New to this

[akis]

Hi Guys,

As the title says I am new to this and am looking at purchasing my first rib.

I am looking for something that can seat the the whole family plus some friends comfortably - i.e. 8-10 max 12 people.

I've seen many different manufactures out there but have no idea which are good and which to avoid. I am looking for a used rib and trying to keep costs reasonable. Long term I will be keeping it in Greece as that is where I am from originally - so it will be used in the sea mainly in the summer months.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Akis

[Xk59D]

hi Akis, welcome

if you want to take 8 people out fairly regular then you will be looking at 7m plus probably.

what sort of seating, console, engine etc are you thinking about ideally?

lastly, budget will largely dictate what we can recommend to you so....do you have a number in mind?

there are quite a few good makers in the UK so you are in the right place to find a good make rib, how good/big depends on the ££££

[akis]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

hi Akis, welcome

if you want to take 8 people out fairly regular then you will be looking at 7m plus probably.

what sort of seating, console, engine etc are you thinking about ideally?

lastly, budget will largely dictate what we can recommend to you so....do you have a number in mind?

there are quite a few good makers in the UK so you are in the right place to find a good make rib, how good/big depends on the ££££

Thanks for the reply.

From what i've seen so far the most practical use of space for seating seems to be a rear bench (3-4 seats) 4 jockey seats, console seat and sunpad.

I havent seen anything else that has a better suitable seat configuration - unless you can suggest something.

Engine wise what would the minimum size engine be required in your opinion.

[Xk59D]

it all comes down to the budget buddy, do you have one in mind?

what size boat are you looking at ideally?

for 8 people regular you will be at or around 7m and probably 150hp upwards depending on the hull. that means you will likely need a big car to move it, probably getting near 4x4 territory. then you may have licence restrictions for towing that amount depending on when you passed your test.

if 8 people is not the normal then you could make do with a smaller boat and avoid some of the above probably.

if you can answer those then suggestions can start to flow or compromises suggested.

[akis]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

it all comes down to the budget buddy, do you have one in mind?

what size boat are you looking at ideally?

for 8 people regular you will be at or around 7m and probably 150hp upwards depending on the hull. that means you will likely need a big car to move it, probably getting near 4x4 territory. then you may have licence restrictions for towing that amount depending on when you passed your test.

if you can answer those then suggestions can start to flow or compromises suggested.

Looking around £20k plus or minus don't know how realistic that is. Towing not so much an issue as once is in Greece will most likely stay in the water.

I was looking for something 6metres an upwards no bigger than 10 ideally.

[Xk59D]

20k should get you into a reasonable 7.5m, 6m isn't ideal for 8 people regular and 10m isn't going to happen with 20k unless it is a basket case.

if you only intend to take 8 out occasionally then a 6.5m would probably do and opens up a lot more choice.

a ribcraft 7.8 (or similar) would be your perfect boat but they don't come about often and you will need to push the budget probably if one does.

the best thing to do is have a look around for something you like and post looking for advice on it.

a quick look found this- Used Ballistic 7.8 RIB with Evinrude ETEC 250 V6 Engine and trailer. - £21,995.00

[akis]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

20k should get you into a reasonable 7.5m, 6m isn't big enough for 8 people regular and 10m isn't going to happen with 20k unless it is a basket case.

if you only intend to take 8 out occasionally then a 6.5m would probably do and opens up a lot more choice.

a ribcraft 7.8 (or similar) would be your perfect boat but they don't come about often and you will need to push the budget probably if one does.

the best thing to do is have a look around for something you like and post looking for advice on it.

a quick look found this- Used Ballistic 7.8 RIB with Evinrude ETEC 250 V6 Engine and trailer. - £21,995.00

thanks for the help.
Generally speaking which manufacturers should I look out for?
Ribcraft
Ribeye
Brig
Cobra
Avon

Are the above all ok?

any others to look out for?

Thanks for all your help.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by akis

thanks for the help.
Generally speaking which manufacturers should I look out for?
Ribcraft
Ribeye
Brig
Cobra
Avon

Are the above all ok?

any others to look out for?

Thanks for all your help.

Rather depends what you are looking for, a bit of "the good", "the bad" and "the ugly" on that list! And examples of each which are missing from the list. Bear in mind that boats in Greece are often sold with different styles/layouts and colours (think sun!) than in the uk. Not sure how rib prices are in Greece right now - but personally given the hassle of buying one here to tow it across europe, I'd be looking at boats that are already out there.

