Choosing a 4.7...

George8910 · 22 September 2004, 14:16

Dear rib-philes!

I am new to ribs having graduated from a zodiac futura- great boat but interesting in the swell around the needles...

I would like to be able to keep in a garage and it looks as if 4.7m is the max. Mostly intend to use around the isle of wight - would like a rib that would take reasonable amounts of weather and hopefully seat 4 but 2 seat jockey is minimum I guess.

Any advice would be most welcome - I see that Humber has a 30% off deal to the end of the month Assault 4.7?

look forward to hearing from you!!!

Bilge Rat · 22 September 2004, 14:27

George

The maximum lenght your'll get into a standard size garage is about 4.8 metres, and this all depends on the draw bar at the front, worth also remembering the width of the boat too as a wider boat might mean having to deflate the tubes to get it in, its not the garage size really but the width and height of the door.
I had my A frame made lower to specifically fit under a standard 6' garage door, with ariels and gps antenna it just slips under.

One of the sales points for the Ribcraft 4.8 is that it fits into a garage !!!

Good luck and enjoy the buying process

steedthrust · 22 September 2004, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by George8910

Dear rib-philes!

I would like to be able to keep in a garage and it looks as if 4.7m is the max.

look forward to hearing from you!!!

What are you using as max boat length? Boat or trailer length?

Does anyond do trailers with removable/folding draw bars?

Nauti Buoy · 22 September 2004, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by steedthrust

Does anyond do trailers with removable/folding draw bars?

If you succeed in finding someone that produce these I would be very interested in knowing. Have looked everywhere and as yet found nobody who does such a trailer. I went to and engineering firm and showed them what I was after, to be told if I produce a set of drawings and weight limits etc and produced a load bearing on the bracket I required then they would look at it. (Think basically they were trying to shy away from the job)!! SO GOOD LUCK!!

George8910 · 22 September 2004, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by steedthrust

What are you using as max boat length? Boat or trailer length?

Does anyond do trailers with removable/folding draw bars?

Hi - thanks for the replies - bit of both really - put the futura in the garage and saw how much space was left... I had the idea of creating a detachable draw bar using a socket and tractor hitch pin - if neccessary - could poss manage a 4.8m if that increases my choices??

Nick Hearne · 22 September 2004, 15:13

Draw bar is only 2 bolts to remove!
Not the end of the world to remove!
Nick

Simon Hawkins · 22 September 2004, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by George8910

I would like to be able to keep in a garage and it looks as if 4.7m is the max. Mostly intend to use around the isle of wight - would like a rib that would take reasonable amounts of weather and hopefully seat 4 but 2 seat jockey is minimum I guess.

Any advice would be most welcome - I see that Humber has a 30% off deal to

I use to have a Ribcrfat 4.8 which did fit into my garage although did have to move it forward on the trailer so the garage door would close. Insofar as a sea boat I never had any problems with this and found it to cope with all the conditions I went out in which at times were strong winds and large seas. After all Ribcraft used 4.8 meters to do the round britain.

Simon

George8910 · 22 September 2004, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Hawkins

I use to have a Ribcrfat 4.8 which did fit into my garage although did have to move it forward on the trailer so the garage door would close. Insofar as a sea boat I never had any problems with this and found it to cope with all the conditions I went out in which at times were strong winds and large seas. After all Ribcraft used 4.8 meters to do the round britain.

Simon

George8910 · 22 September 2004, 15:38

Thanks a lot Simon - very useful!

George

George8910 · 22 September 2004, 15:49

Would most people agree the ribcraft 4.8 is worth the extra money over the likes of a Humber 4.7?

Daniel TD5 · 22 September 2004, 16:04

george

have you had a look at valiant as well i have found my one very good
in rough seas

its a medium deep v

its up for sale at the moment look in the four sale section vanguard 450v
or have a look at the dr range as well 4m/4.5m 4.9m jockey seat type

dan

Richard B · 22 September 2004, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by George8910

Would most people agree the ribcraft 4.8 is worth the extra money over the likes of a Humber 4.7?

I've cruised in company with Ribcraft4.8 Avon4.7 and Tornado Viking4.7 and they are excellent RIBs - the Tornado Viking being particularly good in all conditions. You would be well advised to speak with DJL on this forum as his Viking is a very well proven boat. I would be more cautious about the Humber.

philip · 22 September 2004, 17:05

George,

Ribcraft have a demo weekend at Portland Harbour on the 9th 10th October.
We went last year was very good.

http://www.ribcraft.co.uk/start.html

Cheers

Phil

robin · 22 September 2004, 17:10

Hi George.

Here is a picture of my 4.8 ribcraft on her trailer under cover.
The trailer has a pin and bolt arrangement on the drawbar marked 'here' on the photo and then on the blow up.
I have never put it to the test but apparently this will allow me to fold the bar sufficiently to get it into a garage.
In my case purely hypothetical tho'

While I am here......given the choice I would buy this boat again. She won't win any speed trials but I have been drier and more comfortable in this little boat than in many other significantly larger craft.

Cheers.
Robin

I know....apart from when I stuffed into the back of a wave last week yeah yeah, then i was knee deep but we all make mistakes!!

swginn · 22 September 2004, 17:13

If you are considering a Ribcraft 4.8 or a Tornado 4.7 then may i reccommend XS-Ribs. They are kitted out by Barnet Marine (Tornado suppliers) and are a very seaworthy boat with high bows, deep V hull and large 50cm tubes. They are a very good value for money craft whilst also being solid and well built.

Website is www.xs-ribs.co.uk

swginn · 22 September 2004, 17:22

Just saw Robin's trailer drawbar reply. I may be wrong now but I had that fitting on a previous Snipe trailer and it was used to tilt the trailer on a shallow slipway to make it easier to launch the RIB. I wouldn't try it unless the RIB was securely strapped to the trailer. Imagine ending up with your pride and joy stuck in your garage on no trailer!!

Jono · 22 September 2004, 18:17

Yeah, its a "break back" trailer and lowering the draw bar to the floor of the garage wouldn't gain you much. What you need is.... a cat flap.. cunningly positioned in the garage door so the draw bar can poke through it....

Daniel TD5 · 22 September 2004, 18:24

all so watch out for how high the boat sits ie

a frame must fold
sreen on the consul check that

i have to lower the jockey wheel down to fit under the door

dan

Rogue Wave · 22 September 2004, 21:58

An Avon SR 4.7 or a Ribcraft 4.8 with a 70 hp yammie 2 stroke takes an awful lot of beating.

petersgc · 23 September 2004, 08:00

Just to add another for consideration..... I have the Caribe 4.7...... not awfully popular I notice on the site... however its an ideal boat for me and my young family... comfortable, good hull, good handling (although I dont go out in anything too wild). The 50 4 stroke on the back is more than adaquate.
Nice little extras too.... 90L under floor fuel, shower, loads of stowage... and easy to store (in the farm down the road)