Leaving sailing and need rib for family

[FreeTrader]

We currently sail a Sadler 29 from Jersey, and have 3 kids (8,6,1). Love sailing, but not working out with family. Never enough time to get to France.

I've been on lots of ribs, and sportsboats, and am absolutely convinced that a rib is right for Jersey (usually F4+ for most of the year!).

So, can I pick your brains about the right rib to go for. We've got a budget of £30k.

1. Should we go twin-engines - security of extra engine for cross-channel passages would be really appreciated.
2. Should we go for 8m+, given the conditions we can expect?
3. Should we go new or used?
4. What manufacturer would you recommend?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Phil

[roycruse]

Personally I recommend Ribcraft www.ribcraft.co.uk

I don't think you are going to get much of an 8m boat for 30k though - but I could be wrong...

[Pete7]

Personally I would send Charles (ct01) a pm and offer to take him out for lunch. The cost of the lunch would easily be recouped with straight forward advice and experience ribbing in the CI. Yes he lives in Jersey too.

Pete

[Richard B]

Hi Phil, welcome to Ribnet!

Hmmm, Sadler 29? Lovely yacht! You will be horrified to find that a quality RIB 8m+ will blow your budget - do you want to buy new?

Taking Charles out for lunch is a great idea, but he has expensive taste and will probably do his "throwing your wallet in the harbour" routine .

There are four reasons for bolting twin engines onto the transom of a RIB:
1. You intend to cruise, extensively, out of 'phone and VHF radio range or in dangerous water, on your own (ie no accompanying boat).
2. You can't get the horesepower from a single engine.
3. Your budget's unlimited.
4. You have free fuel, or live in the Channel Islands .

8m+ RIBs are great - every half metre gives you more comfort, and make those long passages more bearable. Your wife and young children will enjoy it rather than enduring it. And your one-year-old will only just be old enough by the summer to endure the impact of RIBing. You might find that you want to keep to yachting for a couple of years!

With a budget of £30k you've only one option - used. A new 8m+ with twin engines will set you back £60k+ from a quality manufacturer.

As Roy mentions, Ribcraft are a quality manufacturer with a good reputation. We happen to be very satisfied with our Scorpion, and I can honestly say that along with Tornado (and XS), and Osprey, these four makes set a benchmark that other manufacturers try to follow (unless you can stretch to a Pascoe!).

[Alan]

Good advice from Mr B. For GBP30k, no questions in my mind, second hand 7.5m Scorp (actually nearer 7.75m), single engine with aux.

[widey]

something like this?

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F83919/

[eupa]

1. Should we go twin-engines - security of extra engine for cross-channel passages would be really appreciated.
2. Should we go for 8m+, given the conditions we can expect?
3. Should we go new or used?
4. What manufacturer would you recommend?


based on my limited knowledge:

1. yes - 2* 200's or even 2*250 as cost delta minimum
2. yes - 8 to 9 meters is just about OK
3. Used
4. Don't know enough about manuafacturuers .

jonathan

[The Jackeens]

Agree with Pete 7 . Worth having a word with/emailing Charles (cto1 on here) and trying out a few RIBs before committing yourself.

Think about your needs : comfort may be a priority over speed? Would you prefer a cabin RIB? Also, fitting the family in might make you choose a bespoke boat rather than a 'one size fits all' model. Several manufacturers will build to your spec but some are more £££ than others.

Andre who posts on here has a great 7.5 Parker RIB and he is very helpful when it comes to try-outs.

There seems to be more help available at sea these days which makes heading to France a very pleasant & comfortable option. It's a brill run from Jersey on a nice day. Seastart have extended some cover to the North Brittany Coast so worth considering that as an alternative to your 'extra engine' thoughts. Mind you, fuel isn't such a constraint for you!

Above all, the best assurance we have had has been to get to know other ribsters. This has meant not only lots & lots of fantastic days out (& a few nights out too!!!!) but the excellent company of reliable and helpful friends at sea.

missus

[Mollers]

I think it's worth mentioning that it is possible to buy a really nice used 7.5/8m Rib for £30k that will be ideal for your intended use. Let's not frighten the guy back to rag and stick forever!

[tim griffin]

30k will get you a nice new 7.5 Solent Rib with oodles of extras and choice of layout .

At the end of the day though you will have to try as many as possible rather than take other peoples word .


Some people have good opinions of some craft while others hate them .

[craig_c]

Try giving redbay a call. They are in your price range. Should be able to get a Stormforce 7.4 with a roof easily for that sort of money. There extremely economical and sea keeping quality is superb. Will be honest that you wont be the fastest rib about but will be the best looking and go thru anything.

