Exciting Times

sea pikey · 10 June 2013, 23:34

Hi anyone who can help and those who can't. Looking for the very first toy and have just ruled out cheap china smuch and now looking at Ribeye 5.5 and 6.0 meter or Avon Adventure 5.5 or 6.0 meter. Can anyone offer any advice to a first timer?

Nos4r2 · 11 June 2013, 00:58

Welcome to Ribnet

Any particular reason you're looking at those boats? New or used?

sea pikey · 11 June 2013, 22:32

No reason other than research gathered and not fussed regarding new or used status as long as the condition is great.

Nos4r2 · 11 June 2013, 23:04

Price? What are you going to use it for?
Be aware, both are effectively a nice looking shiny boat for people who like nice shiny boats because they're nice and shiny, rather than being durable and handling well. The Avon Adventures particularly don't like choppy seas very much at all.

Have a look at Ribcraft,Osprey,Parker,maybe the new 6 metre Ballistic,or anything else with a decent deep V hull-but make sure that whatever you do, you don't just sea trial an Adventure and a Ribeye.

sea pikey · 11 June 2013, 23:13

just seen a 2008 Ballistic 5.5 meter with a 75 ETEC engine. It's a craft purely for family fun and a little bit of razzing when no kids are aboard. Do you think a 75 would be powerful enough for this type of craft. I also noted that you have a Ballistic, all be it considerably bigger than what we need. Do you have any advice or pointers we need to look out for?

Nos4r2 · 11 June 2013, 23:20

Not sure I'd want the 5.5, as apparently they have PVC tubes.6m and up have Hypalon tubes. 75hp might not be enough.
PVC tubes are hard to repair and don't last as well as Hypalon, but are cheaper.

How many are you looking at carrying regularly?

sea pikey · 11 June 2013, 23:32

main capacity will be 2 adults and 2 kids and every now and then friends and their tribes. Ideally we will be going to local beaches you can only reach by boat and playing around in the sound. Because we have no knowledge of ribs we don't want a massive spend to start off as progression will come in time. Is it only maintenance of repairs that is the issue with PVC tubes?

Nos4r2 · 11 June 2013, 23:44

Basically,PVC tubes are an absolute sod to repair any punctures-the process takes 24 hours to 'go off' properly and unless you get it exactly right, it may not work. Hypalon is a 15 minute job, and it holds. Hypalon is affected far less by UV exposure as well.

I've just been looking at the pics of that 5.5 and I wouldn't put anyone on the front seat at speed without adding some more grab handles-there's not enough to hold on to. It's not a bad looking boat though.

You might want to look at 5.8m+ if you want to carry more than 4 people.

Poly · 11 June 2013, 23:49

PVC is harder to repair and has a shorter lifetime. However a cover will help protect them. If the price is right and you can live with it possibly needing retubed (£3k+) in <10 yrs time then there is no reason why PVC should be a definite no.

Nick Hearne · 11 June 2013, 23:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by sea pikey

Hi anyone who can help and those who can't. Looking for the very first toy and have just ruled out cheap china smuch and now looking at Ribeye 5.5 and 6.0 meter or Avon Adventure 5.5 or 6.0 meter. Can anyone offer any advice to a first timer?

I have tested the 6.2m adventure against a 6m Ribeye both good family boats, for me the ribeye won as I do like the lay out with stacks of good storage and plenty of good seating!
But I do like pretty shiny things

and do not like the idea of looking like a life boat

sea pikey · 11 June 2013, 23:59

Aaaah i'm glad you said that as we don't really want to go over 15 grand for a first timer; although Ballistic is winning I think more research is now needed into PVC.

Nos4r2 · 11 June 2013, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

do not like the idea of looking like a life boat

I'm not that into it either, I just prefer to know the boat won't fall apart

My biggun definitely doesn't look like a lifeboat

For what it's worth, I suspect the Ballistic would do the job with more power. Not sure 75hp will be enough for 4+ people.

£15k would get you a VERY nice Ribcraft 585.

PeterM · 12 June 2013, 02:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

£15k would get you a VERY nice Ribcraft 585.

Send me a link!...and easy on the adventure bashing...it's getting like ribeye baiting.....