Advice For New Rib-er Please

jonmitch · 14 March 2006, 22:30

Hi.

I'm just about to buy my first RIB for cruising, skiing and maybe a bit of diving. I live in Plymouth and aim to have the boat on a pontoon mooring. Years ago i owned a Fletcher Bravo but want something more sea worthy and substantial.

I'm looking at a second hand 6.1m boat which was built as a series of 6 by Olmec tubing in 2005. It has a deep V hull and is powered by a 2003 mariner 90 (not sure if two stroke or 4) with 160 engine hours. The boat is in pretty spotless nick and is currently owned by an ex Olmec Engineer. It has lots of accessories and a claimed flat water top speed of "50mph". I'm due to give it a sea trial shortly. Its on for £9500 ono.

Questions are:

1. Does this sound like a good deal?
2. What specific issues should I be looking out for?

Any help appreciated

Jon

Tibs · 15 March 2006, 00:09

Hi Jon,

A 2003 model shouldn't be a concern. 50 mph with a 90HP is a bit generous. I would estimate 40 mph tops, on a FLAT day.

Being from across the pond, I'm not familiar with the boat/ model, but at 9500, it sounds like a good first RIB. If you have any pictures, do post them.

tibs

Bigmuz7 · 15 March 2006, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tibs

Hi Jon,

50 mph with a 90HP is a bit generous. I would estimate 40 mph tops, on a FLAT day.

tibs

Agreed, You would need a 135 to get 50 without question.

ADS · 15 March 2006, 21:59

This is probably the boat you are discussing: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F79336

May be worthing PMing Rich L as he has an Olmec 6.1 and a 100HP Yamaha on it. 50mph sounds high but they are quick boats, not many about so the performce is abit unknown. Interestingly, Solent Ribs claim similar performance from their 5.4/90hp.......

Alex

Ezgoing · 15 March 2006, 22:07

Try the search panel for other entries regarding the manafacturer. it is often a good place to start getting a feel about the boats.

rgds

Bigmuz7 · 15 March 2006, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

This is probably the boat you are discussing: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F79336

May be worthing PMing Rich L as he has an Olmec 6.1 and a 100HP Yamaha on it. 50mph sounds high but they are quick boats, not many about so the performce is abit unknown. Interestingly, Solent Ribs claim similar performance from their 5.4/90hp.......

Alex

I'd like to see it , my 5.8 hull with 135 went 53 just, and it was a very light boat

Downhilldai · 16 March 2006, 00:18

If that is the boat, I'd be careful of an unbraked trailer, as that lot is likely to weigh in above 750kg.

Hugh Jardon · 16 March 2006, 01:26

apparently they are quite a narrow boat so they may be quite fast. i would seriously question the trailer as it would be a problem if unbraked

consider the following
engine weigh in at say 150 kg
fuel at 70kg
fuel tank at 20 kg
trailer at say 250 kg

that means you have 260 kg left for the entire boat, tubes, seats, upholstery, console, steering, gauges, controlls, rigging etc etc

i would be very surprised if that boat came in at that weight and if it did i would worry about it being tooo light a build!!

my bare boat with no tubes and other bits is 6.5m and 520kg

timboli · 16 March 2006, 06:11

I knew someone who owned a ohlmec 6.1 with an unbraked trailer-170kg engine-and he thought it really needed a braked trailer.

Rich L · 16 March 2006, 09:23

Hi Jon

I have this same boat - except this one is better because it has a better console arrangement and under deck tank.

Mine has a Yam 100 4 stoke and the boat tops at about 41mph. A 2 stroke 90 would most likely be quite a bit quicker. Someone I know has a 130 2 stoke and reckons he gets 60mph (or knots I can't remember) but I have no reason not to believe him.

This is a great boat, often compared to a V-Type (no, it's not a V-Type!). It's very light and has a very good balanced feel to it on the water. Deep V is a bit of an exageration IMO but it handles very well in all kinds of conditions. It IS good in a swell (and I've seen some serious swells) and it excels when there isn't. But it's not a 'lifeboat'.

I seriously love this boat and would buy another. I've owned a Humber and a Chinook and this is far better.

AND the hull has been used for racing (successfully) - ask cookie.

