Narrow Dive rib

[Pablo]

Hi,
i'm looking for a dive rib that isn't much wider than 2 meters. More than 2m and i'd have to deflate it to put it in the garage. The boats I have in mind are :
- Avon Searider 5.4,
- Humber Ocean Pro 5 or 5.3,
- Solent 460 or 540 or
- Ribeye Open Tender 450

The ideal boat would have tubes in good condition (essential), a recent motor, a trailer that meets EU standards and a two man jockey seat. I don't know if i've got enough money for the ideal boat so if you have any other suggestions i'm all ears.

Thanks

[walruz]

Hi Pablo.

To give you a guideline I picked up an older '96 hull SR almost 2 years ago with trailer and and old (piece of sh1t) evinrude 60 on for less than £5000.(already replaced the engine )

Look around and there are bargains to be had. HOWEVER, you will probably get much better prices if you wait till Oct/Nov. Now is prime price season.

Ian

[ian parkes]

My 4.9 Valiant is 2m wide . It seems quite roomy for its size and will take up to 80 hp which could be an advantage for carrying heavy diving kit . I have had 6 people aboard a few times and it still gets up and on the plane easily and handles ok . One advantage i find when swimming is that the tubes sit in the water well when its stopped making it easy to climb back on board without a ladder
Dunno if its much different to any of the other similar sized makes but they are pretty good value .

No use to you In France I guess but i have just put it up for sale .

[Pablo]

Thanks, I think that if I was to buy a Valiant i'd buy it in France as there are quite alot about. I'm surprised by the narrow beam. I didn't know Valiants were so narrow. Ther're almost no uk built ribs here however. I go spearfishing which is freediving so I don't have tons of equipment with me. I do however need a boat that can handle rough conditions.

I agree with you Walruz, the prices are a bit high at the moment. I'm being patient until the right boat comes along at the right price. I'd imagine that even though the summer has been rotten the boats are all in the water at the moment because of the floods ?

[ian parkes]

2.0 m is about the norm it seems for Ribs just under 5m
Ribcraft 4.8 is quoted at 2.1m beam .

I understand the valiants are much more popular in France and Spain , probably because they are made over that side . They are certainly good value for money here and probably even better over there , and quality seems to be OK mine is 2001 and no issues at all with quality of build .

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

2.0 m is about the norm it seems for Ribs just under 5m
Ribcraft 4.8 is quoted at 2.1m beam .

I understand the valiants are much more popular in France and Spain , probably because they are made over that side . They are certainly good value for money here and probably even better over there , and quality seems to be OK mine is 2001 and no issues at all with quality of build .

Thats just it, most of them are over 2m wide. I know the Searider 5.4 is a little over but for that sort of craft i'd make the effort of deflating and strapping it up to get it in the garage.

Valiant are the biggest rib manufacturer in europe I think. There is lodestar that also belong to the brunswick group that do very cheap ribs now but I would like a rib that will last. Valiants can be very well built boats but they can also be very badly built boats. All depends on the batch apparently. I'm not talking with first hand experience though. Apparently you've got one of the good ones. What are you getting to replace it ?

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Thats just it, most of them are over 2m wide. I know the Searider 5.4 is a little over but for that sort of craft i'd make the effort of deflating and strapping it up to get it in the garage.

Valiant are the biggest rib manufacturer in europe I think. There is lodestar that also belong to the brunswick group that do very cheap ribs now but I would like a rib that will last. Valiants can be very well built boats but they can also be very badly built boats. All depends on the batch apparently. I'm not talking with first hand experience though. Apparently you've got one of the good ones. What are you getting to replace it ?

Nos 4 has a 5.4 searider , had mine moored next to it the other day , and it seemd quite a bit bigger all round ,bigger tubes , and very very solid build .

The A frame will be the main problem garaging it . Mine has an A frame that removes from brackets easily , but the downside is it isn't strong enough to tow from .

I really dunno what Iam replacing it with . Iam very tempted to get a big 3 seater jetski at present . Space is at a premium for me for storage and the rib I would like I couldn't afford to run let alone buy unless I made it my only toy

[Pablo]

Here's a three man jetski http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/JBT303

[9D280]

Pablo,

I am also looking for a garage fitting rib to replace my SR4. I've trawled the Rib makers' websites, and filtered it for fit. I have restricted length to 5m due to the length of my garage and the tow gear on the trailer/ engine sticking out the back, so here's the list I've generated so far if it helps: (it's tab separated, so copy - paste it into Excel to line everything up properly)

Make Model Length Beam
Humber Assault 5.0 5 2
Humber Ocean Pro 5.0 5 1.92
Avon SR4.7M 4.7 2.03
Humber Assault 4.7 4.7 2
Humber Assault 4.5 4.5 2
Avon Adventure 450 4.5 1.92
Humber Assault 4.3 4.3 2
Avon Adventure 400 4.05 1.92
Avon SR4M 4.05 1.8
Humber Assault 4.0 4 2
Humber Delta ` 5 2

- If anytone has a bare / underpowered hull (one of the above) available, I'm in the queue behind Pablo!

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by 9D280

Pablo,

I am also looking for a garage fitting rib to replace my SR4. I've trawled the Rib makers' websites, and filtered it for fit. I have restricted length to 5m due to the length of my garage and the tow gear on the trailer/ engine sticking out the back, so here's the list I've generated so far if it helps: (it's tab separated, so copy - paste it into Excel to line everything up properly)

Make Model Length Beam
Humber Assault 5.0 5 2
Humber Ocean Pro 5.0 5 1.92
Avon SR4.7M 4.7 2.03
Humber Assault 4.7 4.7 2
Humber Assault 4.5 4.5 2
Avon Adventure 450 4.5 1.92
Humber Assault 4.3 4.3 2
Avon Adventure 400 4.05 1.92
Avon SR4M 4.05 1.8
Humber Assault 4.0 4 2
Humber Delta ` 5 2

- If anytone has a bare / underpowered hull (one of the above) available, I'm in the queue behind Pablo!

You can add these to your list :
Solent 460 4.6 1.9
Ribeye Open Tender 450 4.5 1.85

I've almost completly eliminated the Assault and Zodiac Avons from my list unless the price is really interesting.

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Here's a three man jetski http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/JBT303

Yes all it needs is another 100 hp

i didn't know you coul;d get such a small "proper rib" that looks like a great package for the price , better than a sib IMO

[Cookee]

We are offering our 6 metre with a 2.1m beam, it also comes in a 5 or 5.5m size as well! Seating arrangements are fully customisable!

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Cookee

We are offering our 6 metre with a 2.1m beam, it also comes in a 5 or 5.5m size as well! Seating arrangements are fully customisable!

Why can't I find any thing about them on your website ?

I'd use the boat for spearfishing so I don't need a race boat.

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Why can't I find any thing about them on your website ?

I'd use the boat for spearfishing so I don't need a race boat.

Sorry Pablo - it's a new model which will be released at the boat show in Southampton - we also have a Diesel waterjet or outdrive version although they have less room due to them being inboards. Email me for more information sales@bananasharkracing.com

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Cookee

Email me for more information sales@bananasharkracing.com

Done

[Aging Youth]

Hi Pablo,

I have replied to your pm. sorry for the delay only just read your thread.

regards

Kevin