Solent ribs

[Charlie]

Hi all, has anybody had any hands on experience of 5.4metre Solent ribs, have seen one I am very interested in, how deep is the hull, how do they handle in lumpy weather, and are they a heavy boat, as you can see by previous posts, missed out on "seariders " searider as it was to heavy to tow on an un braked trailer with my 2ltr Carlton, also what is build quality like? A lot of questions I know, but the boats down south ( arnt they all!) and Im up north, and I have never seen a solent in the " flesh"! Also, anyone want to buy a mint Osprey Kestrel if I buy the Solent, there are already some pics on forum!!
Thanks, Charlie.......

[Kernow Buoy]

Hi Charlie
Strange you should ask this as just yesterday I was asking questions as to the obvious similarities in hull shapes of a Solent 5.4 and a Ribtec 5.35, have a look yourself
solent
Ribtec (mine)
One of our emminent Ribnetters advises me that Solent built theirs with the full blessing of Ribtec, from my experience the hull handles rough stuff very well for its size and it really impressed by RYA instructor who felt the ride was as good as a 6m plus boat ( I hadn't paid him at that stage though ) Can't comment on build quality of the Solent but there's lots about them on the forums.
Regards
Kernow

[Pete7]

Very very similar hull to the Ribtec 535 (legit) since they both come from the old Watercraft mould. 70 hp produced 36mph tops on the Ribtec version. Not sure how they get 50 mph with 75 on the Solent version. Solent ribs now well established and ought to be cheaper than the Ribtec for no noticeable difference. Hull quite narrow so easy to tow and light enough to launch single handed, but bit short of deck space like the Avon. Hull constant V shape and quite competant.

Seen one being launched across southport beach and there aren't many ribs you would want to do that with.

Pete

[Kernow Buoy]

50 mph with 75

Likewise that surprised me, I get 44mph with a 90.

[tim griffin]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Very very similar hull to the Ribtec 535 (legit) since they both come from the old Watercraft mould. 70 hp produced 36mph tops on the Ribtec version. Not sure how they get 50 mph with 75 on the Solent version. Solent ribs now well established and ought to be cheaper than the Ribtec for no noticeable difference. Hull quite narrow so easy to tow and light enough to launch single handed, but bit short of deck space like the Avon. Hull constant V shape and quite competant.

Pete

He knows his stuff this bloke eh! New Solent 585 is on its way now that should be interesting .

[Pete7]

Lol, if anyones not aware, this is what we are talking about:

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/YOR137/

He is a member of ribnet, Matiboy or something, haven't seen him post in a couple of years though.

5.85? interesting, based on the 6m hull ?

Pete

[tim griffin]

Originally Posted by Pete7

5.85? interesting, based on the 6m hull ?

Pete

Yup

[Hightower]

The ad doen't say 50 mph from a 75hp....Just that it's capable of it this speed. The package comes with the 75 and I guess 36 mph would be a sensible speed with this package. What is the Max outboard you can mount on a 5.4 Solent?

[Richard B]

IMvHO it does say that! It refers to the package, which in this context is the RIB on sale, ie with a 75hp motor.

"...an immaculate package which is one of the most capable ribs in its class , capable of 50 mph on flat water !"

At best it's misleading.

BTW do you know who Yorke Trading is?

[Hightower]

Are well, it's the "package" bit that's at fault then.

Sea trial the RIB and record the max speed gps and then point out the ad and then demand 50% off .

The answer would be "well with a 14 mph tidle race you can reach the 50".

[Kernow Buoy]

What is the Max outboard you can mount on a 5.4 Solent?

Ribtec say 90hp

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Richard B

BTW do you know who Yorke Trading is?

Yes, its Matibouy from Ribnet

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Yes, its Matibouy from Ribnet

Matiboy

My point is that I reckon he should know better!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Richard B

My point is that I reckon he should know better!

Quiet, you would never get that sort of thing in IT

Anyway back to Solent Ribs 5.4m

Charlie why can't a 2L Carlton tow an Avon Searider on an unbraked trailer ?

Pete

[Charlie]

Thanks to all who have replied, still hav,nt heard from somone who owns or uses one. Pete, wont bore you with all weight calculations, think its been done to death, but basically I got a shock when I worked it out, I thought the Carlton to be a heavy car, but the law says you can only tow half your kerbside weight if its an un-braked trailer. The Carltons kerbside weight is 1230kg, so max towing weight is 615kg, the Searider was 750kg, without all the clutter we end up taking!!!

[timboli]

If it helps,my humber assault 5.7 with a 100hp 4stroke,double jockey and a bench seat was 740kg without fuel or any kit,this was about 150kg heavier then I thought it would be.

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Charlie why can't a 2L Carlton tow an Avon Searider on an unbraked trailer ?

Originally Posted by Charlie

the Searider was 750kg, without all the clutter we end up taking!!!

Seems to me the vehicle is irrelevant, as the towed weight is going to be over 750Kg which rules out an unbraked trailer anyway.

John

[Jizm]

Originally Posted by Hightower

The ad doen't say 50 mph from a 75hp....Just that it's capable of it this speed. The package comes with the 75 and I guess 36 mph would be a sensible speed with this package. What is the Max outboard you can mount on a 5.4 Solent?

According to the paperwork Lee at Fairweather gave me, the 5.4m can have a max of 90hp, he said it goes well enough with a 60hp tho'. That package, 5.4 with a 75hp, 2 years old, looks a good price, tempting!

[Charlie]

Just to let you all know, somone jumped in and bought the solent rib before I could get down south to view it!! Thanks anyway, I just keep looking!
Charlie..

[Hightower]

There's one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Almost-new-Sol...QQcmdZViewItem

andy