Advice on RIBs please.

[Joe Sniadek]

Our club is considering buying a RIB and wondered if anyone could offer advice on sizes, makes etc. Is there any advantage in having a 6mt over a 5.5mt for instance. Are Humbers better than Avons. Is there anything in particular we should be looking for.
We are an inland club based in the midlands so it would have to be towable by somthing smaller than an HGV!
All advice welcome.

[David Walker]

Our club is considering buying a RIB and wondered if anyone could offer advice on sizes, makes etc. Is there any advantage in having a 6mt over a 5.5mt for instance. Are Humbers better than Avons. Is there anything in particular we should be looking for.

Is 6m better than 5.5m? Well it depends how many people you want to get on it, and how much free space you want!

Look at the width of the RIB too - it is VERY important. We use a 5.3m RIB at my uni club... if we have 4 people with kit on the boat, there is no standing space left - the floor is completely filled with kit, no room for bottle racks or anything either.
My home club has a 6.5m RIB - just over one metre longer (~20%), but it easily carries 10 fully kitted divers with twinsets and stages and still has a ~1.5x1.5m area at the back that is completely free space.
The big difference? Width! My home club had the hull made wider than normal, and the tubes mounted a foot or so out from where they would usually be, giving a lot of room... and it can still manage 50 knots (although its a very bumpy ride!)

Make sure the engine matches the size of the boat too!

David

[Joe Sniadek]

Look at the width of the RIB too - it is VERY important. We use a 5.3m RIB at my uni club... if we have 4 people with kit on the boat, there is no standing space left - the floor is completely filled with kit, no room for bottle racks or anything either.
My home club has a 6.5m RIB - just over one metre longer (~20%), but it easily carries 10 fully kitted divers with twinsets and stages and still has a ~1.5x1.5m area at the back that is completely free space.
The big difference? Width! My home club had the hull made wider than normal, and the tubes mounted a foot or so out from where they would usually be, giving a lot of room... and it can still manage 50 knots (although its a very bumpy ride!)

Make sure the engine matches the size of the boat too!

David

Thanks,
Were there any problems with towing the larger boat, we are quite keen that it could be towed by an average size family car if poss.

Joe

[Martyn]

:=Our club is considering buying a RIB and wondered if anyone could offer advice on sizes, makes etc. Is there any advantage in having a 6mt over a 5.5mt for instance. Are Humbers better than Avons. Is there anything in particular we should be looking for.

Is 6m better than 5.5m? Well it depends how many people you want to get on it, and how much free space you want!

Look at the width of the RIB too - it is VERY important. We use a 5.3m RIB at my uni club... if we have 4 people with kit on the boat, there is no standing space left - the floor is completely filled with kit, no room for bottle racks or anything either.
My home club has a 6.5m RIB - just over one metre longer (~20%), but it easily carries 10 fully kitted divers with twinsets and stages and still has a ~1.5x1.5m area at the back that is completely free space.
The big difference? Width! My home club had the hull made wider than normal, and the tubes mounted a foot or so out from where they would usually be, giving a lot of room... and it can still manage 50 knots (although its a very bumpy ride!)

Make sure the engine matches the size of the boat too!

David
Not only is it about how many divers you want to fit in the boat, but who can tow! Our club has a 6 mtr, which is superb and hold 8 divers - fairly confortably. But there are only a very few diver who have 4WDs to tow, and as importantly, launch such a heavy RIB.The larger RIBS make better diving platforms and can ride the rougher sea conditions where smaller RIBs will struggle. We sold our 2nd RIB, a 5.5 tornado for a smaller more portable 5.3 tornado, which will take 4 divers, but tight with any more. It can be towed behind any reasonably powered saloon and offers the club good flexibility. Bear in mind that if you plan to travel alot, make sure you have a well spec'd trailor, as the RIB will always end up being used to hold kit while travelling. The tornado's are superb RIB's, very strong, and wellbuilt.Our 6mtr even went out to St Kilda about 3/4 years ago on a BSAC expedition.

[David Walker]

Were there any problems with towing the larger boat, we are quite keen that it could be towed by an average size family car if poss.

