Help me choose my first RIB

[Kentsib]

Hey all,

Hoping you can help. I spent last year on sibs and dinghies and having just completed my PB L2 I think I need something bigger for summer to use on the south coast.

A few options out there at the moment, all around 3-4.5k are:

- Ribtec 535 with 70hp 2Stroke Yamaha (recent new hypalon tubes)
- Avon SR4 with 50hp 4Stroke Yamaha
- Avon SR5.4 with 130hp 2Stroke old mariner (motors too big right?)
- Avon SR5.4 with 70hp 2Stroke Yamaha

All appear to have good tubes, are on trailers. The Ribtec is by far the cleanest but is 4.5k where as the Avon’s are all around 3k.

Should I be worried about 4 Stroke on the back of an SR? I’ve heard they are spec’d for 2Strokes due to weight, and should I be worried about buying something with an 80’s 2Stroke motor on it?

[Tim M]

All of those are good boats. Some photos would probably help give a better idea of condition etc.

The only one I'd instantly walk away from is the 5.4 with 130 on the back. They are only rated to 90hp so that engine is way over spec. Plus you say it's old; I'd try and get the newest kit your budget will allow for.

As for a 4-stroke on a Searider. It's kind of true they were originally designed for 2-strokes because 4-stroke outboards hadn't really been invented back in the 1970s when the Searider was first built. Of course as the years went on 4-strokes became the norm, and just about all of the last Seariders built by Avon had 4-strokes on the back - usually Yamaha. I have a late SR4 with Yam 50-4stroke on the back and love it. Very frugal on fuel, quiet and plenty of power. So I guess out of your list the Ribtec and the SR4 with the 4-stroke would probably be my short list but as I mention photos would really help; at the end of the day which one you like the look of most is probably one of the key factors.

[Kentsib]

Brilliant cheers Tim, that’s good to know. I guess I should try and find out what year the SR4 is in that case, I’ve seen that some people also reinforce the transom.

I’ll try and get some photos posted today too. The SR4 looks like it was originally a deluxe and then had a centre console setup added but I guess this isn’t an issue.

[Tim M]

Be very wary about any RIB that’s had modifications (including reinforcement) to the transom, especially Seariders. The one major issue to look out for is how solid the transom and decks are. Because there are so many old and often modified ones on the market there’s a lot out there with knackered transoms. Reinforcement is often a sign that it is a bit knackered and rather than a proper repair it’s simply had some bits of aluminium or stainless bolted on to keep it going, leaving the original knackered transom underneath. Of course some have been properly repaired or reinforced which is no issue at all.

Here’s mine:

[Kentsib]

Good pointer cheers mate.

Love it! I’m looking at 2 almost identical. One SR4 with a 50 4S yam and another with a 40. just worried that a 4m might feel a bit small, like the idea of taking it to IOW and possibly even a channel trip, guessing the 5.4 would be significantly better in the rough but then it bigger to tow etc! Pros and cons to both.

[Tim M]

This one perchance?

[Kentsib]

[Kentsib]

yeah thats one of them Tim! And these are the other 3. (Ruled the 130hp one out)

[beerbelly]

I know you don't get loads of rib for £3k - £4k but I don't like the look of any of them with the possible exception of the first one that Tim M posted

[Kentsib]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

I know you don't get loads of rib for £3k - £4k but I don't like the look of any of them with the possible exception of the first one that Tim M posted

Any reason why?

[Searider]

Originally Posted by Kentsib

yeah thats one of them Tim! And these are the other 3. (Ruled the 130hp one out)

Any photos of the Ribtec?

[Kentsib]

[Kentsib]

Really clean this one, top end of budget. Look like these are no where no as deep vee’d as the SR’s though.

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

I know you don't get loads of rib for £3k - £4k but I don't like the look of any of them with the possible exception of the first one that Tim M posted

Have to agree. All of the other ones look a bit past it and all have been butchered (some ropey looking repairs/mods on there).

The one I posted is the most recent; an early 2000s model if I recall. And indeed the most original. Was previously owned by a sailing club in the Solent, sold off at the end of last year. Has apparently been well serviced, but as you'd expect from a sailing club safety boat has lots of wear and tear. It looks like a good solid base for a project and with some work could be returned to as new condition. Plenty of stuff to keep you busy at weekends before the season gets going!

[Tim M]

PS. That Ribtec looks the tidiest of the bunch, the SR4 I posted included. What's it up at?

[Tim M]

Couple of other options which look reasonable:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avon-GRP-...4AAOSwp0ZeXBs9

Says engine doesn't run so who knows what can of worms that could represent, but the boat looks tidy and it's been for sale for months so he might take a cheeky offer just to get rid of it, leaving you enough budget to replace the engine (might be an easy fix).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rib-Boat-...cAAOSwondeZUY6

Looks tidy and original. Rubbing strake needs replacing but again depending on what it goes for might be within budget. You'd also need a trailer.

[phantom 19]

The material used on those blue Avon’s is not as good as the old grey material, which seemingly lasts forever.

However the Searider is really dated now, 5.4s are blighted by having an exposed top of the transom leading to premature rotting of the transom ply. The last 5.4 I bought I took the engine off and towed the rest straight down to the local tip for them to dispose of

Ribtec 535s are good boats. Nice Yamaha 60hp too. I would have one of those over a Yamaha F50 any day, the old F50 was not Yamahas greatest creation, carbs were problematic especially the very early ones which were an absolute nightmare to set up the cold start system correctly.

In fact I would take any 90s Yamaha two stroke over a newer Yamaha carburetted four stroke. Yamaha had pretty much perfected the two stroke by the mid 90s.

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by Kentsib

Any reason why?

as said they all look well abused out of what has been posted my money would be on either the ribtec or the ebay sr4 if it could be a grand cheaper as at a little over £2k by the time you have found and fitted a decent outboard it will be far too expensive

[Searider]

Originally Posted by Kentsib

Looks really tidy that.

Out of all of them that, for me, looks the best bet.

[Searider]

Originally Posted by Kentsib

Good pointer cheers mate.

Love it! I’m looking at 2 almost identical. One SR4 with a 50 4S yam and another with a 40. just worried that a 4m might feel a bit small, like the idea of taking it to IOW and possibly even a channel trip, guessing the 5.4 would be significantly better in the rough but then it bigger to tow etc! Pros and cons to both.

Is this just for you or for family / friends coming on a day out also?

A SR4 is great on your own and will be a lot of fun in the solent. I've had them with 30hp and 50hp. But its not great with any more than 2 persons if its anything but calm.

SR5.4 or the Ribtec youve posted would be great for 4 people and therefore much more sociable.

Think of the SR4 as a motorcross bike - go anywhere as fast asyou like on your own.
SR5.4 or Ribtec 535 more of a landrover defender.