RIB

[Silver993tt]

Hi, I'm contemplating buying a RIB but it will be used and based in the Mediterranean. I've seen models such as the Capelli 626 and 690 and they look quite attractive. Anyone know this make of RIB and have any experience/comments?

I saw an Avon 580, basically brand new, only used twice. Details are as follows:

Avon 580 (2008 model)
Length 5.8 Mts.
Engine: Suzuki 4 stroke 150 hp.

Instrumentation: GPS, Shower, Radar Arch, 360 degree spotlight, fuel tank 75 lts, full cover set, alpine stereo system, navigation lights, galvanised trailer.

Rib has been used 2 times only. Asking price is £35,000

Price looks steep to me, obviously the extras add to the base price but still looks expensive.

Also, what are the advantages of having 2 smaller outboards rather than 1 single outboard on such a RIB? For example 2x100hp instead of 1x200hp.

In my view, advantages are:

safety - backup engine if needed
Lighter smaller outboards if removal necessary


Disadvantages are:

More moving parts, so more likely one will fail
More fuel consumption - not sure about this though
More setup required to make sure they are balanced

I would be thinking of 4-stroke outboards, so is reliability really an issue with these?

tia

Edited by Silver993tt on Wednesday 3rd September 16:52

[martinmac]

From my experience of these, a few years out of date now, it depends very much on what they have been used for before you buy them. Would always go for a twin system having spent a very lonely hour drifting around waiting for rescue.
Used to do a lot of miles in pretty awful conditions in them so if you get a good one you will be fine.

[BigLepton]

Silver993tt said:

Hi, I'm contemplating buying a RIB but it will be used and based in the Mediterranean. I've seen models such as the Capelli 626 and 690 and they look quite attractive. Anyone know this make of RIB and have any experience/comments?

I saw an Avon 580, basically brand new, only used twice. Details are as follows:

Avon 580 (2008 model)
Length 5.8 Mts.
Engine: Suzuki 4 stroke 150 hp.

Instrumentation: GPS, Shower, Radar Arch, 360 degree spotlight, fuel tank 75 lts, full cover set, alpine stereo system, navigation lights, galvanised trailer.

Rib has been used 2 times only. Asking price is £35,000

Price looks steep to me, obviously the extras add to the base price but still looks expensive.

Also, what are the advantages of having 2 smaller outboards rather than 1 single outboard on such a RIB? For example 2x100hp instead of 1x200hp.

In my view, advantages are:

safety - backup engine if needed
Lighter smaller outboards if removal necessary


Disadvantages are:

More moving parts, so more likely one will fail
More fuel consumption - not sure about this though
More setup required to make sure they are balanced

I would be thinking of 4-stroke outboards, so is reliability really an issue with these?

tia

Edited by Silver993tt on Wednesday 3rd September 16:52

I do a bit of ribbing around the solent and done some in the med.

£35k is horrendously expensive for an Avon 580 by at least £10k!

Med designed RIBs tend to have fairly shallow V hulls making them fast when it's flat, but hard to use when it's not. Even for the Med I'd take a proper deep V RIB because it will be so much more usable and comfortable when it's anything other than dead flat. If you're looking at a budget around £35k you can do so much better than the leisure orientated Avons. I'd have a look at Ribcraft as they are well respected top quality boats and you'll get a new 650 for around your price. Also look at Humber Ocean Pro and even a lightly used 7.5 Scorpion for that money. All excellent boats.

As for the two versus one engines debate - two is great for serious offshore use but unnecessary for leisure use. Two offer redundancy but only if the have entirely separate fuel and electrical systems which adds weight and complexity. The other thing to consider is two props in the water doubles the drag so 2 x 100hp outboards will be slower than 1 x 200hp outboard and of course use more fuel. The best solution IME is a single main outboard and a small auxiliary 9.9hp outboard stored in the RIB and a an aux o/b bracket. If the main engine conks out, you drop the aux on its bracket and potter home at 5 knots.

As for reliability between 2 and 4 stroke there is not really anything in it. 4 strokes are a little more user friendly and better at going slowly, two stroke like the ETEC are good if you go everywhere quickly and don't mind a bit more noise and vibration.

HTH

[XJSJohn]

BigLepton said:

The best solution IME is a single main outboard and a small auxiliary 9.9hp outboard stored in the RIB and a an aux o/b bracket. If the main engine conks out, you drop the aux on its bracket and potter home at 5 knots.

That would be my solution too ....

(just remember to either get a 4 stroke, the same as your main engine, or have some 2 stroke motor oil handy .... )