Hi,
Imagine you are offered a used rib, oldish (10 years or so), but in very good nick. How much is too much when we start talking in terms of engine hours?
200 hours
400 hours
800 hour,
etc
Average annual useage for a pleasure boat is 100-150hrs per year. So 1000 - 1500 hrs not unreasonable for a 10 yr old rib. Many will do considerably less - 20 hrs a year is not unheard of. As with all things it comes down to condition and degree of love and care that has been lavished upon it. A well used rib with an engine that has been frequently servied is a better deal than a lightly used one that has not been maintained.
I think it is also true to say that lack of use is one of the biggest enemies of anything mechanical and I'm sure that's as true of boats as all other machines.
I have just got back in from helping somebody to get a rib ready that hasnt been used for about a year and the steering was completely siezed solid despite being greased when he last used it. Big hammer lots of WD40 and three people heaving on it (one on the wheel one on the engine and one hitting the rack with a hammer!) and it sort of moves. He hasn't tried starting the engine yet though.....
