Are there any other Ribs like the Avon SR4 Deluxe?

[FloatyMcFloatfloat]

Hi,

I'm selling my sailing boat and looking to get back into a Rib.

I've long fancied the Avon Searider SR4 Deluxe with the screen and side by side seating but wondered if there were any similarly priced alternatives that have the same seating and screen setup?

It seems to me that the Deluxe is faily unique in this regard.

TIA.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by FloatyMcFloatfloat

Hi,

I'm selling my sailing boat and looking to get back into a Rib.

I've long fancied the Avon Searider SR4 Deluxe with the screen and side by side seating but wondered if there were any similarly priced alternatives that have the same seating and screen setup?

It seems to me that the Deluxe is faily unique in this regard.

TIA.

A flatacraft force4 is similar but with less sea keeping ability & a bit of an ugly duckling in comparison

[FloatyMcFloatfloat]

Oh yes!

I'd forgotten about those, IIRC the GT version was not quite so "challenging" in the looks department.

I think I'll hold out for an SR4 Deluxe though.

[paulbrown22]

I've never rated the "deluxe" SR - personally I think the normal one is a far more useable boat and has a much better driving position!

[FloatyMcFloatfloat]

Originally Posted by paulbrown22

I've never rated the "deluxe" SR - personally I think the normal one is a far more useable boat and has a much better driving position!

I agree, it probably is. However with a 4yo and 8yo coming out for trips too, having the lower side by side seating position and slight weather protection is a preferable compromise for me.

[paulbrown22]

Ah ha, understood.

Similarly we have a 1 year old and 4 year old, so for now I've mostly ditched RIB's for the same reasons and bought a little Hardy 18 instead which is far more family friendly with nice tall cockpit sides so they can't fall out, a place to hide if it's cold/windy, etc.! I love it for our regular usage on the tidal Thames, but will definitely have larger RIB's again in the future once they are old enough to explore further afield...

[FloatyMcFloatfloat]

Funny you should mention that.

I currently have a Trident 24 (which I bought to be a safe, fun family boat earlier in the year) however my 8yo absolutely hates sailing, mostly the heeling over (no matter how gently) yet he is perfectly happy on a small speedboat/rib or RIB, whizzing along close to the water. The 4yo on the other hand is happy on anything.

Hence the Trident is now on the market to buy another RIB.

Kids eh!

[paulbrown22]

My Hardy 18 doesn't heel and still does 25kn! Not super sporty admittedly, but for small children seemed safer and hopefully I can start taking Maksim for nights away on it too next year.