Ok here it goes....

grand master · 12 May 2004, 13:26

Hi all,

Ok here i go

I have never owned a boat before i have been on a couple and have driven one once (Driven,skippered not sure of the correct term)

Anyway i got a the bug and i REALLY want one.

I have decided on a rib but unsure of a few things so if i rhyme of a list would somebody care to point me in the right direction. (i apologise in advance for the big list)

1. Do i need a licence,qualifications to own and use a boat (in the sea)

2. I have a budget of approx £1500 and want a 3m> rib am i living in a dream world.

3. do you need a vhf (legally)

4. what would be the maximum engine i could attach to a rib

5. in a 3m rib is it still possible to have a steering wheel,electric start, throttle etc..

6. Can a 3m rib be deflated if need be (for space reasons or if i did'nt use it for a few months)

7. what would be the best make of rib for me (not bothered about pulling things but might like to dive off one and if i did would it hold 3 adults 2 of which would be diving or am i back in my dreamworld again)

Thank you in advance for you answers and again my apologies if i have posted this in the wrong place.

Alan · 12 May 2004, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by grand master

Hi all,

Ok here i go

I have never owned a boat before i have been on a couple and have driven one once (Driven,skippered not sure of the correct term)

Anyway i got a the bug and i REALLY want one.

I have decided on a rib but unsure of a few things so if i rhyme of a list would somebody care to point me in the right direction. (i apologise in advance for the big list)

1. Do i need a licence,qualifications to own and use a boat (in the sea)

No you dont but it would be a sensible idea given your lack of experience to get some training. A PB2 course is a couple of hundred and would be a good investment.

2. I have a budget of approx £1500 and want a 3m> rib am i living in a dream world.

Yes a bit I'm afraid. You might get a 2.4m SIB (inflatable) for that money but not a RIB unless you are very lucky or its in very poor condition. Look on the boats for sale list there are a couple around the £2.5-3k mark. You might make an offer on this for example http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4630 although 55hp on 4m needs a little bit of training lest you hurt yourself!

L

3. do you need a vhf (legally)

No, but its not a bad idea. Depends on where you are going to go. Handheld VHF for £200 ish. Need licence to operate.

4. what would be the maximum engine i could attach to a rib
How longs a piece of string? Or more accurately how bigs your RIB? 3m I'dve though 50hp practically.

5. in a 3m rib is it still possible to have a steering wheel,electric start, throttle etc..

Yes

6. Can a 3m rib be deflated if need be (for space reasons or if i did'nt use it for a few months)

Yes but it wont save much space comparitively

7. what would be the best make of rib for me (not bothered about pulling things but might like to dive off one and if i did would it hold 3 adults 2 of which would be diving or am i back in my dreamworld again)

I think doing any diving off a 3m RIB is a bit dreamworld I'm afraid.

Thank you in advance for you answers and again my apologies if i have posted this in the wrong place.

grand master · 12 May 2004, 15:41

Thankyou very much for the quick response.
You have been more that helpfull.

I shall let you know the outcome..

Thanks Again.

GM

simmons0 · 12 May 2004, 16:47

Alan, you would seriously put a 50hp engine on a 3m Rib?

Richard B · 12 May 2004, 18:17

Hi gm,

I'll try to add to what's been said...

1. Do i need a licence,qualifications to own and use a boat (in the sea)
Legally speaking, no, but without guidance and experience it would be foolish to use a boat in the sea, so attending an RYA approved training course would be a very good idea. Powerboat level 2 (which usually includes powerboat level 1) would be a wise choice.

2. I have a budget of approx £1500 and want a 3m> rib am i living in a dream world. Possibly... not sure if you're really after a RIB or a SIB? New SIB £600-£1100, New 3m RIB £900-£1500 and new 10hp engine about £800-1000. Secondhand obviously less, but beware of old unreliable equipment.

3. do you need a vhf (legally)
No, but if you venture into any tidal waters (including tidal rivers and estuaries, consider one, along with other safety kit like lifejacket. You will get good guidance on an RYA course.

4. what would be the maximum engine i could attach to a rib
Depends on what RIB, really. I would suggest about 10hp on a 3m. Manufacturers rate every craft, so this can vary from one manufacturer to another.

5. in a 3m rib is it still possible to have a steering wheel,electric start, throttle etc..
Yes, but don't bother on that size as there's not really any point.

6. Can a 3m rib be deflated if need be (for space reasons or if i did'nt use it for a few months)
Depends if it's a RIB (rigid hull) or a SIB (soft hull). With a RIB the outer tubes only deflate, making it slightly smaller. With a SIB it all deflates and folds/rolls up.

7. what would be the best make of rib for me (not bothered about pulling things but might like to dive off one and if i did would it hold 3 adults 2 of which would be diving or am i back in my dreamworld again)
Don't even think about "the best make" until you've a clearer idea about what you want.

