New to RIBs

cliveg · 25 August 2002, 20:09

I am looking to buy a RIB for the first time and have no experience at all.

I am considering buying a Ribeye Wavecross 4.5m with Yamaha 40 4 stroke outboard.

Having had a demo I was very impressed and having researched the web Ribeye appear to have a good reputation.

It would be nice to hear from anyone with a Ribeye as to their views.

As a first boat I will be using it in estuaries and creeks of Cornwall until I am confident enough to go in more open water.

I would appeciate any comments asap as I am looking to buy shortly.

Cheers

Alan · 25 August 2002, 22:37

Might be also worth considering the Ribcraft 4.8m. Lots of owners on this board can tell you more but very seaworthy and capable boat - 3 went round Britain last year.

Cheers,
Alan

DM · 25 August 2002, 23:00

yamaha 4 strokes are brilliant engines, quiet, economical, good to look at, easy to start, fume free, reliable and strictly for pensioners. stick a 60hp 2 stroke on it and have some fun.

John Kennett · 26 August 2002, 09:33

Quote:

yamaha 4 strokes are brilliant engines, quiet, economical, good to look at, easy to start, fume free, reliable

Correct

Quote:

and strictly for pensioners.

In your opinion possibly, but I'm sure that many would disagree strongly.

Quote:

stick a 60hp 2 stroke on it and have some fun.

Or possibly scare yourself badly enough to give up boating altogether.

For a first time RIB, for use exploring estuaries and creeks (and what better place than Cornwall?) a 4.5m boat with a 40hp 4-stroke would make a very good combination. It will be economical but still plenty fast enough for some fun.

However, if you find that you like ribbing, don't expect to keep this boat for much more than a season -- you will suddenly find that a bigger boat is calling you

John

Keith Hart · 26 August 2002, 10:31

Now, now, John

You know how much fun I have with my little one!

Keith (when you have it come up to Scotland for some real exploring) Hart

John Kennett · 26 August 2002, 11:42

OK, so perhaps I should have said "you may suddenly find that a bigger boat is calling you".

Most people do seem to suffer from this affliction! Keith, you're obviously a bit special

John

Alan Priddy · 26 August 2002, 15:23

If it helps in any way, I am looking forward to buying a 4.5 rib with a 50 hp 4stroke so I can get back to enjoying boating!

ps I am going to call my new boat " Bin there and done it"

cliveg · 26 August 2002, 20:08

Thanks to all who have taken time to make comments - all very helpful.

I guess I need to take the plunge and as one of you said accept I may end up buying a bigger boat after one season.On that point what is the depreciation on RIBs as it seems expensive if having to change after one season.

Cheers

thewavehumper · 26 August 2002, 20:36

As you are relatively close to the end of the season, why don't you rent sorry charter on for this season. Find a schooll to teach you powerboat 2 and they may well be able to offer you something.

Make sure it's insured though.............Keith be quiet!

regards
Stuart

cliveg · 26 August 2002, 20:46

Quote:

Originally posted by THEWAVEHUMPER
As you are relatively close to the end of the season, why don't you rent sorry charter on for this season. Find a schooll to teach you powerboat 2 and they may well be able to offer you something.

Good point although I thought I may get a better deal buying now as I am looking at new boat and felt the outlet would want to sell rather than be left with 2002 stock.

matiboy · 26 August 2002, 20:50

if your gonna spend a lot of time slowly trolling up a river / estruary then the 4 stroke will be superb, you might be able to actually talk to someone as you are cruising down some gorgeous river & you wont get fumigated.

The times I've gone down the hamble & the breeze is blowing two stroke fumes everywhere i wish I had a four stroke

DONT UNDERESTIMATE THIS POINT, THE FUMES FROM A TWO STROKE CAN SERIOUSLY HACK YOU OFF !!

Alan · 26 August 2002, 20:58

Yeah but sometimes I miss the big cloud of blue smoke on start up with my HPDI

<Sigh> "I love the smell of 2 stroke in the morning"!

JCW · 26 August 2002, 21:10

cliveg,
I can certainly recommend you go for a Four stoke engine in that size range. Also, I would go for an EFI model as they add further to the economy and smoothness of the engine. I previously had a carburetted 4 stroke which was good, however with the EFI you get first time starts every time, better winter starts, more consistent tick over and I get about 20% more MPG than the carb version.

pjm · 27 August 2002, 13:35

I brought a Ribeye Wavecross 4.5M with 40 HP Yam 4 stroke earlier this year. It's my first RIB and I am vey pleased with it. The engine is great, powerful enough for serious fun and economical. The boat trailer is also good. Very easy to launch and recover the RIB using the winch and rollers.

I think the RIB handles well and appears to be correctly matched to the engines weight and power, but as this is my first RIB I am no expert. The engine is very responsive and gets the RIB on the plane very quickly. I reason I chose the Ribeye was that the other RIBs the tried (Lowmax and Avon I think) would ride with the bow very high at low speed. So high in fact that I had to stand in the Lowmax to see where I was going. The ribeye is better balanced at low speed.

I have recently completed the RYA level 2 boat handling course with Aquapower (Yarmouth) and found it most enjoyable and extremely usefull.

cliveg · 27 August 2002, 20:45

PJM,

Its reassuring to here from someone with a boat of the same spec as I am currently considering.

It is interesting that you chose this as your first craft.

I am looking at paying about £10,500 for 4.5m Ribeye Wavercoss with Yamaha 40 hp and roller trailer. Does this sound expensive? I
appreciate you can buy cheaper but is the Ribeye worth the extra cost?
All views welcome as I am new to all this but am really looking forward to getting out on a RIB,soon!

Cheers

Clive

thewavehumper · 27 August 2002, 21:35

I think that's quite dear to be honest but then I am Welsh!

I also don't reckon much on the way that Ribeye's are made, the Marina I keep my boats in is also where the Ribtec factory is so I get to see quite a few of them. Ribtec Quality is still high though.

The Tubes seem thin to me, and they get very grubby very quickly,
and I don't think much of the Construction. I think you might get more for your money if you looked at Humber, Avon or Ribcraft.

Bearing in mind you are looking to sell your boat in a year or so time you may find it won't be in showroom condition. Come down to our marina and I'll show you what I mean

If you still are set on a Ribeye then the Guy that owns the marina has just setup a Ribeye/Yamaha dealership and he may well beat the price you have found. Send me a PM and I'll give you his details

What do you think Guys is the sound coming from my air intake or as usual from my exhaust

Keith Hart · 28 August 2002, 07:04

Quote:

also don't reckon much on the way that Ribeye's are made

I'm with you there. When I looked at a brand new one (just curiosity, not to buy a rib) in Caley Marina, I was surprised how shoddy the construction looked, especially compared to the Yamahas they had there.

But, what the heck do I know?

Keith (in full agreement at last) Hart

thewavehumper · 28 August 2002, 11:32

Thanks

Hath Hell finally frozen over!

Charles · 28 August 2002, 11:34

[When I looked at a brand new one (just curiosity, not to buy a rib) ]

Own up Keith....is this the sharp end of the wedge?!

pjm · 28 August 2002, 11:54

I think £10500 is probably the list price and you can do better by haggling. I brought the demo boat at Ribex 2002 and consider I got a good price. It's up to you to haggle and also the layout affects the price.

Another reason I chose the Ribeye is its looks. I diid not want a commercial looking dive boat, even if they are tougher and maybe more seaworthy. I brought the boat for pleasure, crusing up to the pub, going for beach BBQs etc. I have 2 young children and do not expect to push the boat anywhere near it's limits.