New member advice

[Fallowbuck0]

Hi, could I ask your advice please. I’m looking at buying a new Humber Assault rib. Humber have got a few on offer at present and I’m not sure which would suit me best. It would be used predominantly for fishing from Bridlington and no more than 5-6 miles offshore. Mostly I would be on my own but occasionally with one other. I am a fair weather sailor these days. I have the option of keeping the boat at a secure compound which I have done with various other boats but I would prefer the flexibility of towing from home.
I don’t want to go too big and I’m thinking of 4.3 or 4.7 models.
I would appreciate your constructive comments.
Many thanks

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Fallowbuck0

Hi, could I ask your advice please. I’m looking at buying a new Humber Assault rib. Humber have got a few on offer at present and I’m not sure which would suit me best. It would be used predominantly for fishing from Bridlington and no more than 5-6 miles offshore. Mostly I would be on my own but occasionally with one other. I am a fair weather sailor these days. I have the option of keeping the boat at a secure compound which I have done with various other boats but I would prefer the flexibility of towing from home.

I don’t want to go too big and I’m thinking of 4.3 or 4.7 models.

I would appreciate your constructive comments.

Many thanks

Will you be beach launching it single handed at south shore?

[Fallowbuck0]

Yes that would be one of the places and probably the main one. I would also look at maybe going Hornsea or Filey.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Fallowbuck0

Yes that would be one of the places and probably the main one. I would also look at maybe going Hornsea or Filey.

It can be tricky beach launching single handed. We used to launch a 6.4m at South Shore, but we had 4or5 chunky divers to assist. I’d keep it as small as possible whilst still being big enough to do what you need. If you’re mainly single handed, the 4.3 would be plenty. Humbers have a bit of a mixed reputation, mainly due to them selling partly finished hulls for people to complete at home, therefore the second hand market can have some variable quality examples. Factory finished boats are no-nonsense, no-frills, good value. More importantly for you, they are local, so support should be easier.

[Fallowbuck0]

Many thanks, the boat I was looking at is the 4.3 or 4.7 both are very similar in weight. The ones I’m looking at are hull and consul fitted. Everything else needs to be done. I’ve got a good price for it to be completed by a professional marine engineer. My concern for the 4.3 would be twofold, how would it handle compared to the larger version plus would I have enough room on the 4.3.
I guess I’ll just have to go and have a really good look at them.
I’m now days a fair weather sailor and have had numerous boats over the years but I must admit I’m a little concerned over the reviews some have about the Assault saying it doesn’t handle chop very well and is very slammy but others have no problem. I suppose that’s just the way reviews go!
Many thanks for your comments.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Fallowbuck0

Many thanks, the boat I was looking at is the 4.3 or 4.7 both are very similar in weight. The ones I’m looking at are hull and consul fitted. Everything else needs to be done. I’ve got a good price for it to be completed by a professional marine engineer. My concern for the 4.3 would be twofold, how would it handle compared to the larger version plus would I have enough room on the 4.3.

I guess I’ll just have to go and have a really good look at them.

I’m now days a fair weather sailor and have had numerous boats over the years but I must admit I’m a little concerned over the reviews some have about the Assault saying it doesn’t handle chop very well and is very slammy but others have no problem. I suppose that’s just the way reviews go!

Many thanks for your comments.

There was another outfit over your way. It was the son of the guy who setup Tornado. He was around on here for a while, dunno if he’s still in the game. Have you considered buying second hand? You’ll get more for your buck & not lose as much if you decide it’s not for you, & want to sell it on.

[Fallowbuck0]

I had thought of it but I honestly wouldn’t know which rib make to look at. I know that Humber are a no frills sought of boat and that suits me I don’t want anything frilly if that makes sense. And ideally I don’t really want to go much bigger than a 5m. I’d look at others if I knew which were best if that makes sense.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

There was another outfit over your way. It was the son of the guy who setup Tornado. He was around on here for a while, dunno if he’s still in the game. Have you considered buying second hand? You’ll get more for your buck & not lose as much if you decide it’s not for you, & want to sell it on.

