Folding RIB first impressions part one - Page 5

philpot · 09 December 2014, 08:22

That should be a very interesting day John, pity you guys are so far away from me otherwise I might have come down to see myself.

Phil

chipko · 09 December 2014, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by weimed

This is why i would love to see the performance of this boat in chop.

It has a shallow v hull shape with only 12 degrees at the transom. This coupled with the light weight, boat length and rigid hull is going to make it a bit of a 'tank slapper' in any chop.
I'm not expecting a comfy ride at all, but hoping to keep a little more power on when towing through chop/wake. I think transom strength is going to be the big decider for me. 🚤

Ronaldj · 09 December 2014, 11:14

Steve is starting to be our new best friend. If he can pull off the demo complete with video footage then we can graduate to having him ship 3 of the boats across the pond.

philpot · 09 December 2014, 12:35

I will also be interested in performance in a chop because the vast majority of my use is on flat or very calm water, 90% fresh water and 10% the Humber estuary so rough water feed back from me would be a long time in coming.

Phil

Ovey · 09 December 2014, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by philpot

and 10% the Humber estuary so rough water feed back from me would be a long time in coming.

Phil

Having gown up on the banks of the Humber, I'd say that your 10% of time on the Humber is more than enough to get rough water feedback!

philpot · 10 December 2014, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by weimed

My concern is, its rated for a 15hp 2 stroke or 4?? I have a 15hp 4 stroke mercury weight is 110lbs

I had a word with Steve regarding the HP rating and as they are 'CE' rated for Europe, he believes that the rating is for 4 stroke outboards as no new 2 stroke motors are sold in Europe other than commercial use but he will check with the factory.

Phil

Merseyboy · 10 December 2014, 13:37

Phil,are you still Team Manager UK for Jackson Fishing Kayaks?

philpot · 10 December 2014, 15:50

No, I was only involved to set the team up in the first place, once in place I resigned. So how are you, getting sib fishing in.

Phil

Mickhitchuk · 11 December 2014, 07:26

Great review philpot, think I'm sold on the frib after seeing them at the boat show, I can't wait for your future updates, and there's me thinking ribbing died a death after the clocks went back, it wins my vote for post of the year

philpot · 11 December 2014, 10:45

Kind words indeed, thank you

Phil

philpot · 12 December 2014, 16:55

A couple of follow up items.

Firstly I must apologize for giving some wrong information regarding drainage between the sections. There are holes in the joins between the sections but they are there as part of the manufacturing process and DO NOT let water pass from section to section. It does not matter to me as most of my use is on flat water but I will buy a battery operated bilge pump for the odd occasion I may need it.
Force 4 Battery Operated Pump
Again I am sorry for my misunderstanding of this.

Dealer in the US.
There is a dealer in California but currently has no stock of F-Ribs. Outside this state, they can be supplied by Steve Bruce until any other dealer has been appointed so contact him for prices etc.

Towing a knee board.
The factory have stated that the hull / transom structure is solid enough to take a knee board, no problem however their opinion is that as the boat is light, one person in the boat would not offer enough boat weight to counteract the force of a tight turn resulting in possible danger to the single person in the boat. A child should not be an issue but it is always better to have more weight in the boat.
That is a bit long winded and I hope it makes sense but as someone who has never done any towing (apart from a caravan) I have no knowledge whatsoever but the bottom line is the hull / transom is more than up to the job.

Engine weights.
The boats are made to CE standard and are labeled up with the max HP in 4 stroke engines so if it says it takes a 20hp, it will. The company has found that these folding ribs do not require as large an engine as some other craft so you also have the recommended HP given as they don't NEED the larger engine. I can only say on the limited time I have had on the water using the max HP for mine, 15hp on a 330, it goes like hell and now my back is more or less okay, I am wanting to get out and get some actual speed reading.

I have asked Steve Bruce to look at this post and revise if needed.

Phil

chipko · 12 December 2014, 19:08

Phil,
Thanks for update, informative as ever. I hope F-Rib are looking after you for all your hard work. 👍
The lack of drain holes would be a potential problem for ourselves as we launch, recover, and mess around in the surf. All is not lost though as the 375 I'm interested in has a double skin flat deck, so hopefully the water can drain out at the transom bung.
Encouraging comments from manufacturer on transom strength for outboard weights and towing. Liking the H & S comments - towing with light boats can get interesting single handed, but we're normally 2 up with helm and spotter.
Hope you enjoy the new boat and look forward to future reports following further 'sea trials'. 😎

Ronaldj · 12 December 2014, 22:27

Phil
Thanks for your continued work on educating everyone on the Frib.
Winboats may not know it but you may very well be responsible for several sales .
I will shoot Bruce an email , making sure to explain that you are the reason this boat has become an option.

Wozizname · 14 December 2014, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

By the way, Steve Bruce has been in touch and is up for helping us get a group test together sometime which is great

Any idea of the location of this taking place and when and which sibs involved please?

Wozizname · 14 December 2014, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipko

Phil,
All is not lost though as the 375 I'm interested in has a double skin flat deck, so hopefully the water can drain out at the transom bung.

Despite my best attempts to view this 'flat deck' in any manufactures information or video on the interweb I'd be interested in your findings

philpot · 14 December 2014, 23:25

This is perhaps a better set of photos in the Winboat guise which might help

WinBoat 375RF SPRINT | WinBoat ENG

There are Sprint and Profi versions showing.

Phil

chipko · 15 December 2014, 16:01

Best image I've found of the 375 flat deck is on the Winboat site as in Phils' link above. Looks like water will free drain to recess at rear and out through the transom bung.

Personally, I would find it a real pain having water sloshing around in the two front compartments on the standard hull/deck. Are all these boats only ever used on flat water? Strikes me if they used an oversized hollow bolt to join the hulls, then most of this water could drain between sections without any significant design change. Just a thought.

Wozizname · 15 December 2014, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by philpot

This is perhaps a better set of photos in the Winboat guise which might help

WinBoat 375RF SPRINT | WinBoat ENG

There are Sprint and Profi versions showing.

Phil

Great info as always Phil, many thanks!

ba_fisher · 16 December 2014, 07:51

Ronaldj, I also live in the US and found an ebay listing of the WinBoat. The seller is in San Francisco and is close to where I live, so I will try pay them a visit. Will keep you guys posted.

ba_fisher · 16 December 2014, 07:57

Phil,

Do you think a 10hp 4 stroke would work for the 360RF? I am planning to launch the boat on the beach and moving a 100lb 15hp 4 stroke across sand is kind of hard, even with a trolley.

From the WinBoat performance data, the 360RF with a 15hp can make 23.9 mph with 2 people on board. So maybe a 10hp can make at least 16mph?