Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

Some good old Coast Guard and other military boats can be found on government liquidation auctions. Most would probably need to be re powered but I personally think that those older boats are far superior to some of the newer ones and they can be bought cheap.

Thanks AGENT 37!

Their still looking, decided to wait till Fall to buy though. My mom will retire (for the third or forth time) so there is time to be sure they get what they want.

They did say they were prepared to buy the minute the found the right boat, and that could be tomorrow.

They are in Florida now for a week or so screwing around and planned to hit some big dealers while there, and then work their way back up the Gulf coast coming home, marina hoping.

They may buy used, but it will be re-powered new, and probably with a Yamaha. That they already decided.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

I'm heavily involved in the UK RIB scene and we seem to have a far superior selection of heavy weather RIBs over here.Here's my own ex military Avon Searider:-

Don't bother with ANYTHING that doesn't have Hypalon tubes or needs a retube. It'll be a money pit and retubing in the USA is far more expensive than it is here.

Ignore the Avons unless you want a Searider-Seariders are fantastic but the 'sport/leisure' ribs they build aren't built by Avon themselves and slam a lot.
Seariders are apparently quite easy to find in the US.
Avoid Zodiac unless you're going to buy a CZ7 or the like or you jut want a sports rib.
The jockey seat style of console/seating is far better for rough water.
If you weren't averse to shipping one over form the UK I'd have a long hard look at the bigger Avons, Parker (from Poland), Ribcraft, Ribtec, Osprey (the 6.5m Osprey Viper is a helluva bit of kit but Ospreys are self-rig boats. You buy the bare hull and get it tubed/fit engines/consoles yourself).If you want a cabin then there's Shearwater or Parker (again).
The real mutts nuts heavy weather boats are built for the UK Ministry of Defence by VT Halmatic but these are heavy and expensive on fuel due to weight. If you're interested do a google image search for "Pacific 22" or "arctic 28".

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

I'm heavily involved in the UK RIB scene and we seem to have a far superior selection of heavy weather RIBs over here.Here's my own ex military Avon Searider:-

Don't bother with ANYTHING that doesn't have Hypalon tubes or needs a retube. It'll be a money pit and retubing in the USA is far more expensive than it is here.

Ignore the Avons unless you want a Searider-Seariders are fantastic but the 'sport/leisure' ribs they build aren't built by Avon themselves and slam a lot.
Seariders are apparently quite easy to find in the US.
Avoid Zodiac unless you're going to buy a CZ7 or the like or you jut want a sports rib.
The jockey seat style of console/seating is far better for rough water.
If you weren't averse to shipping one over form the UK I'd have a long hard look at the bigger Avons, Parker (from Poland), Ribcraft, Ribtec, Osprey (the 6.5m Osprey Viper is a helluva bit of kit but Ospreys are self-rig boats. You buy the bare hull and get it tubed/fit engines/consoles yourself).If you want a cabin then there's Shearwater or Parker (again).
The real mutts nuts heavy weather boats are built for the UK Ministry of Defence by VT Halmatic but these are heavy and expensive on fuel due to weight. If you're interested do a google image search for "Pacific 22" or "arctic 28".

This is some great information Nos4r2! Thanks!

They are in Florida checking on some as we speak. Now I have the bug and have been running through the European E-Bay offers lately.

I'll take your advice, and see what I can find on this side of the pond for me and pass the rest of the information on to them.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

This is some great information Nos4r2! Thanks!

They are in Florida checking on some as we speak. Now I have the bug and have been running through the European E-Bay offers lately.

I'll take your advice, and see what I can find on this side of the pond for me and pass the rest of the information on to them.

No problem

I forgot, there's also Humber,Bananashark (yes, really and they are EXCELLENT boats with a serious racing pedigree-have a look at bananasharkracing.co.uk) and for those who just have to have it all, Scorpion.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

No problem

I forgot, there's also Humber,Bananashark (yes, really and they are EXCELLENT boats with a serious racing pedigree-have a look at bananashrkracing.co.uk) and for those who just have to have it all, Scorpion.

Bananashark!

I want one!

As for the Scorpion, maybe in my next life.

Back to reality

I see alot of Wiking and old Metzler's on E-bay at the moment. Are they still in business, and what do you think?

P.S. I was just thinking, "Stepped Hulls" help decrease drag and increase speed, right? How come every time I see a picture of one they are flying. Does a "Stepped Hull" offer any advantage in the air.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Bananashark!

I want one!


I see alot of Wiking and old Metzler's on E-bay at the moment. Are they still in business, and what do you think?

P.S. I was just thinking, "Stepped Hulls" help decrease drag and increase speed, right? How come every time I see a picture of one they are flying. Does a "Stepped Hull" offer any advantage in the air.

No, it just serves to show how crazy the man at the throttle is

I'd personally avoid anything that doesn't have a spares backup. Tubing is expensive...

 

[axboats]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Sorry, spam not allowed here.
Please read the rules.

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

As much as I love "rubber" boats and no matter how impressed I am with the large RIBs, there is no way I would encourage my parents to buy that type of boat. They, inflatables in general, have low resale where as some traditional glass boats will maintain value over decades and generally ride better.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

As much as I love "rubber" boats and no matter how impressed I am with the large RIBs, there is no way I would encourage my parents to buy that type of boat. They, inflatables in general, have low resale where as some traditional glass boats will maintain value over decades and generally ride better.

I see this attitude a lot. Funny though how my boat is worth twice, maybe more than the same age hard boat-and it's 15 years old.

