Hello & advice please....

[BrianL]

Hi All, I have just registered on this forum- some very interesting info available. I currently own a Fairline Carrera 24' cruiser with twin diesels. For various reasons (mainly cost related) I am looking to sell her and buy a smallish rib. I have been looking at mainly the Ribcraft & Humber ranges. I am looking for soemthing between 4.8-5.5m and want something very tough & that is capable of 35+ knots. I am not so concerned about looks. Can anyone offer me any advice- I know what I like the look of, but ribs are not my specialist subject.

Many thanks in advance

Brian

[DJL]

Are you buying new or used?

I'd highly recommend Ribcraft. They are tough, seaworthy boats, and if buying new can be customised pretty much in any respect.

I own a Ribcraft 5.85 and have regularly used 4.8, 6.8 and 7.8's at work.

If you want 35+knots then you will need to be looking at your max length of 5.5m. A 4.8m will just about reach 35 in favourable weather.

My 5.85 with Yam F150 will reach 45knots, and quite happily cruises at 30-35 knots.

[Rogue Wave]

Define tough?

[BrianL]

Tough, meaning very good seakeeping, and not too fussed on flashy seating etc. Basic & easy to look after. I own a Landrover Defender- so that gives you a clue!...

[tinker]

My 4.8 Ribcraft does 34 knots with a 60 hp 2 stroke, reckon a 75hp 2 stroke would prob get close to 38 knots. The seating on mine has two jockey seats which means it can only seat 2 adults in safety in any type of conditions other than calm. (sitting on the tubes is not really viable, at least in my household )

[badbaws]

Avon Searider 5.4m, 90hp Outboard (preferably a Yamaha).
Find a decent hull, change the console for something like an outhill console, so not sat so low down.
Should reach just under 40 knots with a 90hp and a decent prop.
Excellent seaboats, can be wetboats if driven hard in the rough stuff, but boat will beat your tolerance levels and always survives!Price from approx £2000 up

[codprawn]

You say cost related - well to be honest if it's just fuel you may find that your twin diesels will be cheaper to run than a big outboard. That's assuming your are sensible in the way you purchase your red diesel..............

A modern outboard of around 100hp will be cheaper to run but if you hit the 150hp mark then no.

Of course on mooring fees - upkeep and other things the RIB will win hands down.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by badbaws

Avon Searider 5.4m, 90hp Outboard (preferably a Yamaha).
Find a decent hull, change the console for something like an outhill console, so not sat so low down.
Should reach just under 40 knots with a 90hp and a decent prop.
Excellent seaboats, can be wetboats if driven hard in the rough stuff, but boat will beat your tolerance levels and always survives!Price from approx £2000 up

If you buy right you can use the boat for a couple of years and get back what you paid for it. They also come with a considerable amount of overcladding on the toobs. If you want something prettier and less tough then I'd get a ribcraft which are good boats, but a bit overated in my experience. Either boat beats a humber into a cocked hat.

beware a 150 on a 5.5 mtr boat will not be good most boats go well with the max permitted horsepower as laid down by the manufacturers exceeding this may cause insurance problems come claim time

[Rodan]

People tend to recommend what they already own and much is down to personal taste. Personally you cannot go wrong with a good old Avon Searider 5.4 - its a classic. Good value, great fun, solid, seaworthy. spent endless hours driving them about a long time ago and a recent trip in one reminded me how good they are!

[Nos4r2]

I'm going to sound like a one-marque parrot but:-
You want Matt H's 5.4 Searider. Really-if seating for 6 isn't essential, buy it. You won't get a more bombproof,easy to maintain rib for the money.
It's here:-
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30388

Originally Posted by Rodan

People tend to recommend what they already own and much is down to personal taste. Personally you cannot go wrong with a good old Avon Searider 5.4 - its a classic. Good value, great fun, solid, seaworthy. spent endless hours driving them about a long time ago and a recent trip in one reminded me how good they are!

LMAO!!!

You're right, and I've just done it.

I've done a good couple of hundred miles in a Ribcraft 585 and they are a fantastic boat-but for smiles per mile per £, the Searider wins hands down.

The 585 is an excellent boat, but it'll cost a lot more money for a good one. It'll beat a Searider in a following sea, but in a head sea there really isn't anything in it. The Searider is a harder ride though but feels more 'planted'.

[Rogue Wave]

The only one i Know that's better is mine and it ain\t for sale, it's hanging around in Conway at the moment so if thats close to you and you want a spin I'll arrange something