Jet RIBs

[Hampton]

I was intrigued by the Aussie's boat purchase venture, including the Jet Rib.

Yesterday, 1/2 mile from my house, on the street, I find a 2000 Nautica 80HP Jet RIB for $1800 on a trailer. 200 hours. Decent Shape. I want to buy it just for the fun and then flip it. I told him if I could run it, I would buy it. He's out of town right now.

Unfortunately, I think it weighs about 800 pounds. I'm looking to get a tender at about 550 pounds. Achilles with a 30HP Honda 4-Str is my current thought. So, I did some research. There are a couple of companies building light weight Jet RIBs in at about 500 pounds. One is a rotary. He calls it a 4 stroke rotary. New ones are over $20,000 for any of these. Man, I wish I could find a used light weight Jet RIB.

 

[HUMPH]

For that price I would buy it just to play around a bit! My friend has one of those and just fried the engine. I think he forgot to put the 2-stroke oil in the reservoir.

 

[wetpaint]

Tow it!!!

 

[Lucky's]

I was intrigued by the Aussie's boat purchase venture, including the Jet Rib.

Yesterday, 1/2 mile from my house, on the street, I find a 2000 Nautica 80HP Jet RIB for $1800 on a trailer. 200 hours. Decent Shape. I want to buy it just for the fun and then flip it. I told him if I could run it, I would buy it. He's out of town right now.

Unfortunately, I think it weighs about 800 pounds. I'm looking to get a tender at about 550 pounds. Achilles with a 30HP Honda 4-Str is my current thought. So, I did some research. There are a couple of companies building light weight Jet RIBs in at about 500 pounds. One is a rotary. He calls it a 4 stroke rotary. New ones are over $20,000 for any of these. Man, I wish I could find a used light weight Jet RIB.

I'm pretty sure its a Rotax 4 stroke, not a rotary. Rotax is a pretty well built engine used by ski-doo in their snowmobiles. Its also used in some automatic transmission quads. As far as the jet ribs, they are a lot of fun. Slow speed handling sucks really bad, but other than that, a lot if fun. That is a really good price!

Shaun
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[fwebster]

Be careful what you wish for.............

There were 3 guys who bought them over at our place when they got boats with hydraulic platforms. All had serious problems and eventually sold them, one was donated to PMI to get rid of it. All were replaced with hard bottom inflatables or RIBs w/outboards like 2 Sand Dollars has on his 610.

 

[Hampton]

Be careful what you wish for.............

There were 3 guys who bought them over at our place when they got boats with hydraulic platforms. All had serious problems and eventually sold them, one was donated to PMI to get rid of it. All were replaced with hard bottom inflatables or RIBs w/outboards like 2 Sand Dollars has on his 610.

I know, but for 1800.... But, this one is too heavy. But for 1800, I could make a lot of service calls, but it's too heavy. They seem like fun.

The trailer is worth 1/2 that. So many decisions. If it goes out and runs well and doesn't take on water or smoke too bad, I'm going to do it - maybe.

 

[Hampton]

I'm pretty sure its a Rotax 4 stroke, not a rotary. Rotax is a pretty well built engine used by ski-doo in their snowmobiles. Its also used in some automatic transmission quads. As far as the jet ribs, they are a lot of fun. Slow speed handling sucks really bad, but other than that, a lot if fun. That is a really good price!

Shaun
Sent via Tapatalk

OK, OK - Rotax. That makes sense. The guy is holding the engine in his arms in an ad. and it looks like a rotary. The whole point was light weight and good power. I want one!

 

[Jackie J V]

I really liked the concept of a jet RIB (no outboard hanging out). However when I bought my dingy, the guy at a local dealer talked me out of the Novurna that he had. I've dealt with him quite a bit over the years. He basically said that the handling was terrible, not just at low speed, but also with any chop for this particular model.

Paul

 

[searay40dad]

I just bought a Novurania Williams 104 hp turbojet. Bought it off a buddy who had it on his 44db lift but wanted something a bit lighter. I've ran his 13 caribe w/ 40hp and his new 11' zodiac w/ a 15 hp merc on it and i didnt notice much difference in terms of handling chop. He's had it a couple years and no problems to date. I got a fantastic deal on it and like the idea of no outboard to mess with on the lift. Hits about 45 knots. 630 lbs dry which is about 150 lbs lighter than my Honda jet ski.

Here she is:
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2007-Novurania-285-Jet-100925645

What kind of problems did the guys have Frank?

 

[HUMPH]

104 HP in a 10' RIB? That is nuts!

 

[Lucky's]

OK, OK - Rotax. That makes sense. The guy is holding the engine in his arms in an ad. and it looks like a rotary. The whole point was light weight and good power. I want one!

And those engines are screamers!! They run strong and fast!! Like I said, low speed handling is a challenge, but man are they a blast! You can turn at full rpm and it will whip you around like a waverunner. I think you should jump on it for they price! Or not...or yes you should! Lol
Shaun
Sent via Tapatalk

 

[fwebster]

I just bought a Novurania Williams 104 hp turbojet. Bought it off a buddy who had it on his 44db lift but wanted something a bit lighter. I've ran his 13 caribe w/ 40hp and his new 11' zodiac w/ a 15 hp merc on it and i didnt notice much difference in terms of handling chop. He's had it a couple years and no problems to date. I got a fantastic deal on it and like the idea of no outboard to mess with on the lift. Hits about 45 knots. 630 lbs dry which is about 150 lbs lighter than my Honda jet ski.


What kind of problems did the guys have Frank?

The jet RIB owners here all had the typical jet-ski in salt water issues, so this may not be universally applicable, but all had dependability due to electrical problems, 2 seized impellers because flushing with Salt-Away is difficult on a hydraulic platform, one exploded engine (I don't think they ever found all the rods/pistons/etc. All were bought new at a local dealer.

All that said, if I found one that ran well for $1800, I'd be all over it....................