My finances are looking almost healthy at the moment and rather than waste any more money on vehicles I am thinking about tackling a long standing item on the wish list and getting a rigid inflatable

So - I am sure there are boaty people on here but I can't remember who (haven't seen boat_buoy for a while)

Any tips, what to get, what to avoid? I'm looking at something for fun on fine days, gotta do something up around 35-40 knots for fun factor, much more than that is a bit wasted as it is rarely likely to be calm enough to use it. Probably about 5 metres or so, big enough to not sink at the first sight of a wave but not too big to move around and store, and probably somewhere between 65 and 90hp. Don't need to carry lots of people but up to 4 maximum would probably be ideal, I'd certainly want the ability to carry at least one passenger even if I'd not use it that often.

So, some obvious questions might include:

1) What make? I've seen Avon and Humber ones round here, I guess they are OK, any others to look for? any to avoid?

2) Two smaller engines 35-40hp or one big one 65-70hp and a little auxiliary one for when it breaks? (which the 2 stroke ones I have seen seem to do quite a lot...) Four stroke would be nice but I think they are way outside a sensible price?

3) Looking at the Humber site, they do shallow-V hulls or deep-V hulls, which is best and why? From what I have read the deep hull ones are supposed to be better on rough water as they cut through waves rather than bouncing off but presumably the shallow ones require less water and therefore are easier to get on and off a trailer? The British Antarctic Survey apparently use the shallow V Humber ones which can't be a bad recommendation ... ?

4) Are they normally "naturally buoyant" i.e. if you rip open one side or put a hole in it will it float rather than sink? I guess so, but for safety it seems like a good thing to have - it's 'kin cold in the sea here and if the worst happens, it could be a while before you got fished out depending on where you were.

5) What sort of age do they start to become a liability in terms of the tubes perishing? We have very strong UV here and there's no point in buying something that's half knackered already ... but I don't really think I want to go for a new one, a bit too expensive really.

Any info gratefully received!

Ta

Stephen

When i was younger, i always hankered for a dell-quey "dorey" (or was is "dory"), rigid with a flat hull.

IIRC they were virtually unsinkable. think the MoD used them

can you not "source" an ex military one from the local camp?

Can usually be found on ORRP, although for one reason or another not online much at the mo.

Jim, do you mean a Rigid Raider? I could have got one of those in a sale from MPA a few years ago but didn't have the money at the time and they were in a bit of a state anyway, needed a lot of work doing all the controls and stuff were wrecked.

A chap I know here has one, a beast of a thing he's only got one motor on it though, I think the "real thing" has 2 x 140s on it, even his one will zip along at a pretty respectable speed though from what I have seen it takes a while to get up to top speed, but having seen it on the move I think it is a lot more stable than a RIB because of the extra weight. I'd have it like a shot but I don't think it is for sale... nice bit of kit though, virtually unsinkable and there is definitely something quite in driving something that the Marines use

Scorpions are pretty good.

Go for an inboard diesel. Hell of a lot cheaper to run.

Matt

As Matt says, an inboard diesel will be much more reliable and economical, but might be overkill in a 5m boat!

As far as outboards go, the one engine verses two is as old as the hills. One will be lighter, cheaper and more economical than two, but two will give you some peace of mind if one dies mid south atlantic.

As far as the actual boat goes, make sure you try a couple in a good swell. The physics of the hull mean that a deeper V section will mean a much faster and more stable ride at speed.

Price will dictate your choice but you cant go wrong with any of the big name boats, Zodiac or Avon being the market leaders. Sea Riders are an excelleant RIB with good safety reserves . Type of use will dictate the boat to some extreme . Fishing, watersports, cruising all have different priorities.

Inboards with diesels will be probably cost twice as much as an outboard rigged rib. Same as twin engined ribs.

Not necassary in a well mainted pleasure boat. For safety in case of an emergency a much smaller outboard carried as an auxillary will be a far cheaper option.

If possible get a modern four stroke engine or if a good two stroke comes up make sure it is modern enough to have a seperate oil tank rather than needing a fuel mix into the tank.

Centre astride seating is much safer in bad weather or strong swell operating conditions but limits the number of seats for passengers.

