Boat Recommendations

simitch · 19 August 2008, 13:33

Hi i'm a marine scientist in the Isle of Man and need a boat to use for photo-identification and behavioural studies of dolphins and basking sharks. I'm currently using a chartered targa 31 (ex police hard boat) which is both too big an too expensive.

Ideally i'd like to get a RIB of around 7m, so i could combine my research with taking small groups out on guided wildlife trips. I would be taking up to 5 people out plus myself. I want to spend around £25k so am probably looking at second hand. I want something with plenty of beam, and high/wide tubes as people tend to get a bit excited when they see basking sharks etc. It would not need to be MCA coded as the Manx laws are different.

I quite like the look of the ribeye 650 with yamaha 150 four stroke, and notice that a few charter groups run them in the Solent. But i do wonder about the safety of putting people in the bench seat at the stern. Do people experience problems with this? There's also an awesome Osprey vipermax for sale on here with a 250 E tec and six jockey seats, but thats probably my heart ruling my head!

Any advice/recommendations gratefully received, Thanks.

timw · 19 August 2008, 14:38

Yes I'm pleased to confirm that the Ribeye 650 is an excellent choice and would be a perfectly suitable boat for your purposes. Extremely tough and the bench seat is quite safe so no problems there at all. Well done.

willk · 19 August 2008, 14:54

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=25846

Solent Ranger · 19 August 2008, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by simitch

Ideally i'd like to get a RIB of around 7m, so i could combine my research with taking small groups out on guided wildlife trips. I would be taking up to 5 people out plus myself. I want to spend around £25k so am probably looking at second hand. I want something with plenty of beam, and high/wide tubes as people tend to get a bit excited when they see basking sharks etc. It would not need to be MCA coded as the Manx laws are different.

I have sent you a PM. We have a 7 metre Ribcraft available - the Defender of the seas! And it's below your budget!

Hightower · 19 August 2008, 22:18

RIBcraft, excellent RIBs

Just an Idea but might be useful to have a forward seating arrangement for the passengers and a rear helm. That way you can see all the passengers all the time. If the seating could be made removable you would also have room for your equipement too.

wavelength · 20 August 2008, 13:18

that Targa still belong to Robin then ??

simitch · 20 August 2008, 14:34

It sure does, but it's not quite the right thing for what i want to do. It's a lovely boat, but i think it's for sale at the moment. He's a great bloke, how do you know him?

Thanks to everyone who has pm'd me with boat details fo sale, but i'm in bed recovering from heart surgery, so it will be a few months before i'm in a position to buy! All the recommendations and advice are really helpful though, so thanks a lot!
simon

wavelength · 20 August 2008, 14:54

I did his commercial skipper exams for him, and later a few more from the IOM. Really nice guy-& nice boat, with a perpetual boiling kettle if Robin is on board, but tooooo expensive for me! You will know Galps as well then?

simitch · 24 August 2008, 13:24

yep i know Galps, he's just brought a huge Rodman, just to chase Dolphins in!

matt h · 24 August 2008, 15:03

ribcraft all the way, forget the steak!!

Jon Brooks · 24 August 2008, 17:10

Have to join with all the others in praise of the Ribcraft.
Mine is a bit bigger, 9m, but she is a gem.

Great build, great sea boat, look the part and does the job.
Have driven many over the years and have to say she is deff the best so far.

If you ever in this neck of the wwods and want a test drive give me a call.

All the best

snoopay · 24 August 2008, 21:14

Hey, again with everyone else, definately the ribeye boats are the best that i drive as a commercial skipper in the solent, the handling and practicality are just A*... As previously said in another message maybe worthwhile looking at a boat where you can helm from the back and observe your passengers, only disadvantage is you tend to get a bit wetter than you would helming at the front!

I have never had a problem with people sitting on the rear bench at the stern of the boat.. The only seat you need to be careful of is on boats where you helm from the front and its the seat infront of the steering column otherwise known as the "suicide seat" in choppy weather!