Advise about Rib Quest Ribs

[nickjaxe]

Hi our dive club has been looking at a boat going by the name Rib Quest model LR58HT, I have never heard of this make anybody know anything about them good/bad, the one we are looking at comes with a 90 suzuki DF90TUL, with say 6 divers up will this be big enough.

Regards Nick.

[Pete7]

Nick, you might want to find out in which country they are made.

Can't help but think they are a bit of an unknown quantity. Always tricky spending dive clubs money. Where there any other thoughts / options ? how about a Parker (from Andre), a Solent, Osprey (hmm very nice ) Tornado ?

http://www.ribquest.com/index.htm


Pete

[ADS]

I looked at the ribquest ribs at the boat show and they seemed well finished and the staff were helpful. The design of the RIB itself reminded me of Ribtec 535 which is no bad thing.
Another make to consider is XS-RIBS for pics or feedback see Limydal on the forum.
At least your club has been persuaded to buy a new boat the fun bit is finding one! Even more fun when its not your money!

May be worth phoning Ribquest for a sea trial.

[swginn]

Nick, Saw Ribquest at LBS 2004 but dismissed them as they were an unknown quantity to use Pete's words. I also couldn't help but feel that they wouldn't stand up to daily wear and tear that well (this could have been the white tubes though!!)

In the end I went for an XS-Rib and was one of their first customers. No regrets whatsoever!! Great performance and a very capable RIB. Andy & Thorper's dive club is getting a one fairly soon also so may be worth talking to him. If you've got any quieries don't hesitate to drop me a PM. If it was me personally I wouldn't make a decision on the Ribquest until you talk to Laurence Lock @ XS-Ribs/Barnet Marine. They sell a sh$t load of Dive Ribs so know what they're at!!

Sorry Lads I know its my 2nd time postin this pic but I couldn't find the link to the first thread. Shure tis a good 'un anyway

[timboli]

I saw them at Southampton boatshow and they seemed reasonably well finished,I requested a demonstation and they said they would set one up soon but apart from a salesman calling me about a week later to see if I wanted to buy a boat,no one has been in contact yet.
To my eye they look very nice but I wasnt too bothered on the console they offer.They do offer other colours then white.
If I was in your shoes,I would insist on a demo first and take out eight people on the demo to see for yourself,a bit of hassle to set up but at lest you could be fairly sure the boat/engine combintion could cope.

[Searider]

Originally Posted by nickjaxe

Hi our dive club has been looking at a boat going by the name Rib Quest model LR58HT, I have never heard of this make anybody know anything about them good/bad, the one we are looking at comes with a 90 suzuki DF90TUL, with say 6 divers up will this be big enough.

Regards Nick.

Nick,

I drove their first pre-production boat last year and it seemed OK - we have assisted with their CE marking.

They were intending to offer good value basic packages.

They are made in England - Manchester way if I remember.

I don't know how they will last as I've not actually used one in anger - best to see if anyone on here has any "user" experience.

Regards

[tcwozere]

Looking at their list of accessories, I can now see why the cost of a new fully kitted out rib is so extortionate..

[RIVA]

is it me or does that hull look very familier to something else

i just cannot remeber what

perhaphs its my imagination again LOL

[Jono Garton]

Made in Rochdale (Manchester) by a company who dont know anything about ribs. They turn over millions making shower trays and only make ribs when production is slow on the shower trays. They use Eurocraft for their tubes.

They also use tacky slogans such as "Dont you just love rush hour".

[nickjaxe]

Ok thanks guys all noted will pass on info.

Nick.

[Jono Garton]

Originally Posted by Jono Garton

Made in Rochdale (Manchester) by a company who dont know anything about ribs. They turn over millions making shower trays and only make ribs when production is slow on the shower trays. They use Eurocraft for their tubes.

They also use tacky slogans such as "Dont you just love rush hour".