Also if you dont have prevois experience take some form of safety course dealing with boatmanship navigation, tidal streams ,pilotage etc. many are run by the RYA but in your part of the word I dont know if any exist.
Very important in your area when you look at the local navigation issues and strengh of tidal streams.

Due to work commitments etc I haven't been in here very often... poked nose in couple times for a few minutes

BogMonster aren't you Bogbuster? when did the change happen?

Changed it a couple of weeks back.

Thanks for the replies so far.

I'm not spending a huge amount of money because it's just something to mess about with on a nice weekend, I don't think I am likely to do much more than that because outside the outer harbour you're into a whole different ball game in the South Atlantic swell.... our company runs 2 high speed launches (one is I think based on a lifeboat hull) and there's a fair few days in the year when they don't go too far there are days when you could go well outside but they are few and far between and there's an awful lot of wind/rocks/currents out there too, definitely not something I'd try for a while. Oh and I forgot to mention as well, if you do go out along the south coast and have a problem, many of the beaches are minefields for the first 5 miles or so... so you don't really wanna be landing there

So I think inboard diesel and four stroke, while nice, are probably out of the price range. Running costs are a bit like having a V8 in a play vehicle - not gonna be using it enough to be a major concern, probably only a few hours a month even in summer and not at all in winter (wind chill is a bit of an issue!)

If I order one ex UK I won't be able to try it in anything, there are a few around here but they mostly seem to change hands for a lot of money and I'm not sure about condition either.

Centre seating is what I was looking at, and oil injection was also pretty much part of the spec but I must admit I thought it was pretty standard these days? I have no experience at all but I do know several people round here that have quite a bit going back a number of years - just after some extra opinions and thoughts from people outside the immediate environment

As for training - unless I can pick up something locally (unlikely) it'll be the beginning of next summer before I get it (no point in having it sitting round through the winter) and if I go away on holiday this winter I'll probably try and find somewhere doing that sort of training in the UK, don't think anybody does that sort of thing here (though there is plenty of expertise around)

Stephen,
If you decide not to buy untill after you come to the UK let me know while you are here and I can arrange for you to try some different ribs with different instructers.
Also if you decide to do your powerboat part 1 and 2 while you are here I can put youi in touch with somepeople who can help.

Thanks for the offer Dave, much appreciated, I'll see what turns up here in the way of boats but that sounds like a very good idea regardless of what I end up buying

Stephen

I have a Humber 5.5m deep v hull with centre console jockey seat and rear saddle seat for 2 passengers.

Powered by a 130hp Yamaha 2 stroke.

It did have a 90hp Johnson which was capable of 40 knots, now it will do 50 knots! But it is on the edge of safe control!

I have a 4hp Yamaha auxillary but would go for an 8 hp in your waters as you need good drive to have effective steering.

Humber make very robust boats and are a family firm offering a helpful service. They do not hard sell and offer fair prices. They often have second hand or special offers to keep their stock moving.

I bought my rib from the NE Sea Fisheries Protection Board in Bridlington N. Yorks. It was a year old and was £5800 including the Johnson which I subsequently sold for £2000 to fund the Yamaha. I paid £800 for a brand new trailer. The whole rig comes just under the 750kg when fully loaded.
With my trailer I can easily unload and recover the rib on to the lawn as the rollers pull the trailer under the hull rather than dragging the rib onto it. When unloading in this way I just place a couple of car tyres under the transom to start. So launching and recovery off the beach is a piece of cake provided there is not too much swell. Normally I don't get the wheel bearings on the trailer wet! Which reduces the need to change the bearings so often.

They sold it because it was not as stable as their previous Avon Searider for boarding fishing boats. The Avon Searider has a compartment under the floor that you can flood with sea water, making the rib more stable for boarding in swells/choppy seas.

The Humber would be a good choice for your waters. The sponsons are made from Hypalon and should be good for 20 years if properly cared for. Traffic wax is recommended once a year to keep them in top condition.

What do the marines use down there? Perhaps you could buy something from them rather than them shipping home at end of service. I agree with your 5m length as a minimum.

