Rhea Boats - Opinions?

[mach2]

Hi All,

Newbie here so please be gentle. I've been lurking for some time & picked up some really useful stuff off these forums but now it's time to look over the parapet.

We currently have a Maxum 2400 which is moored on the lower Thames but we're looking to upgrade to something that we can spend more time on. I really like the idea of a walkaround type boat as I want something more practical & stable. Having looked at a few options the Rhea 800 seems to be coming out as a bit of a favourite.

I've read all that I can find on the internet about these but can anyone here give me a bit of 'real world' feedback? Also, are there any alternatives that are worth looking at?

Cheers,

M.

 

[benjenbav]

Hi. I seem to recall that there was a favourable review of the Rhea 800 in one of the IPC mags about this time last year when I was looking to change my boat. I think they look very nice but don't know anything else about them.

 

[Wiggo]

Yes, I can't add much either apart from to say that there was one in Hythe for a while and I thought it was one of the prettiest boats I'd seen - everything just looked 'right'.

 

[jhr]

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I seem to recall that there was a favourable review of the Rhea 800 in one of the IPC mags about this time last year

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it was the 850 (here) but they look like very nice boats.

 

[jimg]

Had a look at them a couple of years ago and got as far as visiting the "factory" on the Isle de Rea. I decided against one in the end, mostly on price. It had a very long option list that really pushed the price up for a decent spec boat.
In the end I went with a used Nimbus walk around as I only needed a day boat and accommodation was not too important for me.
Also have a look at Karnic, for value for money?

 

[gjgm]

think they sell them out of Hythe, so there are a few we see on the pontoons. Seem to be there for sale for a while, but maybe thats just the market. Had a look at the larger one at LBS, and was a bit shocked at how the price zoomed up for, well, alot of grp mouldings and not alot of trim.
Still, I agree, they look very pretty.. shafts I think.. make your own mind up on that. I m not sure how they compare to Nimbus Novas.. not quite the same.. the Novas will be somewhat sportier, but might be an intersting price comparison.
I admit, each time I walk pass them on the pontoon, I think.. nice boat.Just seems a bit too basic for the price. But maybe thats, honest, not basic !
Maybe a Targa 25? Thats probably a bit more hardcore, but one hell of a sea boat.

 

[jimg]

I would guess you could get a targa for the same kind of money. The Rhea 850 I looked at was nudging £100k with a decent spec.