Williams 325 Jet RIB

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I'm thinking about buying a Williams 325 Jet RIB to replace the existing tender on my boat
Anyone got any comments on the performance/reliability of these boats?
My existing Besenzoni passarelle has a lifting capacity of 300kg which is really close to the 298kg dry weight of the RIB. Williams say they have other customers using this same type of passarelle for lifting this tender but I am very dubious especially as the weight of the RIB will exceed 300kg with any fuel or rainwater in it. Any comments?
My existing tender weighs about 140kg with o/b engine so I would be adding another 158kg on the bathing platform of my boat. Anyone think this will affect the performance of my boat?
 
Only comment would be the lack of apparent space for 4 adults and one child.

If two adults need to sit on the Bow seat I expect some wet backsides as you stuff into any wash/swell.

If there is only two of you then it looks a great boat.
 
Actually on the 325 there is room for 2 adults on the bench seat plus 1 more on the bow seat but there is'nt on the 285 because there isnt sufficient space for feet and legs which is why we're looking at the 325. Anyway I dont care if passengers get wet since I'll be sitting at the back driving!
 
Had a test drive of one a month or so back, very fast and very nicely made bit of Kit.
With 3 large adults onboard we got up to around 35knts, space is a bit lacking, but the seating is very comftable.

Only issue ive heard of with inboard jet ribs in general is the engine maintance headaches a few years down the line.
 
I'm pretty disillusioned with jet ribs based on owning an Avon one, but the Williams may be better, and they are undoubtedly good fun when they're working.

The Avon weighed 210 kgs dry, 250 kgs full of oil and fuel, and I lifted that with a 200 kg crane. It is a lift and slew type crane, the lift was fine but the slew needed a bit of manual intervention. All cranes have to have a max load well above their SWL so I guess it will be OK.

Having 250 kgs hanging off the back did affect performance, i'd say i've gained at least a knot now with a 100 kg tender/outboard instead. The extra weight may particularly affect the Sealine 'cos its quite a light boat with relatively small engines and the dinghy chocks actually overhang the bathing platform.

I'm planning to get one of these (web page ) with a 30 hp Mercury lightweight 2 stroke, the total rig will weigh 130 kgs dry, but still be fast enough for all watersports. It does have a propellor though, which is the only big downside over a jet rib for me, particularly as I guess your son will want to use it.
 
I have a Zodiac Pro jet 350, jet ribs require TLC particularly if the sit on the stern. I have found that with 4 adults in it is a bit wet but as i sit at the back is no prob. we have had a few small issues with it mostly stuff going up the intake.

I flush the engine everytime it is used and spray the engine with corrosion gaurd regularly the jet is claened and greased also. I also keep a m/c battery charger on board to charge the battery each week when not being used.
 
Thats good info, houghn. My boat is already not exactly fast thanks to being in the Med and all the attendant junk on board and I really dont want to lose another knot. I'm also a bit concerned about overloading the passarelle which is a vital piece of equipment. Also the maintenance of the jet drive sounds a bit of a pain. Williams told me not to get sand in the intake and in any case it'll be too heavy to pull up a beach and now I understand it has to be washed in fresh water and oiled regularly. Not quite like an o/b engine which can be used and abused
All in all, maybe a decent RIB with a powerful o/b is the way to go, as you have done. What do you know about JCraft? I've never heard of them myself
Btw, Avon told me at SIBS that they were'nt selling any jetribs for the foreseeable future because of the 2 stroke ban until they'd developed a 4 stroke package
How does a jetrib perform and handle compared to a powerful rib + o/b package?
 
I know very little about J-Craft, but have spoken to the MD and he seems to talk sense. They have been making bigger RIBS for some time, and use good quality materials, all their RIBS are hypalon for example. I plan to go and try one in the next couple of weeks if possible.

The jet rib's real fun factor is the acceleration and top speed, and it is quite impressive, but there are a lot of downsides to go with it IMO. A quick search on this forum should highlight some of them.

