Caribe 3.6m 30hp Tohastu - any good for a first time ribster?

jwrhold · 19 August 2004, 10:15

I have a friend who wants a small boat for a little bit of watersport, buzzing about, and easy maintainance. Bearing in mind his predicted useage, a rib or a dory would be the sort of thing to go for.

He has found a Caribe 3.6m with 30hp Tohatsu O/B with new fuel tank, all 1998, with serviced trailer, and all is apparently in immaculate condition. I don't think the boat has any lights or toys as such.

Is this a good little boat for this guy? He plans to use it in Christchurch/Poole.

Does anybody have any experience of Caribe?

Does anybody have any experience of Tohatsu 30hp?

The boat if up for £2500, but the owner has indicated there may some room for negotiation.

Any feed back much welcomed.

Johnny Hindle

MeMe · 19 August 2004, 10:24

Carible are just fine - not Zodiac or Avon quality but certainly ok. £2500 sounds ok if it a RIB with a jockey/bench console and wheel. If it's just an inflatable then £2500 or even £2000 is too high. Take a quick look at www.boatsandoutboards.com where you'll find a number of good comparrisions. The engine make is also perfectly ok. Good luck. Oh and "yes" this size is ok for a first time ribster, a 360 will pull a skier (kids / women / light bloke) and will be quite comfy in slight sea conditions, however, he'll soon want something larger once the bug hits so perhaps look at spending another £500 and buting a Zodiac Futura with a 50hp on the tail. again there's plenty on the aforemantioned site. Don't forget - it's the end of the season so don't be afraid to bid people well below their asking price - you can always go up but never down.

ashbypower · 19 August 2004, 11:31

Caribe 3.6m and 30hp Tohastu are just fine as a first time boat, we have had a number of clients start with boats in this range. However as MeMe says it wont be long untill the "Need" for something bigger kicks in. What ever they choose I hope they enjoy!

Brian C

jwrhold · 19 August 2004, 12:01

Thanks.....i will pass this on to him, and will persist in getting him to log into this site, and find out for himself...

Any further comments obviously still apprectiated.

I agree about wanting something bigger....but we all have to start somewhere......

Johnny