What RIB would you go for

[andyjcox1]

Hi all, I am looking at buying my first RIB (not my first boat) but am coming up against the usual compromises I have to make and wondered what others would do as I can't decide unless I win some money soon. My ideal RIB is a Ribcraft 6.4, with a 5.85 a close second. However, my budget puts these out of reach so based on my requirements, any thoughts on best boat for the job welcomed..

Requirments are:

Deep V hull (or at least good sea keeping in up to F5-6)
Easy to launch/recover on my own on a decent slipway
Can take a wife and 2 year old on sunny days (thinking a bench seat at the back is best for this one)
Ideal layout - 2 jockey seats plus a bench at back
4 stroke outboard
GPS plotter
Roller trailer
Budget of up to £12k max, prefer £10k
Good windshield

Likely boating (based in Poole):

A quick single handed blast from Poole to Old harry rocks and back
A blast to IOW for the day (20nm) in anything up to F5/6
Love the idea of cruises as per the ones on here, ultimate is Round Ireland but realise my new boat may be limited to this.

Boats I am considering:

Ribeye 500 playtime
Avon Adventure 620
Avon Searider 5.4 (alot tend to look abit too commercial for my liking)

What would you go for, or anything I haven't considered yet?

Cheer, Andy

[PeterM]

I'm after the same ( but with four jockey seats) ..Ribcraft do a 5.3 but most have slightly differant seatingand I think they are rarer than the 5.85

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Your best bet is the Searider 5.4 of those above.

For £10k you could get a really clean example with all the gear and a decent engine and trailer, plus all the electronics, drysuits, lifejackets and watersports toys.

You could consider a clean SR5.4 hull and jockey, with a decent trailer for £2-3k, then purchase a new 90/115 optimax for £6k and have the change for some electrics and tarting up/new seating etc

Having a new engine gives you some serious confidence and saleability for the next 5 years!

Also, if you get more cash you could move the engine to your desired (pay for the name, bmw cough) Ribcraft.

[Boats&Outboards]

What about a Ribcraft 6.8 with twin Yam 75 2 Strokes ? Within budget and includes trailer etc, 4 jockey seats, ski pole etc. we could swap it out for a single Opti 225 if preferred ?

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

What about a Ribcraft 6.8 with twin Yam 75 2 Strokes ? Within budget and includes trailer etc, 4 jockey seats, ski pole etc. we could swap it out for a single Opti 225 if preferred ?

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

Too big and expensive to run for me. :-(. Been there done that.....

[spartacus]

This Ribeye 500 is in the for sale section just now. Great seating options, and 4-stroke F80 Yamaha. No idea regards performance, but seller quotes it as being a deep V. Wolf Rock have one too - but outwith budget.
http://www.rib.net/forum/f21/ribeye-...ler-52249.html

Couple of Avon Seariders 5.4m on FAFB which would be project boats, new engines, seating, etc. Ribs/inflatables - FAFB

[andyjcox1]

Thanks for all the quick replies, I think the Ribcraft 6.8 would be a bit on the big side for launching/recovering single handed, and definately too thirsty with twins on the back, but thanks for pointing it out. I'll keep it on the reserve list.

I have seen the Ribeye, and it looks ideal, my only concern if it will be too small, and possible a wet ride?

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by spartacus

This Ribeye 500 is in the for sale section just now. Great seating options, and 4-stroke F80 Yamaha. No idea regards performance, but seller quotes it as being a deep V. Wolf Rock have one too - but outwith budget.
http://www.rib.net/forum/f21/ribeye-...ler-52249.html

Couple of Avon Seariders 5.4m on FAFB which would be project boats, new engines, seating, etc. Ribs/inflatables - FAFB

That Ribeye looks spot on for what this guy wants. Ideal family boat and easy to launch and recover single handed. Plus it'll be pretty frugal!

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Tim M

That Ribeye looks spot on for what this guy wants. Ideal family boat and easy to launch and recover single handed. Plus it'll be pretty frugal!

+1 ..if it had 4 jockeys and no antifoul I'd be looking very hard at it .

The sort of weather you'd want to go out in I'd guess it will be as dry as anything else..

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

What about a Ribcraft 6.8 with twin Yam 75 2 Strokes ? Within budget and includes trailer etc, 4 jockey seats, ski pole etc. we could swap it out for a single Opti 225 if preferred ?

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

Don't smear the RC on your site Peter?

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Crusher]

Originally Posted by andyjcox1

Thanks for all the quick replies, I think the Ribcraft 6.8 would be a bit on the big side for launching/recovering single handed, and definately too thirsty with twins

Don't rule out a 6.8 for single handed launches (Ribcraft or any other)
I own a RC7.8 and it is the easiest boat I have ever launched and recovered single handed (& I've owned plenty and launched loads more!) it is far more to do with how well the trailer is set up to the boat.

But agree with the thirsty twins ......

Good luck with your search...

[jambo]

Originally Posted by jambo

Don't smear the RC on your site Peter?

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Peter don't know how that came only excuse is I'm on the road!!!! It meant to say what year and price? You can pm me so we don't high jack the threat.

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[paulbrown22]

Back to the original post - I know many people don't like them here, but we had an Avon Adventure 620 for a number of years, based in Poole. It's more of a medium V, so not as soft a ride in very rough weather, but we took it out in most conditions year round, and it never missed a beat. If you don't like the "commercial" look of a Searider, and are mainly going to be doing coastal (rather than offshore) cruising, I'd certainly still consider an Adventure.

Regarding launching, not sure why boat length would make much difference to whether you can launch single handed or not, other than the fact that with smaller rigs you might be able to push around by hand without a vehicle. I quite happily launch my 9m Ribtec single handed - it just needs slightly better planning, and I can barely move the empty trailer by itself without using the vehicle! It's more how well the boat fits the trailer, and how you plan/execute the launch that makes the difference.

[C2 RIBS]

Originally Posted by PeterM

+1 ..if it had 4 jockeys and no antifoul I'd be looking very hard at it .

The sort of weather you'd want to go out in I'd guess it will be as dry as anything else..

Peter these 5 metre Ribeyes came as seen on the images but the next two sizes up the 5.5 and 6.0 have twin double jockeys and same back bench. All have the same beam in this range http://ribeye.co.uk/documents/RibeyeASeriesEmail.pdf image of 5.5 shows as 5.0 but most fitted with twin doubles

[Nick Hearne]

I was looking at the Avon 6.2 & the 6m Ribeye for some time and tested them both before ending up with the Ribeye. Had it for a year now & it has been a great success with the family of 5.
Have not tried the 5m but they do go well with out too much power on the back as they do not weigh as much as some because they have a moulded fibreglass deck not ply as most UK built boats so saves on weight!
I have been out in some really shitty conditions, one that springs to mind was last year after dropping off some people in the Hamble my wife calls me to say she is trying to hold the last place in the marina in Cowes but I need to get there as quick as pos, well we got over in know time in a really nasty choppy see & the Ribeye was just great taking it all in her stride.

Having said that I would be very picky if looking at anything prey 2005 as the deck had 2 metal runners running down the deck which seats & console are attached to & IMO there not so well put together as the latter ones.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

Peter these 5 metre Ribeyes came as seen on the images but the next two sizes up the 5.5 and 6.0 have twin double jockeys and same back bench. All have the same beam in this range http://ribeye.co.uk/documents/RibeyeASeriesEmail.pdf image of 5.5 shows as 5.0 but most fitted with twin doubles

Thanks Ian....I'm keeping my eyes peeled..... :-)