Thanks to.......

[theteacher]

Thanks to YOU guys,,,,,,,,,,you know who you are, that sit here and spend countless hours helping guys get their motors running again without having to go spend a fortune at a shop for repairs, THANK YOU !!! And this goes for you guys that don't help here, but NEED help here, such as myself, but we, in turn, help on other sites for our other hobbies, like our Harleys or other toys. I couldn't log on here for a few days, and got it running on my own, but had I logged on here, I'm sure I'd have gotten LOTS of sound advice.

I just bought a 2009 Avon RIB with a 2009 Mercury 9.9, had just 4 -5 trips on the water when I acquired it. Ran literally PERFECT the first 2 times out, then, on the 3rd trip it wouldn't start. I was getting spark, getting fuel, but no sweet purr of the little 9.9 engine. Changed plugs, tried starting fluid, nothing.

So, I emptied the tank of the FRESH fuel I put in it the day this began, bought new fuel, cleared the lines as best I could and it fired up !!!

Took it 2 hours away yesterday to the ICW in Wilmington, NC and went "exploring" as only you can do on a small RIB. Had a BLAST !!! Handled the big wakes from the huge boats effortlessly. Did the ICW, checked out big, expensive boats, beached the RIB, explored the island, swam in the inlet, went into various nooks and crannies and the motor ran perfect, not a hiccup !!!

Now, I really want to sell the big hard boat I have and get a bigger RIB.
Come on buyer .................................

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Thanks to.......

Theteacher, if you are having fun with a small rib and motor, imagine the extra excitement you will have runing a larger combo, yes, sell that big hard heavy boat and buy yourself a rib that suits your boating needs. Will something like this be toooo much ?

Happy Boating

 

[theteacher]

Re: Thanks to.......

I'm going to be limited on how much RIB I can afford, even after selling my hard boat. The hard boat also allows me to do things a bigger RIB won't allow. My Stingray is a 22' cuddy with sink, stove, toilet and we over night aboard. Can't get all that in a $12,000.00 RIB.
Reasons for wanting a bigger RIB to replace the 22" Stingray:
1.) Outboard motor, easier care and maintenance
2.) Nearly unsinkable
3.) Go anywhere, draft less water, tilt motor up.
4.) Better mpg with tow vehicle.
5.) Better mpg with, say, a 115 outboard than my 300hp I.O.

HHHhhmmmmmmm, now that I've sat here and typed these reasons out, I may be better off keeping my 22' and getting rid of my Avon Rover 310 Lite and getting a 12' RIB with about a 60 hp motor. I can do all the "exploring" I want to do on a 12' RIB and keep my 22' for overnight and ocean fishing.
I think I just talked myself into a better scenario for my wants/needs.

My only complaints about my little 310 are:
1.) I need a steering wheel, back hurts after every ride from facing kinda sideways.
2.) 9.9 Mercruiser just isn't enough, I want at least a 25 hp on at least a 12' RIB with a steering wheel. I don't like jockey seating either.
3.) Need a little more room, 4 people on board, I can't get it on plane, plus, it's just too cramped !!!

But, the benefit of a 310 is that it folds up in a bag and can be stored inside, easily. Can't do that with a 12' RIB, it'll need to stay on it's trailer outside.
We were at the ocean Saturday and had a blast!!! Ran for about 3 or 4 hours and only burned 2 gallons of gas. Beached it, had a blast!!!

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Thanks to.......

60 HP for a 12" rib is too much HP and too much weight at transom, with 30 will fly. 60 is for a 17"+ rib. Both in each HP will perform nicely if planing adding a central console.

Happy Boating