Not too sure about the towing to be honest. It is usually towed behind a 4x4 or a van, but thats more because of what those who generally tow the thing have. I think it's been towed by a Mondeo and things like that before without problem - not sure how well it'd do on a long journey though.

Where we usually dive its a tractor launch anyway so not sure about the launching.

David

[Adrian Kelland]

:=:=Our club is considering buying a RIB and wondered if anyone could offer advice on sizes, makes etc. Is there any advantage in having a 6mt over a 5.5mt for instance. Are Humbers better than Avons. Is there anything in particular we should be looking for.
:=
:=Is 6m better than 5.5m? Well it depends how many people you want to get on it, and how much free space you want!
:=
:=Look at the width of the RIB too - it is VERY important. We use a 5.3m RIB at my uni club... if we have 4 people with kit on the boat, there is no standing space left - the floor is completely filled with kit, no room for bottle racks or anything either.
:=My home club has a 6.5m RIB - just over one metre longer (~20%), but it easily carries 10 fully kitted divers with twinsets and stages and still has a ~1.5x1.5m area at the back that is completely free space.
:=The big difference? Width! My home club had the hull made wider than normal, and the tubes mounted a foot or so out from where they would usually be, giving a lot of room... and it can still manage 50 knots (although its a very bumpy ride!)
:=
:=Make sure the engine matches the size of the boat too!
:=
:=David
:= Not only is it about how many divers you want to fit in the boat, but who can tow! Our club has a 6 mtr, which is superb and hold 8 divers - fairly confortably. But there are only a very few diver who have 4WDs to tow, and as importantly, launch such a heavy RIB.The larger RIBS make better diving platforms and can ride the rougher sea conditions where smaller RIBs will struggle. We sold our 2nd RIB, a 5.5 tornado for a smaller more portable 5.3 tornado, which will take 4 divers, but tight with any more. It can be towed behind any reasonably powered saloon and offers the club good flexibility. Bear in mind that if you plan to travel alot, make sure you have a well spec'd trailor, as the RIB will always end up being used to hold kit while travelling. The tornado's are superb RIB's, very strong, and wellbuilt.Our 6mtr even went out to St Kilda about 3/4 years ago on a BSAC expedition.

Be carefull of loading a rib and towing it. It can put undue loads (usually about 50lb vertically) on the towing coupling abd make the load too heavy for the trailer brakes to function correctly. There is also a maimum train weight for the towing car. This includes ALL weight of the car, people etc and the towed object. Loading the trailer and probably the car would probably take you over this weight.

With regard to the original question, what kind of diving and trips do you want to do? How many divers? Towing considerations etc. Then there's the engine...

Adrian

[Joe Sniadek]

With regard to the original question, what kind of diving and trips do you want to do? How many divers? Towing considerations etc. Then there's the engine...

Adrian

We were looking at something that would take 6 divers and a cox reasonably comfortably and that could be towed with a reasonably sized family sallon, say Mondeo size. The diving would be normal recreational stuf, we don't have any techies in the club at present, but we have a few that are moving towards twinsets.

Joe

[Tim Pentall]

Hi Joe,

As ever these are personal opinions, I like the Osprey Eagle c/w 100hp 4 stroke Yamaha, it's a superb combination and ticks all the boxes you have mentioned.

Osprey are now based in the Midlands so convenient for you to spec and pick up.

We are a Midlands based club with this combination, drop me a pm if you would like to pop over and have a look at the boat.

Cheers

Tim



:=
:=With regard to the original question, what kind of diving and trips do you want to do? How many divers? Towing considerations etc. Then there's the engine...
:=
:=Adrian

We were looking at something that would take 6 divers and a cox reasonably comfortably and that could be towed with a reasonably sized family sallon, say Mondeo size. The diving would be normal recreational stuf, we don't have any techies in the club at present, but we have a few that are moving towards twinsets.

Joe

[Graham Bowers]

Not only is it about how many divers you want to fit in the boat, but who can tow! Our club has a 6 mtr, which is superb and hold 8 divers - fairly confortably. But there are only a very few diver who have 4WDs to tow, and as importantly, launch such a heavy RIB.The larger RIBS make better diving platforms and can ride the rougher sea conditions where smaller RIBs will struggle. We sold our 2nd RIB, a 5.5 tornado for a smaller more portable 5.3 tornado, which will take 4 divers, but tight with any more. It can be towed behind any reasonably powered saloon and offers the club good flexibility. Bear in mind that if you plan to travel alot, make sure you have a well spec'd trailor, as the RIB will always end up being used to hold kit while travelling. The tornado's are superb RIB's, very strong, and wellbuilt.Our 6mtr even went out to St Kilda about 3/4 years ago on a BSAC expedition.

