I'm looking to upgrade to a larger RiB and, having spent Sunday at Southampton Boat Show, was wondering what people thoughts were regarding vacuum formed hulls?
Am looking at circa 4.5m and would be interested to your opinons on the following options:
Avon Adventure 410 or 470
Zodiac Yachtline DL 420 or 470
Brig Falcon 450
Valiant 450 Sport
Piranha 420
Or any suggestions for similar sized boats.
RiB will be used purely for leisure (not diving/water-skiing) and mainly on the Solent.
Vacuum forming as in resin infusion still requires skill to make a boat, it does remove one or two of the processes and does make it simpler, but nothing will guarantee a perfect hull.
I would ignore how it's made and go on what users think of the individual boats .............
i have a brig falcon 450 with a honda 50 four stroke which i use just for pleasure with the family (my wife and 3 year old daughter)
i can very easily launch and recover the boat on my own straight off the beach at black rock sands porthmadog i find this a superb rib for handling and economy
it has an under seat 30lt fuel tank with a spare 10lt which i,ll get a good couple of days fishing out off. top speed round about 30knts
all in all this is a great fun family rib easy to handle and safe with the kids on board.
hope this helps
Andy