On Friday afternoon I was contacted by a repesentaive of "The Quest Group of companies" who informed me that if I didn't remove this post within 24 hours he would start legal proceedings. I explained that the information posted here was what I was told by an employee of the company who I had spoken to. When I asked him "what was his core business then?" he refused to answer and just made threats about legal action. If my post is incorrect, I invite the gentleman concerned to confirm, publicly, that his core business is not as described, that they are not made in Rochdale and I will unreservedly apologise, in public, on this forum.

[Pete7]

Nice one Jono, stick to your guns.

If they have read the post then they have had the opportunity to reply in public stating how good there boats are and how many they have sold over the years to satisfied customers.



Pete

[tue]

I have never seen an RIB manufacturer that offers carpet as a floor covering.

[ADS]

Originally Posted by tue

I have never seen an RIB manufacturer that offers carpet as a floor covering.

I saw that and £45 for a battery isolator switch seems a bit steep. Their consoles aren't badly priced though...

[tue]

Originally Posted by ADS

Their consoles aren't badly priced though...

They don't look the best styled console I have ever seen. Check out the pics in the gallery http://www.ribquest.com/gallery.htm . They don't look very comfortable to drive either. The driver is always stretching for the remote box

[Rib Runner]

Dear Sirs,


Further to recent posts on rib.net forum, I am writing in an attempt to put the record straight with regards to the Ribquest company position and recent posts on the forum.

An e-mail dated 5th November 2004 (The Facts) was posted by a forum member, this e-mail stated a number of untruths. The first point stated that the company manufactured RIBS in Rochdale. In actual fact the company owns a 3 Acre industrial site in Denton, 6 miles to the east of Manchester within which we have manufacturing plant akin to that of a large Multi-National Boat Builder (ie, not your average RIB manufacturer). We welcome interested parties to a factory visit by prior appointment, we have nothing to hide.

His second point that we manufacture shower trays is again a complete fabrication, we manufacture a number of different products aligned to European and World Markets. Interested parties will see us listed in the Fast Trak (Sunday Times listings of the top one hundred fastest growing UK companies).

The third point to his post with regards to the Company knowing nothing about RIBs, is one which I am reluctant to debate. It is a matter of personal opinion and completely inappropriate for me to comment or boast about the skills held within our own company, however Ribquest has a strong marketing strategy in place to carry this point forward over the next five years.

His final point that Eurocraft manufacture our tubes is true. We are very proud to be fitting tubes manufactured by a UK specialist, rather than cheap foreign imports which can be found on many so called UK manufactured RIBs. Whilst on the subject of sub-contract suppliers, I should point out that 100% of our companies testing and approvals, have been carried on an independent basis (CE Proof) at substantial cost to our business. However we believe this brings us and our customers great benefit in terms of our long term company commitment to its products.

I would like to close by thanking you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you found it of interest and one which puts the facts as they are, rather than an attempt to promote our company on the forum.


Yours Sincerely
Gary Finan (Operations Director)
Ribquest Ltd

[Scary Des]

Yes..........but what’s your core business
Des

[Scary Des]

Gary are you the same Gary Finan from www.sunquestsunbeds.com and is this where you get your marine experience

Des

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Rib Runner

Dear Sirs,


..., rather than cheap foreign imports which can be found on many so called UK manufactured RIBs. ....
Yours Sincerely
Gary Finan (Operations Director)


Ribquest Ltd

Hi Gary,

Thank you for taking the time to attempt to respond. However I have a couple of questions, if I may?

Firstly could you indicate which companies you are referring to in your quote above? As you are keen to point out, un-founded allegations should be discouraged. I feel that instead of tarnishing "innocent" companies with such an allegation, it would be advisable to let us know to whom you refer.

Secondly, as Des pointed out, you still have not confirmed your main line of business. I know it's none of our business, but it would be nice to see how you integrate your core business technology with the production of RIBs. For instance, I know that you have made great advances with plastic moulding and wondered if you have or will incorporate any of this technique in boat building?

Thirdly, could you tell us who designed your hull form? As a newcomer to the world of boating, I am fascinated by the genealogy of boat hulls.

Many thanks for your time,

Jono… no, not that one….

[Jono Garton]

Gary

Thanks for posting, I apologise for any mistakes when posting the original post.