Grand GL480 reviews? Comparison to Brig and others

[Rjefferis]

Hi all, considering moving up to a proper RIB from our SIB we use for beach hopping in Salcombe.

Summary of requirements are:
Easily towable with our Freelander to and from Salcombe each year.
Looks good (most important thing to the wife)
Will carry a family of 4 (2 being small kids)
Will allow us to venture outside the estuary, eg round to Thurlstone and things.

A Brig of some kind would seem like a safe bet but hasn't really been many around my budget.

There is a 2013 Grand GL480 currently for sale with a 60HP Evinrude on the back which seems plausible.

Anyone got any advice for or against the Grand vs Brig or anything else.

Ideally i want to keep the budget down close to 10k if possible hence limited choices for something big enough that looks classy.

Thanks all

Rob

[SHALDON PETE]

Ideally wait until September then look hard

[SLJ]

Let me say right away.that I am the owner of a BRIG Falcon 500.

Grand have come on a great deal in the past 12 months, with some nice looking RIBs.

However I still believe that Brig range is of a higher quality of build and performance., beyond the actual RIB, Other considerations should be about ore and post sales, service and support. All of which I have found BRIG to be first class.

Towing is no problem. We took our Falcon 500 to the South of France.

In addition, there is an active social side to owning a Brig, especially in Salcombe (owners day out, What’sApp group, etc). If you would like photos please contact me.

Our Brig has a Suzuki 60hp. We regularly go from Salcombe to Noss Mayo, Plymouth, Dartmouth and Beyond.

If you need more info, from an owners perspective please contact me.

[fastasfox]

I was down in Cornwall this summer and there were quite a few Grand Ribs in various sizes and a few Briggs too and I have to say the Grands looked to be a quality bit of kit.

[Rjefferis]

Thank all for the comments, the Grand one I was considering sold before I could sort myself out unfortunately. Seemed like an ok deal as well but nevermind.

SLH - Falcon 500 would be about right for us I think, the Brig's just seem to command that little bit more £. Hopefully something will pop up in budget.

Am keeping my eyes peeled so fingers crossed.

[Searider]

Brig and Grand are very similar boats and both would suit your needs well.

The Owners of Brig and Grand are brothers and their factories are within a few miles of each other, hence being very similar products.

I'd recommend popping along to the boat show and speaking with the dealers for each - many will be having part exchanges coming in as a result of new boat deals at the show.
A good friend of mine runs Marine Matters - a Grand dealer based on the Solent offer particularly good aftersales service. They will be on the Grand stand. Ask for Henry.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Rjefferis

Easily towable with our Freelander to and from Salcombe each year.

a freelander should be able to tow almost any boat that's likely to be in your budget and taste; if you have a post 1997 license make sure you understand the rules - and think about what might replace the freelander in the future

Looks good (most important thing to the wife)

is that really her no1 criteria? almost everyone would put safety first. I'm not saying the boats you are looking at are unsafe, but if you need to "sell" a different boat to her, you can use the "safer" angle...

Will carry a family of 4 (2 being small kids)

Do the boats you are looking at have seating for 4? ignore any seats in front of the console - see the safety comment! You will find the 2 small kids quickly become big kids, and annoying teenagers, and take up a lot of space in your boat (and may want towed in inflatables etc)...

Will allow us to venture outside the estuary, eg round to Thurlstone and things.

ANY RIB should enable that assuming the helmsman is competent and is aware of the conditions etc. The difference is whether you will only ever get the chance to go out on nice days (they days everyone swarms to a beach and eats icecream) or whether you will be using it regardless of the weather.

If its the former I'd question whether a rib is actually the best way to get max boat for your money!

Ideally, i want to keep the budget down close to 10k if possible hence limited choices for something big enough that looks classy.

I guess what looks classy is all relative. I'd not be confident about finding something that's actually suitable for a growing family of 4, and delivers the appearance that the market seems to be trending towards and getting it in your budget in the current climate unless something expensive is needing done to it or will do soon.