Buying help for RIB

[jmw]

Hi all,

After 12+ years of boat ownership in the Solent we have just sold our 36ft flybridge and fancy a change (for a while at least).

To get my boating fix I'd like to buy a RIB which will be stored in a local boatyard in Newhaven and used for evening and weekend run's and for going out with friends. Looking at the used market probably up to 10 or maybe 12 years old. Most of the time it will be me & wife or me and mate but it would be good to accommodate up to 6 adults occasionally.

The boatyard can 'probably' accommodate up to 6.5m but no problem with 6.0m so I am ideally looking at 6m but will push them for 6.5m if necessary.

I've been told probably the best out there is Ribeye and there are a few 6m out there with 115hp Yamaha engines for around £22k to £25k aged around 2007 to 2010 so I guess you get what you pay for. I don't want to pay any more than this and preferably less.

My initial questions are:

1. Are there particular marques that I should look for/avoid?
2. What makes a good RIB? We were told Ribeye rides the best and is therefore more comfortable and handles better
3. What should I be looking for on inspection?
4. Anything else I should be thinking about in terms of layout/style etc. i.e. are jockey seats better for stability or are they uncomfortable to use?

Many thanks as always for any assistance.

Joe

 

[gjgm]

There is a dedicated rib forum...Ribnet... you could also try there

 

[longjohnsilver]

I’d put Ribcraft ahead of Ribeye in the sea handling department, but both are good boats. I’ve also had a few Cobras that I’d also rate highly. Avon are also up there.

 

[lisilou]

We did what you’re doing last year and opted for a Brig Navigator 610. We love it for the Solent hopping we do and suits our needs perfectly. We’ve got a Suzuki 140 on the back which we find ideal for our needs topping out at 39knts 2 up. I wouldn’t want to go less HP than that but it’s personal preference.
We have 4 jockeys and a bench seat. I find the jockeys comfortable and generally prefer them to bolster seats. Again, personal preference. There’s only 1 thing I would change in the layout of our particular RIB & that’s the position of the throttle. It’s situated on the side of the console which is no problem at all when it’s nice & flat out there but in a F4 it becomes quite tiring/straining on the shoulder keeping one hand on the throttle as I’m at full arm stretch to reach it. I’m 5’8 so not short by any means. That really is the only thing I would change. Everything else is just perfect for us.
Would I buy a Brig again if I wanted to change spec?...absolutely. I would also seriously consider Ribcraft as I’ve had experience with those too & you can’t fault them for sea keeping.
One thing’s for sure, you’ll enjoy a RIB enormously & will revel at the saving in berthing & servicing costs.
Hope you find what you like whatever the make.
L

 

[PilotWolf]

Avon every time. I've had two . There are some very nice used ones out there - a lot of ex rescue boats which for me says it all.

Avoid bench style seats.

Power needs to be 'appropriate' don't under power but also don't exceed the manufacture's recommendation.

W.

 

[crazy4557]

I also did the same as you're contemplating. I bought a 7.5m Cobra with a Suzuki 250 3 years ago which has been brilliant fun but limited use in the UK, too windy and cold a lot of the time initially so we towed out to the Med and is now just used for summer holidays. Great thing with a rib is they are cheap to run, you can tow them to different places and they take little to maintain.
I would suggest a Cobra or Avon, both really well built boats and more suitable for UK waters than a Ribeye in my opinion.

 

[Kawasaki]

Yep
Ricraft are ahead of Ribeye
A 'Tip' for a rib search
Look at how the tubes are sitting in the water (any make) at 'rest', if they are 'proud' of the water in the aft area, the rib will be most twitchey at sea

 

[sprocker]

I would suggest trying as many different makes as possible in your boating area, and try them in 'challenging' conditions rather than flat calm.
I discounted three manufacturers because they cancelled sea trials due to conditions being too rough, while other manufacturers were happy to do sea trials on the same day.

I recently went through this process, and ended up looking at many (MANY) RIBS. The Ribeye S650 that I eventually went for ticked all the 'family cruiser' boxes, which is what I wanted.

I have been out in some interesting seas along the Lyme Bay coast, and never once have I been worried about the seakeeping.

Happy to take you out if you happen to be in Torbay at any point.

 

[jmw]

Hi all,

Many thanks for so many really helpful replies.

Lisilou - I was unsure about jockey seats so that really helps as does your other info.

