Solent Ribs

[patriot]

Im looking to buy a new or second hand rib about 6-7m, i have been looking around and come across solent ribs. i have never heard of them and they seem very good.

Has anyone had any experiences with them?

James

[ribsforsale.com]

very good ribs , well built and in the u.k.

[simmons0]

Ive got a 6m on order. the build was suposed to begin today so i should have some pictures of the build up in a weeks or so's time.

they really do look fantastic boats and lee Fairweather is a nice person to deal with.

[tim griffin]

i use one a 6.9 with 150 opti great boat usesed for tuition
and charter only ever seen one for sale second hand,great range and can take inboards on 6m and above
tim
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk

[Pete7]

James, drove a 6.5m with Opti 150 for a weekend on a boat handling course weekend before last. Quite impressed, well built and nicely finished. I now have the Tohatsu version which is the same design just slightly older.

At rest the tubes don't touch the water when they are lightly loaded (4 ppl) which is how they get the good performance from the hull. Handled the Solent chop well and gave a great feeling of confidence. Wasn't keen on the Optimax throttle control box which was as always awful. Given a choice I would much prefer the top mount "commander" type of controls even at the extra expense.

Suprisingly the course boat didn't have an elephants trunk to drain the hull, although the owner did say he didn't like them therefore assume he requested a boat without it. This was a mistake as a 3/4" pump is nothing like as effective as a 3" elephants trunk when it really matters.

Looking forward to taking mine out.

Pete

[patriot]

Thanks for the info Pete.
I think i will go for the 6m cause i have already got a new 135 optimax really cheap, and its just a question of find the right boat for it! The 135 on the 6.5m i fear may be a bit too slow for my liking, so the 6m seems more reasonable.

James

[Pete7]

James, they are long slim hulls. If Rib International are to be believed the orginal Tohatsu One Design did 54 mph with 90 hp test.

http://www.ribmagazine.com/boat%20tests/TOHATSU6.HTM

Go for a drive in one first before you settle for the smaller hull, if you can get away with it that 50cm will make a difference to comfort and handling. Would you like to have a drive in my 6.5m ? do you a swop for a days plastering in me new house

Pete

[simmons0]

Yes, the Solent hulls are the same hull as the tohatsu 1 design race boat so v. quick.

I had news about mine today and the build has begun but the french suplier of hypalon has run out and so the boat will be delayed by a week because of that.

Also heard that they have a 6m 1 design at the factory at the moment. Give Lee a call.

[patriot]

So, with a 135hp, it should run quite well then!

[simmons0]

sure will