What type of engine do I need?

With Rib's this size Outboard propulsion is the only viable option.

What horsepower do you recommend?

It really depends on what you want the boat to do and how fast you want to go. The minimum we would recommend for sailing club rescue would be 60hp. For general use the most popular engines are between 75hp to 100hp

What speed can I expect?

This really depends on boat configuration and loading etc. To give you an Idea the 5.30 with 20 gallon of fuel, standard console with say four people on board, with 90 Hp four stroke will reach 36-38 Knots.

What fuel consumption?

Again this really depends on usage of the boat and conditions, Fuel consumption is even harder to gauge. I pretty much rely on customer feedback for this and these figures are a loose approximate. Roughly with an 80-90hp four stroke runs about 1 Litre per mile on an average day with an average boat.

Single or Twin Engines?

For this size of boat I would recommend sticking to a single motor, Its cheaper to run and to service. Twin motors would be recommended for commercial usage and if you intend to operate in isolated areas or make long lone jaunts.

Two or Four stroke

Four strokes are the most popular choice for the Ribcraft 5.3. The weight and performance is comparable to the old two strokes with a huge fuel saving being the major advantage of the modern four strokes. The new Evinrude E-tec is also worth considering.

Can I have an Inbuilt fuel tank, and if so how much fuel will it hold?

The Ribcraft 5.3 can have a 20 gallon built in fuel tank. You can also run off standard Outboard fuel tanks, the FS (Fuel Stowage) console is a good choice for this, it can hold 10 gallons of fuel in portable tanks beneath the console.

Is it easy to tow?

Yes, you can tow the 5.3 with a normal size family car. The weight of the boat varies with configuration, please contact Ribcraft for more advice.

What trailer do I need?

It depends on the boat configuration, basic specification boats will fit on an Un-braked trailer. The majority of Ribcraft 5.3’s configurations, you will need a braked trailer.

Is it cheaper to buy the boat and engine separately or as a package?

You will find that our pricing structure means that the package deals we offer are extremely competitive. You also have the added benefit of having the engine professionally installed.

I am a commercial operator, What about certification?

All Ribcraft from 4.8 meter to 9.0 meter are MCA (Maritime and coastguard agency) Type approved. This means that the boat has already passed the relevant buoyancy, stability and approved build standards. All you will need to do is supply the relevant safety equipment onboard, and be inspected that you have that equipment. For more info contact Ribcraft.