New(ish) boat

[Windchill]

With about £25K to spend on a family RIB with jockeys for 6 to use on the Irish Sea, what would you go for?

New or recent s/h?

Two expensive mistakes already made, I don't want to repeat!

[Brian]

Could we hear about the expensive mistakes please?

One of the reasons for asking is that this might give us a clue as to what suits you and what doesn't.

[matiboy]

Originally posted by Windchill

Two expensive mistakes already made, I don't want to repeat!

Got married & had kids

Yep, made same mistake as well ! LOL

You looking new or secondhand ?

[Windchill]

Tee hee!!

Either really!

Always sailed, but wife hates it, so tried a launch -too slow, then a 14' powerboat - fun but not something I would like to put to sea in often! Then RIBs - first a Medline II clumsy, uncomfortable, no shelter for passengers, chine walk, but loads of storage etc - a great picnic platfom. Also "big" to handle. Then a Humber 5.5 Extreme, bought on the spur of the moment! A better sea boat, albeit wet, gerat driving position, but too small!! Now I want something that will sit on a mooring in the summer, but that can be relatively easily trailed/handled by two chaps for winter excursions.

I like choppy stuff- just as well around Anglesey I suppose, and speed, and jockey seats, and top munt l/h throttles...

Is that enough!

[Alan]

Do a search / look back on previous threads. Everyone has their own favourite - Charles, Julian, Brian and I will say buy a Scorpion for example and others will favour ribcraft, zodiac, avon etc. We'll be right of course.............

For the use you are talking about I would look for 6.5-7.5m boat, probably secondhand but making sure you get a new tech outboard motor - eg. Optimax, Ficht or HPDI 2 stroke or poss a 4 stroke. Avoid carb/ old efi 2 strokes like the plague.

£25k should buy a tidy Scorpion 7.5m for example which is a good size for cruising but still manageable for launch and recovery. For this size boat you do need a 4x4 for towing and launch/recovery.

They say that the search for a new boat is half the fun of it all so enjoy!

Alan

[Charles]

Good advice Alan. Windchill, take your time, don't rush into anything. Visit all the main builders, they have a vast array of brokerage ribs, aslo look on 'BOATS FOR SALE' right here on RIBnet.
Good Luck!

[Garygee]

Hi Windchill

As people say dont rush things.

Most people would welcome a chance for you to have a "go" in their boats, joining then for a day out etc.

Why not draw up a shortlist, find people with ones on your shortlist and drop them a PM to see if you could go out with them and see what you think.

Once my new RIB (due 22nd March ) arrives and gets sorted you would be welcome to join me for a day.
In fact I need to bring it up from south wales so will be going by anglesey around easter.

Regards Gary

[Alan]

...you could also join the RIB.NET gathering in Plymouth on 10/11 May!