Confused? I am!

[NSS]

The more I read this forum, the more confused I become. As mentioned a month or so ago, I've been looking at up-sizing to something of circa 4.5m in length and had been quite seriously considering Avon Adventure, Brig Falcon and Ribtec as potentials for my next RiIB.

However, it seems that there's a fairly vocal contingent on here who really don't rate Avon Adventure or Ribtec (not to mention a number of other brands!).

So, if you were in the market for a 4.5m (or thereabouts) RIB which you wanted for purely leisure use (mainly on the Solent), which would be on your list of possibles?

Please don't say "buy a 5.5m x, y or z" as, whether you agree with it or not, I have to be able to store it in my garage and 4.7m is the absolute max length (plus trailer nose) that I can accommodate.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Avon searider 4.7 with detachable bar on trailer.

Whatever you go for, just try and get a deep v hull. It Will make the Solent chop much more bearable. Avoid the newer avon designs and the humber assault, they are shallow v hulls.

[matt h]

as above, searider 4.7 but rare
Ribcraft 4.8
Ribcraft 5.0 (poss will have to shorten draw bar to fit in average garage)
Zodiac 500 (actually 4.7)
Ribquest 4.7
Solent 4.6
Ribtec 455 (almost the same as above)


with a good 60/50 Four stroke or e tec series they will fly

[njensen]

I'm very happy with my Avon SR 4.7 .... and my 90 HP E-tec :-)

[Doug Stormforce]

first choice

XS
old tornado

second choice

Ribtec
Humber

[PeterM]

I'll say it again .....

I love my 4m Adventure ......

Just get one with jockey seats & a 40 hp.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by NSS

However, it seems that there's a fairly vocal contingent on here who really don't rate Avon Adventure or Ribtec (not to mention a number of other brands!).

Are you sure about the ribtec? although made by ribeye they don't seem to get the same disparaging remarks.

In reality any 4.5 m rib will be fine for what you want in reasonable conditions, and you'll survive even quite bad weather. The point is some people think you'll enjoy it more in a better boat. Whilst it might not get everyone's agreement a boat that works for you in terms of layout / seating / styling (for the wife if she is so inclined) / easy to launch and recover etc is just as important as a boat that can handle rougher conditions - becuase you'll actually use it more.

There is no right and wrong answer - but you need to work out what you are trying to improve by "upgrading" the size - if that is comfort in the chop don't buy a shallow V hull. However despite the dozens of people who ask a very similar question each year - only you can decide which boat suits your needs best.

[NSS]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Are you sure about the ribtec? although made by ribeye they don't seem to get the same disparaging remarks.

In reality any 4.5 m rib will be fine for what you want in reasonable conditions, and you'll survive even quite bad weather. The point is some people think you'll enjoy it more in a better boat. Whilst it might not get everyone's agreement a boat that works for you in terms of layout / seating / styling (for the wife if she is so inclined) / easy to launch and recover etc is just as important as a boat that can handle rougher conditions - becuase you'll actually use it more.

There is no right and wrong answer - but you need to work out what you are trying to improve by "upgrading" the size - if that is comfort in the chop don't buy a shallow V hull. However despite the dozens of people who ask a very similar question each year - only you can decide which boat suits your needs best.

I'm looking to buy new and was pretty much set on the Ribtec 455, but comments I've seen about Ribeye have made me pause to re-consider. I know older Ribtecs are well liked but wasn't sure whether the same would be said of a Ribtec designed hull built by Ribeye or not?

Totally agree with your other comments about "a boat that works for you" being the first consideration, particularly in relation to the layout, but don't want to buy something that I may later find it hard to sell on because the boat has a poor reputation, whether that be for quality of materials/construction, quality of ride (and yes, I do want a deep vee), or simply because of where it may have been constructed (China/South Africa/Korea or wherever).

Am hoping my next RIB will be one that I'll want to keep and use for a number of years so it's important to get it right.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by NSS

Am hoping my next RIB will be one that I'll want to keep and use for a number of years so it's important to get it right.

Don't pay too much attention to the opinions on here, or anywhere else, especially the nay-sayers. There is certainly lots of good advice, but the advice should inform you of things to look out for and not for you to base decisions on.

Every boat is a compromise, find the one that fits in with what you (and you alone) need and you will be doing well.

[Downhilldai]

What's your budget and how many seats do you need?

[C2 RIBS]

If I can help , I have a 585 Ribetc 2009-2010 used by a fair few local Solent training schools and the feedback we get is that it is a great boat. Come and have a look at the build and I can answer your questions (I hope) on this range. I also have stayed with Ribeye for the larger commercial RIBs so happy to show you around . We are based at Hamble if you want a look/ run out.

I also see Thorsby on the Forum has a 450 Ribeye for sale which would work well on The Solent as this is the size you prefer

[Steve_B]

The "right" boat is the one that YOU think is right for you.

That means taking advice, listening to opinion and then trying as many different RIBs as you can. At this stage dont worry about resale value, it is far more important that YOU like and enjoy the boat, so that you go out and use it again and again.

If you do use it regularly, the fun per mile cost, will more than make up for any differences in resale value, years down the line.