Martyn
I am reading this thread with interest as I am from the same club as the op and we are trying to prepare for a decision that would best be made by towing the alternatives around ourselves, including a launch and recovery from a slip (accepting that not all slips are the same.)Maybe we should find a way to do that btw.

Of the three RIBs that you refer to, 6, 5.5 and 5.3m there is only half a metre between the first two and a foot between the second but as you sold a 5.5 to buy a 5.3 there is a difference that doesn't jump out that I am hoping you could explain.
It's proving quite hard to get this data over the internet and we are a bit far from the coast to go to a slip and ask in person, but if it comes to it, that's probably what we need to do.

I'm guessing it boils down to the weight of the boat, engine and trailer and so the overall towing weight. This influences which models and engine size of car that can effectively tow, launch and recover, and I suppose, the number of people needed to launch / recover. Lastly, for any particular boat, there is a maximum number of divers it can safely take, and a minimum number that can safely launch and economically take to sea from a sharing costs perspective.

So, the questions!
For the three RIBs you refer to, are you please able to state:
1) Towing weight?
2) Cars that people actually use to tow / launch and recover?
3) Your actual maximum number of divers?
4) The minimum number of divers to operate?
5) What engine on each boat, and how many litres per mile?
Thanks
Graham

[Andy Wade]

Not only is it about how many divers you want to fit in the boat, but who can tow! Our club has a 6 mtr, which is superb and hold 8 divers - fairly confortably. But there are only a very few diver who have 4WDs to tow, and as importantly, launch such a heavy RIB.The larger RIBS make better diving platforms and can ride the rougher sea conditions where smaller RIBs will struggle. We sold our 2nd RIB, a 5.5 tornado for a smaller more portable 5.3 tornado, which will take 4 divers, but tight with any more. It can be towed behind any reasonably powered saloon and offers the club good flexibility. Bear in mind that if you plan to travel alot, make sure you have a well spec'd trailor, as the RIB will always end up being used to hold kit while travelling. The tornado's are superb RIB's, very strong, and wellbuilt.Our 6mtr even went out to St Kilda about 3/4 years ago on a BSAC expedition.

Martyn
I am reading this thread with interest as I am from the same club as the op and we are trying to prepare for a decision that would best be made by towing the alternatives around ourselves, including a launch and recovery from a slip (accepting that not all slips are the same.)Maybe we should find a way to do that btw.

Of the three RIBs that you refer to, 6, 5.5 and 5.3m there is only half a metre between the first two and a foot between the second but as you sold a 5.5 to buy a 5.3 there is a difference that doesn't jump out that I am hoping you could explain.
It's proving quite hard to get this data over the internet and we are a bit far from the coast to go to a slip and ask in person, but if it comes to it, that's probably what we need to do.

I'm guessing it boils down to the weight of the boat, engine and trailer and so the overall towing weight. This influences which models and engine size of car that can effectively tow, launch and recover, and I suppose, the number of people needed to launch / recover. Lastly, for any particular boat, there is a maximum number of divers it can safely take, and a minimum number that can safely launch and economically take to sea from a sharing costs perspective.

So, the questions!
For the three RIBs you refer to, are you please able to state:
1) Towing weight?

Why not just ring the manufacturers or look on their web sites?

There is a ratio of the cars kerbside weight to the kerbside weight of the boat/trailer. I can't remember what this is off the top of my head. This ratio fits with a suitable towing vehicle engine size anyway. You're not going to get a 4 litre Mini to tow are you? I can see it now, front wheels in the air, 'wheelying' down the motorway.
:-)

2) Cars that people actually use to tow / launch and recover?

