Upgrading to a RIB advice

[Ducie]

I am looking to upgrade my current boat (Karnic 2050).
I am looking for a boat with the fantastic family friendly layout of the Boston Whaler Dauntless 230 but with the safe, fast, secure, superior handling, deep V, dry ride qualities of a RIB.

This maybe a loaded question but can anyone suggest any manufactures, makes & models etc.?

Finding that perfect RIB is a very difficult decision so any advice and help you can give would be most appreciated.

Thanking you in advance. Many thanks Matt

[willk]

Welcome to RIBnet!

It will be difficult to shoehorn that type of deck into an affordable RIB. You should look at family oriented options like Ribeye, Avon (non-searider) and Cobra.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Ducie

I am looking to upgrade my current boat (Karnic 2050).
I am looking for a boat with the fantastic family friendly layout of the Boston Whaler Dauntless 230 but with the safe, fast, secure, superior handling, deep V, dry ride qualities of a RIB.

This maybe a loaded question but can anyone suggest any manufactures, makes & models etc.?

Finding that perfect RIB is a very difficult decision so any advice and help you can give would be most appreciated.

Thanking you in advance. Many thanks Matt

Hi Matt & welcome, tricky one that, your perfect RIB could be the next mans lemon. What's your budget & intended cruising area, how many passengers will you be carrying, will you be doing long passages, crossing the Channel maybe?

[Poly]

Are you sure you want a rib? most of the features you list are possible without blow up tubes that encroach on the deck space - and yet conditions where safety, deep v and dry ride etc are appealing are rarely when even on the best rib you would want to be sitting on a deck chair at the bow (which seems to be the arrangement on the Dauntless 230!).

If you are just looking for something a bit more leisure styled then have a look at Valiant. They probably don't get as much discussion in these parts as they should.

[Exe treme]

Hi Matt
Apologies if you have made up your mind, but here are a couple of comments based on your needs.
I have owned a 2050 and found deck space to be much larger than any Rib I have seen, even with the w/a cabin. As mentioned, the tubes on a rib would make a lot of difference: The beam of the 2050 is 7'6", and the Dauntless nearer 8'6. A similar sized Rib could have an effective internal beam of only 6ft and, depending on tube extension at the stern, available deck would be shorter too.
I personally didn't like the Karnic because it rolled at trolling speeds and tended to bury its bows in moderate seas. I have had other hard boats since that offer a much smoother, safer, ride but still offer the same deck space and family friendly layout. For example, the hulls of Wellcraft boats are well known for performing above their size, and even the 18ft has an 8ft beam.

[Ducie]

Cheers everyone for all your suggestions.

It’s not as easy as I thought, finding that perfect boat.

A usual day out for the family is either taking trips to various hotspots like; Alum Bay, Cowes, Poole Harbour, Studland Bay, Chapmans Pool etc. Or wakeboarding and tubing, or a spot of mackerel fishing to throw on the barbie. We have never slept in the cabin of the Karnic and think that more seating/sundeck at the bow would suit our needs rather than an overnight cabin.

On paper the Boston Whaler Dauntless 230 layout is perfect for us and fits our criteria exactly. The one major fly in the ointment and it’s a big fly is the ride. With only a 16 degrees deadrise the ride is going to be far too slammy and uncomfortable when the chop & wind picks up.

I have been caught out a couple of times in the Karnic coming back from Cowes. RIBS just seem to relish the chop. Whilst the Karnic is banging & slamming about, RIB’s just cruise past cutting through the chop like a hot knife through butter.

If I could mirror the Dauntless interior layout into a RIB. Boooooooooom. Perfection.

Somehow I think I am dreaming so will continue with my boat research.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Ian M]

Bear in mind that there are RIBs and RIBs Some deep V some not so deep V. Hence you have had questions like what do you want to use it for.
If it is to cope with the Solent chop, and keep your fillings in, you need to be thinking about something with a deeper V. Then again, what will your budget stretch to, in general the longer the hull, the better the sea keeping for a particular hull form.
It is not easy; you need to be more specific with your needs/intended use.

[macattack101]

The valiant 620 is a very family friendly boat with a lot of space with lots of storage and is very dry. I have been out happily in F6 on mine with no issues but it depends on the driver. I only ever get water over the bow when I stop as the bow deflects it really well under way.

