Possibly purchasing this Avon -- thoughts please.

[Flamair]

Me again...

After taking advice here, I'm looking at an Avon RIB. Love the fact this has a Yamaha outboard.. Anyone any thoughts on whether it constitutes a good buy/fair price? It's 200 miles away from me, so don't want to waste a day on looking if peepes think it's an issue.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126013040...mis&media=COPY

Many thanks.

[paintman]

"Slow leak in rear left tube or valve has been like that for years without problem. Probably easy to fix if you can be bothered."

Not going to get any better on its own.
I'm always wary of ads that claim an item has a fault that is probably an easy fix - if it was an easy fix then why didn't they bother so they didn't have to include it in an ad?

Apart from that looks nice.

[beamishken]

Engine looks nice & clean & they are good simple things so no worries with the engine as long as its sound & running well once checked. Although its an avon the boat is more leisure oriented than the sr range & wont be as good when its rough but probably fine for general playing about. The tube leak wouldnt unduly worry me but its a good barganing chip when it comes to negotiating. Just check under the rear tube near the transom to flange attachment, its an area the suffers most especially If ran underinflated & is difficult to repair any thing that looks iffy in that area is a red flag. Slow leaks are notoriously difficult to find & lots of folk just put a few strokes of air in when they use the boat, in fact 99% of the time you need to add air anyway due to temperature fluctuations. If the boat has prv's it will loose air on hot days, if it doesn't you should be letting air out when left to prevent over pressure damage from hot days. Either way your probably going to be adjusting pressure before use.
My own boat has a leaky prv, been like that ages, a few strokes of the pump now & then doesnt bother me.
A better boat than the narwal you posted previously just be sure to get a sea trail & do the usual checks

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by paintman

"Slow leak in rear left tube or valve has been like that for years without problem. Probably easy to fix if you can be bothered."

Not going to get any better on its own.
I'm always wary of ads that claim an item has a fault that is probably an easy fix - if it was an easy fix then why didn't they bother so they didn't have to include it in an ad?.

Yep plus who says it’s “sought after” ?????

I wouldn’t travel 20 miles let alone 200 miles to see it 🤷*♂️

[Fenlander]

I agree with paintman... one man's not worth repairing leak is another man's driven to annoyance leak. Easy to prove if it is just the valve by taking your own mixed bubbles.

Were we to go trailed in place of our Aerotec outfit that is just the sort of thing and price point I'd be looking at so I was interested to give the images more than a casual glance.

Looks just a bit dull but I think it would look loads brighter for a proper clean of tubes and seat. I'd be changing the worn prop and fitting a new tank in place of that old metal one. Under the cowl the outboard looks OK if a little unloved but a quick WD40 spray and rub off with a rag will work wonders. Spark plugs look aged so perhaps budget for a full service.

Good that the trailer has new bearings. Fitted cover even if old always useful.

Yep I'd drive to see it.

[Flamair]

Guys... You are stars for replying so quickly, I thank you all.

I like it, but am a bit concerned about the leak. I currently own a Yam 310STI and Yam 8hp and have also owned a couple of other small cruiser style boats, but never a RIB, so am not fully clued up on things. How old would you say this craft is? I understand that Avon are (were) a very decent manufacturer.

I am tempted to look!! I will message the seller and ask for a bit more info regarding the leak. I must admit my initial reaction was "if it's easy to fix, why haven't you? "

Fenlander. Is there any particular reason you'd be keen to view this one? I don't want to rush in to it and drop a b*****k!!

[Fenlander]

Well we all have our own ideas of what we want and value but for me this would be the boat and engine size I'd look at and Avon SIBs I've owned in the past have always been well made. It doesn't look as well maintained as I'd keep it but I've found many times something in this condition can be turned round with a service and basic cleaning to look a real minter.

Another thing it looks a legit location to buy from. I'm very wary of those being sold from the bottom of a yard next to a container storage unit and part dismantled cars. You know the sort of thing.

Don't worry about 69CMW's comment... he wants everything for ten bob.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Well we all have our own ideas of what we want and value but for me this would be the boat and engine size I'd look at and Avon SIBs I've owned in the past have always been well made. It doesn't look as well maintained as I'd keep it but I've found many times something in this condition can be turned round with a service and basic cleaning to look a real minter.

Another thing it looks a legit location to buy from. I'm very wary of those being sold from the bottom of a yard next to a container storage unit and part dismantled cars. You know the sort of thing.

Don't worry about 69CMW's comment... he wants everything for ten bob.

