buying a small rib, light enough for pulling with my car.

[Glaerox]

Hello ribbers,

2 Years ago I bought a 310 sib with a 5HP suzuki. A great boat, good for lots of fun! But now with more experience I want to go bigger and faster. But there a 3 limitations.

1. Budget. (about 6000 euro, 5500 Pound)

2. Space. (max 4M rib)

3. Car (Fiat Panda 1.2 60HP, Pulls max 800KG (1750LB)

Do you think there would be a Rib that fould fit my expectations? am thinking to fit it with a 15-25HP engine. I want a seat on it where 2 people could sit side to side. Not a jockey seat so you have sit behind the other.

Could you give me some advice?

With kind greatings, Bastiaan

[chewy]

SR4 with dutch retro porn seats, you'll easily get one for that money although the engine will be bigger than what you want.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F210313

[Glaerox]

thanks for the quick reply!

I forgot to mention that I like to buy the boat brand new


I like the grand Silver line s370L a lot, but i dont know the price

[chewy]

Bam Bam on here is selling his Zodiac, its not brand new but does look it, might be worth a pm?

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Glaerox

3. Car (Fiat Panda 1.2 60HP, Pulls max 80KG (175LB)

[Glaerox]

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Glaerox

3. Car (Fiat Panda 1.2 60HP, Pulls max 800KG (1750LB)

I used to own a Panda, and 800 kg behind one is a scary thought (even a newer presumably heavier one!). It would need to be a braked trailer - without brakes you'll be much more constrained. Braked trailer is going to add expense (and some weight to the package which then detracts from the boat options). It also adds an extra maintenance headache.

In terms of can it be done? then with a little compromise it might be possible... I suspect you'll struggle to get a "reputable"* brand of RIB, Engine and trailer that meets all your requirements exactly (including new within the budget) and gives you a reasonably fast package. The real question you need to ask is whether you can really hope to safely, comfortably and reliably tow 800 kg behind a 1.2L panda. I wouldn't.

However, don't be dispirited because you can get a boat that will meet your spec and may be nowhere near the upper weight limit you suggest. My boat is not technically a RIB (and so may be a little lighter?) but I am familiar with the numbers involved so I'll use it as an example:

3.9m boat .... 120 kg
'console' .... ~ 30 kg
20 HP 2str engine .... 48 kg (You can't get these new now)
Battery etc .... ~15 kg (You could live without)
Fuel .... ~ 30 kg
Anchor, and other "equipment" .... 15 kg

Trailer .... ~150 kg [IIRC] (this is for an UNbraked, bunk trailer)

So a total package weight of around 400-450 kg. And with a new price that is within your budget. If I was towing this behind a Panda I would probably still want a braked trailer even if it does manage to scrape through the technical unbraked limit.


* That is not to suggest that any boat which does meet the spec completely is not a good boat, or of reasonable quality - rather that the "big brands" in boats, engines and trailers attract a bit of a premium which may or may not be justified!

[GerryP]

I have a 3.8m RIB with a 30HP 4st engine on the back. Trailer is unbraked. Consule and 2 man jockey seat, plus all usual bits and pieces make the weight up. I also have a 1000cc Vauxhaul Corsa.
.
I have pulled the RIB short distances with the Corsa no problems.
.
The problem you may get is launching and recovery. Most slips are covered in sand, alge & wet (or all three!). I guess your Panda is front wheel drive (?). The problem is the launch/recovery.
.
I use my wifes car (!!!) to put the boat in the water, 2000cc diesel, no issues.
.
And yes she does know!.
.
Good luck, let us know what you get, and how you get on with the Panda.

[Glaerox]

thanks for the info!

the trailer have to got brakes, im willing to pay more when it comes to safety. Im not planning to get a boat exactly at 800KG. I think the weight like you mention is exactley what i got in mind, only the trailer would be a bit heavier with brakes, and the engine would be a bit heavier, cause I really dont want a 2T (fuel costs, smell, polution and oil). Some of the gear I can transport in the car (like gasoline and equipment).

I own a new type of panda, bigger tires and 3cm shorter springs for better road handling. Could probably make it a 70hp car with some chiptuning.

[chewy]

Feck me, 70hp after some tuning.
Buy the SR4 and a decent tow car and have some money left over for some cakes.

[Glaerox]

@ GerryP,

Thanks for your advice. Your right that it could become a problem with the launch. Its a front weel driven car yes, so when it lozes his traction, it could become a problem. THe front wheels got much grip on this little car, and in the first gear it got some power as well.