For a 5.5 metre Rhib/75hp outboard you'll need a vehicle with at least a 1600cc engine. This _will_ do it, but probably struggle to tow a _really_ long distance, say from the Midlands to North Scotland. It should be fine if you have say, one large vehicle for the main pull, then use others when you get there, for short runs to different launch sites, this takes the pressure off the main towing vehicle/driver, who will start to whinge if they're always towing/driving. You might consider a second driver to take some of the load off them, a small insurance cover should sort this out.
If you don't do this, then you might lose the only guy in the club with a 'chelsea tractor' big enough to tow your boat, don't shoot yourselves in the foot, pay the man.
We always paid a gallon/4.5 litres for every 50 miles, on top of the actual towing costs as a sweetener to cover wear and tear, this is a good deal for the driver as it doesn't matter how far you tow, don't be stingy, round the figures up. The divers on the trip share this cost between themselves.

3) Your actual maximum number of divers?

A 5.5 metre with 80Hp engine will do for 6 divers and single cylinders, give everyone a pony, or twin them all up and you'll need something approaching a 100Hp engine for ease of getting on to the plane. look to the future, will they all progress on to twinsets eventually?

4) The minimum number of divers to operate?

Two divers and one experienced cox'n is the bare minimum required.
But I'd recommend two pairs of divers, then you'd always have at least two diving, and two in the boat as cox'n/one crew member to assist diver/shot/anchor recovery.
Don't forget launching/recovery. Two persons, one other driving a small car and a bumpy/slimy slipway that drops away steeply is not a good combination with a 6m/100hp boat.

5) What engine on each boat, and how many litres per mile?

This depends, for a 6m boat you'll probably need a 100hp engine, but could make do with something a bit smaller like 80hp. This smaller engine will struggle with 6 twinset divers in rougher seas. And a 5.5m will be cramped with 6 twinsets.
It's all about getting the boat planing. If you can't get 'on the plane', you'll use about a million litres per mile.
And everyone will be sick on the way out and back.
And you'll miss slack water.
And anyone with DCI will die in the boat - probably of old age.
;-)

I wouldn't worry too much about mileage when using the boat with a full complement of divers, it will be expensive anyway.

"A boat is just a hole in the water you pour money into". ;-)

It will of course be more expensive for a 6m/100hp with only 4 divers paying, so you'll have to look at whether or not you will always be able to fill the boat. If not, go for a smaller 5.5m/80hp combination.
5.5m vs 5.3m - same difference really, this may be down to styling or tube diameter anyway. Smaller tube size, more room in the boat for the same length. And less buoyancy for 6 overweight twinset divers.
As has been said, whatever you do, tow the boat 'empty' where possible, don't fall into the trap of filling it with weighbelts and cylinders at it puts a massive strain on the tow hook and trailer/boat.
Use the boat for everyone's drysuit bags which are light and bulky, and spread the weight of heavy dive kit between cars. If possible, use three cars for a 6 person trip, one towing (with no cylinders/weighbelts), and the other two cars take one extra set/weighbelt each to share the load out.
Also consider having the club sponsor someone to have a towbar fitted. Seriously, it will save a lot of grief if you sweeten someone to tow the boat. If your club offers to go halves on fitting towbars to two suitable large vehicles, you'll have the problem pretty much solved.

What?
Did you think this diving was inexpensive? Yeah right.
;-)



.

[Graham Bowers]

:=Not only is it about how many divers you want to fit in the boat, but who can tow! Our club has a 6 mtr, which is superb and hold 8 divers - fairly confortably. But there are only a very few diver who have 4WDs to tow, and as importantly, launch such a heavy RIB.The larger RIBS make better diving platforms and can ride the rougher sea conditions where smaller RIBs will struggle. We sold our 2nd RIB, a 5.5 tornado for a smaller more portable 5.3 tornado, which will take 4 divers, but tight with any more. It can be towed behind any reasonably powered saloon and offers the club good flexibility. Bear in mind that if you plan to travel alot, make sure you have a well spec'd trailor, as the RIB will always end up being used to hold kit while travelling. The tornado's are superb RIB's, very strong, and wellbuilt.Our 6mtr even went out to St Kilda about 3/4 years ago on a BSAC expedition.
:=
:=Martyn
:=I am reading this thread with interest as I am from the same club as the op and we are trying to prepare for a decision that would best be made by towing the alternatives around ourselves, including a launch and recovery from a slip (accepting that not all slips are the same.)Maybe we should find a way to do that btw.
:=
:=Of the three RIBs that you refer to, 6, 5.5 and 5.3m there is only half a metre between the first two and a foot between the second but as you sold a 5.5 to buy a 5.3 there is a difference that doesn't jump out that I am hoping you could explain.
:=It's proving quite hard to get this data over the internet and we are a bit far from the coast to go to a slip and ask in person, but if it comes to it, that's probably what we need to do.
:=
:=I'm guessing it boils down to the weight of the boat, engine and trailer and so the overall towing weight. This influences which models and engine size of car that can effectively tow, launch and recover, and I suppose, the number of people needed to launch / recover. Lastly, for any particular boat, there is a maximum number of divers it can safely take, and a minimum number that can safely launch and economically take to sea from a sharing costs perspective.
:=
:=So, the questions!
:=For the three RIBs you refer to, are you please able to state:
:=1) Towing weight?

