform well,the jcraft rib is good but weighs a bit more

 

[zt260]

A 9.9 mariner 4stroke outboard weighs 38kg if that helps.
ash

 

[Sundays_Child]

I'll second the Walker Bay RID.

I have the 275 hanging off the back of my boat. The 310 would have been a better fit for the davits arms, but I didn't want the extra weight (40kg vs 68kg with only 35cm difference). It's used 90% as a beach landing device and the weight saving was key for dragging up and down the sand.

The RIDs are very stable. Even landing through biggish breakers (surfers were having fun), the RID didn't flip. She just filled with water and stayed afloat and stable.

Also, I got the sail kit, and didn't want to mess about with rigging (the 310 kit has a jib and the mast needs stays, the 275 is much simpler).

I don't have an outboard. As it's usually carrying children between 2 and 5 and never used for more than 100 yards at a time I'm happy to row. I've been thinking about a Torqeedo electric jobby for pootling around anchorages though.

When the kids get older and want towing, I'd consider changing up to a bigger walker bay console as per Hurricane and soon jfm. Otherwise I might just get a jetski to keep on the the bathing platform under the hanging RID.

 

[goochie]

Yes. I had a long look at the Walker Bay Console at SIBS, and I have to say I was very impressed. Definitely got my eye on one of these for next season.

 

[Hurricane]

I expect you were waiting for this post, Jez.

As you well know - I have the bigger Walker Bay with a 40HP fitted.
The boat is about 100kgs and the engine about 90kgs - much lighter than a JetRib which I was comparing it against.

The major thing that I've found is that its a bit floppy (not as rigid as a conventional RIB but I had it for a season now and although I've not done very much with it, I still go out and buy another one.

The material that they are made from is a form of ABS plastic which is virtually indestructable - we used RigiFlexes (made from the same tye of material) at the sailing club as safety boats - the club was on the concrete Queen Mother Reservoir and the RigiFlexes were often run into or dragged up the concrete beach - you could never do that with a GRP boat.

As for Aluminuim vs the Walker Bay plastic - I'd go with the Walker Bay plastic any day.

Both the Genesis models have little wheels in the back but, as you know, RogerRat has had a few problems with his. I havent checked mine yet but I dont anticipate using the little wheels anyway.

Here's some pics that you havent seen before

IMO the Walker Bay does very well as a general tender

But is also seems to work well at speed - this one you HAVE seen before

Talk to Roger - I'd go with a Walker Bay if I were you
Bear in mind though that the tubes as standard are PVC - I bought Hypalon but that was a special to order.

 

[Whitelighter]

Thanks Mike,

I'd forgotton you had gone with the Walker Bay to be honest. The boat that strikes me as perfect is the 310 light with the light console, looks to be the boat is 57kg and the console and engine extra. I guess a 15 would be fine, so I need to look up weights and also the weight of the light console (cant find any details of the consoles on the WB website).

I suppose ideally I would want to keep the weight around 100kg, dont know if thats possible. I suppose sensibly I should eb looking at the 270 with out board but I sort of fancy a consolel and bigger engine - I think we want a toy as well as a tender.

Good review though, and some nice pics. Brave to let the Rat and the Birdman out to play, who knows what might have happened with those two in charge...

 

[Chas25]

[ QUOTE ]
I guess a 15 would be fine

[/ QUOTE ]

20 or 25 would be better /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Where does it mention the console on the walker bay website /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

It doesnt, but there are a few distributors that show it and they had a 400 at sibs.

By the way, are you on skype today?

 

[Hurricane]

You're right - there just isnt much on the console.

I should think that the actual moulding would be the same whichever size of boat it is fitted to.
The boat comes as a basic RIB with a certer seat - this gets removed for a seat and console unit. The console bit unclips and hinges back to reveal space for a battery. The console is big enough to have a Yamaha multifunction instrument and I've also fitted a cheap Cobra VHF DSC unit - I'm also hoping to squeeze in a small echo sounder/depth display.

There is also a separate dry space under the console's inbuilt seat - I've put a removable outboard fuel tank and two separate spare tanks in there. This should give me about 4 or 5 hours of use with the bg engine.

We went to see one at Barrus and they recommended the new Mariner engine (25HP I think) but again that was for the big Walker Bay.

Another plus note - all the plastic is smooth and nice to touch - unlike GRP.

 

[goochie]

Jez, that's exactly the combination I'm looking at - probs not until Jan though. I'll let you know how we get on.

 

[Whitelighter]

we probably wont do anything until the new season either. maybe we should work together and negotiate a bulk discount /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RogerRat]

Ha, interesting that Walker Bay comes up trumps here, I thought so too, especially after looking at Mike's 340. Far better than a jet rib imho. Fast and yet light.

[ QUOTE ]
Both the Genesis models have little wheels in the back but, as you know, RogerRat has had a few problems with his. I havent checked mine yet but I dont anticipate using the little wheels anyway.


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, I had a problem with the axle rusting and the wheel became partially seized. I spoke to the dealer that put me in touch with Barrus and they exchanged the wheels assembly which are built into the trim tabs. Five minute job to change them yesterday, do should be fine now. They say that they haven't had a problem before.

The 270 is too small for a console but it's quite big for a 270. I measured it on Saturday and it's actually 285 overall, large tubes and very stable! I've had 5 adults in mine, it wouldn't plane but it wasn't overloaded either, certainly good for four. I tried Vince's aluminium one and found it quite unstable as too narow. I wouldn't want to play around in 'toy mode' on one of these! I've clocked 21 knots on mine with a 10Hp Merc and that's pretty quick on a rib this size, believe me! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

There is NO doubt in my mind that the Walker Bay is the best current range of tender at the moment, there is so much thought gone into the detail that just makes them better to use and the cornering is just great fun... They turn more like a ZapCat.

Some of the details:

I have only one problem with mine and that is the fact that I have to deflate it fully to use the folding transom to get the large engine into my garage. If you were using a launching system from the transom, this wouldn't be a problem for you guys.

 

[Nick_H]

Well i'm not sure they've thought through the fuel tank location very well, it's right where the front two passengers want to put their feet, or where you step into if the tender comes in bow first. I suppose the little slots in the floor under the seat (which is a much better location) mean you could strap it there, but its clearly designed to go in the recess, which is a barmy place for it IMO.

 

[RogerRat]

Yes, it looks that way in the pic but not the case in practice.

Passengers feet fit behind the tank when sitting on the seat or the side inflated areas and you wouldn't normally get on over the bow as the distance is too far to step over, although I do sometimes. Safe access, especially for ladies, is always along side.

I prefer the weight forward and I also like the hole to feed the fuel line back under the floor out of sight and not a trip hazzard.