The hull IS narrow and it's one of those RIBs where you are feel like your sitting on top of the water rather than 'inside' a boat - more so than your average RIB. But these features combine to give it a very 'nimble', responsive feel. And it's easy to tow.

Weight - well it is seriously light. I've never weighed it but I tow it on an unbraked trailer. I reckon it's bordering on 750kg. I certainly never had a problem and drive hundreds of miles with it (sometimes loaded with holiday gear I must admit).

Remember that the boat is one of very few. (I love that). But you may have a problem selling. That's unfortunate bacause people are seriously missing out!

Take it out fro a trial and test (measure) the speed and handling for yourself.

I'll have mine at the RIB raid in Wales & anyone is welcome to have a go.

ps I have no connection with Olmec whatsoever and bought mine on the strength of a test drive.

Rich L · 16 March 2006, 09:36

By the way, I heard a rumour that 'Salcombe Flyer' are about to start production of the hull.

Here's another one for sale and a different angle (this one probably doesn't have under deck tank) - but I would buy it if I was looking.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F89088/

Jono · 16 March 2006, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmitch

....ex Olmec Engineer...

Engineer?.........

jonmitch · 17 March 2006, 00:06

Thanks everyone, really helpful advice.

I'm hopefully taking the boat for a sea trial next weekend! I take on board the advice re possible sea speeds. To be honest it surprised me a little but I'm not too bothered...40mph is quite fast enough.

Also, I agree re the non-braked trailer but I have a heavy duty 4 x 4 and aim to have the boat berthed at Plymouth for most of the season.

All your advice has been great!! I look forward to speaking/meeting soon and will let you know how I get on with my new boat whatever it turns out to be! If you see an Olmec RIB floating above the James Eagan Lane in Whitsand bay...that'll be me!!

Jon

Cookee · 17 March 2006, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

Hi Jon

AND the hull has been used for racing (successfully) - ask cookie.

First of all it's Cookee and second of all to my knowledge it's never been used for racing!

I think Derek Basham from Salcombe had one with a 130 Yam on it (there are 2 for sale on Boats and Outboards) and it went very well.

Don't forget to look for a CE plate on it!

Rogue Wave · 17 March 2006, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

First of all it's Cookee

OK Cokie

Rich L · 17 March 2006, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

First of all it's Cookee and second of all to my knowledge it's never been used for racing!

I think Derek Basham from Salcombe had one with a 130 Yam on it (there are 2 for sale on Boats and Outboards) and it went very well.

Don't forget to look for a CE plate on it!

Firstly there's nothing wrong with Cookies. I live for them. I always presumed you did too??

Secondly, damn, thanks for shattering years of illusion

. I got the wrong end of the stick from one of your posts. So sorry.

Actually the latter link above is Derek's boat. He claims 60mph (and used to race with Cookee - different boat of course!!) so that's probably right. Hooray - clearly I should be racing........

CE plate? Whats that?

By the way Cookee - You'll always be a biscuit to me. Respect.

Cookee · 17 March 2006, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

Firstly there's nothing wrong with Cookies. I live for them. I always presumed you did too??

Secondly, damn, thanks for shattering years of illusion

. I got the wrong end of the stick from one of your posts. So sorry.

Actually the latter link above is Derek's boat. He claims 60mph (and used to race with Cookee - different boat of course!!) so that's probably right. Hooray - clearly I should be racing........

CE plate? Whats that?

By the way Cookee - You'll always be a biscuit to me. Respect.

It is true I raced with Derek - in his Phantom 18 in OCR "A" Class - that was with an XR2 on the back - I saw 76mph on the GPS reguarly in that boat - and that was fast enough!

To be fair it probably does do 60mph with that engine on!

What have you heard about the Salcombe Flyers then? I might be in a position to confirm or deny any rumours

ribraff · 17 March 2006, 18:22

Salcombe flyer was going to take on the 6mtr as part of their own range at one time........ all gone quiet now though.

Cookee · 18 March 2006, 10:34

That's because they are no longer trading - the moulds have now found a new home!

Rich L · 18 March 2006, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

That's because they are no longer trading - the moulds have now found a new home!

Can I ask with whom?