Ribs In Australia

snamreh · 05 December 2004, 23:24

I have been searching for a second hand RIB over here in Australia, however they are far and few between, the only ribs you see here are small tenders and any large ones are limited to search & rescue.
Every one here owns a plate alloy boat (very popular) or a glass boat.

I also notice while living in the US there were very few RIBS.

Can anybody tell me why they are so popular in Europe and are they getting more popular?

The only ribs we have access to here are Niad, Gemini and Zodiac.

Out of the three I think the Gemini present good value and have a great finish.They offer a very comfotable dry ride in the 6.2m plus sizes.
A 6.2m waverider sells for around Aust$45,000 with a 135HP Honda.

How does this boat compare with other brands in the UK?

Petrov · 06 December 2004, 06:57

You have Aquapro and Protector on New Zeeland, must be the closest big manufacturers for you.

The Jackeens · 06 December 2004, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by snamreh

Out of the three I think the Gemini present good value and have a great finish.They offer a very comfotable dry ride in the 6.2m plus sizes.
A 6.2m waverider sells for around Aust$45,000 with a 135HP Honda.

How does this boat compare with other brands in the UK?

We love our Gemini and it was reasonably priced. It's been robust and has brought us home every time

Edward H (a member) -also Down Under- has a Gemini too so it might be worth sending him a pm.

Like the look of Gingercoastie's Protector though

missus

eupa · 06 December 2004, 09:12

Can anybody tell me why they are so popular in Europe and are they getting more popular

I think in my humble opinion - there re two over riding factors:

1. Cost compared to a standard solid hull and speed obtained/buck
2. You can pack it up and take it home with you quite easily as in Europe
we dont have the spaces you have in Aussiland or the States.

---- mind you ,we do have things you dont have....... we still have a
Queen!!!

Jonathan

Petrov · 06 December 2004, 09:15

Quote:

---- mind you ,we do have things you dont have....... we still have a Queen!!!

And we got the King

eupa · 06 December 2004, 12:44

And we got the King

With all due respect Petrof, you can hardly comapre the Swedish KIng to
Elizabeth II-
Empress of all dominions
protector of the faith
Head of State
ect ect

Your king aint even in the same league- Where were the Swedes in 1939 to
1945??? Mind you its probobaly beter to have a monarchy ( even if they have
vert little between the ears) than some jumped up socilalist.

John Kennett · 06 December 2004, 12:45

Whoa! I think that this is getting dangerously off topic!

Back to RIBs please

John

eupa · 06 December 2004, 12:50

Whoa! I think that this is getting dangerously off topic!

Quite right . Shut my trap. I will be quiet for the next few days as have
some heavy VBA programming to do

Jonathan

codprawn · 06 December 2004, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by eupa

Whoa! I think that this is getting dangerously off topic!

Quite right . Shut my trap. I will be quiet for the next few days as have
some heavy VBA programming to do

Jonathan

vba ain't programming - just something your mate bill made up to keep people from downloading mp3s!!!!!

eupa · 06 December 2004, 13:39

[I]vba ain't programming - just something your mate bill made up to keep people from downloading mp3s!!!!!

Nice one CP. I will sign a truce for the moment...........Any news about your rib yet??

Jonathan

Petrov · 06 December 2004, 13:43

Sorry JK but have to answer.

Eupa;

1st i didnt compare your Queen to our King.
2nd we are a monarchy, (Belgium since 1830, Sweden longer than Belgium country are old)
3d 1939-1945, same place as Switzerland, neutral country.

PS: Our King has a RIB, do your Queen

gingercoastie · 06 December 2004, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrov

PS: Our King has a RIB, do your Queen

Any chance of a photo.

Does that mean that you have RIB builder by Royal Appointment

Petrov · 06 December 2004, 13:59

Quote:

Any chance of a photo.

Dont have a photo but been meeting him a couple of times in the archipelago.

Quote:

Does that mean that you have RIB builder by Royal Appointment

Ha ha, yep.

Cookee · 06 December 2004, 21:49

Not sure but I think Niad is a Kiwi manufacturer of RIBs and not bad either but I've been wrong before!

EdwardH · 06 December 2004, 23:50

Hello all,

Yes - the Naiad is an NZ RIB as is Aquapro and the RayGlass Protector - however very expensive over here and few dealers.

For the recreational user - Zodiac and Gemini are really the only accessible affordable option, although I am a big fan of the Swift alloy hulled boats built in Queensland - but also pretty expensive.

There are huge numbers of Achilles 3.5 and 4.2m SIBs as used in the surf lifesaving clubs around.

I fear its just a question of keeping an eye out and the odd good deal does come up. I bought my Gemini 5.05 for 16K AUD with a 20 hours old Yamaha 85 CV 2 stroke on the back.... and thought that was fair value - 6K GBP at the time or 6.5K now.

However its worth hanging around or putting a notice up at your local yacht club as they always seem to have a few ribs hanging about and will generally offer them at a decent price...

I have put my hand up to my local coastal patrol for their 7m rib when they come to sell it - may not be this year but when it does come up for sale, i'll be first in the queue. May be worth u doing the same...

snamreh · 06 December 2004, 23:53

Because of your lack of space to store boats, is it common to deflate the tubes for storage and re-inflate on a regular basis?