Jet RIB Tender

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The family is badgering me to get a jet RIB for watersports fun. I'm against it because of the cost and extra weight compared to our existing 3m RIB with 15hp o/b and, in principle, I'm not in favour of kids wazzing around anchorages in high powered RIBs or PWCs but I promised I'd look into it
So, are these things worthwile having? Do you get more fun out of them than an o/b powered RIB? Apart from Avon and Williams, which other manufacturers make them?
I've got space for something 3.0 - 3.5m long but the lifting capacity of the passarelle is 375kg
 
hi, we looked at similar thing last year and ended up buying avon 3.2m jet rib. williams too heavy and write ups not that good. 40 foot mobo's are ok but can be quite boring for kids/teenagers. water skiing/wake boarding is great fun for kids and rib can still be used as normal tender. my 300kg rated passerelle lifts it out fine.
 
Hi Mike

We've got an Avon 320.

Here are a few comments.

It is fun but probably not worth the extra expence/hassle.
It is heavy and I mean HEAVY.
I happened to glance at the boat the other day whilst lifting the Jet Rib back on with the passerelle. The passerelle was manageing it but you could see the fixing base straining.

It works as a tender but it is extremely difficult to manouver - dont forget there isnt a neutral - it is either driving forwards or backwards (and the switch from forwards to backwards doesnt always work) - we just switch off and restart - even to kick it forward a couple of feet. The start and stop buttons are just under you fingers so not too dificult - but.....

When ashore you can normally drag a tender up the beach - forget it with a Jet RIB - just too heavy. In tidal areas you have to keep it floating - we let is "dry out" in the Scillies last year and it rested down on some rocks and broke one of the struts on the intake cowl - easily fixable but.....

I wouldnt recommend it for you - you are in the Med arent you? - what if it goes wrong (and believe me Jet Ribs DO go wrong) - you will have to fix the whole thing wont you - send it off or get a guy in, With an outboard you COULD even throw it away and buy a new one but it is fairly simple to disconnect it and send it away..

Having said all that we're off next week to Poole/Swanage with it and a Manta Ray inflatable which I'm assured it will pull without much trouble. There's plenty of power in it and from that point of view it is great fun (45MPH is no problem easily outperforming most larger RIBs)

Just a few points.
We like ours but I wouldnt buy another one - I'd get a really good RIB with centre console and the most powerful engine I could find.
Wiggo has done this recently perhaps he could comment if he sees this post.

Mike
 
We had an avon 320, but got it knicked in Ibiza last year!!
Would agree with comments about about weight and cost. When we repalced at the insurers expense we replacd with a rib eye rib, with jokey seat and 15hp motor. Much easier to get on & off the bathing platform and just as much fun. Although the avon would travel much faster when completly calm we found that 9 times out of 10 we were restricted by slamming and rarely went much above 20 knots. Mind you my back isn't what it used to be!
 
Hi Mike

We have a similiar problem, in the end I found it easier to rent a boat for a morning to have a good ski/play. Also I have the number of a guy in Portals that has a mastercraft and quite happy to take people out for lessons/fun for a nominal amount per hour, evenings or weekends, subject to weather.

PM me if you want his details.

Thanks

Martyn
 
The problem is when you're anchored in some nice cala and you and the SWMBO are snoozing off the lunchtime vino rosado on the flybridge when a little voice comes from below 'I'm bored, what can I do', what do you do? SWMBO has demanded that I furnish the boat with water toys for our hols otherwise I'm in deep poo
 
Thats a cool toy, even I might have a surreptitious bounce or 2 on that. Only I guess for a boat you'd have to inflate and deflate it every time?
 
Yes, looks like you're inflating & deflating. Time to get an LVM or somesuch.

There seem to be lots of those around, in all sorts of sizes - google will turn up lots of various designs.

Rick
 
Low pressure, high volume air pump. Inflates a dinghy in about 2 minutes and prevents you going puce and getting cramp in your leg from operating a foot pump.

Invaluable, but seventy quid, to you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Did you read our group test of Avon, Williams and Zodiac jet RIBs plus one Avon 360 outboard in May 2006 issue?
New Williams four stroke 325 Turbojet came out as the best of the jets due to quieter, more controllable (and hopefully more reliable) four stroke power, better layout and good quality. It was also manically fast (42 knots) and bloody uncomfortable in the rough (I slipped a disc during the test!)
Avon 360 DL with 40hp outboard was still the best for straight tender duties and almost certainly the most reliable and easy to maintain but not as much fun (32 knots) and with a spinning prop to worry about.

Reprints available on 01202 440 832 if needed.

Hugo
 
Thanks, Hugo. Unfortunately I've still got that issue so no £3.25 this time /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Yup, we just bought a Bombard AX500 (3.1m) RIB with Johnson GT (10/15hp) and centre console. £3000 all up, and it goes like a scalded cat: the kids can waterski behind it and Sue (SWMBO) wakeboards off it. It weighs a shade over 80kg including the motor, two people can carry (not drag) it up the beach.
 
We have a 320 jet rib. Great toy to play with, but useless as a tender. Too heavy, and the slightest bit of weed clogs the jet. That means lifting it on the crane (afetr being towed back to the boat...!), unscrewing the jet grid, and getting the weed out. What a pain. Never again.
 
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