Avon Jet rib

Andy....You never know.. I might just look to do that if the opportunity and time allows.. I'll keep you informed.

The posts here have been very helpful, and as expected there does seem, as in most things Nautical, hard and fast views on this subject.

IMHO purchasing a used model will limit my financial exposure if it turns out to be a pile of junk... but with kids in tow I think I may take the plunge and in the immortal words of TCM stand to be accused of being a "poof from Yorkshire"

Thanx again to all of you for your guidance. Really excellent stuff!

Laurence



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Re: Jet ribs

I have a 400 Avon jet rib and my opion is as follows:
Good
1. Fast
2. Fun
3. very shallow draft
4. Looks good on the back of the boat

Bad
1. Unrealiable
2. Throttle sticks in reverse, on third cable and has started doing it again.
3. Helps make our oceans cleaner by sucking up everything
4. Don't expect to stay dry even in flat weather
5. High risk of being stolen, can't leave it anywhere for any time!!
6. They make a hell of a din!

Would I buy one..... No, next one would be an outboard or inboard with leg

Chris

<hr width=100% size=1>Few it's hot today!!! AGAIN!!!
 
Re: Jet ribs

Chris thanx for the input.

Besides the cable problems, What other reliability problems have you had? Have the cable problems come from over-use, or it it an inherent problem with the Avon?

No one seems to have a bad word to say about the Williams Jet!

Laurence



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Re: Jet ribs

Paul,

I may be misinformed, but doesnt the lever only adjust the "bucket" to be either directly infront of the water exhaust (for reverse) and over the top (for forward).

I believe the system is a combination of cable and lever.. Not sure why it should be such a problem for so many unless its a design fault.. but then Avon are hardly likely to own up to that ome are they!!

Laurence



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Just to confirm the trend. - Throttle sticks in reverse on mine brand new too. I solved it with force, but kids been reversing around a couple of times. Bucket can be kept in middle position giving a slower pace in either direction. The instruction manual prohibit "crash-stop", I'm not sure what the kids are doing when I look in the other direction so there is a risk of something braking.

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Yes - we have one. Stunning machine. Goes like a rocket, and handles very safely.

The only problem we have encountered is, I am told by Yamaha agents, a common problem. Fuel more than 8 weeks old (or so) looses its oomph and makes starting very hard, or even impossible without Halfords Easy start!

And the fact there's no fuel tap (although it's easy to add one yourself) the carb can become gooed up.

However, if keep the fuel clean, install a fuel tap, you'll have the ride of your life.

<hr width=100% size=1>Piers du Pré
http://www.dupre.co.uk
 
Throttle does seem to be a design fault as I have done many different things to improve to no avail. The guys at Yam just changed the last cable claiming it will sort the problem. It did but not for long!! I would not say it is over used (60 hours) but the starting is a bit of a pig and the sucking up debry often means either a swim or a paddle home.

Chris



<hr width=100% size=1>Few it's hot today!!! AGAIN!!!
 
Re: Avon Jet rib satisfied customer

We have one as a tender, new in March this year. I love it and would buy same again because it is so much fun. Few points

1. Piers, ours does have a fuel tap, under the hood. A 90deg turn ball valve. Is yours DL model?
2. Get the DL model with seat, not the motorbike one imho. Has more gizmos like nav lights etc too
3. Ours starts fine whether hot or cold. Use only choke for cold start, no throttle
4. The cable thing has bugged us to. Sometimes would not shift gears. But by chance I discovered it catches with the steering, so the cable jamming only happens if steering is on lock, if steering is nearly straight ahead gears shift every time no problem.
5. I does have a neutral in a sense. There are no gears, just a bucket. But if in "neutral" it is still sucking water so do not drive over bags or skiropes or else massive job to untangle. If you drift over rope etc hit the engine off button fast
6. The speed/fun is worth every penny. Take it to full throttle, let speed build to max say 45 mph. Then ram steering full lock and hold on (do this only with yourself in boat). It will literally spin a 360 like a stone skimming on water. Do not release throttle any time in this manoeuvre, full throttle the whole time.
7. I dont like the lack of key start. If you leave it tied to a jetty you have to lift the seat to get the key out. I'm gonna have a key fitted in the dash
8. Could do with another 30bhp or so. Anyone know of tuning kits? It's the yamaha waverunner engine
9. I thought the Avon blue overall cover was perfectly ok.
10. Pig to steer etc at marina low speed, and pretty smokey at low speed unfortunately
11. Another trick. Lash securely to your boat at anchor, alongside. Put two big blokes on bow, so water inlet is submerged but jet is pointing upwards out of water. Full throttle gives you a 83hp water cannon. Even TCM would surrender in that battle!
12. Very quick to launch. Press the passerelle buttons and unclip 3 strops and go. No fuel bulb to squeeze, no outboard leg to lower, etc. Very convenient

Yup, I would recommend





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Re: Avon Jet rib satisfied customer

Thanx JFM.... its interesting, but not surprising, that most individuals who have one say they're fantastic.. albeit all exhibiting the same problem... definitely a design fault me thinks...

Most of the negative views come from people who have "heard" they a pile of junk...

Like all things I guess it a compromise of sorts.

Thanx again for your help.

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Re: Avon Jet rib satisfied customer

Yes you have got it 100% correct that the jetrib is a big compromise. The fun benefits are priceless, the quirks are a PITA. An outboard rib is the "steady" choice - fewer of the irritations but less fun to drive and will not pull 2g in corners :-). So yes a compromise but I'm glad we got the jet

You are welcome to a test drive if you're anywhere near Antibes

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Have a Zodiac 3.5 Jet Rib, (Avon by another name) and had the opportunity recently to try out loads of these, all great fun with differing pros all brilliant though. Except for one thing, put them in reverse and you will not get them out of it again without pulling the lever like hell, whch long term makes matters worse or switching engine off and reatarting in neutral.

Reason is that the thrust, even at tick over, is such that when in reverse the bucket is lifted slightly and thus engages on the pressed steel guides that retain it. This then means the lever cannot actually get the bucket back it is physically impossible. Try, whilst on land, putting the lever in reverse and just lift the bucket slightly, you will see it engage behind a "lug" in the guides. No amount of adjustment/cables will improve it. Paul

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Re: Avon Jet rib satisfied customer

Just a quickie JFM,

I'm 6'3".... 17 st.... will I fit in the DL version?.... from what I see you need to be well under 6' to get your legs under the steering wheel and be able to steer comfortably.





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Re: Avon Jet rib satisfied customer

I'm 6'2" and a large beam, no problem. Have a problem keeping clean undies though when driving these things full blast!! P

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Re: Avon Jet rib satisfied customer

I would think that the motorbike pillion type is far better wehn on the water as your weight is central - also you steer by leaning into the bends a bit like a motor bike plus it can cope with bigger people.

<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
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