Why not just ring the manufacturers or look on their web sites?

There is a ratio of the cars kerbside weight to the kerbside weight of the boat/trailer. I can't remember what this is off the top of my head. This ratio fits with a suitable towing vehicle engine size anyway. You're not going to get a 4 litre Mini to tow are you? I can see it now, front wheels in the air, 'wheelying' down the motorway.
:-)

:=2) Cars that people actually use to tow / launch and recover?

For a 5.5 metre Rhib/75hp outboard you'll need a vehicle with at least a 1600cc engine. This _will_ do it, but probably struggle to tow a _really_ long distance, say from the Midlands to North Scotland. It should be fine if you have say, one large vehicle for the main pull, then use others when you get there, for short runs to different launch sites, this takes the pressure off the main towing vehicle/driver, who will start to whinge if they're always towing/driving. You might consider a second driver to take some of the load off them, a small insurance cover should sort this out.
If you don't do this, then you might lose the only guy in the club with a 'chelsea tractor' big enough to tow your boat, don't shoot yourselves in the foot, pay the man.
We always paid a gallon/4.5 litres for every 50 miles, on top of the actual towing costs as a sweetener to cover wear and tear, this is a good deal for the driver as it doesn't matter how far you tow, don't be stingy, round the figures up. The divers on the trip share this cost between themselves.

:=3) Your actual maximum number of divers?

A 5.5 metre with 80Hp engine will do for 6 divers and single cylinders, give everyone a pony, or twin them all up and you'll need something approaching a 100Hp engine for ease of getting on to the plane. look to the future, will they all progress on to twinsets eventually?

:=4) The minimum number of divers to operate?

Two divers and one experienced cox'n is the bare minimum required.
But I'd recommend two pairs of divers, then you'd always have at least two diving, and two in the boat as cox'n/one crew member to assist diver/shot/anchor recovery.
Don't forget launching/recovery. Two persons, one other driving a small car and a bumpy/slimy slipway that drops away steeply is not a good combination with a 6m/100hp boat.

:=5) What engine on each boat, and how many litres per mile?

This depends, for a 6m boat you'll probably need a 100hp engine, but could make do with something a bit smaller like 80hp. This smaller engine will struggle with 6 twinset divers in rougher seas. And a 5.5m will be cramped with 6 twinsets.
It's all about getting the boat planing. If you can't get 'on the plane', you'll use about a million litres per mile.
And everyone will be sick on the way out and back.
And you'll miss slack water.
And anyone with DCI will die in the boat - probably of old age.
;-)

I wouldn't worry too much about mileage when using the boat with a full complement of divers, it will be expensive anyway.

"A boat is just a hole in the water you pour money into". ;-)

It will of course be more expensive for a 6m/100hp with only 4 divers paying, so you'll have to look at whether or not you will always be able to fill the boat. If not, go for a smaller 5.5m/80hp combination.
5.5m vs 5.3m - same difference really, this may be down to styling or tube diameter anyway. Smaller tube size, more room in the boat for the same length. And less buoyancy for 6 overweight twinset divers.
As has been said, whatever you do, tow the boat 'empty' where possible, don't fall into the trap of filling it with weighbelts and cylinders at it puts a massive strain on the tow hook and trailer/boat.
Use the boat for everyone's drysuit bags which are light and bulky, and spread the weight of heavy dive kit between cars. If possible, use three cars for a 6 person trip, one towing (with no cylinders/weighbelts), and the other two cars take one extra set/weighbelt each to share the load out.
Also consider having the club sponsor someone to have a towbar fitted. Seriously, it will save a lot of grief if you sweeten someone to tow the boat. If your club offers to go halves on fitting towbars to two suitable large vehicles, you'll have the problem pretty much solved.

