Arimar RIBS

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've been offered an Arimar Topline 360 RIB as a tender. I know nothing about Arimar. Anyone know anything good or bad about them?
The RIB comes with a 15hp electric start Suzuki. I dont plan any waterskiing only a bit of ring towing but even so, 15hp sounds a bit light. What does the panel think?

 

[DavidJ]

I bought an Arimar liferaft, and although I haven't used it everything about it looks excellent quality. My choice was due to it being the only liferaft that would fit under the Sealine hinged seat.

 

[Nick_H]

Arimar are a decent sized reputable Italian manufacturer of liferafts and inflatables, so no reason to doubt that their RIBS will be well built, though I don't have any first hand experience. I have one of their liferafts on the Windy, but never used it.

I don't think you'll be able to tow adults on a ringo, but will tow kids no problem. A 3.6m RIB could take a fair bit bigger outboard, so you could maybe px for something like a 30hp.

 

[Cookee]

Have you asked on Rib.net? It's more RIB orientated - that doesn't mean you wouldn't get good advice here of course!

 

[MapisM]

I've been offered an Arimar Topline 360 RIB as a tender. I know nothing about Arimar. Anyone know anything good or bad about them?
The RIB comes with a 15hp electric start Suzuki. I dont plan any waterskiing only a bit of ring towing but even so, 15hp sounds a bit light. What does the panel think?

I've never owned one, but I did use the smaller one (320) in a couple of occasions.
They're very nicely built, and have a well deserved reputation for efficient hulls.
In fact, they're often underpowered (apparently), because they actually don't need a lot of ponies.
I even suspected that the 30hp Nick suggested was above the max approved power, so I just checked their website.
And it is, in fact: max is 25hp, and 15hp is the recommended power.
That said, 'fiuaskme a 40hp yammy would be just the ticket, for watersports!
Does it have the center console already?
It's an option on these ribs, as I recall. But almost mandatory, particularly with bigger engines.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I moved my boat back into Italy to Hannibal Marina in Monfalcone. I got so pissed off with the Croatian Ferretti dealer that I decided I wasnt going to let him do the maintenance work I needed at his rip off prices. I asked Hannibal to find me a RIB tender and it is they who have offered me the Arimar. It would be new so I can have what I want including the console. I dont really want a big engine, just big enough for my teenage son and his mates to mess about in but not get into any serious trouble. Do you reckon 15hp is enough to plane with 2 teenagers sitting in the boat towing another one behind in a ring?

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

I've had Arimar for 15 years now. First I had a 2.10 tender with sticks. Then in 1999 I changed it/bought the 220 Flash double bottomed rib. Has a few stress cracks but is also a little over powered and me and my younger brother have a hobbie of wave jumping with it. The hairline cracks are mostly developed in the areas where I put the fuel tank. The overpower is a Mercury 5hp instead of max of 4hp. The tubes never developed any problem until last year where it was leaking air on the starboard cone. This was fixed for 50 EUROS, and is now again in perfect condition. Both my Arimars where PVC material built. Had a problem also in the second year where water used to come in from drain and go in the double bottom, but was fixed a year later. No big deal.
I think Arimar quality has also improved a lot at least in the viewing sense.

 

[Wiggo]

Do you reckon 15hp is enough to plane with 2 teenagers sitting in the boat towing another one behind in a ring?

Yes, but they'll moan it isn't wild enough. Our Brig 300 with a console and 15hp is OK with me driving and two teenagers in a ring, but I really have to work hard to give them the ride they want. Another 5-10 hp would be ideal.

 

[Nick_H]

Do you reckon 15hp is enough to plane with 2 teenagers sitting in the boat towing another one behind in a ring?

No chance, unless they are very light teenagers. I have a 3.4m Zodiac with 30hp, lightweight boat with flattish hull, and for most watersports you can still only have one adult in the boat. You need 25hp minimum IMO.

 

[MapisM]

I dont really want a big engine, just big enough for my teenage son and his mates to mess about in but not get into any serious trouble. Do you reckon 15hp is enough to plane with 2 teenagers sitting in the boat towing another one behind in a ring?

Difficult to tell. I wouldn't be as drastic as Nick above, but it's borderline at best, and just not enough at worst.
Besides, the way I see it, "getting into any serious trouble" is equally feasible with 15 or 25 hp.
I mean, 90% of that risk depends on the helmsman, and just 10% on the rigging.
And even for this last 10%, surely there's a relevant difference between say a 5hp o/b which is just good enough to move around and a 40hp which would make it fly.
But between a 15 and a 25, the difference is just a few knots, and some more frustration with the first when loaded.
I'd go for the 25, and carefully brain wash anyone before allowing him/her to use the toy. Which is worth doing also with the 15, anyway.

 

[Nick_H]

On the safety angle, an underpowered boat will tempt the teenagers to have just one in the boat, then stand up and try and lean over the front to get it to plane, so safer to have the right size o/b for the job IMO.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

On the safety angle, an underpowered boat will tempt the teenagers to have just one in the boat, then stand up and try and lean over the front to get it to plane, so safer to have the right size o/b for the job IMO.

I think you and Mapism are probably right. I should go for 25hp motor instead. Who knows, I might want to sit in the ring myself in which case the RIB will definitely need a bit of grunt