I need to make a descision between

[Nauti Buoy]

I have the nice choice to make but do not know which way to go and would appreciate some fore's and againsts if poss. Both are 2004 models and set up as follows:

Bombard DB Explorer 7.3m, 200hp Honda 4 Stroke, 2 x Double Jockey Seats, plus 1 x Double Jocky Consule, usual basic instruments, Double Axle Roller Trailer, 200 Litre inboard fuel tank, plus T Top, Nav Lights, VHF Radio. £17000 Complete with various warranties.

or

For £4000 extra I could get an Avon 6.2m, Suzuki 140 4 Stroke, 2 Double Jockeys plus bench seat behind, double consule, usual basic instruments, nav lights, A-Frame, Single Axle Roller Trailer, Complete with various warranties. £21000

Looking at the 2 Ribs, the bombard has a lot more room on deck aprt from being nearly 1m longer but also a much wider beam. However is also going to be a lot heavier. What kind of fuel consumption would I get from the 200hp at cruising speeds?

I used to have an Avon 5.6 with a 90hp Suzuki 4 Stroke and that was quite economical even at cruising speeds.

Anyway I'm waffling on so I'll be watching this space.

[Jono]

I don't think our opinions matter a damn here, do they? Its what YOU WANT that matters....just get yer cheque book out and spend yer "hard earned" on what you desire!

[Nauti Buoy]

Originally Posted by Jono

I don't think our opinions matter a damn here, do they? Its what YOU WANT that matters....just get yer cheque book out and spend yer "hard earned" on what you desire!

Yep but that's just it, both have certain pro's & cons and was just hoping someone might have something relative to say either way to help sway the balance.

[MeMe]

.....with my comments I'd go for the £17k Bombard given the length and engine. However, the bench seat configuration on the Avon is a must for a family man who enjoys cruising and family outings (like me). That said, if you're a long distance man in all conditions the Bombard has to be the one. I think it looks a nicer bit of Kit as well. Plus that £4k can buy a lot of juice (car for towing and engine) so the weight/fuel consumption question should not really matter (unless you're financing). It will also pay for a great many weekends away, servicing etc etc......As you say, I'll be watching this space. Good luck.

p.s Try asking the kids and the dragon which they prefer, I find it always helps with the decission making process and makes them feel it's theirs and not just yours.

[Andre]

Well

you could always opt for my diesel Parker 630" Seahawk 2" @ 21K + VAT which includes a lot of extras and twin axle trailer . If you are into long distance cruising then the diesel>petrol price difference will make up for the higher initial expenditure.

by the way in case you ask > my reason for selling is that I am making space for new demo rib for 2005 and I am thinking of a 7.5 or 9 mtr

[John Kennett]

The extra length alone means that the Bombard is likely to be a much more capable and comfortable boat than the Avon. And it's less money. Sounds like a no brainer to me!

John

[Brian]

Cant see why on earth you would want to pay £4k more for a smaller boat with a smaller engine????????

[DM]

I rigged three brand new Bombards at the start of the season for a dealer and the exterior finish is pretty good. All I would say is get your head into places that you wouldn't normally and you may see things that surprise you. Or perhaps it's the fashion to have bare bits of wood showing in the lay up.

DM

[Nauti Buoy]

One of the Ribs in question, Bombard 7.3m, it will also have 2 double jockeys offset side by side behind the double jockey consule, also these will be colour coded black & yellow as will also the double jockey you see in the picture so it does not look so commercial.

[Daniel TD5]

i don,t know that much but i would get the kids and the wife and have a test of both boats at sea to see which one you like and make it at least a full hour

dan

[Hightower]

I like the diving platform over the console!!!!

[codprawn]

Is the Avon new and the bombard s/h???

If so you get that same old problem that makes so many car buyers stop and think! Do I get a brand new Astra or a s/h TVR for example - or a new RX8 or a used Louts Esprit V8?

Personally I have no probs buying s/h - let the other mug pay for depreciation!

A classic example is a used Audi s8 - fantastic car - 50k new - 2 years old about 20k - less than half price!

[Nauti Buoy]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Is the Avon new and the bombard s/h???

If so you get that same old problem that makes so many car buyers stop and think! Do I get a brand new Astra or a s/h TVR for example - or a new RX8 or a used Louts Esprit V8?

Personally I have no probs buying s/h - let the other mug pay for depreciation!

A classic example is a used Audi s8 - fantastic car - 50k new - 2 years old about 20k - less than half price!

They are both used, in the case of the Bombard it was used in the making of the New Indiana Jones movie SAHARA and has done 20hrs and the Avon has done 14 hrs.

Glad you like the "Diving Board" Hightower!!

[EdwardH]

Nauti, I think this is something of a no brainer. There aren't 'that' many ribs around at 15K fully finished and 20 hours is not very much at all.

BUT at 20K, there is quite a selection - so if you were buying at 20K, i would look further afield if i were you...

with 4k, i would wager that you could have whatever configuratioin you wished for put into the rib, however I have a bench seat at the back of my gemini and if you have anyone sat on it, it REALLY slows you down in anything choppy at all.

My next rib will have jockeys only and if I do need a more leisurely seating area when moored/bobbing then I will have a fold down bench/platform fabricated.

Go for the bomb...

[LURCHER]

Just a bit of info re the BOMBARD , I know a Naval Lt who drove some of these boats for the filmakers and he told me that they had had a very hard life ! I suspect that there was very little love given to them , have look at the hull on the one nearest the road big lumps missing and the engine casing in cracked on one of them. Sorry to be a downer but a second set of eyes is sometimes a good thing when you are in love with something !

[Nauti Buoy]

Originally Posted by LURCHER

Just a bit of info re the BOMBARD , I know a Naval Lt who drove some of these boats for the filmakers and he told me that they had had a very hard life ! I suspect that there was very little love given to them , have look at the hull on the one nearest the road big lumps missing and the engine casing in cracked on one of them. Sorry to be a downer but a second set of eyes is sometimes a good thing when you are in love with something !

Thanks for the info, the one I picked out was from the pick of the bunch, you are correct one of them did have a cracked case which has now been replaced, anyway I have now decided against the Bombard, and the Avon 6.2m and considerring the Parker Rib, Andre has for sale, however got to sell the Avon 3.6 I have first, so working on this one.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by LURCHER

Sorry to be a downer but a second set of eyes is sometimes a good thing when you are in love with something !

So where were you when I got married!

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

So where were you when I got married!

***DEAD MAN WALKING! DEAD MAN COMING THROUGH!***

[The Jackeens]

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

considerring the Parker Rib, Andre has for sale

Very nice boat. Looked great on the Solent last weekend.

Us

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

Very nice boat. Looked great on the Solent last weekend

Agreed, saw it at Littlehampton and spent a long time talking with Andre. Think we are going to see a lot more of these especially with that engine only using 2-3 gals per hour at 30p a litre

Pete