What?
Did you think this diving was inexpensive? Yeah right.
;-)



.
Thanks for your informative post Andy.
I accept I can get weights from websites and have done this, I was wondering about your boats in particular, but what I have already will suffice. I can get a bit an*l about completeness of data btw :-))
Cheers
Graham

[Graham Bowers]

Thanks for your informative post Andy.
I accept I can get weights from websites and have done this, I was wondering about your boats

*****That'll be Martyn's boats*****

in particular, but what I have already will suffice. I can get a bit an*l about completeness of data btw :-))
Cheers
Graham

[Mike Halligan]

:=Thanks for your informative post Andy.
:=I accept I can get weights from websites and have done this, I was wondering about your boats

*****That'll be Martyn's boats*****

in particular, but what I have already will suffice. I can get a bit an*l about completeness of data btw :-))
:=Cheers
Graham,

(From Martyn's branch)

The change of 5.5 and 5.3 was undertaken to refresh equipment and to maintain availability of a lighter boat, specifically one capable of being towed by a "normal" family saloon to a beach or slip where a launch could be bought from a local operator of a tractor. Alternatively it could go where that same saloon can cope with the slip and the users can shove / winch the boat from / onto its trailer.

This boat is significantly narrower than its predecessor and fits that bill. The RHIB and twin-axle trailer has proved a fantastic combination but it is dog-rough in a bad sea and very narrow so kitting-up is difficult. The combined weight is in the region of 1000 kg, top-end for family saloons. The same RHIB broke its single-axle trailer (and it wasn't being used as a skip at the time). Thank God for Britannia Rescue who brought it 300 miles on the membership of a passenger when the driver's AA cover declined cooperation.

The bigger RHIB is beyond the scope of just about anything but a 4x4. It is beamy, has loads of space, uses a moderate part of the 135hp engine's capacity in the cruise and will just about do anything you ask of it. Because hull and engine are well matched, properly maintained and competently driven it is not thirsty. However, getting either boat to a dive site, which for us is usually 300 miles, does cost money. This means we tend to go for 4 days or more, and then we reap the benefit of comfort and confidence in excellent kit.

As for MVCU Regs and the like, it is a minefield worthy of serious research. For example, my Vauxhall Omega Estate is rated -
Gross vehicle wt
(incl driver, 90% fluids and 7kg luggage) 2210 kg;
Max train wt around 3500 kg;
Tow-hitch limit around 1200 kg;

Let's add one passenger, 70kg, and bring the luggage up to normal for 2 divers (15l, 12l, pony, weightbelt & kit - say 150kg added for the two). The tow car now weighs 2430kg, leaving only 1070 kg for the boat, engine and trailer. Round about the weight of a 5.5m Tornado with an 80hp Yamaha stuck on the back, mounted on a twin-axle trailer.

If we employ the full capacity of the tow-hitch (which might just be the 6m RHIB, 135hp engine and trailer) the car can be used to carry only 97 kg of baggage in total, so 2 divers and 1 set of kit or 1 diver and 2 sets of kit. It sure needs that extra, 'cos it doesn't like stopping with only the driver aboard.

Very similar numbers apply to, for example, the Citroen C5, Xantia and Vauxhall Signum or Vectra Estate. I suggest you look into the availability of towing vehicles first, then consider how you could configure towing cars and solo cars to get your parties to sites. Only then will you know what sort of weights in boat, engine and trailer you can expect to transport across the country.

None of this information is definitive, neither does it indicate what actually happens. The BSAC boat handling course has some excellent advice on the subject.

Hope this helps,


Mike

[Geoff Oldfield]

As usual, Mike's reply is worth every word.

