Little love for RIBs in U.S.?

[vancouvertechie]

Congrats on the sale!

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by WXing

Just sold my house, so a RIB is in my future. Zodiac vs. Ribcraft, hmmm...

What size you looking at?
Big R.C Fan myself

[WXing]

Originally Posted by Maximus

What size you looking at?
Big R.C Fan myself

Under 6.5 meters.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by WXing

Under 6.5 meters.

The6.8 then[emoji6]

[Bigtalljv]

In the USA the ex-military zodiacs are pretty prevalent and sometimes more reasonably priced than the brand name commercial.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

The6.8 then[emoji6]

X2

[kerfoo]

Wxing - there seem to be alot of commercial Zodiac Hurricane 733's around right now in British Columbia. If you're going for an ex-commercial boat, these are amazing. They won't give you a lot of weight savings but they're really tough.

You probably already know that Zodiac Hurricane (Vancouver) is the commercial company who builds the military coast guard ribs and Zodiac normal is the recreational company (South Carolina maybe). They're not related and build boats differently for different things

Going back to your first post, when gas is cheap you don't build boats for weight and efficiency. I think thats why we don't see that many recreational Rib's around the US and Canada. I love how far I can get on a tank of gas and there hasn't been a destination where I'm sweating my fuel costs yet. My recreational RIB is significantly lighter than a glass equivalent and can carry way more people and gear if I want. Haven't set it up for fishing so far. We just strapped a truck tent to the roof and spent the summer on a water safari.

[WXing]

Originally Posted by kerfoo

Wxing - there seem to be alot of commercial Zodiac Hurricane 733's around right now in British Columbia. If you're going for an ex-commercial boat, these are amazing. They won't give you a lot of weight savings but they're really tough.

You probably already know that Zodiac Hurricane (Vancouver) is the commercial company who builds the military coast guard ribs and Zodiac normal is the recreational company (South Carolina maybe). They're not related and build boats differently for different things

Going back to your first post, when gas is cheap you don't build boats for weight and efficiency. I think thats why we don't see that many recreational Rib's around the US and Canada. I love how far I can get on a tank of gas and there hasn't been a destination where I'm sweating my fuel costs yet. My recreational RIB is significantly lighter than a glass equivalent and can carry way more people and gear if I want. Haven't set it up for fishing so far. We just strapped a truck tent to the roof and spent the summer on a water safari.

Your trip sounds great.

I'm looking at Zodiac (yes, made in South Carolina) or Ribcraft (made in Massachusetts this side of the Pond). Ribcraft seems to be more solid, but you pay for it.

[Dankoozy]

In the States you are nobody unless your boat burns petrol faster than the pump can pump it in order to get to your fishing spot. If you can´´t hang 3 or 4 v8 outboards off it nobody will buy, that rules out most ribs manufactured in this part of the world. Maybe someday some crowd will make such a rib with a transom strong and wide enough and things could change.



Then they have all their plush pontoon boats for wild debaucherous parties on lakes with copious amounts of Jack Daniels and bikini clad girls, a few auld spliffeens and Kid Rock playing full blast. Not a bad auld life. I can see how pummeling through the waves in sh1t weather on a rib can be a hard sale if you´re used to that lifestyle.

[brveagle]

Originally Posted by Dankoozy

Then they have all their plush pontoon boats for wild debaucherous parties on lakes with copious amounts of Jack Daniels and bikini clad girls, a few auld spliffeens and Kid Rock playing full blast. Not a bad auld life. I can see how pummeling through the waves in sh1t weather on a rib can be a hard sale if you´re used to that lifestyle.

Impressive narrative. It's almost like you've been to all the major lakes in the midwest United States.


It's funny. When i roll into "party cove" with my zodiac hurricane 540, i get looks as if i am water patrol and get asked if i am a cop.

[Bigtalljv]

Doh, so it’s my rib that’s scaring away all the biking clad girls?? They are why I got into boating but its been a total bust.

Anybody want to buy a 7m?? Maybe trade for a deck boat?

Jason

[Frar]

Midsummer ribbing in Scotland. There may be a bikini under there somewhere....