Our guide to buying a new RIB - Ballistic RIBs

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Our guide to buying a new RIB

Page 1Part of the Trafalgar Group of companies

Trafalgar Wharf, Hamilton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 4PXOffice: 023 9239 7000 [email protected]

Trafalgar Wharf, Hamilton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 4PX, UK t: +44 (0)870 908 9336 f: +44 (0)870 908 9337 e: [email protected] www.ribsforsale.com

JBT Marine Ltd: Registered in England & Wales No. 3876393. Registered Office: Venture House, The Tanneries, East Street, Titchfield, Hampshire, PO14 2QB, UK

JBT Marine’s Guide to Buying a New RIB

Owning a RIB is great fun, but deciding on the one for you can be a little overwhelming. This guide is designed to make buying a RIB easier so that you can concentrate on getting out on the water. The cost of buying and running a RIB It is very difficult to give an exact cost for buying a RIB, as a very rough guide to work out the total cost of buying a new RIB, take the price of the boat itself, add 10-15% of that price to cover insurance, basic safety equipment and a season’s storage, then include £500 for an annual boat service. Don’t forget the yearly engine service: for this, you should allow £2 per horsepower (for example, a 250hp engine will cost around £500 to service). Some engines like the ETEC don’t need servicing for the first three years. Choosing the right type of RIB First, decide where you will be taking your RIB, what type of activities you will be using it for, what times of year you will be taking it out and how many people you will regularly have aboard. Once you have these details, you will be better positioned to make the right choice. Choosing the right RIB brand Look for RIB brands that have a proven track record (a solid trading history, healthy sales and testimonials from happy customers).

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Choosing an engine for your RIB For reasons of safety, in order not to invalidate your warranty and good resale value, it is imperative that you get an appropriately sized engine for your RIB. Price, weight, fuel economy, servicing schedules, acceleration and environmental impact all vary according to engine size. Every new RIB will have an instruction on the maximum engine size as part of its CE rating documentation. Fuelling your RIB Almost all outboard engines run on unleaded petrol that can be purchased either at roadside filling stations or at your local marina. Diesel engines are growing in popularity; diesel can be bought from the same places. Diesel powered RIBs cost more in the first place, so you need to be doing a serious number of hours to justify the extra outlay. Essential equipment for your RIB The equipment you need varies according to how and where you intend to use your RIB, but there are a number of essential items that you should always carry. Everyone aboard should wear regularly serviced lifejackets. Other vital pieces of equipment are a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, charts covering the area you are going to and flares. In addition, it is advisable to keep an anchor/chain, mooring lines, heaving lines, a torch, an exposure blanket, an engine tool kit and a spare VHF (handheld) on your RIB. Also, if your budget allows it, a personal locator beacon (PLB) or an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) are both highly recommended, particularly in long distance cruising. A good chandlery should stock all of these items. Storing your RIB Most owners store their RIBs outside. This can be at home on a trailer, in a marina berth or mooring, in dry storage ashore or, as is increasingly the case, in purpose-built dry stack facilities, where launch and recovery on demand is offered. Dry stacking is not only good for you but also for your RIB as it keeps it in good condition. There are only a few indoor storage facilities for RIBs in the UK.

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Maintaining your RIB It is important that you regularly service your RIB and engine. This ensures that your warranties remain valid, maximises the resale value of your RIB, and keeps it in good running order. In addition, there are four guidelines that are a good idea to follow in order to maintain the condition of your RIB;

• After each use, wash your RIB with fresh water (soapy if possible) and flush the engine through with fresh water (not soapy).

• Regularly wash the hull of your RIB to remove any marine growth. • Do not use abrasive solvents or chemical products for cleaning. • Never use high-pressure cleaning equipment.

The lifespan of your RIB How long your RIB lasts depends greatly on how well you maintain it. The better you look after it, the longer you will be able to enjoy it. With regular and correct maintenance and servicing, it is not unreasonable to expect decades of trouble-free cruising. The value of your RIB RIBs usually hold their value better than most comparably sized hard boats. Established RIB brands that are properly maintained depreciate the least. The average rate of depreciation on leisure RIBs is 6-10% per year. It varies more for commercial RIBs because of a generally greater amount of wear and tear. After-sales service Buy your RIB from a dealer that offers a high standard of after-sales service. Look for a dealer that will include the following;

• A replacement RIB if your boat is undergoing work under warranty. • On-site repairs and servicing (if needed). • Europe-wide collection and delivery. • Valeting and winter storage. • Good warranties on your engine, hull, tubes and electronic equipment. • 100% money-back guarantee.

Driving your RIB While you are not legally required to hold a license to drive a RIB, it is highly recommended that new owners take the RYA powerboat training courses in order to obtain a basic level of competency. Details of courses can be found at www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining In order to use VHF radio equipment, which is supplied with some RIBs, you are legally required to hold a RYA Short Range Radio

https://www.rya.org.uk/courses-training/courses/powerboat/Pages/hub.aspx

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Certificate. The completion of a first aid course and a RYA Sea Survival Course is also a good thing to consider. Registering your RIB You are not legally required to register your RIB for private use but registration on Part III of the UK Ship Register (also known as the Small Ships Register) is recommended. This costs £25 and can be carried out at https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/ssr/ssr/ Completion of HM Coastguard’s Voluntary Safety Identification Scheme, known as CG66, is also recommended. This service is free and can be carried out at https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/cg66/ Insuring your RIB You are not legally required to insure your RIB, but it is strongly recommended that you do. Brokers with a good reputation for insuring RIBs include Heath Lambert (0151 227 4321) and Porthcawl Insurance (01656 784866). Transporting your RIB The most common means of transporting a RIB is on a trailer attached to a suitable vehicle. If you passed your driving test after January 1997, you must pass an additional test to tow any trailer with a load greater than 750kg. Choosing the right trailer for your RIB It is essential that you choose a trailer that suits both the weight and dimensions of your RIB. You will need to know the length of your RIB and its true kerb weight (including fuel and all equipment). If you are buying a second-hand trailer, you must view it before purchase. Check that the tyres, brakes, bearings, winch and lights are all in reasonable condition. Choose a reputable brand of trailer. These include Rapide, Indespension and Bramber. Travelling distances in your RIB Different RIBs are designed to cover different distances. Many RIBs are able to comfortably handle offshore trips, such as a cruise from the south coast of England to the Channel Islands or France. Common sense should guide you in making your decision, but if you are unsure of the capability of your RIB, seek advice before setting off. Regardless of your destination, you should carry all of the essential equipment listed above along with filing a passage plan and checking on the weather before leaving on your trip.



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Our guide to buying a new RIB - Ballistic RIBs