Capable offshore RIBs?

MaxwellSegal · 24 August 2018, 08:38

Good morning,
I'm a total newcomer to boating but have just got my Level 2 ticket, been out with a friend on his RIB and now want to buy my own.

We holiday on the Isle of Skye (north west coast), where I will keep the boat and want a 7m boat that is fully offshore capable. Can someone advise me on what manufacture / model is the most appropriate for cruising the Inner Hebrides and around Skye. My budget, new or second hand, is around £30k-£45k maximum.

Any guidance would be most appreciated.

Regards,
Maxwell Segal

simonl · 24 August 2018, 08:53

I'd be tempted to try defining your requirement a bit further.
How many passengers?
How far offshore, worst weather you'd accept?
Drysuits & helmets in bad weather or would you stay at home at that point?
Light & nippy vs heavier & very capable
Expensive shock absorbing seats or use your knees?
Just a few for starters..

MaxwellSegal · 24 August 2018, 10:39

OK, thanks and understood, here goes:
- mainly two passengers but up to a rare maximum of 6 people
- distance to travel about 50/60 miles round trip
- willing to accept winds up to around 15 mph
- would stay at home in bad weather!
- stability, safety and keeping dry would be most valuable capabilities
- probably would not do more than approx 25 knots
- don't need shock seats

I hope that helps.

Last Tango · 24 August 2018, 10:47

None of that would be asking a lot of any Cat B 7mtr rib. and you'd get away with 6mtr. without the "specialist" tow car issue.

I'm thinking for that area you'll want to "up-rate" you're mileage expectation.

When I'm in that area 100mls a day is more realistic for getting out and about.

MaxwellSegal · 24 August 2018, 10:54

Thanks, that's really helpful information. I've been advised 7m because of the choppiness of the waters. But I'm sure 6-6.5m would be fine. Also, I think you're right about distances - I think it's just because I'd be new to it that initially I won't venture too far!!

Cheers,
Maxwell

Andre · 24 August 2018, 11:20

I have a Parker 750RS ex-demo model 2012. less engine so pre-rigged for Mercury 250/300 Verado, radio & nav package including NAIS400 transponder . Details to follow if you are interested. Price: GBP 29,000.00 + VAT plus delivery charge

the one in the photo gallery with the Ruby Red hull
http://parkerribs.com/parker_750_rs.html

Mollers · 24 August 2018, 11:28

'I'm a total newcomer to boating but have just got my Level 2 ticket, been out with a friend on his RIB and now want to buy my own.'

Go steady fella. You have the budget to buy a serious offshore rig, but no experience. PB2 is a start, but nowhere near sets you up for offshore passages.

MaxwellSegal · 24 August 2018, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

'I'm a total newcomer to boating but have just got my Level 2 ticket, been out with a friend on his RIB and now want to buy my own.'

Go steady fella. You have the budget to buy a serious offshore rig, but no experience. PB2 is a start, but nowhere near sets you up for offshore passages.

Thanks. I know, you are right. Initially I'll be keeping close to home! Until I feel able to venture out. I have a friend nearby that runs boat trips on Skye and he will be on hand to help me.

I'm currently looking at XS RIBs . Would they be suitable for the waters there?

jeffstevens763@g · 24 August 2018, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxwellSegal

Thanks. I know, you are right. Initially I'll be keeping close to home! Until I feel able to venture out. I have a friend nearby that runs boat trips on Skye and he will be on hand to help me.

I'm currently looking at XS RIBs . Would they be suitable for the waters there?

experience is what you need maxwell easy easy get to know your boat find out as much as you can on rough water handling study charts of the area.never be afraid to call it a day, if you dont enjoy it it's not worth doing.

xs ribs are good boats there's a youtube vid on a build for info with your budget you will get exactly what you want good luck.

Last Tango · 24 August 2018, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxwellSegal

Thanks, that's really helpful information. I've been advised 7m because of the choppiness of the waters. But I'm sure 6-6.5m would be fine. Also, I think you're right about distances - I think it's just because I'd be new to it that initially I won't venture too far!!

Cheers,
Maxwell

I'm not advocating 100mls/day initially but that's a realistic capability to expect from your boat. I cruise at 24Kn so with harbour time and general nosing about that means "five hours in the saddle" and that's long enough for me.
Nice thing with Skye is pretty much regardless of weather you'll find somewhere sheltered to play if you can trail and launch. For further trips, planning & travelling in company is a good basis to start.
What experience will help with is understanding the difference between "uncomfortable" and "threatening". I've elected to find something else to do more times than I can remember in the last 45 years but I can count on one hand the number of time the sea state looked "viable" and ended up beyond what was safe to continue in. Last minute forecasts...keep checking right up till you're ready to go out. Don't trust a two day old forecast.

MaxwellSegal · 24 August 2018, 13:42

Thanks Last Tango. That is very helpful. And you draw a good distinction between uncomfortable and threatening - very sensible advice. Skye is such a beautiful place and there are indeed many coves and beaches etc. to shelter in if need be.

Cheers,
Maxwell

Poly · 24 August 2018, 14:27

Quote:

- willing to accept winds up to around 15 mph
- would stay at home in bad weather!
- stability, safety and keeping dry would be most valuable capabilities

are you sure you are thinking about Skye? And 7m makes no sense for 2 people in near perfect conditions. I’d see if you can get some demos, hands on time with both big boats in more challenging conditions (perhaps doing Int PB course with someone like Charles Stewart?) and perhaps very nicely specced 5.8m ish boats. Then some realistic discussions about the weather on Skye and very nice smaller boat v’s quite nice big boat and all the pro’s con’s of each.