Regarding kitting out, there is a lot to be said for fitting the bottle rack across the boat between the tubes. Not only does this provide acres of deck space for kitting up but it brings the dead weight forward and ballances the boat perfectly at rest and on the move. when you think about it, it's no wonder some RIBs slop water over the stern, when you think of the combined weight of the engine, tanks and crew on a boat with a bottle rack down the centre of the boat behind the drivers seat!

[Joe Sniadek]

As usual, Mike's reply is worth every word.

Regarding kitting out, there is a lot to be said for fitting the bottle rack across the boat between the tubes. Not only does this provide acres of deck space for kitting up but it brings the dead weight forward and ballances the boat perfectly at rest and on the move. when you think about it, it's no wonder some RIBs slop water over the stern, when you think of the combined weight of the engine, tanks and crew on a boat with a bottle rack down the centre of the boat behind the drivers seat!

Good tip that, thanks. Is this something your club does. I have not actually seen this configuration before.
does it mean though that it is difficult to access both sides of the rack? and would it make movement fore and aft difficult.

Joe

[Andy Wade]

As usual, Mike's reply is worth every word.

Regarding kitting out, there is a lot to be said for fitting the bottle rack across the boat between the tubes. Not only does this provide acres of deck space for kitting up but it brings the dead weight forward and ballances the boat perfectly at rest and on the move. when you think about it, it's no wonder some RIBs slop water over the stern, when you think of the combined weight of the engine, tanks and crew on a boat with a bottle rack down the centre of the boat behind the drivers seat!

Ballast wise, there's a lot to be said for an integral fuel tank fitted under the drivers console, filled from a point under the seat.
A proper integral stowage box for anchor, shot lines, etc in the bows places some weight forward, and I've even seen a short bottle rack behind the console, with a single bottle stowage point either side of the console towards the front end.


.

[David Walker]

Regarding kitting out, there is a lot to be said for fitting the bottle rack across the boat between the tubes.

Only one thing - make sure you see one fitted in a boat before you buy one! There's not a chance in hell that a bottle rack would fit in our narrow 5.3m club RIB - there would literally be no room left to stand, space really is that much of a problem.

That advice of course applies to everything - if at all possible, see an example of what you're getting before you buy it. Last thing you want is to get your boat delivered with a bttle rack and things fitted already and find that they make the boat space half-unusable.

David

[Brian_C]

:=Regarding kitting out, there is a lot to be said for fitting the bottle rack across the boat between the tubes.

Only one thing - make sure you see one fitted in a boat before you buy one! There's not a chance in hell that a bottle rack would fit in our narrow 5.3m club RIB - there would literally be no room left to stand, space really is that much of a problem.

That advice of course applies to everything - if at all possible, see an example of what you're getting before you buy it. Last thing you want is to get your boat delivered with a bttle rack and things fitted already and find that they make the boat space half-unusable.

David

XS 550 2.6m External Beam 1.6 int Brilliand boatcoupled with a 90hp Optimax she flies and at 1.75 knm per litre with divers.

The link shows her "Blue C" then go to diving page you'll see here again.

Brian

[Graham Bowers]

XS 550 2.6m External Beam 1.6 int Brilliand boatcoupled with a 90hp Optimax she flies and at 1.75 knm per litre with divers.

The link shows her "Blue C" then go to diving page you'll see here again.

Brian

Brian
XS-550 looks good. How long have you had it? Any troubles?
From your website it looks like you are close to the sea, unlike us. What do you use to launch and tow it please, and do you know what the total weight of the rig is?
Thanks
Graham

[Brian_C]

XS 550 2.6m External Beam 1.6 int Brilliand boatcoupled with a 90hp Optimax she flies and at 1.75 knm per litre with divers.
:=
:=The link shows her "Blue C" then go to diving page you'll see here again.
:=
:=Brian

Brian
XS-550 looks good. How long have you had it? Any troubles?
From your website it looks like you are close to the sea, unlike us. What do you use to launch and tow it please, and do you know what the total weight of the rig is?
Thanks
Graham
Graham,
She was launched in March and has done 105 faultless hours since. Dryist Rib We've ever owned, handles like a F1!! The Electronic fit out was done by ourselves but Barnet Marine fitted engine "A" etc. She is towed around on a Snipe rollerloader making Launch and recover a doodle single handed if needs be towing weight circa 1100 Kg I use a 4*4 but so easy to tow a family sized car would "Eat it" however you must remenber the slipways and if a family motor perhaps choose accordingly. We've towed her some 1000 miles trailer brill and tows like a dream. The opti consumes about 1l every 1.5 knm with one cox a four divers, as seen on the site.

