Ronald,
You can order same model in 5 different sizes, 420,450,470, 530, 580, hulls can be made white, light grey or black. Available in white, light gray, dark grey, red and black heavy duty 1.2 mm Polyurethane fabrics, including Orca Hypalon which costs a lot more. I prefer light color fabrics, light grey is the one that heats the least with sun specially if your butt will sit on huge tubes for long time periods. If you spray an overdose of Aerospace 303 Protectant from time to time and keep your beloved toy covered with a thick cover when not in use, really don't need to buy Hypalon which in order to have a better atarctive purchase price is 50% less thick, just 0.8 mm compared to 1.2 mm currently used.
That 450 will be used plain open, will include an inflatable air deck and a bimini, a must have during summer or expect to evaporate. Don't like center consoles, takes too much deck available space. Tomorrrow is D day, will see if sitting starbord next to transom and tiller driving that fat Rib has a friendly driving position, if not, will glue 2 side patches and hook a alum seat next to tiller. Not an issue tiller driving 50+ HP engines if you know what you're doing and happen you have finally tamed the beast.
On this 450 would be impossible to sit on air deck while boating at speed, won't see a thing, just sun during day time and stars at night, so need to make some mods to suit my personal boating needs.. New achor line and towing bridle line have been finally attached to hull and side towing rings.
On the old 430 the fuel tank had to be secured up front which took bit of available deck space specially when boating with 4 mates. The new 450 has its own tank space next to transom, If seat is placed next to tiller, tank will sit under seat, will probably need to add 2 straps to lock tank in place, a choppy sea trial will confirm if need be considered.
If the 18 HP Tohatsu does not plane the Rib will probably consider a 2 stroke Suzuki 30 HP engine, was offered a Merc 25 rebadged Tohatsu, but will need to upgrade to a 30 HP for better performance compared to a 18,
The only personal issue that keeps me saying NO is that plastic parts of the entire throttle system wears out fast if not well periodic lubed. The 18 has an oustanding throttle system, love this horse in all tech aspects, have a emotional connection with eighteens for the past 7 years which hope to continue, fingers crossed....
Happy Boating