£60 of diesel gets you 300 miles. posted sum pics to give you an idea. ideal boat for converting the family as we did. We had a Delta before and my Mother wouldnt go on it unless it was a lifeboat situation but with the redbay every shop on the west coast of scotland has been visited!!!

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by tim griffin

30k will get you a nice new 7.5 Solent Rib with oodles of extras and choice of layout .

At the end of the day though you will have to try as many as possible rather than take other peoples word .


Some people have good opinions of some craft while others hate them .

Not heard of Solents being knocked on here.

[Scary Des]

Been through the same logistics process myself sailing takes too long for kids and they get bored, ribbing is quick but you are out in the elements all the time and the younger the child the less they like it.
So a rib with a cabin has to be the answer.
I didn’t quite manage to get one (not around in those days) so ended up with a sun cover for the hottest days and not going out with all the kids when it’s cold and wet.
My youngest is now 5 and she is happy most of the time provided it isn’t too wet. Des

[Searider]

Seating for 6

Shelter for the kids

Economy and reliability of diesel

Under £30K

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12056

Shows that youir requirements can be met within your budget if you go for used.

[Jimbob]

It depends on how old you will go as well, for example my scorpion is 5 years old and is worth about 17k now, i take 3 k off a year to write it off, so if you look around and dont want brand new then you should be able to do it. If you buy one try to get one off somebody on here. They all look after their boats

P.S ribs are great we always look forward to going out and are very stable. when i come bouncing on of Chicester, i leave the hard boat standing, not just speed but due to handling and whens its a nice day you cannot beat it,,,a bit like a motorcycle

[FreeTrader]

Dear all,

Thanks for your commitment and passion - definitely made my mind up (at least as far as buying a rib). Just need to sell this:

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=34650

Here's my thinking so far:

1. Twin engines would be nice to have, but persuaded by arguments that it's more trouble than it's worth. Seen a nice Ribtec 740 here with 2 x F115 Yam 4 strokes, but it's only making 38 knots. Am I right in thinking this is a weight issue? Also, was wondering what the handling would be like?

2. As far as I can see engine and hull shape are pretty important. I'm thinking at the moment Suzuki 250 4 stroke (+aux) + a deep V hull.

3. Pretty confused about which rib maker to go for. Given the summers we get here, would prefer open rib design (so Redbay not for us). So, it's down to second-hand Scorpion. What are your views on Ribtec, Prosport, and just seen pix of Parker and think it looks fantastic.

Thanks again for help - much appreciated. Call me for a curry and pint when you're next in Jersey.

All the best

Phil

[tonka]

how about 7.7 meter delta sx twin diesels 4 pod seats plus 2 in front of consol every off shore extra inc life raft self righting a frame etc etc far too much too list , built too last as most people know will be getting advertised in next day or two comes with trailer and other bits and bobs.only done 640 hours.iff interested you can get me at tonkawallace@hotmail.com id def go for deisel if you plan to do long distance happy hunting..

[Jimbob]

Scorpions are great, but i would say that, i would look at a few types and try a few, like cars people like different things.

We have a main engine and aux engine, but we have never had to use, but we do keep everything tip top. The thing with a second hand rib is that quite a bit of the value is in the engine, trailer and electronics. So be sure to check out the engine services, a really good person will have kept all the service info, with mine we get a computer readout, which can tell you alot about an engine e.g is the average temp rising with time. As i say people on here look after their boats so have a look in the ones for sale

Redbays, can be open as well ans are good boats

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by FreeTrader

1. Twin engines would be nice to have, but persuaded by arguments that it's more trouble than it's worth. Seen a nice Ribtec 740 here with 2 x F115 Yam 4 strokes, but it's only making 38 knots. Am I right in thinking this is a weight issue? Also, was wondering what the handling would be like?

2. As far as I can see engine and hull shape are pretty important. I'm thinking at the moment Suzuki 250 4 stroke (+aux) + a deep V hull.

3. Pretty confused about which rib maker to go for. Given the summers we get here, would prefer open rib design (so Redbay not for us). So, it's down to second-hand Scorpion. What are your views on Ribtec, Prosport, and just seen pix of Parker and think it looks fantastic.

Thanks again for help - much appreciated. Call me for a curry and pint when you're next in Jersey.

All the best

Phil

A lot depends on hard you want to drive - if you are just doing the family thing a Picton cobra is a great leisure boat - holds it's money and a great layout "med style".

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F75399/

Looks a good buy.

I would agree 1 engine and aux - Suzuki 250 is a great engine and quite light for a 4 stroke.

Have a look at Revenger - fantastic boats.

[craigdavis]

My dad did the same as what you are thinking he had a moody eclipse 33 and we sold that to buy a rib becuase we thoght we mite get more use out of it. He ended up buying a 29ft revnger with a inbord diesle engine. I dont think we ever used a boat so much in one summer.