[9D280]

Nobody has mentioned our favourite Irish Rib builder yet!

....and Ducie, welcome to ribnet!

- As has been said above one man's meat & all that.... Could you maybe do a charter or two and get a feel for how a given size of rib would suit you & your family's needs? -

Mrs 9D recons one of these nice Jenneau cabin things would do her nicely! Looks like I'm on the hunt for a cheap redbay!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by 9D280

Nobody has mentioned our favourite Irish Rib builder yet!

Willk's probably keeping his powder dry:P

[Portholme]

what's not working with the Karnic? They are great looking hard boats.

Lots of experience with BW's, I had a Dauntless 180 with a Yam 150. No regrets going to a RIB, way better in a sea, lighter, less fuel, easier to trail yada, yada.

[Ducie]

The Karnic certainly has and is a great boat. There is nothing wrong with the Karnic we just feel its time to upgrade to some thing with more usual deck space (we have never used the over night cabin) and something that is comfortable out in a force 3. As the family grows and changes so does out boating needs.
We spend most of our time booming around between Christchurch & Poole. We have recently taken up wakeboarding which is great fun.
Like you mention RIBs are far better at sea so I think this is one of the main factors for us wanting a change. Cheers

[Aries]

Hi Ducie,


I had a Karnic 2250 in Willow Way Marina - Christchurch. I've seen a couple of 2050's about.

I know exactly what you mean about ride and also never used the cabin. Great boat to fish off though.

I got a Medline 3 zodiac as there was one locally and it has a very good "leisure" layout. You are welcome to have a look around to understand the pros and cons of leisure biased ribs. It's on the river so pm me if you want to take a look.

I can go WOT in the zodiac when I would have been lucky to risk 10knts in the Karnic in the chop. But then it is a much bigger/heavier boat.

Biggest upside for me was access to any point on the boat. Made visiting unfamiliar marinas etc far less stressful.

[Gilles]

for good hull most of UK ribs will be ok. if you are also looking for a nicy med layout, have a look to scorpion ribs, technohull, you just need to win lotery ! but most of manufacturers can set up your own layout ....

[Ducie]

Cheers Aries, very kind of you.
I am back down to Christchurch in a few weeks so will drop you a PM. Thank you.

[Ducie]

Hi Gilles, the Scorpion Serket 88 looks epic and also has an epic price tag. You never know my lotto numbers may come in one day, so I will be able to place an order.

Cobra Ribs are locale to Christchurch but there consoles don't seem big enough for portable heads.

The Osprey Vipermax looks a very appealing option but I am not sure if they can squeeze a portable heads into the console. I have emailed them so we will see.

That's the problem with having too many lady boaters in the family. I have to keep them happy and portable heads are an absolute must.

Thank you for all you import and comment’s everyone. It is most helpful.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Willk's probably keeping his powder dry:P

I suspect that there are more suitable "off the shelf" products available. Redbay have certainly designed a few "powder rooms" in their time, but they're a big financial step up from a Karnic...

[Poly]

Using a "porta-potty" in a cramped "console" whilst bobbing up and down at sea will I suspect very quickly become an absolute emergency only experience.

If the boat is big enough most of the custom builders would stick you a console on that is big enough to get inside (he RIBquest have even managed to put a "mini cabin" on a 4.8m boat).

In your part of the world there is not a shortage of good shore facilities - and you would pay for a lot of marina visits with the cost of adding a suitable console and apparatus that will likely not get used.

Do the 'ladies' who are driving the decision making actually go out in conditions where a rib brings an advantage. In my experience people (of both gender) who insist on luxuries like this usually only go out in calm weather on sunny days. If you are looking for great sea keeping and plush accommodation with comforts for people who think boating = sun bathing then you need to look at the proper cabin ribs. A bucket of blue chemical in a big locker is not going to cut it.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Ducie

consoles don't seem big enough for portable heads.
.

That's what "A" frames are for, both of my "laydees" have perfected the knack of squeezing between the engine & "A" frame & holding on with one hand. Wait until you get the nod, a quick blip in reverse, job done

The RIB that you seek, DOES exist, just be prepared to pay for it.....or compromise.

[Aries]

Wife and 2 daughters - yes the heads gets used alot.