For lots of help and advice I suggest you join the - http://www.rib.net/forum/

It is very helpful and friendly, being much like the atmosphere you find on here.

Good luck

John

Yeah. missed the 5 metre bit.

Matt

Thanks John

Another question: wot sorta mota? forgot to ask that originally, doh!

I've seen Johnsons, Mariners and I think the odd Honda or Yamaha, is there much to choose between them?

I think the fisheries guys here use Seariders with lots of horses on the back, but they are operating out in the middle of the S Atlantic which is a bit choppy at times...

So far I've drawn a blank trying to get a used one out of BAS, the military have not long replaced theirs so I doubt there will be anything out there sadly

Your trailer sounds ideal, I've seen some struggles with launching and recovery in the past but really I want something I can deal with myself without needing to find somebody else. Have you got a photo of that? sounds interesting and the sort of thing I need.

Well if you go for two engines, ideally you want to go belt and braces for reliability. So separate fuel tanks, seperate batteries, spereate electrics etc etc such that there is then no need to carry a back up motor.

However ouboards are very much like cars - modern japanese ones are very reliable, if properly maintained. However a 20 year old one thats had a hard life in salt water most definately wont be!

Are we talking new or used here, casue one thing to bear in mind if used is the lifespan of the inflateable parts. IIRC you need to budget for replacing them about very 10 -15 years or so.

HTH
Jon

OT here but my dad made the first UK Dorey!

Stephen, Are the flights from there to the Uk direct?

Stephen

Look here http://www.apolloduck.com/range.phtml?id=189 for the trailers, mine is the 500 version.

As for engines find out who is the best outboard marine engineer locally and buy what he is best qualified to maintain.

Four stroke servicing is more expensive and they are heavier giving less torque than two stroke.
However they are much quieter and less thirsty by up to 40%.

A 90hp 2 stroke crusing at 35/40 knots will use one litre/mile, so if you are planning longer trips a four stroke will give you the best range.

I have a built in tank of 100 litres under the drivers console plus I carry two 25litre plastic fuel tanks as reserve/for the auxillary engine.

I always plan to be back in port with 50litres remaining fuel as a safety margin.

A good VHF/DSC two way radio, compass, gps nav screen, fire extinguisher x 2, life jackets/lines, flares, nav lights, dry suit and you will be setup.

On my Humber there is a seat in the bow area which can hold an additional adult or two children.

My rib is just large enough for four divers with their all kit without being too crowded.

John

How about this?

Yes they are, from RAF Brize Norton via Ascension Island to here.

Camel Trophy RIB mmmmmmm very nice now that would fit the bill nicely wonder if it's left hand drive being in Spain?

Also got half an eye on a fibreglass speedboat up for sale here, allegedly good for about 60kt on a good day, has a 140 on the back, but the seller (who may well be reading this... he's a lurker on this forum from time to time) is going to have to knock the price down a bit first I'd prefer a RIB though for the full wind in the hair picking seagulls out of your teeth experience anyway I am going to go for a spin in it when he gets his butt into gear and puts it back in the water (it was in the other weekend but rather embarrassingly for him broke down and would only do about 3 kt! turned out to be muck in the carbs apparently)

I nearly bought one of those to go with my Camel Disco a few years back

Colour coded boat eh? - very flash Andy

Stephen, all down to budget !!

1) What make? I've seen Avon and Humber ones round here, I guess they are OK, any others to look for? any to avoid? Avon more of a "soft" type of rib, Humber is more offshore

2) Two smaller engines 35-40hp or one big one 65-70hp and a little auxiliary one for when it breaks? (which the 2 stroke ones I have seen seem to do quite a lot...) Four stroke would be nice but I think they are way outside a sensible price? i have allways gone for 1 large one with a small aux ! Four stroke have been left behind a little by the new gentation 2 stroke's, again down to budget

3) Looking at the Humber site, they do shallow-V hulls or deep-V hulls, which is best and why? From what I have read the deep hull ones are supposed to be better on rough water as they cut through waves rather than bouncing off but presumably the shallow ones require less water and therefore are easier to get on and off a trailer? The British Antarctic Survey apparently use the shallow V Humber ones which can't be a bad recommendation ... ? The deep Vee's need more power, but are better offshore/rought stuff, the med Vee's slam a lot more

5) What sort of age do they start to become a liability in terms of the tubes perishing? We have very strong UV here and there's no point in buying something that's half knackered already ... but I don't really think I want to go for a new one, a bit too expensive really. they recon on about 10 years,life for the tubes, but if a good make. & looked after, 15 years should not be a problem


as mentioned have a search and join Ribnet i have found very simalar to here !!

