sub 5.0m RIB - things to consider?

[spartacus]

I'm looking to buy a new 4.8m to 5.0 RIB in the next month. Anyone that's recently purchased a RIB will know it's not an easy decision, especially trying to balance budget over performance without putting their marriage on the line. Well two out of three isn't bad!

I've already sourced an engine, a mint 2006, 2-stroke, 3 cylinder, 60hp Tohatsu with electric trim and tilt. Weighs 115kg.

It will be used in the Moray Firth and west coast. Primarily for family boating, fishing, 2-3 adults and 2 kids maximum. Fuel wise, it will be a tad utilitarian, with 2 x 25 litre tanks, but needs must. It will also have a console, remote steering and a double jockey set up. It will have the bare minimum of toys, hand-held VHF, engine tacho, Garmin GPS. I can add this as funds allow. The manuafacturer will add a 3-way marine switch, 12v power supply to console, battery box and isolator.

What I've considered so far:

Ribquest 4.8m Commercial http://www.ribquest.com/boat_sales.html
Good: Serious deep V hull, impeccable finish, 5 air chambers, umbilical cable routing, 5 year warranty. Visited their factory last year - impressed with knowledge and friendly approach.
Bad: Bit pricey, possibly heavier - due to comprehensive build.
Trailer: Rapide RU43

Humber 5.0m Assault http://www.ribworld.co.uk/ribs-detail.asp?testid=319
Good: Deep V hull, 5 air chambers, competitively priced, robust build quality, good looking boat.
Bad: 1 year warranty.
Trailer: Bramber RG2/590

Ribcraft 4.8 Professional http://www.ribcraft.co.uk/index.php/...t-4-8-pro-boat
Good: Loyal following of current owners, 5 year warranty, deep v hull, 5 chambers, heavy duty hypalon, pressure release valves, etc.
Bad: No console screen.
Trailer: Rapide R40 roller-coaster

I did look at Avon, however a new commercial 4.7m starts at £7,300 + VAT.

Anything else I should consider?

[ribdraft]

resale , i'm on my 3 third ribcraft, they hold there value and are snapped up pretty quick when they go on the market

[9D280]

No idea about the ribquest.

The Humber is the great grandkid of mine. I can't fault it's seakeeping. Mine weighs in at 430Kg fully fuelled, although the currnet Assault will be slightly heavier as it looks like it's rated for a bigger Hp 4-stroke (mine only rated for 60 Hp / 110Kg, which was fine when most 60s were 2- pot 2 strokes.....) The hull is still as solid as the day it came out the factory C.1984, even tho' as a friend put it, "shows it's industrial heritage".

No windscreen on the Ribcraft - is that really a problem? A pair of sunglasses / safety specs (available form your local tool hire place in varying styles) will solve that problem vey cheaply! Can't comment much on the ribcraft, as I've not used that size, but the oneds i have been in have all been quality build and a comfortable ride.


As for twin portable tanks, it means you have a good way of knowing it's ime to turn round & head back as the first one empties, and they are rather useful when it comes to filling up with supermarket priced fuel!

[Poly]

RIBshop have just launched a 5m boat.
XS offer a 4.6 and a 5 m boat.

[ribdraft]

i had windscreen made for my 585, only 150 pound if that was only let down

[TUFTY]

I would definitely fit a depth sounder / fish finder if you plan to fish from the rib. A unit combined with a GPS is an option.

Cheers

Paul

[chewy]

I've used a couple of Assaults and they're quick but the seakeeping isn't great. I'd have thought the Ribcraft would be the best out of the three.
Have you considered a 5m Destroyer?

Like Polly said Ribshop have a new range of Ribs which look nice and XS do some good Ribs too.

[nugent]

Originally Posted by ribdraft

i had windscreen made for my 585, only 150 pound if that was only let down

willing to supply any or most screens if boat / console is available to me for 3 hrs any weekend or late eveing west mids

£50.00 built to how sir like's it

[BogMonster]

I thought the Assault was a fairly shallow V? The guys who bought my Destroyer had previously been using another borrowed Humber which I believe was an Assault and commented on the day they tested it that mine was much, much more comfortable in choppy conditions.

5m Destroyer or a 4.8m Ribcraft would probably be top of my shortlist

[Ribshop]

We can supply one of our 5m Defender models for £7293.00 inc vat.

This would be fitted with:
Orca Hypalon tubes with 4 handles, flat fender and a pair of wear patches.
Non slip deck, anchor locker, transom deck drain bow eye and tow points.
Double jockey console with upholstery back rest and cable steering.
5 year warrantee.

We have a demonstrator available with a Suzuki 60 four stroke if you would like a sea trial dont hesitate to get in touch.

http://rib-shop.com/prodtype.asp?PT_...ageHistory=cat

[nugent]

Originally Posted by Ribshop

We can supply one of our 5m Defender models for £7293.00 inc vat.

This would be fitted with:
Orca Hypalon tubes with 4 handles, flat fender and a pair of wear patches.
Non slip deck, anchor locker, transom deck drain bow eye and tow points.
Double jockey console with upholstery back rest and cable steering.
5 year warrantee.

