which boat would you choose

[Jimbob]

Hello all
Well the last time I wrote it was about engine hrs and a cabin rib we went to see, however it had very little history on the engines and the last service included the heads being skimmed, so we decided to pass on it, However we have found two others. They did try to convince me to buy it, but my closing comment was, “would you buy a 40k car without a decent record”……….

I suppose the question may have many answers depending how much you will use it ++

There are two cabin ribs, one with 240hp diesel (60hrs) and the other with two Suzuki 140 hp (200hs), both have full service records, which one would you choose?

Just interested in people’s views, I think we would go for the one with two outboards for safety (but modern engines are quite reliable) and the fact we intend to travel up and down the south coast, but I don’t expect heavy use.

[Dan Gurney]

Twould probably depend on what the diesel was and what leg it was coupled to, but my gut feeling would be to go with the inboard on summat big (8m+).

As has been mentioned before, twin outboards only really give you proper redundancy if you have two fuel/leccy systems as well.

[Boatnomad]

If it was me 40k-Cabin-240hp Diesel-60hrs

[Pikey Dave]

Inboard assuming they are similar hulls/ layouts etc.

.....sh1t happens.......

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Jimbob

There are two cabin ribs, one with 240hp diesel (60hrs) and the other with two Suzuki 140 hp (200hs), both have full service records, which one would you choose?

the diesel would appeal more to me, and potential savings in fuel and service costs would pay for Seastart if you were worried - its not like you are planning to go to the Faroes - a breakdown in a cabin rib on the south coast is much more likely to be frustrating, embarrassing and inconvenient rather than life threatening.

Twin OB's have definite advantages - but unless you also have a spare 3rd outboard to swap over for any defective engine you risk going to sea less often because its twice as likely that one of them is sick. 200hrs isn't huge but it is a good bit more than the diesel... both are out of the "new niggles" phase - so which is likely to have a problem sooner?

Dockside diesel is more readily available, costs less, can be used for heating. With two legs in the water (assuming the boats are the same) then the petrol will probably also be no quicker even though it has more horses on the label.

[Jimbob]

I should have said. The are both the same make. The outboard set up does have two tanks and leccy and 10k cheaper

But the points raised are just the sort of practical views i wanted to get

[Trimix]

10k cheaper !

Use the savings to pay for a full service and any nice bits of kit you fancy - you would probably still have 8k left to spend on fuel

Also, wouldnt the outboards be out of the water when your not using it ?

[willk]

Sula or Velocity?

[whisper]

I'd be giving Biffer a call to throw Stormchaser into the mix!

It's a Custom Cabin RIB with an inboard diesel, I don't think you will find better for the money

Not the best pics, but it is an awesome Cabin RIB

[whisper]

Found a pic of the engine...

[Trimix]

Its got Oars - would that actually paddle ?

[DONUT]

I have owned both outboard and diesel ribs.

Forgetting the cost of purchase and fuel saving variables for a moment, the one thing I would say separates the diesels and the outboards is whether you want a set up that can be used and abused and forgotten about (to a degree) or one that will require your fettling and showing an interest. To explain:-

The guys in my boatyard with outboards don't worry about the alternator belts or the oil levels in fact they don't ever take the cover off the outboard and leave that to the engineers when they service them once a year. I was exactly the same and modern outboards are that good nowadays you can do that.

Now I have diesel I check the levels every weekend, I look at the belts, remove all water from the engine bay after the weekend to limit condensation,grease all cables regularly and generally fettle so the engine bay looks like it just left the factory. I also change the gear oil on the outdrive every 50 hours so it doesn't blow up as I know the engine will chew it up if I don't.

Mmm - I have made the diesel sound look like the bad option - but truth is I would not go back to outboards now - I can't afford the fuel for one thing!

So if part of your love of boating includes fettling then the diesel can work - if you want 100% flat out time on the water then maybe the outboard is better.

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by Jimbob

There are two cabin ribs, one with 240hp diesel (60hrs) and the other with two Suzuki 140 hp (200hs), both have full service records, which one would you choose?

Have you sea trialled both of them?

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Its got Oars - would that actually paddle ?

Probably not but that's how stupid the coding rules are. But I do have a smaller rib that goes with it. I would say have it surveyed if you're unsure. I haven't much service history with mine. Not because it doesn't get done but because it gets looked after 24/7 and nothing ever gets left till later. Look at the boats carefully. If everything has a place. Like spares. Anchor. Cleaning gear. Flares. First aid. Etc. you can bet it a good boat