@chewy,

A other car is not an option, as i like this car to much. Its reliable and cheap in fuel costs. When i dont exceed about 500KG for the whole set, i dont think the panda would struggle much. I know a other (4 wheel driven with much torgue) car would be better, but its to expensive to drive as a daily for me.

[9D280]

Don't get too hung up on the front wheel drive - I have recovered a Dell Quay dory with a 1.2 Fiesta over a pebble beach....... And have been dragging the rib out the water with a Focus with no traction dramas.

Also one to think about- Taking Polwart's example and put fuel in the car, you could use a dinghy combi trailer, which might solve the launching problem too?

Brakes will add about 80 - 100Kg to your trailer weight

[chewy]

Whats the car rated to? Aren't the Pandas four wheel drive?

[Glaerox]

The car allone weights 835KG (without fuel, oil and extra options)

It can pull 400KG unbraked, 800KG with brakes. Its only 2WD. bou you are true, there are 4WD panda's.

the place where i would probbably launch the boat the most is completely coverred with asphalt.

@ 9d280

I looked up the deel quay Dory, and i really think its heavier than a small rib. good to know that the fiesta did pull it! Im not fomiliar with a dinghy combi trailer, could you give me an example?

thanks for all the advice!

[9D280]

Yeah, they're not the ligthest of boats - and that's before the foam inside sooks up a million litres of water......

Combi:
T- frame-
http://www.indespension.co.uk/b2c/ap...ID=1430&slnk=1

A- frame
http://www.merseatrailers.com/produc...&product=C27RA
+
http://www.merseatrailers.com/produc...roduct=C27TSTA

(There are lots of variations of the launch trolley part to suit differnet hull shapes)

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Glaerox

I looked up the deel quay Dory, and i really think its heavier than a small rib.

Most of them have about a ton of water absorbed into the foam core inside the hull! But I don't think recovering on a good slip will be a major issue - I was more concerned with how it would handle on the road. My 1988 Panda never felt the most secure vehicle, not did it have great brakes.

9d280 was suggesting the approach most dinghy sailors take - which is to use very lightweight trolley (small trailer) with cheap wheels (no vulnerable bearings). You use this to put the boat in/out the water and then when you want to tow this somewhere you pull the small lightweight trolley on top of your 'proper' road trailer. This way the real trailer doesn't go in the sea and get rusty etc.

2 adults can just about move my trailer and boat on a good slipway if its not too steep and the ground is solid. With a lighter trolley rather than a trailer it would be easier. You normally don't use a car to move the trolley in / out the water - so if you plan to go single handed this option may not be good for you.

[adrianflint]

I also doubt that the panda will pull a rib out of the water. Another consideration is that with the nose weight of the trailer pushing down the rear of the car, the front wheels will be more likely to loose grip.

I would seriously consider another but bigger inflatable. Perhaps a Zodiac 4m with a 30hp engine.

Good luck.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by adrianflint

I also doubt that the panda will pull a rib out of the water.

also? - provided its a good solid slip not covered in weed, sand, slime and not stupidly steep he'll be fine. It might not do the clutch much good but it will manage. If necessary a rope will get the car onto solid ground with no 'nose weight' issues. In my opinion there's too much emphasis on '4x4's as tow vehicles here - the reality is people have managed with 2wd (front or rear) for a long time before 4x4s became common place. A 4x4 is a nice tow vehicle that can make launching and recovering in tricky places much easier (and if your local slip is bad may well be justified), but if you are prepared to be selective about where / how you launch then a 'normal' car is perfectly adequate. I would suggest some thought about tyres however - as our latest vehicle should be more capable that either of its predecessors but the tyres are crap on slippy surfaces.

I would seriously consider another but bigger inflatable. Perhaps a Zodiac 4m with a 30hp engine.

A perfectly reasonable suggestion - and will save a little weight but a 4m SIB with 30HP engine won't fit in the back of a panda, nor will a modern 30 hp be an easy lifting job - which means he is going to be back to keeping it on a trailer. Realistically a 4m SIB with engine, trailer, etc is only about 20% lighter than the equivalent RIB.

[chewy]

I think he might have been getting at buying a RIB from a known brand.

[raymillard]

I have an Avon 311. It's bombproof and ageless. Goes like mad on 15hp.
I think an Avon 340 would be great. I'd like one myself.
Bearing in mind RIBs spend most of their lives outside in the light, I'd go for Hypalon, or one where you can detach the tubes and keep them indoors.
I haven't got shares in Avon, but to my mind there's nothing to touch them.