Want a New 6 or 6.5 Rib

[SJHooper]

Need some help I have sold my Avon 580 and am looking for a 6 metre or 6.5 offshore rib. I like going out in rough weather playing off Hurst etc. Im based in Christchurch so the solents my playground. I have the following Ribs left on my list.
XS
Redbay
Ribcraft
Ballistic
Humber
Coastline

Ive tried the Ribquest and Cobra both nice boats but the ribquest is not rated cat B I want to cross the channel and vist the channel islands. Im normally out on my own but want to join a group to do this sort of travel.

Need your views

[cuttlefish]

I don't want you on my conscience if you get caught ina force 8 around Alderney, or thereabouts

[Cypman]

I admit I am somewhat biased but I don't think you can go wrong with a Humber Ocean-Pro 6.3m with a Suzuki DF 150 hung on the transom. A great sea boat albeit not the prettiest.

[matt h]

XS
Redbay
Ribcraft
humber and coastline

These are all superb ribs in the rough, as your based in dorset, why dont you request a factory visit in Yeovil and look at the Ribcraft range,(and yes ive bought one) its great watching them being built, also they have a Rib trial day out at Weymouth coming up shortly, a trial you can actually drive not like the Southampton Boats Show,its normally rough down there, exactly the type of seas you would want to trial a boat in, the attention to detail is superb as you would no doubt see!!


Speak to Jason, (he post's on here as Jace) and do a factory visit

[Jizm]

The guys at coastline build a good boat and are very approachable, they have a 7m rib at a reasonable price for sale at the momemnt.

I think it's a 2005 700X (cat B) with a suzi 250hp, a very capable boat....

[Jizm]

found a pic of the actual boat...

[Roy Smith]

Scorpion 6.5
but then i would say that.

[Nasher]

Just like I would say look at Ocean

http://www.oceanribs.co.uk/index.html

Nasher.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by Cypman

I admit I am somewhat biased but I don't think you can go wrong with a Humber Ocean-Pro 6.3m with a Suzuki DF 150 hung on the transom. A great sea boat albeit not the prettiest.

I'd agree, though I'd go for the opti!!! Sounds better in the mid range but quiet once cruising! (obviously I'm prejudiced) the ribquests on here look smart for the money, but can't comment on the seaworthiness.

[Trist]

I also im baised as i think humbers build quality is a much higher quality than many others

if you would like a sea trial feel free to contact me we have a wide range of humber ribs (mainly with optis)

Trist


www.professional-boat-sales.co.uk

[tony t]

[QUOTE=SJHooper;316289] Need some help I have sold my Avon 580 and am looking for a 6 metre or 6.5 offshore rib. I like going out in rough weather playing off Hurst etc. Im based in Christchurch so the solents my playground. I have the following Ribs left on my list.
XS
Redbay
Ribcraft
Ballistic
Humber
Coastline

Ive tried the Ribquest and Cobra both nice boats but the ribquest is not rated cat B I want to cross the channel and vist the channel islands. Im normally out on my own but want to join a group to do this sort of travel


well i,m off to ireland in my ribquest next year with a few others so what you saying ...dont go.....?

i,d like to know how many ribs on here are rated cat b and of those who are not how many have crossed the channel

i,d put the ribquest along side your humbers ballistics ribcrafts anyday (but like everyone else i,m prejudiced to)

but i,m sure you will make the right choice happy hunting

[willk]

Originally Posted by tony t

well i,m off to ireland in my ribquest next year with a few others so what you saying ...dont go.....?

Don't be a stranger!

Originally Posted by tony t

and of those who are not how many have crossed the channel

Channel - Schmannel, they cross La Manche in Ben & Gerry tubs...

... as my own Grandfather crossed it aboard less than ideal watercraft during "Dynamo"

[Chuckles99]

You would be mad not to go for a Redbay.....fits your criteria perfectly. Great build quality, Great strength, Deep V-Perfect Offshore RIB

[Poly]

Originally Posted by SJHooper

Need some help I have sold my Avon 580 and am looking for a 6 metre or 6.5 offshore rib. I like going out in rough weather playing off Hurst etc. Im based in Christchurch so the solents my playground. I have the following Ribs left on my list.
XS
Redbay
Ribcraft
Ballistic
Humber
Coastline

Ive tried the Ribquest and Cobra both nice boats but the ribquest is not rated cat B I want to cross the channel and vist the channel islands. Im normally out on my own but want to join a group to do this sort of travel.

Need your views

OK firstly ignore the Cat B stuff, its more complicated (and expensive) to get Cat B than Cat C - accordingly some manufacturers don't bother with it. From what has been reported here the "new" Ribquests are perfectly suited for cross channel/CI stuff. Indeed one of the boat mags took one of the old ribquests (which had a ropey reputation - before they were bought out) and survived!

Notable exception on your list is Osprey (before Mollers appears!).

But your list is quite varied! It goes from lower cost to higher cost, and both boats which are more aligned to rough water (but potentially a little slower) and to boat which are designed for speed (which may not be so pleasant in the rough).

So you'll need to be more specific about intended use, budget, required speed, no of people, likely weathers etc. Any preference on seating layout etc.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Notable exception on your list is Osprey (before Mollers appears!).

Nope, not me. Let the Ribcraft and Redbay owners 'glass eye' the guy.

[horizon43]

Re the Cat C - cat B thing, I wouldn't necessarily let this put you off. There will be many ribs out there that are cat C that are capable of being classified cat B. I have owned and used a few different makes and sizes of ribs over the last 20 years (Humber Delta Avon) to name a few. Ive had a New 6.3 Ribquest for the last 18 months, with regards to its capability for its size its as good as, and better than some of the Ribs I've owned in the past. But this one is definitely better built.

If I was going to change or upgrade again, I will be looking around but another Ribquest is at the top of my list possibly one of the 7m boats if I can get a good deal, Found Dave helpfull and good to deal with. tested the 7.3 at ribex in a fair chop, easily one of the best 7m boats I've experienced.

You get a tube size / style options with ribquest I would always go for the bigger tubes, doesnt make much difference I just preffer the commercial style of tube.

Just make sure you get a good test drive before you make your decision.

[cuttlefish]

other good manufacturers missing from your list, not that the ones you have there are not good ribs, but I mention it so that you can make a good comparison.
It might be useful for you to spend a bit of time (e.g. a Sunday) and go through some of the older threads on the site. There is a lot of useful info to be gleaned.

[Tino]

On the basis of personal experience the Build quality of Redbay is far better than Humber of Ribcraft. But you pay for what you get!

The new Redbay 6.5s are absolutely fantastic in the water but because of the max beam at 2.7m they are a bugger to tow!

We have 2 with Yam 150 for mark laying and would defo buy Redbays if in the market for more. I reckon that they are under powered for normal use but for mark laying 25k is more than adequate!.

If you crane launch make sure to get lifting eyes fitted.

200 - 250 hp if your pocket stretched that far!

cheers
T

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Tino

On the basis of personal experience the Build quality of Redbay is far better than Ribcraft.

I somehow doubt that.

[LeewayComposite]

I would say go for a leeway!