New member - looking for advice

[covefisher]

Hi
I am new to this forum - I've been using SIBs off the N Cornish coast for years, from a davit, working a few pots in a remote cove and fishing. Always Zodiac (Cadet/ Fastroller/ Acti-v with HP floors) in the 3.1-3.4m range. They tend to last a few years until they end up more patched than not or I lose them to the a storm. It's time to get another one (the present one has over thirty patches) and I am tempted by the light aluminium-hulled RIBs ( Zar and Zodiac are the only ones I know of) in the 3.0-3.3m range and wonder if anyone has had experience of them? There is only a footpath to the cove and I am limited by weight in what I can carry up and down the cliff (about 40kg). Thanks and good to part of this group.

[ChrisParish]

Hi Covefisher and to the forum!
It sounds like your Sibs have a very hard life. I have had a quick look at aluminium ribs and anything in the size category you are looking at is over the weight limit you set.

Just out of interest, how do your boats get so many holes in them?

[harrison]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Might be struggling at that length but 40 ish kilos is eminently doable in the 2.9 - 3.1m range with manufacturers offering lightweight versions.

Worth taking a look at;

Zodiac Cadet Rib Alu
Highfield Ultralight
Quicksilver Alu Rib
AB Lammina UL and AL

[covefisher]

Hi Covefisher and to the forum!
It sounds like your Sibs have a very hard life. I have had a quick look at aluminium ribs and anything in the size category you are looking at is over the weight limit you set.

Just out of interest, how do your boats get so many holes in them?
[/quote
Thanks! The holes come from storms ( if I don't get it off the davit in time) hauling steel pots in and out and fish spines - I figure an aluminium hull will certainly help with the latter.

[covefisher]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Might be struggling at that length but 40 ish kilos is eminently doable in the 2.9 - 3.1m range with manufacturers offering lightweight versions.

Worth taking a look at;

Zodiac Cadet Rib Alu
Highfield Ultralight
Quicksilver Alu Rib
AB Lammina UL and AL

Many thanks - I'll take a look at these.

[covefisher]

This is the location - variable conditions...

[sonny1]

how on earth do you get in or out of the boatwhen its in the water?

[Knox]

Take a look at 3D Tender Ultralight Alu Rib:
290, 31 kg, max 10 hp https://www.3dtender.com/ALUMINIUM-SEMI ... 2-0-0.html
310, 34 kg, max 15 hp https://www.3dtender.com/ALUMINIUM-SEMI ... 4-0-0.html
330, 41 kg, max 20 hp https://www.3dtender.com/ALUMINIUM-SEMI ... 2-0-0.html

[covefisher]

I've got galvanised ring bolts I can grab, set into the cliff. I replace them every 6-7 years.

[harrison]

Ha Ha! This looks pretty hardcore.
Or a total piss take.

Sure you need an alumin rib??

Reckon one of these of more use.

You need a life raft matey