Our first RIB was a Valiant, which some on here would steer you away from and yet we enjoyed her so much, gave us great confidence and never let us down once. Was it the best, did we loose money on resale compared to others?? Dont care

Steve

[Doug Stormforce]

further to my earlier comments

I owned a Ribtec 455 a few years back- great boat and I was very happy with it, cant comment on the new ones though. Looking however at your short list, it seems a bit mixed.

The Brig Falcon, Avon Adventure and the Ribtec are all very different boats.

If you are considering the Brig then why not take a look at the Zar, same class of RIB but more internal space for the sam length, far superior build quality and a much better ride, Dan Cross the UK importer posts on here and is very helpful

The Avon Adventure is a very different boat and not IMHO in the same league as many of the others mentioned

[Powerboats]

As mentioned by Doug our 4.3 would fit the size restrictions, with an overall length including engine of approximately 4.7m, with a waterline length and internal volume equivalent to most 5.3m RIBs.

We can put it on a trailer to allow it to fit inside a standard garage.

Attached are some pictures of a 4.3 we recently supplied to a customer for use in Scotland and Portugal with a Honda 75 fitted.

Apologies if this is considered to be a commercial post, but I thought it may be of interest in relation to the original poster's line of enquiry.

[9D280]

Originally Posted by Polwart

a boat that works for you in terms of layout / seating / styling (for the wife if she is so inclined) / easy to launch and recover etc

I've part quoted half sentences here on purpose. Mrs 9D loves being out in the boat. what really makes her grumpy is the "forever" it takes to get it on the water. I have spent 2 years perfecting this and now can get from "Handbrake on" at arrival to motoring away in under 10 mins. Ditto if recovering from fresh water.

Now, In complete contradiction to all the "steer clear of shallow V" comments, a shallow V boat will be easier to launch (assuming the trailer ir set up properly) as it will float off a lot sooner (and therfore closer to the edge of the water) and so you may be able to simply reverse down the slip & push where a deep V would need detatched, long rope tied on etc etc.....


Also remember the voice of complaint is always a lot louder than the voice of praise , especially on t'net!

[martini]

Originally Posted by 9D280

what really makes her grumpy is the "forever" it takes to get it on the water.

I totally agree with this, how you go about getting in the water makes the difference between getting your day off to a good start or a bad start and usually dictates how the rest of the day goes!

Originally Posted by 9D280

a shallow V boat will be easier to launch (assuming the trailer ir set up properly) as it will float off a lot sooner

Theoretically correct but the difference would be negligible. A typical 4.5m boat may have a hull width of around 1.5m. An increase in deadrise of 5 degrees would only increase the draft by 3".

Originally Posted by 9D280

I have spent 2 years perfecting this and now can get from "Handbrake on" at arrival to motoring away in under 10 mins.

Same here with a 3500kg 8.5m which requires 6ft of water at the stern to get off the trailer. It's all about preparing/modifying your rig, having a plan and being well drilled in carrying it out.

In short I would completely disregard launch and recovery when choosing a hull design/manufacturer. To me it's all about how it performs on the water and where your preferences lie with regard to speed or seakeeping.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by martini

In short I would completely disregard launch and recovery when choosing a hull design/manufacturer.

Yep, so long as the trailer is set up well and you know how to use it any boat can be launched and recovered effectively. Craster Lifeboat springs to mind.

[NSS]

Many thanks for your replies and apologies for not responding sooner (the last week or so has been a bit hectic!). To pick up on a few of the comments and points raised.....

Ian @ C2 Ribs - it was in fact you that pointed me toward John Wood at Ribeye ref the Ribtec 455 in the first place, and I might just take you up on your kind offer to take a look at your 585 when things calm down here. As for the Ribeye 450 you mention, that looks like a good deal for a complete outfit but I'd end up stripping it out and refitting to suit my need. I figure I'm unlikely to find a second-hand RIB of the size I'm looking for as a bare boat, hence looking at new.

Doug/Powerboats - Thanks for the heads up and info re the Zar 43. Looks great and certainly appears to have far more space than 'conventional' RIBs. The internal layout is pretty close to what I'm looking for, but I fear it is out of my price range. However, as I'm only two miles up the road from your yard I may well pop in for a look (if you have one in stock) and a chat.

Steve (250kts) - Thanks for your perspective on things, and much appreciate the advice - particularly about trying as many different 'contenders' as I can before making a final choice. I'm beginning to think it would be sensible to shelve any thought of buying/fitting-out a new RIB this winter (I don't have a lot of spare time in the coming weeks) and to take my time to research/try those that might fit the bill in less haste.

Thanks all.

[Powerboats]

NSS

Please do call in to the yard. I currently have a 61 and 53 available for viewing here.

Would be pleased to have a chat and we can look at a "RIBnet" deal!

Dan

[Ian M]

At risk of kicking off a whole new discussion, do not under estimate the Solent chop, it can rattle your fillings out
It certainly was a factor in my hull selection. As stated, try as many different hulls as you can, and if possible, in the area that you will be using yours, you may just get a few loosened fillings yourself