Advice appreciated about getting a RIB

richardwoodgb · 11 June 2017, 22:01

Hi,

I'm new here and was wondering about advice about getting a rib for a complete newbie.

I've been working towards my microlight licence but I'm realising I don't have the time/flexibility for lessons, so have started thinking about ribs as an alternative source of adventure and excitement. The thing I was most looking forward to in flying was arriving at Isles of Scilly and Lundy island. So I was wondering about what experience and boat I would need to be able to make those crossings. Two of my good friends are experienced yachtmasters and would accompany me, so its mainly about the boat and equipment I'd need. As I am new to this I wouldn't want to spend loads to begin with, so any advice on where to start on a budget would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks and best wishes, Rich

spartacus · 11 June 2017, 22:57

Welcome to the forum.

That's quite a change from flying to boating.

If you're new to boating, and I mean you've not been around boats in any form then purchasing a boat can be a daunting process.

I think before you do anything then travel in company as a passenger on a RIB just to be sure you actually know what your signing up for.

My advice would actually be to start on a SIB and master navigating in calmer waters with friends. Getting your RYA powerboat 2 licence isn't a bad idea either. VHF course should follow too.

Poly · 11 June 2017, 23:54

I'd question if you don't have time to learn to fly then will you have time to use and maintain a boat. There are some boat share schemes/clubs around - might be worth taking a look at them.

Bristol Channel is not the friendliest water around so you need to understand tides to plan trips to Lundy properly. Scillies is a big exposed trip, even from S. Coast - understanding weather is going to be key. Your yachtmaster friends will help - but I always get concerned when its not clear who is in charge of a trip - as who is going to make the key decision to call it off, turn around, change destination etc. Personally I'd say a PB2 is not enough to be making trips that long straight away: I'd want real experience in a range of conditions, Dayskipper Theory level of knowledge, etc. Probably built up over a couple of years, unless travelling in company with more experienced skippers.

In terms of boat it depends how flexible you can be on when you go. If you want to be able to plan your trips months in advance and have say 80+% confidence in going to Lundy or the Scillies that weekend on your own then I think you need to be looking at really serious big ribs with associated big budgets. If you have the sort of life where you can look at the forecast on a Sunday spot a weather window for Tuesday/Wed and just go then you could get away with something much smaller - but of course 8 Sundays in 10 you will look at the forecast and decide to stay home / go much closer. Similarly if being "stuck" in the scillies for a few extra days (or coming home on the ferry and retrieving the boat a week or two later) isn't going to phase you then it will be very different from if you have to be in work at 9am on a Monday morning.

Phil M · 12 June 2017, 12:18

As said, start with your PBL2 course. If nothing else, its a 2 day taster for power boating and will let you know if you are going to enjoy life afloat.

Phil

richardwoodgb · 12 June 2017, 21:05

Thanks a lot for the reply guys. Think I'll book in for the 2 day course and put the feelers out for a smaller SIB to start off with near-shore. Thanks again

Max... · 12 June 2017, 22:06

Could not agree more with all the above.

PB2 for peanuts compared to getting into flying will give you a great taste, is a lot of fun and you'll have the 'qualification' for life.

Ditto start with a SIB for sure rather than a RIB, it will teach you so much, is a lot cheaper and a lot easier to get into and access (in terms of ease of use/transport/launching/cost etc not literally

).

Last Tango · 12 June 2017, 22:43

I'd aim to do your PB2 with someone who uses RIBs for their training and use what they have as a "yard-stick".

The boat that's going to fulfil your long term goal might be OTT as a first, but I wouldn't rule out a smaller, cheaper RIB outfit as an unrealistic starter boat.

There are plenty of small second hand RIBs around for less than 5K that would give you a feel for boating but if that kind of figure is an issue then go down the SIB route

richardwoodgb · 13 June 2017, 22:20

Thanks all for the replies. I've been looking at SIBs to start with. Whilst the Scillies is a dream it would certainly not be something to do every weekend. Which realistically, would be more like rivers/canals, to begin with at least, given my location in Bristol/Worcester and the oft windy days!

The two options I'm considering are:

1. Buy new a package. I've been looking at a Honwave T30 + 10-15hp 4 stroke Honda outboard. These seem to be around £2.5k, which I'm happy to spend if it will also give me some growing space when looking to go around the coast, particularly Cornwall and the estuaries.

2. Buy a second hand boat + outboard. Looking around there's various options, around the £500ish mark but with low hp engines, such as https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kaya...ine/1240388002

As I say happy to spend a bit to go with the first option, if something like that will give enough growing room for off/near-shore? Clearly not to the Scillies, but at least beach-to-beach around Cornwall for example, in decent-ish seas.

Cheers, Rich

Phil M · 16 June 2017, 13:51

My first boat was a 5.3m rib, which I still have, although it have far more HP now. I wouldn't shy away from buying bigger than a SIB, if that is the way you intend to go, as upgrading after a few years is always going to involve dead money.

Phil

jwalker · 16 June 2017, 16:03

Do your power boat course first with a school who use ribs - do more than pb2.

If you are excited by the boating then go ahead and buy a boat.

If you are serious about a bigger rib to do the type of trips you suggest then don't go the sib then rib route, it'll just cost you a lot of cash for very little else because you're going to buy the rib eventually anyway. A good 6.5mtr rib can take you on adventures and it won't be too difficult to handle for launching etc., but be aware that, though it may look massive in your drive or garden, it'll feel pretty small 20 miles from land when you're the only boat out there!

Give the training a go and see how you feel....

two stroke mick · 16 June 2017, 16:04

A small rib can be a very capable boat without breaking the bank in costs.

collier · 16 June 2017, 21:44

Just add my 2p
We spent loads of time in and around the water in Pembrokeshire near Ramsey sound... kayaks surfing etc... my lads grew up a bit 10-12.... thought we needed a bigger experience. Got a 3.8m quicksilver sib with ridged floor 15hp 2 stroke... plenty big enough 2 adults 2/3 kids ... get on the plane 2+2 no problem... great for everything we wanted.... learnt loads... kids grew 17-19 ... all 3 of us did pb2 .... brilliant ..we filled in so many holes in our knowledge... also saw a huge difference between a rib and sib.... but
The sib was and still is excellent because it is so flexible but the bigger and more ambitious you want to be the bigger you want..... so now we have still got the sib 15 years on but also a 7m destroyer with a 150 on the back....
Would I do it differently... no to be honest the sib did a brilliant job but weight becomes an issue and bigger seas a challenge
So that's our story... get a large sib give it a bit of time then think of spending the cash