I'd agree with this too, also look at the house its pictured outside of, assuming thats the owners home I'd imagine hes a genuine owner & he says hes had it sometime so probably a genuine "doesn't have time" case rather than trying to hide something. The background of sales pictures can tell you a lot about the item/seller.
Agree too a good clean will make a huge difference

[fastasfox]

Avon do have a good following so in that regard they are sought after. The rib is basic, but it will do the job fine. "Slow leak... easy fix" if I was the owner and I was selling, I would get it fixed, so I don't understand not being bothered to sort it.
If you want to purchase a rib without the fear of any faults, then you have to buy new..but then you need deep pockets and many of us can't justify the cost for a hobby.
Any second hand purchase is a risk no matter if your spending £5000 or 50k
Start negotiating low and sort any problems as you go. Under 5k is a good price for Rib that isn't a basket case
Too many folk procrastinate about boat ownership so go for it.
Good luck.

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by Flamair

Me again...

After taking advice here, I'm looking at an Avon RIB. Love the fact this has a Yamaha outboard.. Anyone any thoughts on whether it constitutes a good buy/fair price? It's 200 miles away from me, so don't want to waste a day on looking if peepes think it's an issue.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126013040...mis&media=COPY

Many thanks.

You could pm easdalenovice and ask him to take a peep ,its probhably within 10 miles of him ,i would pass there once a fortnight but not sure i would be much good looking at something i know little about age related issues !

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

You could pm easdalenovice and ask him to take a peep ,its probhably within 10 miles of him ,i would pass there once a fortnight but not sure i would be much good looking at something i know little about age related issues !

With his opinions on what a "quality" rib are I dont think that would be terrifically helpful lol. have you read is comments about ribcraft in another thread[emoji2357]
If i was interested Id get the sellers no & have a chat , get a feel for the guy & go see it myself 200 miles isnt the end of the world for the right boat imho

[Fenlander]

>>assuming thats the owners home I'd imagine hes a genuine owner & he says hes had it sometime so probably a genuine "doesn't have time" case rather than trying to hide something

Agreed. Over our lifetime we've had some really good deals (car/boats/other) from nice houses where the owner isn't concerned about the very last tenner once they find there is a pleasant friendly interaction surrounding the deal.

[Flamair]

Thanks again guys. I have contacted the seller and will open discussions! I feel the same regarding the house appearance.

What sort of money would you be offering for this? It seems a reasonable asking price, but I am pretty clueless on what constitutes a good or bad price for this combo.

Cheers.

[fastasfox]

£4000 would be a good starting point and £4500 would be a good deal I think. Like other posters have said I would find the fact the boat comes from such a nice home a comfort.
Keep us posted.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by beamishken

The background of sales pictures can tell you a lot about the item/seller.

Indeed - just trying to work out how much it would cost to rethatch his cottage!

Could be an airbnb rental and if the seller agrees to meet you at a petrol station on the M6 then walk away! On the positive side, he's been on Ebay since 2005.

Agree with what others have said regards the boat, could use a proper scrub and detail. Wouldn't be put off with slow leak, as hypalon fix is straight forward with right ambient temperature and preparation if you can locate and don't mind tackling yourself.

Engine needs a full service for peace of mind. Seems quite dirty under the cowl, but Yamaha 2-strokes are fairly bullet proof and no shortage of spare parts and relatively easy to fix.

[Flamair]

Really appreciating the feedback guys.

Quick question. How old would you say the Yamaha o/b is approx.?

[Flamair]

Originally Posted by fastasfox

£4000 would be a good starting point and £4500 would be a good deal I think. Like other posters have said I would find the fact the boat comes from such a nice home a comfort.
Keep us posted.

I will certainly keep you all posted.

[Flamair]

Quick update...

I have spoken to the seller and am viewing the RIB tomorrow. All sounds ok...

Just one worry really. He has had it 15 years and says all the glue is still good and everything looks in decent order. My concern is how old the RIB is and whether purchasing such an older model is a good move? Is this model hypalon or PVC? I'm guessing the former given how well it has lasted and being an Avon?

Any thoughts or advice welcome.

PS the guy seems genuine and was happy to talk about the air leak. It takes about a week to go a little soft on the left tube.

TIA.

[spartacus]

Suspect it's hypalon. With hypalon you can check by removing one of the valve caps, the colour of the fabric should be darker inside. With PVC, it's the same colour both sides.

Nothing wrong with an older RIB, it's all to do with how it's stored, and importantly if it's been kept out of UV light and the elements. Obviously check seem overlaps, even if there's a little lift here and there, all that can be re-glued.

If you do purchase, check this out. Suspect the plastic swivel has cracked and the only thing holding this threaded linkage in place is a zip-tie!

[Max...]

I'd look at Nick's SR for sale on here.