Hope this helps

By the way Barnet Marine service second to non!!

Brian

[AndyWilkes]

Our club has just took delivery of an XS rib from Barnet Marine. All went smoothly and looking forward to our 1st weekend away with it. You can see pictures and a little movie on our website <a href="http://www.scubascouts.co.uk" >http://www.scubascouts.co.uk</a>.

Cheers
Andy

[geoff oldfield]

Hi Joe, yes, we have two RIBs, both Tornado's one a 6.5 and the other a 5.8 Viking. Both have bottle racks mounted across the tubes. Yes you do have to step on the tubes to get round them but hey, that's no hardship and as I say, it keeps the rabble from congregating around the driver, which is no bad thing really. I'll send you some pictures when I get back on my own PC

Geoff

[Joe Sniadek]

Our club has just took delivery of an XS rib from Barnet Marine. All went smoothly and looking forward to our 1st weekend away with it. You can see pictures and a little movie on our website <a href="http://www.scubascouts.co.uk" >http://www.scubascouts.co.uk</a>.

Cheers
Andy

It looked like you were all enjoying yourselves.
Could you give some details of the boat please. Its size, what you towed it with, how much it cost etc.

Thanks
Joe

[AndyWilkes]

Yes they did have fun, unfortunetly I could not make it.

The RIB is a XS 540, which is 5.4m long and according to the specs is 2.2m wide with a 100hp engine. I belive it cost in the region of ?18,000 including all the toys/trailer ect.

It was towed by a Subaru 4x4 and was said to tow like a dream just like our other RIB Fox, which is a 5.5m Tornado. Fox has been towed by large family cars like a Renult Megan or Ford serra with no problems.

Cheers
Andy

[chris cherrington]

Our club is considering buying a RIB and wondered if anyone could offer advice on sizes, makes etc. Is there any advantage in having a 6mt over a 5.5mt for instance. Are Humbers better than Avons. Is there anything in particular we should be looking for.
We are an inland club based in the midlands so it would have to be towable by somthing smaller than an HGV!
All advice welcome.

Hi there, take a look at the following URL for all the info on towing. The limits of the various vehicles are found on the manufacturers website or the vehicle's handbook.

The best towcars are frontwheeldrive diesel. While "proper" 4x4 like the Land Rover Defender can tow impressive weights the "toy" ones like the Honda CRV cannot... Please note that these vehicles are designed to go offroad not to tow on the tarmac. A good number of old Land Rovers have broken their axles towing - that's why the new ones are now fitted with permanent fourwheeldrive...

Without fourwheeldrive and off-road tyres you will need a decent concrete slipway to launch from. A good tip is to use a rope and pull the boat and trailer up the slip from the flat. This way the recovering vehicle doesn't even get its tyres wet! I used to recover my old fishing dinghy with a BL Mini 850 using this method. A snatch block is handy if there isn't much space.

Also be careful if your club gains a new SUV owner.... There are a lot of folk out there with no real towing skill or knowledge that think their newly acquired SUV is the best thing ever and they are somehow now superhuman. You see a good number facing the wrong way on the motorway every year!

Best wishes with the new boat.

Chris

[Nigel Hewitt]

While "proper" 4x4 like the Land Rover Defender can tow impressive weights the "toy" ones like the Honda CRV cannot...

Weighing two tons is the magic ingredient.
Then put some Js in the back and it doesn't wander.

We pay for this with our 12-18mpg...

[chris cherrington]

:=While "proper" 4x4 like the Land Rover Defender can tow impressive weights the "toy" ones like the Honda CRV cannot...

Weighing two tons is the magic ingredient.
Then put some Js in the back and it doesn't wander.

We pay for this with our 12-18mpg...

Nigel, have you ever thought about a DUKW??

Chris

[Nigel Hewitt]

Nigel, have you ever thought about a DUKW??

Not yet. Give me time.