Avon v's Ribtec

cliveg · 09 September 2002, 19:27

Hi all,

For those who remember my first thread I asked for comments about a 4.5m Ribeye with a 40 hp engine and am reconsidering my options based on responses to date.

I am off to the Boatshow this Sat 14th with cheque book at the ready and have really narrowed down to Avon or Ribtec of similar spec to above.

It will be my first RIB and although I had originally suggested I will be pottering around the Cornish rivers and estuaries after reading more of the threads on this brill site I aim to be more adventurous hoping to pluck up courage to join others on Channel cruises and a trip to Scillies.

So what should it be Avon or Ribtec or are there others I should seriously consider when I am at the show?

Cheers

Clive

Charles · 09 September 2002, 19:38

Go for the 6.5 Hysucat. For your application, huge deck space, virtually no wake and nothing beats the stability at rest.
Go here and then look at the cool video. You WILL NOT regret it!

cliveg · 09 September 2002, 19:46

Charles,

I took a look and you are right it looks the business. I fear however it is going to be more than the budget allows.

I am looking to spend 10 or 11k to include trailer.

I will take a look at boatshow as it will be good to see it in the flesh.

I realised after posting my original comments that I meant to include Ribcraft as another contender for my dosh.

Cheers

Clive

Bittentobuggery · 09 September 2002, 19:56

Clive,

For what it's worth, I did the Avon and Ribtec comparison at a slightly larger size a couple of years ago.

Whilst the Avon was well laid out and seemed to have some extra toys, I felt that the Ribtec hull was superior and gave me a more surefooted, confident feel.

I bought the Ribtec and have had a couple of brilliant seasons with her. She will be for sale this autumn as I'm commissioning a 7.4 m Ribtec, so if it's of interest after you've priced up a new boat at Souithampton, email me at bgt@mailresource.co.uk

The boats I compared were '99 specs, so materials and layouts may well have changed. Try 'em all, listen to other opinions and then go with your own gut feel.

All the Best,

Brian

TIM · 09 September 2002, 20:05

I would buy the hysucat, if you can. Its great boat, Its my first rib but, but I have been on many others over the years and nothing really compaires, there good, even though I am having problems with mine( over weight engines) buy one if you can.

Pete7 · 09 September 2002, 21:30

Does it have to be new ? Ribtec have a 5.5m Freeway in there yard at the moment looks second hand but would clean up very nicely. bare hull and tubes so would allow any consoles to be fitted. By the way I think they have moved to Southampton next to the football stadium. Pete

Daniel · 09 September 2002, 22:19

Clive,

You get a lot of 2nd hand boat for £10-11k, plus some change for GPS, Echo, VHF, and other toys.

There are of course lots of things to consider when buying 2nd hand, but there is also a good selection for this money - worth thinking about!

Guess thats given you even more to consider!

Daniel

benjamin · 10 September 2002, 11:47

Never had the opportunity to helm one of these, but heard the hull was a very shallow 'V' and severely uncomfortable in a seaway. Anyone got any 'first hand' experience of their performance?

Julian · 10 September 2002, 12:17

Cliveg

Have you concidered the Scorpion range of boats. They are fantastic sea boats and by far the best finished rib on the market. They do a 6.5 mtr one which has been across the channel with us a few times and it handles superbly. You may be able to get a second hand one as well. I would strongly reccomend you take a look at them. We are on our 3rd scorpion at the moment and hope to make that 4 soon.

Julian.

Alan · 10 September 2002, 12:39

I'd avoid the Freeway if you want to do any Ribbing in anything other than calm conditions. Two reasons 1) Shallow V hull but most importantly 2) silly bench seats! Your spine will thank you for choosing a boat with Jockeys!

Also consider the RIBCRAFT 4.8m - the best sub 5m Rib IMHO. Ribcraft are usually at SBS and have a 4.8m as safety RIB. Perhaps a good deal may be had on ex-demo?!

Also seriously consider a second hand larger RIB for your 11k although unfortunately I doubt you would get a Scorpion for that money! (They are damn fine boats though.)

Alan

Phil · 10 September 2002, 15:45

I bought this model with a Honda 75 from new and kept it for 1 plus (a bit) seasons;it was my return to boating after 6 years out and the "family" factor was paramount; it is a well built all rounder for coastal estuary use but with a shallow v hull is no good for more trying conditions - having said that it was never advertised at any more.

I soon realised that I had bought the right boat for the odd family outing but the wrong boat for cruising in lumpy seas.I did trailer it to France and to the West Country and had some good times.

Hoever there is little comparison with my Humber 8m rib - all the comments about deep v and jockey seats are spot on; another issue is length .It has been said on here before that the longer the better! and it is right -the ability to go across certain wave patterns reduces enormously the movement of the boat and the stress on the crew.

p.s Alan how is the back?

Alan · 10 September 2002, 17:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil

p.s Alan how is the back?

Prolapsed disc I'm afraid. B***dy painful although a hell of a lot better now than a few weeks ago. No Ribbing for me until next year

Cheers,
Alan

Charles · 10 September 2002, 18:56

I agree Alan. The Ribtec Freeway should stay on a lake and never get off it! The TA over here bought one two years ago and are immensely disappointed for the reasons you mentioned. Also, it is hopeless for water-skiing as they cannot seem to get the bow down! I assisted them in getting better perfromance and it was a last cause

GraemeCooper · 11 September 2002, 10:27

To get back to the original question, I did extensive research last year before buying Topaz, which si a 6.2 Avon with Honda 130 Outboard.

Many people tried to put me off of the Avon, for various reasons, which all turned out to be wrong - and usually from people who hadn't been out in an Avon of any size or type - or those who hd had a 4 metre sea rider in the dim and distant past!

At our Training School we now have 2 Avons, my 620 and a 560 with a Mercury 90HP 4 Stroke.

These both perform extremely well, and we have had them out in all sorts of conditions, off of the North Wales Coast, in and around the Solent, English Channel etc.

I can personally recommend the Avon range, and I have tried various others, Ribcraft and Ribtec included, and would choose my Avon every time.