Advice needed on buying a RIB

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by David G

I'm not doubting you here Chris, but could you break those figures down, as its not my experience of the cost.

Cheers,

David.

People's costs will vary on the size and type of boat. However, some fairly constant things are insurance at 300+ quid a year, pyrotechnics and life jackets etc, VHF and GPS (my costs based on 5 year replacement program) plus O2 admin kit. Trailer maintenance is about 50 quid a year and often overlooked for example.

I based the variable costs on fuel consumption at an assumed 0.85L per nm using ULP at 95p/L plus a £350 service every 100 hours, minor service every 25 hrs plus 10% mark-up for replacement parts and contingencies. (Example engine Yam 90hp)

My figures were using examples from the boats and outboards website for prices, plus the total cost of ownership figures from other users on ribnet.

If you include depreciation then I agree with the following:

Originally Posted by glanrichbex

Light a bon fire in your back garden and start throwing £20 notes into it.... same effect...

Chris

[liamm]

I'd get a fair bit of experience in boat handling before you start taking divers out, the responsibility is huge. In the end i got rid and bought an orkney 590 more for fishing taking her out for a run and nearly useless for diving. I prefer to dive with my local shop as its safer, less responsibility and possibly cheaper.
My mate that i used to dive with then bought a rib - 8mtr with twin 140s, goes like stink, but i wont go diving in it with him as he is a liability who is yet to discover half throttle or do a boathandling course. Everythime it moves its at 50mph and the petrol tanks get sucked dry very quickly.
If you havnt done the rya 1+2 then id reccommend it, look around and you should be able to find a providor that teaches it in ribs which will give you a feel for what you are looking at.
good luck
Liam

[glanrichbex]

Trailer maintenance alone

2 X wheel bearings = £40 aprox 2 years
1 X winch strap / winch £ 40 aprox 2 / 3 years
2 x road wheels ( they rot ) + Tyres £ 50 aprox 3 / 3 years
Jockey wheel assy £ 28 aprox 2 years
Rubbers aprox £ 50 spent 2 / 3 years

A bit more than £50 per year

If you use your boat twice a week the wear and tear is going to be increased but they also suffer wear and tear with age and sun light.

Have you thought about a spare engine? dead money but essential.

Flares, O2 kit, tools , VHF, Sounder , GPS .... the list is endless

I do run my own RHIB within the club and I can confirm what many have told me - there's no such thing as cheap boating.

[chrisch]

Club RIBs are probably a bit expensive as no-one takes responsibility and does all the work. So like wheel bearings, for example, you can make a set last 20 years. Just strip the bearing out clean it and re-grease it every so often.
Actually no, I think there is only me sad enough to do that

glanrichbex is right..

(not entirely a wheel and tyre is about 80 quid so that should have read 160 quid, not 50 every whatever....)

Chris

[glanrichbex]

no-one takes responsibility

You can say that again!!

Question: When is it time to replace the wheel bearings.

Answer: When the wheel is at a 45 degree angle and the noise is so loud the noise can no longer be masked by the car stereo.

Why are people so neglectfull of club boats?? without them they are stuffed!! I just don't understand

[Woz]

Originally Posted by glanrichbex

no-one takes responsibility

You can say that again!!

Question: When is it time to replace the wheel bearings.

Answer: When the wheel is at a 45 degree angle and the noise is so loud the noise can no longer be masked by the car stereo.

Why are people so neglectfull of club boats?? without them they are stuffed!! I just don't understand

We changed the hubs for spring loaded auto-greasers 5 years ago and since then (touch wood) we've never had to change a bearing. Just pump the buggers full at the beginning of each trip and they're fine.

We also use Sapphire Aqua grease in them as it's designed to run wet.

Before this change we knew the location of every Indespension dealer between here and the Sound of Mull.

[chrisch]

Wozbearings. Its the only way to go

Chris

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by chrisangus

Thinking of buying a RIB for use with a few friends and need some advice, makes, models, equipment, rules and regulatons, everything really, and finding places to dive.
Would like the views from them that have done the same, any help would be appreciated.

Chris

Don't do it!

Use the money for HB trips - you'll be towing the boat to the same kind of places anyway! Will you have many alternatives in case of bad weather?

Avoid the hastles.

Adrian

[Juz]

Having been involved with 3 dive clubs running ribs, I can confidently say that for most people, the expense and hassle are not worth it.

To make it worth it really means doing much (if not all) of the maintenance yourself and not having any realistic commercial alternative.

Think carefully - boats are a money pit in most instances.

Juz

[ray]

Hi.

Had my own boats for over 30 years cant think of life without one.

You are either a boat person, or a car, booze,wild woman person.

Did I make the right lifestyle choice???????.