Boat Type.

cuttlefish · 30 August 2005, 16:57

Hi,
I am looking to get a RIB to do some island hopping in the UK Channel Islands. Has anyone any opinions on models, lengths, etc? The waters around there can get pretty ugly at times, so it has to be something serious.
Thanks,
Rupert.

Erin · 30 August 2005, 19:57

I travel between all the Islands and France on a Prosport 6m (5.85m in reality). I generally don't go out above a F3, but it is ok in a F4 just rather uncomfortable. All depends on wind direction and tide of course!

Keith

Burdick · 31 August 2005, 21:00

Suggest you look at Prosport, made in Guernsey and built for sea going. I have a 6.5m and came back accross the Channel in good force 5 and stayed dry all the way. Use my boat a great deal for trips down the SW coast and it loves the big sea with its very deep v hull. Best of luck

Dirk Diggler · 31 August 2005, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burdick

. I have a 6.5m and came back accross the Channel in good force 5 and stayed dry all the way.

And what's that phrase? oh yeh,

"and my arse is a banjo"!!!

cuttlefish · 01 September 2005, 09:20

Thanks guy. I'll have a look at Prosport. Does anyone know what their website is (if they haveone, that is)?
Tx,
R.

Mollers · 01 September 2005, 10:32

Hi Rupert, Have you considered a Seawolf 3000? These are available from Trago Mills in either Falmouth or Liskeard and represent excellent value for money.

Burdick · 02 September 2005, 09:49

They are at http://www.prosportribs.co.uk/

They normally have one or two for you to try out, hope you get to have a go in a good breeze and sea to see how dry they are.

Best of luck

Squirrel · 02 September 2005, 10:06

Rupert, if you're in Guernsey, the best bet is to go down to the Pro-sport yard and have a mooch.

They are next to the old B&Q at Admiral Park in a big tent(!). Go round the back of the Gas showroom. Jason Norman, the owner, is generally there after 3.

cuttlefish · 03 September 2005, 10:11

Thanks for the info, Guy. I'll look at the Prosport site, and Squirell, I toodle off down there.
Rupert.

cuttlefish · 04 September 2005, 09:54

Hi Burdick,
Was just wondering how you managed to keep so dry. Does your rib have a wrap around canopy?
Rupert.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burdick

Suggest you look at Prosport, made in Guernsey and built for sea going. I have a 6.5m and came back accross the Channel in good force 5 and stayed dry all the way. Use my boat a great deal for trips down the SW coast and it loves the big sea with its very deep v hull. Best of luck

John Kennett · 04 September 2005, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupert

Was just wondering how you managed to keep so dry. Does your rib have a wrap around canopy?

No, he was wearing a drysuit!

exeleisure · 04 September 2005, 20:32

We have several clients running from the Devon Coast to The channel Islands in Ring 7.5 with Suzuki DF 250 , Could be worth a look at . Also a nice dry boat with the added advantage of cabin is the Aquaflyte 7 or 8 m. I have run the crossing in 6.5 RIB but its a bit small, suggest larger for the sea's around Guernsey. Having family who work the sea's of Guernsey now what your saying about the conditions.

Ezgoing · 04 September 2005, 22:11

Rupert

try www.Redbayboats.com

Fantastic seaboats. grreat build . lots of options. See my other posts..try Ribnet search engine for redbay.

rgds

Burdick · 04 September 2005, 22:37

No canopy, just an open rib. The only spray I find is when occasionaly I have stuffed it into a large swell when running with the sea. I am no expert on hull design but can only tell you of my experience with this boat, the hull is very narrow and deep at the bow and I guess cuts through the sea very effectively pushing the bow wake further back. I am sure other Prosport owners would also confirm this to be the case.

seabridgemarine · 16 December 2006, 13:16

you can get very wet in a f4 or above !!

codprawn · 16 December 2006, 20:05

This is a very old thread - Prosport in their original form no longer exist thank god!!!

As to them being very dry boats I totally agree - alright mine is an 8.8m but even in a Force 8 we stayed dry - it really is amazing. Only time we got wet was in very confused seas and a Force 6 - it was an Easterly which we normally never get!!!

seabridgemarine · 27 December 2006, 16:35

keep well away from prosport ribs !!! Absolutly no customer service what so ever

Ian M · 27 December 2006, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by seabridgemarine

keep well away from prosport ribs !!! Absolutly no customer service what so ever

Yep, their new UK rep, Steve, as good as told me to go away and stop bothering him when enquiring about a new 6.5.

Mind you, this was not the only strange reaction I got when offering to spend loads a money with various manufacturers of my favourite form of transport

seabridgemarine · 27 December 2006, 21:10

thats interesting, when i finally got hold of steve, he told me he had bought the company and had nothing to do with jason - but even though he bought the name, he didn't want to cary on their warranty !! which with a prosport you need !

codprawn · 28 December 2006, 04:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by seabridgemarine

thats interesting, when i finally got hold of steve, he told me he had bought the company and had nothing to do with jason - but even though he bought the name, he didn't want to cary on their warranty !! which with a prosport you need !

I can't blame him to be honest. What I find strange is that their website STILL hasn't been changed - I would have done all I could to distance myself from that shower!!!