20ft Caribe--1998

[jj00820]

After owning a zodiac (hardfloor) for less than two months, I decided I needed a RIB!

I'm hooked.

I am looking to purchase a used 1998 20ft Caribe RIB with 90hp Yamaha. Can anyone comment on this make/model? Is there a blue book for RIBs? Owner is asking $6500 US with 1999 engine, and 2000 5hp backup, rollbar, and other items.

Have been reading your forum(s) and the web to learn about what to look for when buying used nRIB. Would appreciate any other comments/advise.

Thanks in advance

Joe

[John Kennett]

It's really difficult to value a RIB blind because the condition varies so much. It's not like a car where you can get a rough idea just from the age and mileage.

However, the rig you are looking at sounds promising. The boat and engine and both reasonably new, so you stand a reasonable chance! The Yamaha 90 is a great engine, and Caribe RIBs seem to be built reasonably well, although they are not as suitable as some others for any serious offshore work.

Have you read the article about buying second hand in the RIBnet features section?

John

[Garygee]

Hi Joe,
Have a look on http://www.caribeinflatables.co.uk/
this Polymarines web site the distributor for Caribe in the UK.
You should be able to get some idea of new costs from them, and work from there.

Caribe are quite good make, with no real problems that I know off. The only thing is they tend to be not a very deep V so can get a bit of a hard ride when it get rough. they are more a luxury tender type rib then a offshore rib.
Saying that you will find many times better than the zodiac hardfloor.

Gary

[cunawarit]

Caribes are well built, my parent's had a Caribe for years and it was great. But as some have said they are more recreational than serious work RIBs.