XS would be absolutely capable in those seas, but so would many other brands. For the sort of headline budget you mentioned XS wasn’t top of my mind. Andre’s Parker is likely more finely appointed than a typical XS, although with your budget presumably Barnet marine can do something quite nice on an XS too!

Highland Haggis · 25 August 2018, 13:16

vhf/sea survival & some cart course would be a good start a trip to souhamton boat show would be good you will get to see the boats first hand and also if you book a demo ride with some of the manafactorers but in the end it will be your choice on how you proceed wee can only advise you but we have all made mistakes when we started out as adventures

spartacus · 25 August 2018, 19:31

That's a great budget, and there are lots of capable offshore ribs at that price. Suggest you take your time, assess what a 7m RIB is like to handle, launch and retrieve before committing to anything.

Southampton boat show would be a good place to start and gives you a chance to speak to a number of manufacturers.

MaxwellSegal · 26 August 2018, 05:31

Thanks Last Tango. That's really helpful. What boat do you have? And where do you go in Scotland? Your comments are making us feel more confident about going out, knowing when to and when not too. I'll probably just leave boat moored at Upper Milovaig and go out from there but as you say I could move it elsewhere if needs be.
Would like to know more about your boat....
Thanks
Maxwell

GuyC · 26 August 2018, 07:28

Welcome to the forum.

It is a lovely part of the world. The only question I'd throw in the mix is whether you would go petrol outboard or diesel inboard. The reason for raising it is that diesel is possibly easier to get hold of in the remote parts. On the Outer Hebrides, you can apply for a fuel key that gives you access to the council owned fuel storage sites that are in many of the little fishing harbours.

Last Tango · 26 August 2018, 07:35

Hi Maxwell.

I've got a 6.5 mtr Coastline (2001) with a 150hp. The company's out of business now but I believe Island Ribs are building similar boats.

One of the reasons I went for that size is tow-ability. 6.5mtrs comes in at around 1.5 tons which is within scope of most large family cars, Put a 7mtr meter boat on a trailer it will comfortably be the wrong side of 2 tons and out of scope for any large family car and need, minimum, something the size of an XC90 to tow it.

Another consideration is fuel and range, bearing in mind if you're on a mooring you'll be "hand-balling" jerry cans. My tank's 135ltrs and my burn is about 0.75 ltr/mile @ 24kn. if you go to 7mtrs your probably talking 200ltrs+ and a burn of 1ltr/mile+.....that's a lot of jerry cans.
Absolutely not saying don't do it, it's just something to think about.

I've launched from your local slip at Pooltiel and it's a good one, well sheltered and a good angle just have a wee look at it at low water....not one you want to be going over the end of.

Also good slips at Stein and Staffin. (Portree's a nightmare)

Regards where I've been with this boat...all round Skye (literally), out to the Shaints, Canna, Rum, Muck, Eigg, Jura, Ghia, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay, Summer Isles, Rathlin, Ireland (twice). Never had an issue with the Coastline and to be honest, if it's too rough to go out in a 6.5 mtr boat, you probably don't want to be going out in a 7 mtr either. The margin of difference where one might cope and the other not, is beyond the Met office's ability to forecast and one of the real problems isn't "out there" it's getting the boat on and off the trailer without damaging anything (or anyone) when it's rough.

The "Oban to Glencoe" video has some nice shots with a bit of a chop on.....

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAi...aLa-mpCyHps59A

As others have said, try and get a feel for the different sizes of boat.

iPowerboat at Old Ferry Courtyard, South Ballachulish use a 6.5 mtr Ribtec for their training and Ryan is a really helpful guy, you could give him a phone and maybe arrange something.

spartacus · 26 August 2018, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

The "Oban to Glencoe" video has some nice shots with a bit of a chop on.....

Great video. You never said Runrig provided the soundtrack! I was practically greet'n! They had their farewell concert last week.

MaxwellSegal · 26 August 2018, 10:28

The budget I'm looking at does indeed include VAT.

Thanks so much to Last Tango, for that's really useful information. From a towing point of view I've no problem with a 7 m boat. I fully agree with the l/mile consumption and its s really good comparison and I think I should consider 6.5m lengths too.

I've watched your video and it looks great and 6.5 looks just fine.

It's great to know that you're familiar with Menish Pier and Pooltiel and your advice is really appreciated.

I really would like to buy new and have some attractive quotes from XS ribs but I also have an offer from a Skye resident for a similar XS 7m rib. I'm also looking at Ribquest and Humber and a few others.

Last Tango, where are you based? Would be great to meet up if you're nearby, to hear more about your boat and trips etc.

Maxwell

MaxwellSegal · 26 August 2018, 11:15

Thanks to everyone for their input. Just picking up some points:
-I do have easy access to fuel and so would prefer an outboard petrol engine.
-I have taken a look at Parker RIBs too. Does anyone have other manufacturer suggestions?

One question I do have is whether there are big differences between some of the main UK manufacturers regarding their sea going capabilities? I'm looking at some boats without really knowing if one make/model would be preferable over another for offshore Skye seas. Is there a rule of thumb with Hull type, angle etc. Etc? This would certainly help me narrow down my search.

Cheers everyone
Maxwell