Sprocker - thanks also for the offer of a trial. Ironically my wife will be in Torquay this weekend seeing her mother. I shall be staying 200 miles away to avoid seeing her mother

I'm hoping to look at a couple this weekend including a Ribeye 650 (Yamaha 200hp) but will be hunting out Ribcraft's if I can on the back of so many recommendations.

It's good to know that we are not the first people to take a break from big boating to small boating and that we are not being really daft!

Any more tips or suggestions welcomed....

Thanks,

Joe

 

[lisilou]

One other small but hugely important point if you like a spot to chill, catch the sun & layout...get one that can convert to a sun pad at the front. It was high on the list of priorities for me but then...I like my comforts
L

 

[SpottyDog5]

Add Coastline Ribs to your search, 4x4 of the rib world.

 

[Seastoke]

so to the peeps who have gone down from a larger boat ,do you live local to the boat ,if not what do you do

 

[lisilou]

so to the peeps who have gone down from a larger boat ,do you live local to the boat ,if not what do you do

We moved a couple of years ago to be close to our then boat. We’re now a 3 min drive from the marina and we simply didn’t need the bigger ‘live aboard’ so it made perfect sense to get a RIB. We AirBnB if we want to stay over anywhere. Works perfectly for us.
L

 

[Kawasaki]

We moved a couple of years ago to be close to our then boat. We’re now a 3 min drive from the marina and we simply didn’t need the bigger ‘live aboard’ so it made perfect sense to get a RIB. We AirBnB if we want to stay over anywhere. Works perfectly for us.
L

Making sense Lisilou
Seen it all before
Only last weekend I/We an my Mate went to Darn Sarf to see a Grand Banks 42
Guy who owns it can see said vessel from His 'House on the Hill' and His Family aint interested etc
Said Owner is gonna 'downsize' and have a Day Boat kinda thing
Sensible I reckon

 

[crazy4557]

We moved 7 years ago to the coast to be nearer the boat but sold it in 2015 as kids sport and education got in the way so we swapped into a rib that's being kept in Sardinia for our holidays as we get better quality time on it down there. When we have lovely weather like last year it seems such a waste to be here without a boat.

 

[PilotWolf]

Assuming that you're buying secondhand make sure you check...

- all around where the tubes are mounted to the hull, make sure there is no separating of the material inside and out.
- ask about leaks slow or otherwise. See if they'll let you check the pressures when you arrive and after the sea trial before you leave. If it's a hot day bear in mind the pressure might go up or when cold the owner has let some air our for expansion.
- remove the air filler caps to make sure the valves are working properly.
- look for patches.
- personally I prefer Hypalon over PVC, I think it's more durable.
- do all the engine checks too to make sure it's been maintained properly. It's an expensive part of the outfit.
- check the prop for any damage.
- make sure the engine engages gears smoothly.
- if it doesn't have one fit a kill cord and use it. Also keep a spare on board or you won't be able to start the engine to recover the MOB!
- if it comes with a trailer make sure the wheel bearings are good as they get salty wet when you launch and it's easy to forget to rinse them with fresh water. Likewise with the rollers and brakes. And make sure that it not too heavy for you to tow with your vehicle especially with full fuel tanks and equipment.

Get a good insurance policy. and make sure you met their requirements for security. I had my first Avon stolen from my garden, only the a frame was visible to the public. I had a hitchlock, wheel clamp and it was chained to a 4ft concrete cube buried in the ground. They took out my PIR light, dug up and took the concrete block and defeated the locks - a lot of effort and risk for £3500 boat. I'll never forget that feeling of coming home to see the empty space. When the insurance assessor saw the photos of the security measures he signed the recommendation for a full payout in 5 minute of arriving.

I know it's for fun and being over the top can ruin that but consider helmets with visors for everyone, especially if your chose some thing big and fast. Likewise life jackets worn all the time. RIBS are fun and very manouverable but that also increases the risk of someone going over the side.so work out how you will get back in the boat if it happens.

I'd second joining RibNet, I've been a member there for years and there is an enormous amount of experience and knowledge in it members.

W.

 

[sprocker]

We moved a couple of years ago to be close to our then boat. We’re now a 3 min drive from the marina and we simply didn’t need the bigger ‘live aboard’ so it made perfect sense to get a RIB. We AirBnB if we want to stay over anywhere. Works perfectly for us.
L

Similar situation to me, but with an additional divorce thrown in........

From my point of view, I now have a boat that I can easily handle on my own, so am no longer reliant on having crew and get out anytime I feel the need!

 

[Bigplumbs]

If you can afford it a larger boat and a rib is a good combination