[Xk59D]

if you need 8 seats then i wouldn't rule anything out just now, i think you'll find the budget does the ruling in and out for you or gives you some thoughts as to where you can compromise.

20k buys a lot of 6.5m boats with 6 seats for example.

as Poly says, your list above doesn't mean i would suggest buying one of those. for example if you pick Avon you will likely end up in a 620 adventure. you can forget about 8-10 people on there comfortably.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by akis

thanks for the help.

Generally speaking which manufacturers should I look out for?

Ribcraft

Ribeye

Brig

Cobra

Avon



Are the above all ok?



any others to look out for?



Thanks for all your help.

Bearing in mind the leisure orientated use that you want, I'd take Ribcraft off that list & probably the Avon. Ribcraft doesn't tend to do the bow cushion thing & You'll struggle to find an Avon in the size you need. Personally I wouldn't have a Brig given, but they might suit your purposes. Ribeye is slap bang in the bench seat, bow cushion market & there are probably more to choose from in the second hand market that fits your budget.

[breezeblock]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Bearing in mind the leisure orientated use that you want, I'd take Ribcraft off that list & probably the Avon. Ribcraft doesn't tend to do the bow cushion thing & You'll struggle to find an Avon in the size you need. Personally I wouldn't have a Brig given, but they might suit your purposes. Ribeye is slap bang in the bench seat, bow cushion market & there are probably more to choose from in the second hand market that fits your budget.

If I knew what I did now I would have given brig a wide berth you live and learn

[akis]

Originally Posted by Poly

Rather depends what you are looking for, a bit of "the good", "the bad" and "the ugly" on that list! And examples of each which are missing from the list. Bear in mind that boats in Greece are often sold with different styles/layouts and colours (think sun!) than in the uk. Not sure how rib prices are in Greece right now - but personally given the hassle of buying one here to tow it across europe, I'd be looking at boats that are already out there.

Which manufactures would u recommend and avoid?
Unfortunately due to the exchange rate being so poor they are more expensive in Greece and you can't find anything with the right amount of seating even if it is a 10m rib. The ones ive seen don't seem to as well looked after and in poorer condition. Hence i'm concentrating my search in the UK where i can view them more easily etc.

[HDAV]

Zodiac

Med spec is differenet to uk North/Irish Sea spec!

Sun shades are the give away! For £20k you could probably buy a pair of 6m boats!

The reason uk ones look more looked after is they get less use as the weather is awful...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by breezeblock

If I knew what I did now I would have given brig a wide berth you live and learn

I rest my case [emoji57]

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Zodiac



Med spec is differenet to uk North/Irish Sea spec!



Sun shades are the five away! For £20k you could probably buy a pair of 6m boats!



The reason uk ones look more looked after is they get less use as the weather is awful...

Just run that by me again in English[emoji848]

[HDAV]

Struggling with typing on my phone.....


Med. type spec boats are generally a different spec to uk boats. The sun shades on Med spec are a give away.

One big boat for 12 people or 2 smaller 6 person boats perhaps more fun flexible with 2 (need a second helm) but saves taking a big boat when 2/3 onboard £10k gets some nice 5-6m boats (jealous I don't have £5k to spend let alone £20k)

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Struggling with typing on my phone.....


Med. type spec boats are generally a different spec to uk boats. The sun shades on Med spec are a give away.

One big boat for 12 people or 2 smaller 6 person boats perhaps more fun flexible with 2 (need a second helm) but saves taking a big boat when 2/3 onboard £10k gets some nice 5-6m boats (jealous I don't have £5k to spend let alone £20k)

[emoji106] I thought Yoda had hacked your account [emoji1]

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by akis

thanks for the help.
Generally speaking which manufacturers should I look out for?
Ribcraft
Ribeye
Brig
Cobra
Avon

Are the above all ok?

any others to look out for?

Thanks for all your help.

You can add Redbay & Coastline to that.

Beware of counting a sun-pad as seating. not where you want to be if it's a bit bumpy..

[pilotwillie]

Osprey. Of course. 😎

[akis]

Originally Posted by Last Tango

You can add Redbay & Coastline to that.

Beware of counting a sun-pad as seating. not where you want to be if it's a bit bumpy..

Thanks for the help - been on a few "rides" whilst sat in the ejector seat!