New to Ribs

[Flighty]

Hi All
I have enjoyed reading posts so far and it's about time I dipped my toes into the water. I am hoping someone here may be able to give me some advice. I have just sent off application for a PB Level 2 course and am sure will get my questions answered there, but in the meantime......
I would like to buy something for about £5000 to £6000 ready to go that would be suitable for cross channel even possibly the Channel islands I appreciate my figure may be a bit optimistic but as I said just starting out with ribs, what would you guys suggest (apart from spending more)?
Looking for something 6 person or thereabouts.
Many Thanks in anticipation
Peter

[whisper]

It can't be done safely on your budget. To reduce costs look to take less people out and forget the Channel Islands, just stay around the UK mainland.

To take 6 people across the Channel you'll need 6 proper seats which normally means a 6.5-7.5m RIB and a 200-250hp engine to get you in and out of the big stuff if it kicks up.

However £6k should get you a nice 2 man rib which you will have loads of fun with.

Ribeye are the smallest boats with the most seats but they do command a high price, maybe twice your max budget to get an old one

If you're on a tight budget, also consider storage, fuel and servicing costs.

I hope that helps a bit

[Maximus]

Or....sell the 10m Birchwood,and get a Proper Capable Sea Going Boat?

[willk]

Welcome to RIBnet - where the water runs deep and dark and the unwary can vanish without trace!

£6K isn't gonna cut it in the race to the Channel Islands. You could always consider timeshare in a larger RIB

[Flighty]

Many thanks for sound advice
Peter

[Flighty]

maximus
Unfortunately it's a syndicate boat so not mine to sell

[Flighty]

Willk my my you are observant and maybe a tad sarcastic but thanks anyway

[Poly]

Originally Posted by whisper

It can't be done safely on your budget. To reduce costs look to take less people out and forget the Channel Islands, just stay around the UK mainland.

To take 6 people across the Channel you'll need 6 proper seats which normally means a 6.5-7.5m RIB and a 200-250hp engine to get you in and out of the big stuff if it kicks up.

However £6k should get you a nice 2 man rib which you will have loads of fun with.

Whisper talks a lot of sense. However I'm going to stick my neck out and say it's not impossible to do safely.

20 yrs ago people would have done that trip without everyone having a proper seat, and using engine sizes we think are grossly underpowered today. Now today's boat would be faster, more comfortable and probably able to go in a wider range of conditions.

6k should just about get you a boat and engine (perhaps with a ropey trailer) that whilst not pretty and probably considered very poor fuel economy by today's standard would get a small group there, assuming an experienced and knowledgeable skipper who thoroughly inspects / services everything before leaving.

[Flighty]

Poly Thanks for reply my intention would be for something maybe for messing about coastal with a few people and would have liked to consider joining one of the groups on their more adventurous outings

[treerat]

Hello and welcome.

Just over your budget but something that I'd be happy to run across the channel with.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f21/ribtec-...rib-71317.html

Finding a boat is easy, finding one with the internal lay up that you need is the key. Don't compromise too far or you'll have an expensive toy that no one wants to go out in, think about what you REALLY want to do with her and look hard for the right set up.

Comprise will be required, but don't rush into buying a work boat for family travel and vice versa.

I look forward to seeing you at an event soon

[Flighty]

Treerat many thanks. I will hold out until completion of my PB 2 course. My past rib experience was helm of a Tornado work boat on the Thames (fast rescue boat for London Pheonix Fireboat) and my family would not be impressed with a day out on that

[willk]

Originally Posted by Flighty

Willk my my you are observant and maybe a tad sarcastic...

You're quite observant yourself

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Flighty

Willk my my you are observant and maybe a tad sarcastic but thanks anyway

His talents know no bounds

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Poly

Whisper talks a lot of sense. However I'm going to stick my neck out and say it's not impossible to do safely.

Aw man it always freaks me out when I agree with Poly!

Do you want to take 6 people to the CIs or have capacity to take 6 people say on local beach hops etc and be able to take less to the CIs?

You'd pick up a decent enough SR5.4 for that money. That should be able to offer you seating for 2 minimum but would be rated to carry far more.

No matter what you will need the right weather window. That is always a problem with group trips. The right weather for Andre to take his big Parker and Whisper to take one of his cabins may not suit you...

Are you looking for an old[er] boat to do up or something modern that you can just push straight in the water? Modern will have to be smaller for the ££ and I think you will be struggling to get something for that money that would go the distance. £8k might if you are lucky and can be patient get you a 4 year old Xpro 420 which have certainly been to the CIs, probably with seats for 2, but rated to carry 7. I certainly wouldnt go to the CIs with 7 on board... But I'd expect a 4 year old boat with no obvious issues to be up to the job with 2 on board in the right conditions.

[Flighty]

ShinyShoe At the moment I am thinking of buying something that will not realistically exist within the budget I had in mind, I hope to take my family friends etc on small coastal trips and the wife and I on anything more serious, I am in no rush and want to see how the enjoyment factor comes in before dipping deeper and splashing out £££s, on something that could be a my mid life crisis taking over Thanks for the pointers.

[Flighty]

Originally Posted by willk

Welcome to RIBnet - where the water runs deep and dark and the unwary can vanish without trace!

£6K isn't gonna cut it in the race to the Channel Islands. You could always consider timeshare in a larger RIB

Willk,
You've got me thinking now, are there people on this forum involved in shared boats, in my humble opinion it can be a good thing if the right people are involved, and between you get a much better boat for a relatively small layout, Willk will make sure a share is kept available for you for your excellent advise.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Flighty

Willk,
You've got me thinking now, are there people on this forum involved in shared boats, in my humble opinion it can be a good thing if the right people are involved, and between you get a much better boat for a relatively small layout, Willk will make sure a share is kept available for you for your excellent advise.

The Boss (John Kennett) owns the rear offside leg of a Gin Palace on the non-tidal Thames, AFAIK - but he doesn't make a big thing about it . When it comes to RIBs he seems to prefer borrowing over sharing (he taught me everything I know about blagging... )

There have been debates about joint/multiple ownership of RIBs here previously. As you say, finding the right people and setting it up correctly seems to be the key to success.

[ShinyShoe]

The difference between say a yacht share and a rib share is the general use profile. Yachty has a 1/6th share if yacht. Has 2 weeks every 12 weeks - books the time off work and goes sailing. Weather affects him but he is committed to a 2 week passage so unless unsailable he will sail.

RIB owners rarely do 2 week passages. You want to be able to jump in ur car and go when weather and opportunities allow...

[whisper]

I just saw this...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/6635...2669016771910/

[Flighty]

Guys, once again thanks for the pointers, all very informative. The Camel rib looked like a great idea but the tubes looked quite well worn?