We have a demonstrator available with a Suzuki 60 four stroke if you would like a sea trial dont hesitate to get in touch.

http://rib-shop.com/prodtype.asp?PT_...ageHistory=cat

nice but no screen

[9D280]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Humber 5.0m Assault <snip>
Good: Deep V hull, ........

Originally Posted by BogMonster

I thought the Assault was a fairly shallow V? The guys who bought my Destroyer had previously been using another borrowed Humber which I believe was an Assault .

Gents, are we talking Assault or Attaque? Mixing them up is a mistake I frequently make, as I think I may have just done here...... I saw "deep V" and brain switched to talking about what I now realise is the O-Pro 2m beam.

The current range deep V grandkid of mine is definetly the "O-pro 2m Beam", which I believe between being called "Seasafe" and "O-Pro" was called the Attaque, although I think I read somewhwere it spent a short time being called Assault, but that my just be my memory playing up....


Aaaaanyhow, having now had a closer look at the pics in your link, it looks like the shallow V hull (I can only see one spray rail). The Deep V version is this one: http://www.humberinflatables.co.uk/oceanpro20.html and has 2 spray rails (most obvious on the pic of the one hanging from the crane)


Having said all that, if you are frequently launching from shallow slope ramps, a shallow V will be easier, and will drink a bit less fuel for a given speed......

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by 9D280

Gents, are we talking Assault or Attaque? Mixing them up is a mistake I frequently make, as I think I may have just done here.

Having said all that, if you are frequently launching from shallow slope ramps, a shallow V will be easier, and will drink a bit less fuel for a given speed......

You could be right. Also found a couple of Assualt 5.0m for sale. The black one was recently sold on http://www.findafishingboat.com/detail.php?aid=23331

The white one is for sale at JBT Marine. http://www.ribsforsale.com/detail-97...p+outboard.htm

[Nos4r2]

Referring to your original post,having a handheld VHF over a fixed really isn't much of a saving. It's not a very good idea either.

[Downhilldai]

The Humber and the Ribcraft, to a lesser degree, don't have particularly deep V hulls. I haven't seen the 4.8 Ribquest in the flesh, but it looks a well equipped boat with a decent console.

If deep V is high on your priority list, then you should seriously consider the Searider 4.7. They work well with a Twatsoo 60.

[BruceB]

Don't buy the Assault, its basically a crap hard riding shallow V hull and you will hate it. Go for the Destroyer if you want a reasonably priced Humber or another make with a deep V hull.

The Attaque which has not been made for some years is a different kettle of fish altogether and handles very nicely, being developed eventually into the Ocean Pro range.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by BruceB

Don't buy the Assault, its basically a crap hard riding shallow V hull and you will hate it. Go for the Destroyer if you want a reasonably priced Humber or another make with a deep V hull.

The Attaque which has not been made for some years is a different kettle of fish altogether and handles very nicely, being developed eventually into the Ocean Pro range.

You're probably right on that. I'm strictly limited to 18' maximum as it will need to fit in a domestic garage, so can't even fit an A-frame, unless it's hinged so that it can fold forward.

I've decided to put the Assault to one side and concentrate on the Ribquest or Ribcraft, both of which look like fantastic boats. I do like Humber's Ocean Pro 5.0m (2.0m beam). Would my Tohatsu 60hp, 115kg (with a possible tweak to 70hp) be under-powered? The boat is rated for 80hp maximum (153kg). At 5.0m (16.4') it would be tight too. I do have a drive, but I really want it under cover when it's not being used.

The Ribcraft 4.8m weighs 210kg, and has a beam 2.1m, and is rated for 60hp maximum.

The Ocean Pro 5.0 based on the 'Attaque Classic’ has a 2.0m beam, and is rated for 90hp maximum. The weight also jumps up to 280kg. They have a picture on their website of a 5.3 Ocean Pro with a Mariner 60hp, with double jockey set-up.

I'll dig out the specifications for the Ribquest when I have a minute.

[bosun]

I recently bought a new 5m humber assault for our sailing club direct from humber for £4865 inc VAT,this included a two person sport console with a screen,navy tubes with over pressure valves and a white hull. (30% direct discount)
Down here in West Wales we can buy a suitable trailer with a swinging rear beam from CLH trailers in St Clears for under a grand and Quinquari marine in Cardigan (who have some connection with humber) will do a cracking deal on a new Evinrude etec with an extra £200 off if its to go on a humber.
This rib seams to have a fairly deep V hull and is rated to 75 hp.
I've got an older one the same that has a 70 evinrude two stroke on it (nice and light)
that I'll be changing for a 90 yam two stroke if I can find one at handy money.
Sea keeping seems ok to me compared with our previous seariders etc,and we do go out when its fairly horrible sometimes. These humbers track much better than a similar sized avon and land softer when you jump them right out.

[bosun]

Oh and I just looked at the invoice and if its bought for leisue use it has a five year warranty.
It doesn't look particularly shallow V to me ,I'll post a pic tomorrow and you can decide for yourselves

[spartacus]

Here's a Humber Assault 5.0m. Looks relatively shallow.