On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 15:23:14 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

On Mar 3, 6:12*pm, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 15:01:44 -0800 (PST), wrote:
What is folks opinion w.r.t RIB inflatables for this use? As I said,
I've got real doubts about the durability of one used on our rocky
beaches, but maybe I am wrong about that?

They take a licking and keep on ticking.

Can I assume that the wooden flat bottom skiff I suggest, is not
something you would consider? Wood it be better if it had a modified
vee or are there other reasons... I think the Brockway type skiff
(dry weight 250) with the tiller 25 would suit his needs and might
even be able to fit close to his budget too.

I dunno - rock beach, wood boat.

Hey, I suppose, but you'd have to really build up the bottom and
protect it with something.

Let's take your Brockway and run it up on Gould Island in Narragansett
Bay and see what happens. :)

Hmmm - on second thought...maybe not. :)

On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 15:01:44 -0800 (PST), wrote:

What is folks opinion w.r.t RIB inflatables for this use? As I said,
I've got real doubts about the durability of one used on our rocky
beaches, but maybe I am wrong about that?

It will get scratched up on the bottom but nothing structural unless
you really bang it hard. If it were me I'd be inclined toward a 17 or
18 ft aluminum with a 40 horse 2 stroke on it. For rough water
conditions I'd go with a RIB however. They are amazingly sea worthy
and will continue running when half full of water or partially
deflated.

On Mar 3, 3:28 pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 15:01:44 -0800 (PST), wrote:
What is folks opinion w.r.t RIB inflatables for this use? As I said,
I've got real doubts about the durability of one used on our rocky
beaches, but maybe I am wrong about that?

It will get scratched up on the bottom but nothing structural unless
you really bang it hard. If it were me I'd be inclined toward a 17 or
18 ft aluminum with a 40 horse 2 stroke on it. For rough water
conditions I'd go with a RIB however. They are amazingly sea worthy
and will continue running when half full of water or partially
deflated.

But aren't the RIBs bottom conventional fiberglass? And wouldn't that
get destroyed pretty quickly if we beached the boat a lot?

If not, who makes good RIB boats?

-dm

On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 17:21:01 -0800 (PST), wrote:

On Mar 3, 3:28 pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 15:01:44 -0800 (PST), wrote:
What is folks opinion w.r.t RIB inflatables for this use? As I said,
I've got real doubts about the durability of one used on our rocky
beaches, but maybe I am wrong about that?

It will get scratched up on the bottom but nothing structural unless
you really bang it hard. If it were me I'd be inclined toward a 17 or
18 ft aluminum with a 40 horse 2 stroke on it. For rough water
conditions I'd go with a RIB however. They are amazingly sea worthy
and will continue running when half full of water or partially
deflated.

But aren't the RIBs bottom conventional fiberglass? And wouldn't that
get destroyed pretty quickly if we beached the boat a lot?

Not really. The hulls are usually made from glass/resin reinforced
plastic or ploypropelene. Some hulls use Kevlar and some military
manufacturers use Nomex w/Kevlar.

Tough stuff.

If not, who makes good RIB boats?

Zodiac makes most of them actually.

On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 17:21:01 -0800 (PST), wrote:

But aren't the RIBs bottom conventional fiberglass? And wouldn't that
get destroyed pretty quickly if we beached the boat a lot?

If you beach it hard or let it pound on rocks, yes, but not too many
other boats will take that either. Given a little TLC, RIBs are
pretty durable.

On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 17:21:01 -0800 (PST), wrote:

who makes good RIB boats?

Caribe has a good reputation as does Avon. Insist on hypalon material
regardless.

On Mar 3, 8:21*pm, wrote:
On Mar 3, 3:28 pm, Wayne.B wrote:

On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 15:01:44 -0800 (PST), wrote:
What is folks opinion w.r.t RIB inflatables for this use? As I said,
I've got real doubts about the durability of one used on our rocky
beaches, but maybe I am wrong about that?

It will get scratched up on the bottom but nothing structural unless
you really bang it hard. *If it were me I'd be inclined toward a 17 or
18 ft aluminum with a 40 horse 2 stroke on it. *For rough water
conditions I'd go with a RIB however. *They are amazingly sea worthy
and will continue running when half full of water or partially
deflated.

But aren't the RIBs bottom conventional fiberglass? And wouldn't that
get destroyed pretty quickly if we beached the boat a lot?

If not, who makes good RIB boats?

-dm

If you are really interested in RIB or inflatable, let me know. My bud
works for L.R.S.E (life raft and survival equipment) out of Rhode
Island, one of the biggest in the east. I am sure he would gladly talk
to you by email or phone, if you want me to hook you up. He will give
you the straight stuff. If you wish, get with me at my posting
address, or email scotty (me) at the website smallboats.com.. I can
email you his info.