RibCraft 480 vs Bombard Explorer DB500

chrjoh · 04 March 2005, 22:02

Hi,
I'm looking at a Ribcraft 480 and a Bombard 500DB Explorer.
The Bombard is about 2000 euro less expensive but larger.

Which one would you choose?

Tim M · 04 March 2005, 22:04

Personally I'd go for the Bombard - size wins in my opinion.

chrjoh · 04 March 2005, 22:21

Really need feedback to choose.

Best regards,
Christian

simmons0 · 04 March 2005, 22:49

Id go for the Bombard, it's a fair bit bigger, and you will notice the extra size out at sea.

tcwozere · 04 March 2005, 22:55

If you want an honest opinion about the Ribcraft 4.8, pm Robin.. He has one at the moment..

Alan · 04 March 2005, 22:56

Depends what you want to do with it. Not familiar with the bombard but as I said on another thread, the Ribcraft 4.8m is hard to beat sub 5m RIB for more serious use. 4 or 5 of them circumnavigated Britain on the RB4 raid in 2001. The are more utilitarion for sure but I think they are cracking little boats. Ask JCW he kept his even after buying a Ribcraft 585 with Bern Hanreck!

robin · 05 March 2005, 07:18

Bombard DB500...I cannot comment as I don't think I have ever seen one.

However......

4.8 ribcraft. Great boat. Well made. Dry ride. Handles wobbly water well. Top marks for build quality and attention to detail. I have been out in bigger boats that have a harder ride and seen more expensive boats with a worse build quality.

2000 euros is a lot of extra money to fork out for a smaller boat BUT...it is quite possible that the Ribcraft may hold a little extra residual value over the years (in my opinion)

Bottom line

Try them both and get the one you prefer.

Robin.

JCW · 05 March 2005, 08:28

I have no experience of the Bombard, however the Ribcraft 4.8 is a great Rib. With a good set up it can be fast, economical and easy to launch / recover. They do seem to retain value and sell quickly second hand.

I would buy again if looking for a sub 5m Rib

Brian · 05 March 2005, 11:37

I would like to support Alan and JCW on this. I accompanied these excellent craft round the UK back in 2001 and was able to appreciaqte them at close hand.
Here is a shot of "Spirit" being Driven by Martin Collins and Mark Featherstone doing 30knots across the Irish Sea.

David Hickman · 05 March 2005, 19:48

Try dropping a Bombard from a crane like Ribcraft did and you will sonn have your answer!

Daniel TD5 · 05 March 2005, 20:45

being a sub five meter owner i would go for the ribcraft if you are going to go out in any think chopy the deeper the v the better

you have to have a jockey seat as well not a consol with bench med style
it don,t work with a small boat it makes the bow very light and bumpy
in bad contidions i know i had both set ups

dan

Alan · 05 March 2005, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

I would like to support Alan and JCW on this. I accompanied these excellent craft round the UK back in 2001 and was able to appreciaqte them at close hand.
Here is a shot of "Spirit" being Driven by Martin Collins and Mark Featherstone doing 30knots across the Irish Sea.

'Ere Elliott, thats my photo that is. You didn't ask for permission to use it. Right, I need a Lawyer then. Anyone recommend a firm that specialising in Ribnet related matters?

(Its also the Bristol Channel not the Irish Sea.)

Brian · 06 March 2005, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

'Ere Elliott, thats my photo that is. You didn't ask for permission to use it. Right, I need a Lawyer then. Anyone recommend a firm that specialising in Ribnet related matters?

(Its also the Bristol Channel not the Irish Sea.)

Oops! Sorree!!
As far as lawyers go you could always try Messrs. Sue, Grabbitt and Runne.