Personally I found I quickly got bored of just going fast on the jet rib, which you can only do in completely flat water anyway or its too uncomfortable. Actually I prefer buzzing around in the 8 year old RIB and 15 hp tiller o/b we bought as an interim. It would be nice to be able to ski, wakeboard and ringo behind it though, which is why i'm looking at the J Craft.

In my opinion there would not be so much difference between a 30 hp o/b powered RIB, and a jet rib. The water jet only really comes into its own at high speed, at lower speeds the propeller gets the power to the water better for pulling up a skier etc.

Finally don't underestimate the hassle factor of having a RIB that's too heavy to drag up the beach. Its obviously far less of a problem in the med where the tide doesn't go out and leave it stranded, but it could still be a problem when there's a bit of an onshore chop and the RIB is being bounced around on stones or rocks at the waters edge
 
As I've said in previous threads, I agree with everything houghn has said - especially the weight - went to Iles Chausey a couple of months ago on a riseing tide - had to think very carefully where to put the JetRib - ended up swimming out to it later and the water was very cold.

Thinking seriously of selling my Avon JetRib and replacing it with something like the thing Nick is suggesting - it's on the shopping list for SIBs anyway.

I have another problem that would be nice to resolve.
We, like most, keep the tender on the bathing platform where it gets very dirty from the exhausts. It cleans up reasonably well with some of Hayden stuff or Ribshine but it would be nice to find a solution.

Would a fuel additave make a difference?
Apart from that I can only think of a cover but I like to have the tender immediatly available.
I also thought of looking for a dark colour so that the marks wont show.
 
Mike. Don't do it. Apart from the problems I had with mine you simply have to have 2 or 3 people in for it to not ride nose high. It also overheats after 5 minutes of pootling around. I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole.
 
Thanks silver_boy. I remembered the thread but thanks for the link
 
Hi Mark, how are you and how is the new rib? Thanks for the comments. I think I've come to the conclusion that a jet rib is not the way to go. In fact its hard to find any positive comments about them and I'd be better off with just getting a more powerful o/b engine rib
 
I love jetribs!

Just to put a contrary point of view, I love the Avon 320DL jet rib. Wouldn't swap it for anything else. It's so much fun

Maintenancewise, it is perfect. Ours is at end of 3rd season and never let us down. I have done zero maintenance except grease and WD40. It starts first go after sitting idle over several winter months, no battery charger needed. I dont flush it with freshwater except when leaving it for several weeks, but in any case the flush attachment is easy as it plugs in by the seat (no need even to lift the engine hood).

The Williams specific engineering issues would put me off a Williams (Magnum's story) but not jetribs in general

As a pure passenger tender the jet rib isn't perfect. Smelly exhaust at low speed, usual 2 stroke stuff. And tricky to steer at low speed, but you get the knack of that after a while
 
Re: I love jetribs!

Thanks for the contrary view, jfm. The Avon does have one big advantage IMHO and that is its lighter weight compared to the Williams but there is one prob. You can't buy one right now. Even though Avon are exhibiting them at SIBS, apparently they've stopped selling the 2 stroke version because of the ban until they've developed a 4 stroke. Still I guess there might be a few in dealers stocks or used?
 
Re: I love jetribs!

Mine's for sale, two years old and never let me down once....doh!

Seriously though it is for sale if you do decide to get one and just put up with the shortcomings.
 
Re: I love jetribs!

If its the standard jockey seat type, I would'nt be interested, houghn, but if its the dl type with the bench seat across the front of the console I just might be interested although after your comments I'm still thinking more about a standard RIB. PM me with details and price
 
Re: I love jetribs!

As i've said I think the RIB and o/b is the better option, but with regard to the console, have you considered that a jockey is far more comfortable at speed on any type of RIB, because the driver stands up and takes the load on his knees rather than sitting down and having every bump transmitted through his spine. It may be worth trying both layouts if possible.
 
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