Regards Tim


Mine

Stephen,
Have a look at Coastal Voyager for a few good recommendations. We have been out on that boat with Marcus the owner and Steve, the second driver many times.

Both are very experienced mariners (and active with the local lifeboat) and can handle the machine brilliantly... It easily outpaces all of the local craft, including the lifeboats and is very stable and manoevarable.

For engines though, Marcus did have a lot of problems with the Mercurys and when we last saw him, he had had to buy a third to try and avoid downtime but still had a couple of days when the boat could not go because more than one engine was sick

The fuel consumption was unbelievably horrific Make the Rangie look economic .

Steven.
For what its worth.
I was a commercial fisherman on South Africa's south coast between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town for 10 years between 1984 to 1994. Before I bought a 45 ft cat with twin Perkins Diesel engines we tended to use 25 ft cats (glass fibre double hulled) fitted with x 2 Yamaha 90hp 2 stroke outboards and 8 crew, engines got bigger as new models became avaliable I recall seeing 225 hp on the back of some boats before I left. Anyway weather conditions generally had to be bad for us to catch the squid....typically on calm days nothing happened.
As the weather tended to be so bad, the boats got really hammered and the Yamaha's got it worse..however, the Yamaha's were the ONLY engine that could take the punishment, most others failed, with approx 200 boats in the fleet at that time, 99% used Yamaha.
The boats had planing hulls with wind tunnels and were capable of 25 - 35 knots with a lot of gear - plus about 300 litres of fuel on board in plastic 5 gallon tanks.

Just one word of warning, Series vehicles may bounce you along but...nothing is more uncomfortable than a small planing hull going 25 knots into a headlong gale. Get to the back and keep standing otherwise you will look like a vervet monkey eating pea NUTS. ha ha.

TJ101 very very nice can I have it please

Looking at something else at the moment, an all fibreglass boat, 5.8m with an Evinrude 140 on the back, went out for a quick blast in it last night and it'll do about 40 with two not exactly lightweight people in, a little faster with only one in apparently, the owner had it up to nearer 50 after he offloaded me he said (cheeky bugger!) but at just under 40 it was quite "slappy" even over pretty small waves. Not sure how old it is but estimate probably somewhere between 10 and 15 years. Anybody like to PM me with what they think would be a reasonable price for something like that? complete with home-made trailer, small aux engine (4hp I think) and some other bits and bobs, anchors etc, instruments giving speed/depth/distance. I know what he wants for it but I just want to know what others with more experience would pay for something that age and size.

My other option which might be available locally is a 5.8m RIB with a 115hp Johnson outboard but it's only a couple of years old I think and I think the guy is going to want too much for it (for my budget anyway) though I haven't spoken to him first hand yet.

Really a question of whether it is more economical to get something here that I can see, or get one in the UK and ship down (shipping cost ~£1000 minimum) and not know anything about it.

Thanks

Edited to say anybody got any comments on the pros and cons of an all fibreglass hull vs a RIB....?

[quote name='BogMonster' date='Mar 3 2006, 01:12 AM' post='42332']
TJ101 very very nice can I have it please

Ask the chaps on Ribnet for a guide price for the rib.
They will be interested to hear from someone in your location and are very helpful with advice.

John

Stephen,, Ribnet, is a good place to start, but will need to know aprox age, and make of Rib / FG boat ??
as there are Very good ones, and then not so good makes

Yeah the price guide is for the fibreglass one, I've already got a fair idea of the RIB that's available, its a reasonable price for what it is just more than I am looking to spend!

Fg ones seem to go from next to nothing to a hell of a lot, which confuses me a bit!

Thanks - I'll have a better look at RIBnet over the weekend

cheers