As for generally riding better, ..... sorry, but you're basing your opinions on outdated knowledge.

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

I see this attitude a lot. Funny though how my boat is worth twice, maybe more than the same age hard boat-and it's 15 years old.

As for generally riding better, ..... sorry, but you're basing your opinions on outdated knowledge.

Yes, I agree with you these large RIBs are amazing but I also note that your in the UK, I think the OP is in North America and talking the Gulf Coast where I am from and where such boats are looked upon universally as expensive and as not being a very permanent boating solution and thus the often atrocious resale compared to glass boats like Grady White, Boston Whaler, Regulator, Contender etc. As well there is not much of knowledgeable base/service network here or parts infrastructure.

Your preaching to the choir with me, I fully understand the quality and amazing capabilities of modern RIBs, just in Amurika, most Amurikans do not and don't care. I have been laughed at for years with my small Novuranias and Zodiacs and Achilles which have served me well and would love to have a large RIB.

So, all I am saying is do some careful research, if resale is not an issue then pardon me, go for it.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

Yes, I agree with you these large RIBs are amazing but I also note that your in the UK, I think the OP is in North America and talking the Gulf Coast where I am from and where such boats are looked upon universally as expensive and as not being a very permanent boating solution and thus the often atrocious resale compared to glass boats like Grady White, Boston Whaler, Regulator, Contender etc. As well there is not much of knowledgeable base/service network here or parts infrastructure.

Your preaching to the choir with me, I fully understand the quality and amazing capabilities of modern RIBs, just in Amurika, most Amurikans do not and don't care. I have been laughed at for years with my small Novuranias and Zodiacs and Achilles which have served me well and would love to have a large RIB.

So, all I am saying is do some careful research, if resale is not an issue then pardon me, go for it.

I think I have more than covered the pros and cons of having a RIB with them. They also have a close friend that ran a business of river tours with high power RIBs for at least the last 25 years.

They have had, and or still have, just about every type of boat sold in America in the last 40 years at one time or the other. I can't say with a hundred percent certainty that they will choose this type of boat (RIB), but it really looks like they are leaning this way. They have two small aluminum boats at the moment, and it could be something "like" a larger Lund or Canadian/Alaskan styled aluminum boat that they buy in the end. They aren't just "pretty weather" boaters, and safety plays a large role.

A typical fiberglass hull like that found in Bayliner or such, doesn't even come into question. Their last "glass" hulled boat was a Wellcraft with center console and twin 200's.

They aren't follow the leader type people.

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

I did not say anything about a Bayliner, did not know anyone had. Where does that come from? I did mention a few glass boats but Bayliner was not among them. Your very first post metioned "resale" and that was the requirment of YOURS that I was responding to based on my personal history with small inflatables and a few friends who managed to afford larger RIBs.

You might enjoy this link if you have not seen it before, very impressive stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYrZUPE0PCo&feature=related

And this one too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEwevfkWNOg&feature=related

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

I did not say anything about a Bayliner, did not know anyone had. Where does that come from? I did mention a few glass boats but Bayliner was not among them. Your very first post metioned "resale" and that was the requirment of YOURS that I was responding to based on my personal history with small inflatables and a few friends who managed to afford larger RIBs.

You might enjoy this link if you have not seen it before, very impressive stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYrZUPE0PCo&feature=related

And this one too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEwevfkWNOg&feature=related

I mentioned Bayliner, I think I can mention a boat manufacture in my own thread, or?

You mentioned “traditional glass boats”, and “Bayliner” is the stereotypical traditional fiberglass American boat. You didn't, as you say, mention any glass boats by name, I did.

As far as the dealer and parts problem goes they now live in Arkansas and there is a very large Search & Rescue dealer within 20minutes of their house carrying, rebuilding, and servicing all the best brands. The boat is not for the weekend only, they want it for extended trips (including the Gulf, the East Coast, Canada, and Alaska) on the water, meaning if the weather is bad, the boat better be ready.

As far as resale goes, I would say the market at the moment would disagree with you. Glass boats in general are not holding their value better than RIB's.

A neighbor, who is in the import/export of luxury cars business, has just bought a ship load of unsaleable used Larson boats from the States for 10 cents on the dollar, and today when I was at the Marina they were unloading truck after truck of used Four Winns out of Florida.

What they can't sell here (Germany), will be going to the Middle East.

The market for Inflatables & RIB's on the other hand seems to be holding it's own rather well.

My very first post did mentioned "resale", and I meant the resale value of particular RIB brands in the RIB segment of the boat market.

If you just want to argue with someone, please pick someone else, other wise any of your wisdom and experience is greatly appreciated.

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

I am not arguing, I was trying to help, I don't appreciate your attitude. But, be that as it may, I wish for you and you parents the very best enjoyment and best of luck with their new boat. Since the considerable experience I have with both glass and inflatables will be taken as argument I withdraw from the discussion. Good day and take care.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

Nice boat, is it yours?

 

[jdlough]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

I've seen RIB boats, for what seems to be cheap, compared to a Boston Whaler of the same length. Aside from what you guys do with the big motors, would you consider a RIB boat idiot-proof like a BW?

Would you let your teenager loose on one? Can they puncture it? Are they self bailing?

Jim

 

[jdlough]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

high'n'dry...

I've read your post here and other posts, I don't get it.

You state your belief, offer clear reasoning behind it, restate that it is only your personal experience, and wish good luck to all.

Then you get abuse for it?

Jim