At this point I would suggest doing the following:

1. Enrol on an RYA PowerboatL2 course. From Manchester I would suggest travelling to either Blackpool - Dave Mallett's Wavelength Training http://www.wavelengthtraining.co.uk/ or to Pwllhelli - Jono Garton's Professional Powerboat Training http://www.professional-powerboat-training.co.uk/

2. Go to RIBex at Cowes in June. Lots of RIBs and people who are interested in them.

Bear in mind that a 3m boat will limit your area of operation, but you can still have great fun. Keith Hart has a 3.4m SIB with an inflatable keel and floor (&15hp outboard) and has great adventures. I used to have a 3.6m SIB with an inflatable keel and solid wood floor (&18hp outboard) which was also good fun. At this size, the best compromise is the inflatable floor & keel type like Keith's IMHO.

Alan · 12 May 2004, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmons0

Alan, you would seriously put a 50hp engine on a 3m Rib?

No I wouldn't, but I dont think that a 3m RIB is a serious proposition in any event. Answered this in a bit of a hurry whilst at work today and based my answer on the 4m Flatacraft and 50hp package for sale for as near to this chaps price range as possible on boats for sale. Even then as I said 55hp on 4m is probably not for the faint hearted!

simmons0 · 12 May 2004, 21:05

Agree with you entirely Alan.

Daniel TD5 · 12 May 2004, 21:27

dont go for the cheap option i looked at a lot of boats before buying and
waited more than a year before buying. my first buget was 2.5k i was concerned about age of the engines and boats in that range. so i saved over the year all so keeping a eye out on the information being posted on rib net
about new boats large and small what owners had to say about boats and
engine. by the way some nice boats come up for sale on this site but you have to be quick in the end my kids and wife come out with me i put
safety first and got a new boat if cost is a real problem try a air deck this
one is a friend who came out with us to WATER SKI YES WATER SKI ON THE BACK how much fun is that

Alan · 12 May 2004, 22:02

That looks very much like Bradwell slipway then?!

Paul Glatzel · 12 May 2004, 22:14

One of our clients has this boat and has a great time in it. Think it is 3.8m with a 40Hp. It shifts, has a nice hull and he happily runs some reasonable distances in it

Suspect though second hand you're looking at c2.5k

Paul

PS: It's a Zodiac by the way

Keith Hart · 13 May 2004, 07:46

Hi Grand Master

You can have a LOT of fun in a small SIB, and at a reasonable cost. I know a chap who crossed The Pentland Firth in a 3.4m SIB with a 15 hp engine.

You should be able to get a 3m SIB and 8 hp engine for £1,500.00. Remember though that you will have to buy life jackets and proper clothing, and a hand held radio etc. These could easily add up to the cost of the boat.

Keith Hart

John Kennett · 13 May 2004, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Hart

I know a chap who crossed The Pentland Firth in a 3.4m SIB with a 15 hp engine.

I met him once. Stark staring raving mad unfortunately. And a serial housebreaker!

John

grand master · 13 May 2004, 09:17

Thankyou all very much for your comments you have been more than helpfull

I may just hangfire for the min and put some more money aside.
Or buy something to "learn" in and progress from there.

I maybe able to push to 2K for the first instance if i cut back on other things like feeding my family etc

you may see me around here a lot more now gathering knowlege lol

Thanks again guys.

PS Anyone else here from manchester?

Richard B · 13 May 2004, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by grand master

PS Anyone else here from manchester?

Have a look on the "members list" - there's a bunch from the north-west but they're a posh bunch (Cheshire I think

)

grand master · 13 May 2004, 10:33

they must have big ones then (boats that is)

Rogue Wave · 13 May 2004, 12:32

Some have got 4.7 's with stripey seats others have got various boats. they tend to sail from Abersoch. I met em once and I apart from the fact they talk funny they are a great bunch of guys apart from David Manning, Ian, MeMe and particularly Jono Gorton.

A good way of introducing yourself to that not so Elite bunch is to maybe take a course at Jono's place cos they all seem to congregate in Abersoch.

The course is important because going to sea is all about coming back safely and the training and the proper safety equipment will help that to happen.

John Kennett · 13 May 2004, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

A good way of introducing yourself to that not so Elite bunch is to maybe take a course at Jono's place

I don't think that it's complusory to buy your way into the group though!

John

Nick C · 13 May 2004, 12:34

You mentioned diving earlier which I'v done out of a 3m. Its perfectly possible but realistically you will only be able to get three divers with kit on board. Short trips you can add a cox but will probably only be able to chug out to where you want to go. If you fancy diving out of it you wont have room for anything but a tiller engine.

Even with three, kitting up is a real pain because of space, especially in a chop.

We, a group of 4, currently have a 4.5m and as we've all got older and fatter need to get a bigger one. You can buy ours (PLEASE!!), but is around the £3.5k mark. I'm afraid, for diving, size really does matter!l

DM · 13 May 2004, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I don't think that it's complusory to buy your way into the group though!

No, its not. We even let scousers come out with us.

DM

P.S Rogue Wave. You're a nob. You drive about the Solent with bits falling off all your boats and then expect everyone to take your advice. Tut Tut.

grand master · 13 May 2004, 12:41

i hav'nt got that sort of cash lying around at the mo..

I was thinking more of two divers and someone to stay on the boat (not far out mind you but it beats swimming)

I 'm not after joining any "crew" as yet although training seems to be a must.

When you do VHF training are you assigned a callsign so to speak?
If not how would a coast guard know if your "legaly transmitting " or indeed who you are

I intend to get VHF and Powerboat training (just looking at websites now)

Any other tips you would care to give me would be great.