Hello from Devon

toonpirate · 26 July 2016, 10:13

Hello to you all,

Completely new to boating and thought as I live near the coast it would be great to own a RIB.

This forum seems to be where the knowledge is and I hope to gain some knowledge from you all.

I don't own anything as yet as I'm still deciding what I need !

Regards

Steve

jambo · 26 July 2016, 10:59

Big welcome Steve. Not to worry we all started sometime. There's a wealth of knowledge on here and if you can't find in search ask there will always be a load of folks here to help. So what ever you buy I wish you many safe hours on the water. Cheers
J

Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

toonpirate · 26 July 2016, 11:23

Many thanks, still deciding whether a SIB will satisfy my requirements or a RIB !

psycho · 26 July 2016, 12:28

Welcome Steve, great area for boating. I should know, I live in Torbay.

Only you can decide on which type of craft will suit your needs. But choose wisely, and you will have many a happy time.

Fenlander · 26 July 2016, 12:43

>>>still deciding whether a SIB will satisfy my requirements or a RIB

Welcome to the forum Steve.

What are your requirements?

toonpirate · 26 July 2016, 13:32

Well it needs a capacity of at least two adults and children, plus 2 dogs if practical.

I'm probably going to be doing more river and estuary boating ie Dart, Teignmouth, Burgh Island but I would like the ability to head from Teignmouth to Torbay or Dartmouth around to Salcombe on a good calm day and perhaps explore some coves and beaches.

I was looking at a Humber or Avon 5 to 5.5 metre type RIB, however I've seed an ex RNLI D type for sale on here and there is also a nice looking Zodiac Futura II (4.2metres) and thought both these SIB's may satisfy my requirements.

Thanks

Fenlander · 26 July 2016, 13:38

Importand point... how will you get to the water and what storage do you have... i.e. trailer or not?

toonpirate · 26 July 2016, 13:51

Hi Fenlander. I do have storage at home and plan to trailer to the water. Weight isn't an issue with the tow vehicle that I have, however something easy to launch would be welcome for a novice like myself.

Fenlander · 26 July 2016, 14:11

Well in truth if you have storage for a trailer boat and want to keep it on the trailer for travel/launching usually a RIB would be advised. The large SIBs like the Futura are impressive for soft boats but I guess for you the only advantage might be creeping right up to a beach where a RIB might have to be anchored a little further out. Having said that perhaps that's a more valid point with a light sub 4m air floor SIB and 15-20hp lightweight motor.

Once you get up to a heavier 4.2m SIB with 25hp and more they are not so easy to manhandle on the beach... unless you get Gurnard rollers but that's another thread in itself!

toonpirate · 26 July 2016, 14:24

Thanks for the advice Fenlander, I hadn't considered the weight issue with a SIB. I'll do some more research and keep looking around. I do like the thought of a RIB, but I was thinking it was overkill for my needs.

treerat · 28 July 2016, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by toonpirate

Thanks for the advice Fenlander, I hadn't considered the weight issue with a SIB. I'll do some more research and keep looking around. I do like the thought of a RIB, but I was thinking it was overkill for my needs.

It may be, for the first year or so then as many of us have done the move to a rib will be calling.

Welcome to the forum - my 2 pence worth - think of the sort of areas you want to go, what seat configuration do you fancy and how fast / long do you want to travel. Nothing worse than being uncomfortable or cramped. How old are teh kids, will you need something that can accommodate them now or in 3/4 years time?

This will then help to guide to a spec / design then it's finance available to look at age and specs.

I've changed boats each time the kids have outgrown the previous one due to timings of what was available, but to not have done would have meant uncomfortable rides, which equals no fun which means don't go.

Last Tango · 28 July 2016, 20:02

I'd try and get a run out in a few boats to get a feel for the differences. They all seem big sitting in a showroom or on a trailer in someone's drive. Amazing how the "shrink" when you put them in the water.
I'm sure some of the local guys would oblige

jeffstevens763@g · 28 July 2016, 20:25

Hi Steve welcome over the years I have been boating in your area with both SIB & RIB great fun with both,gone back to a SIB suits my stile of boating now getting in close landing almost anywhere.
But as said think hard on what you want it for, budget along with that how much use for your investment.
From canoe to cabin boat they all have one thing in common great fun and you will see stuff you'll never see without one..

Cheers

toonpirate · 31 July 2016, 21:03

Thanks for all the great advice. My kids are now 11 & 13 and quite tall so I guess capacity for 4 adults at least. Treerat I think you are correct in if the family don't like it we won't go.
Jeff may I ask what SIB you have gone for ?

I'm currently on holiday so my replies are a little slow.

jeffstevens763@g · 01 August 2016, 07:12

I bought a Mercury 365 HD same size as a 380 with stubby cones it is heavy at 100 kg but designed for divers I did want a bombard c3 but none available due to the zodiac buy out but very happy with this put a Suzuki 25 on it good little set up its on a trailer perminant.

Cheers