Best Rescue Boat?

[andreworiordan]

what would be the best Rescue boat? I like the sound of a Quicksilver 4.30 HD XS... its not going to be used in Heavy Conditions but still needs to be tough! our budget for boaat only is around 2000-3000euros, whats the best for that money?

[Nos4r2]

How long do you want it to last?
Has it got to be a new SIB or could a 2nd hand RIB do the job?

[Ezgoing]

Secondhand Redbay6.5

Described by RIB international as" the most sure footed 6.5 they had seen"

See also http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16670

rgds

[Endeavour]

rigid raider????

[prairie tuber]

Is that for boat only or boat and motor? When buying new, you generally get what you pay for. What is the minimum and maximum length that you could use? What is the maximum weight? With used SIBs, some very good deals can be had, if you know what to look for.

One of the potentially best deals out their with used SIBs is if you can find an ex US navy zodiac FC 470 (semi tunnel hull, 1880 dtx hypalon) that hasn't been shredded to bits. They weight around 330 lbs. They sometimes go on Ebay for around 2000-3000 US.

As for new SIBs, I would focus in on either a Gemini Surf (tunnel hull available in hypalon or PVC), Arancias (inflatable v keel in hypalon) or a Ceasar Surfcat (tunnel hull in PVC). PVC is less expensive and tends to give a higher level of performance with the tunnel hull designs, hypalon is more durable.

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by Ezgoing

Secondhand Redbay6.5

Described by RIB international as" the most sure footed 6.5 they had seen"

See also http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16670

rgds

If she's going within that price range - someone will do very well for themselves !

[Ezgoing]

Sorry.

I thought there was another zero in there.

Rgds

Peter

[prairie tuber]

You tease, you!

[prairie tuber]

This hopefully will be helpful information. Here are the specifications required for Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) to be approved by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA). They have some very rigorous requirements for their IRBs.

Class 1 IRBs (inflatable v keels):

http://www.slsa.com.au/site/_content...-docsource.pdf

Class 2 IRBs (rigid hulls):

http://www.slsa.com.au/site/_content...-docsource.pdf

Class 3 IRBs (tunnel hulls):

http://www.slsa.com.au/site/_content...-docsource.pdf

Here is a list of IRBs currently approved by the SLSA

http://www.slsa.com.au/default.aspx?...equipment#irbs

[tim griffin]

Originally Posted by andreworiordan

what would be the best Rescue boat? I like the sound of a Quicksilver 4.30 HD XS... its not going to be used in Heavy Conditions but still needs to be tough! our budget for boaat only is around 2000-3000euros, whats the best for that money?

Is it for beach lifeguard work as the IRB'S in praire tubers post or for more general stuff like dinghy's and boats .

What do the Canadian SLSA use as a matter of interest

[havener]

Impossible to say until you give a few more details about the operating conditions, for example surf rescue is vastly different to inshore, and inshore is vastly different to yacht club safety and rescue. And if you're involved in flood or swiftwater rescue, that's something else entirely!

As a good guide for standards, have a look at www.mcga.gov.uk and search for "rescue boat code". It's draft at the moment but will give you some good parameters.

As for budget, we replaced our last Delta X craft and spent around £80k in the process.....

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by tim griffin

Is it for beach lifeguard work as the IRB'S in praire tubers post or for more general stuff like dinghy's and boats .

What do the Canadian SLSA use as a matter of interest

Excellent point, those 3.8 meter IRBs used is OZ & NZ are mean't specifically for saving swimmers/surfers. They simply wouldn't have the space for, say, supporting divers & their equipment. I think the those previous links provide useful info about the standards of construction quality for boats in that size range

In Canada, there doesn't seem to be any national standard watercraft for lifeguards patrolling the beaches. Here in Manitoba for example some beach patrols primarily use PWCs, some use Boston Whalers, while others may use SIBs, or a combination of them.

This is a new endeavor for a local guy which I can see gaining alot of favour for this application;

http://www.cabora.com/



For the coastguard & RCMP patrolling ocean coast or the larger inland lakes, you'll see aluminum hulled ribs, usually between 5.5m to 7.5 m.

[andreworiordan]

The Boat will be used in a river that opens into a large Harbour, its main role will be a Search and Recovery boat, Its secondary use will be as a Rescue boat, backing up the fire department and other SAR units, It will also offer it use as a safty boat during various races and events, eg. Cork Week, Ocean to City race...etc, Im looking for something around 3.8m-4.5m and around a 40hp, it doesnt need to have an engine. it also needs to be a good price, 2000-3000euros. an XRNLI D-Class or something similar, the crew will be 3 to 4 people.

[Turbodiesel]

lots of Fire/Police services are using the Avon ERB range of inflatables. I have only ever heard good comments about them too, been out on a few testing and they are pretty good.

Have a look at... http://www.avon-workboats.com/page/erb1

[Aidan]

Originally Posted by andreworiordan

The Boat will be used in a river that opens into a large Harbour, its main role will be a Search and Recovery boat, Its secondary use will be as a Rescue boat, backing up the fire department and other SAR units, It will also offer it use as a safty boat during various races and events, eg. Cork Week, Ocean to City race...etc, Im looking for something around 3.8m-4.5m and around a 40hp, it doesnt need to have an engine. it also needs to be a good price, 2000-3000euros. an XRNLI D-Class or something similar, the crew will be 3 to 4 people.

I hope you dont intend to take to the enterance of Cork Harbour between Roches Point and Weavers Point in a southerly with ebb tide.........
Not for the faint hearted, practical standing rollers with breaking tips, where yachts plane at 8-10kts in centre stream and look motionless.

[Rogue Wave]

I'd get a secondhand Avon SR4!

Have you considered a small Zapcat type boat (probably a bit pricey though!)