Which rib should i buy and why

lanerboy

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Hi all

I am thinking of buying a rib to have some fun on as we don't always want to take the boat out and it would be nice just to have a blast for an hour then go back in also I could go out fishing on my own for some me time :)

I am thinking of spending about 6k, is there anything that I should NOT buy I know nothing about ribs so all info greatly appreciated, what things do I need to look out for.

I would like to be able to carry about 6 people at times, not bothered about a trailer as long as I could get it to Weymouth by sea

Do any of you know anyone thinking of selling a rib in my price range

cheers shawn
 
Hi all

I am thinking of buying a rib to have some fun on as we don't always want to take the boat out and it would be nice just to have a blast for an hour then go back in also I could go out fishing on my own for some me time :)

I am thinking of spending about 6k, is there anything that I should NOT buy I know nothing about ribs so all info greatly appreciated, what things do I need to look out for.

I would like to be able to carry about 6 people at times, not bothered about a trailer as long as I could get it to Weymouth by sea

Do any of you know anyone thinking of selling a rib in my price range

cheers shawn

Mine is for sale ribcraft 585 with 90 mariner 4 stroke inc trailer one owner

Only thing is its £12,500 so not in your budget

I bought mine for exactly same reason great fun

Wouldnt think you will get anything decent for £6000 been there myself when i was looking

If you are thinking of ribbing off weymouth you want something reliable and rugged.

keep away from the Valliants and bombard stuff

Ribcraft Ribeye Redbay Cobra the bigger the tube diameter the better 4 stroke engine not 2 stroke. for 6 people on board minimum 5.5 mtrs individual pod seats as apose to the long two seater centre seat

good luck with your search
 
Hi all

I am thinking of buying a rib to have some fun on as we don't always want to take the boat out and it would be nice just to have a blast for an hour then go back in also I could go out fishing on my own for some me time :)

I am thinking of spending about 6k, is there anything that I should NOT buy I know nothing about ribs so all info greatly appreciated, what things do I need to look out for.

I would like to be able to carry about 6 people at times, not bothered about a trailer as long as I could get it to Weymouth by sea

Do any of you know anyone thinking of selling a rib in my price range

cheers shawn

If you plan on going out to sea I would recommend at least something which is 5.5 meters with hypalon tubes.
My 4 meter avon SR4 is great but a bit too small.
80/125 4 Stoke Yamaha will be more than enough.
 
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Trouble is if you buy too small maybe to suit your budget you will be dissapointed , when i bought my ribcraft my freind bought a valliant 4.8 mtr as a package new , we took both our boats out in good conditions but weather turned rough our ribcraft just took it but i was worried for my freind with 3 on board the boat was all over the place and he was crapping himself . so if you are ribbing off weymouth as i said before get the right boat for the job.

Have a look on some of the rib forums lots of info on ribs boats for sale etc also on face book you will find some rib forums

good luck with your search and have fun when you get it
 
Ribctaft all the way:
2 stroke 90hp 140hp xR2

Great stability while underway (a bit like RNLI lifeboat. So when you need a boat that is capable, you cant go wrong with a ribcraft. Get the A frame too!!
 
I'd agree with most of what's been written already, Ribcrafts are great (and made locally in Yeovil), Ribtec look good and Cobras have a great hull. I'm selling a 5.5 Cobra with an as new Yamaha 90 2 stroke for within your budget but someone has already paid a deposit. I've now owned 2 Cobras and a Ribcraft and would happily buy either brand again, great hulls and the quality of the tubes and other fittings are a cut above most of the competition. A friend once had a Valliant, it was dreadful, seams coming apart and leaked like a sieve.
 
Apart from the build quality, what sets the cheaper ribs apart?

I assume weight distribution and hull shape are easily copied... I suspect there's more to it than that.
 
Having been involved in the purchase of larger RIBs I would say that hull shape/sea kindliness is not easily copied/achieved. We trialled several and all I will say is that being a big player doesn't guarantee a sea kindly hull. As already mentioned the likes of Redbay, Ribcraft, Ribtec and Cobra are good. I would probably add Delta as well.

Obviously budget plays an important part so it may be a choice between an older quality marque or a newer model from a slightly less reputable builder. Thing is that the latter may well suit your needs for occasional use where the attributes of a lifeboat are unnecessary :)
 
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I know what you mean Roy but if I havn't got it I can't have it lol

I found this one last night while surfing the net and its in Weymouth what are your thoughts


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171806679051?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2648

For 3-4 people I'm sure it would be fine, 6 will be tight thou with little room for boaty stuff.
Don't know anything of the make and for reasons unknown to me Johnson outboards are not very common in the UK???
Looks like a snipe trailer (same as mine)
I looked after mine rinsing it after ever recovery and it lasted 8 years before it gave up.
Budget on £3k for a replacement trailer.
 
Your budget might stretch a litter further in Ireland if you're willing to travel? Been a while since I had a rib (from a Polish company Sportis).. I'd recommend trying to go for something with hydraulic steering rather than cable.
 
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Your budget might stretch a litter further in Ireland if you're willing to travel? Been a while since I had a rib (from a Polish company Sportis).. I'd recommend trying to go for something with hydraulic steering rather than cable.

the lencraft looks pretty good from photo, but you are up 1500 on your budget, check the tubes inside for abrasion against the GRP happens when tubes are under inflated retube will set you back £3000 trailer repairs can also add up not being negative just making you aware, having said that you will find some good stuff around just be patiant.
 
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