The guy who Pikey is talking about is James Millet now at rib retubes part of XS ribs also built near the humber & worth a look I'd stick my neck out & say probably a better boat than a humber & available with pu or csm tubes

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by beamishken

The guy who Pikey is talking about is James Millet now at rib retubes part of XS ribs also built near the humber & worth a look I'd stick my neck out & say probably a better boat than a humber & available with pu or csm tubes

[emoji106] that’s the one. What was the name of the RIB company he set up? He had a couple of prototypes on here.
Personally I’m not a big fan of Humbers, but they have a loyal following & serve a purpose. They are definitely at the budget end of the UK built boats. I’d still take one over a dodgy no-name Chinese import though.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

[emoji106] that’s the one. What was the name of the RIB company he set up? He had a couple of prototypes on here.
Personally I’m not a big fan of Humbers, but they have a loyal following & serve a purpose. They are definitely at the budget end of the UK built boats. I’d still take one over a dodgy no-name Chinese import though.

Kracken! & yeh agree with you fully re humber & Chinese

[Fallowbuck0]

Just like to thank you for your input. Had a chat to James Millet at XS today and he’s quoted a very good price on a 460. They have a 2.2 beam so I’m guessing should be more stable on the drift. From what I’ve read today they come out as a very well made and capable boat so hopefully over next day or so will be placing an order.
Once again many thanks

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Fallowbuck0

Just like to thank you for your input. Had a chat to James Millet at XS today and he’s quoted a very good price on a 460. They have a 2.2 beam so I’m guessing should be more stable on the drift. From what I’ve read today they come out as a very well made and capable boat so hopefully over next day or so will be placing an order.
Once again many thanks

Do your homework on the tube material they usually offer csm or welded polyurethane at the same price, they tend to push the polyurethane but its a bit of a marmite thing & best left to your own choice. My thoughts are its difficult to say which is best but probably more folk prefer csm so maybe slightly better for resale. Do some homework and make up your own mind good luck with the purchase

[beerbelly]

i dont think james is the man behind kracken thats another family member . i have had work done at rib retubes aka xs ribs and you will not regret buying from them a very reliable company

[36valley]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

you will not regret buying from them a very reliable company

Very much in the minority, but other views are available.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by 36valley

Very much in the minority, but other views are available.

Perhaps you should elaborate on this, hinting at a problem but not saying what your issue is/was doesn't seem fair.
Our sailing club had an issue with an xs boat at 7 years old, well out of its warranty but xs came through with a very fair solution without any real effort on our part. 2 years later we bought another boat from them all in all I've found them fine to deal with & very fair. Any owners I've spoken to speak highly of their boats.

[36valley]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Perhaps you should elaborate on this, hinting at a problem but not saying what your issue is/was doesn't seem fair.
Our sailing club had an issue with an xs boat at 7 years old, well out of its warranty but xs came through with a very fair solution without any real effort on our part. 2 years later we bought another boat from them all in all I've found them fine to deal with & very fair. Any owners I've spoken to speak highly of their boats.

My reply was an observation on Bearbelly's comment.

I started to write a lengthy reply about my experience, but to be honest I can't be arsed.

If you look at my threads started you can figure out two of them.


Suffice to say my buying experience wasn't a happy one. Subsequent dealings with Laurence have only compounded things and it's fair to say that our opinions of each other are equally low.

But, what I will say is that the boat itself is fantastic. The more I use it the more confidence it inspires. For anybody that needs a tough, safe boat that can handle rough conditions then it's a good choice.

As I said, my experience is in the minority, but still valid just the same.

[Hat]

My Experience with Laurence lock was very good, he even gave me
advice on a second hand boat I was looking at.Very helpful considering
his company wasn’t making any money out of it.some rib company’s
don’t even give you a reply in my experience.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by 36valley

If you look at my threads started you can figure out two of them.

.

Sorry, can’t be arsed[emoji6]

[36valley]

Originally Posted by pikey dave

sorry, can’t be arsed[emoji6]

.....

[Fallowbuck0]

Thank everyone for your input. I’ve placed an order for an XS500, hopefully will be ready by end of May.