Camel RIB / Ribtec 655

Jus · 17 August 2006, 22:38

I wondered if anyone had any experience of owning or simply using the Ribtec 655 boat as used in the Camel trophy.

I am interested in any opinions at all on the boat as am thinking it might make a good step up from my current 5 metre.

Poly · 17 August 2006, 23:00

search on here for camel rib - you will find various threads discussing their "virtues"

. No personal experience - but from what I have read here - I would think twice.

Biggles · 17 August 2006, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

search on here for camel rib - you will find various threads discussing their "virtues"

. No personal experience - but from what I have read here - I would think twice.

Its a shame really because they look like good boats.
That is if you rip the extended A Frame off it and change the engine. Then whats the point of buying it !

hamster · 17 August 2006, 23:35

I have been using a ribtec 655 at work for the last 5 years and couldn't fault it. We have just put twin merc 60's on it after having honda 50's on it since new. I find it to be a great sea boat, having done more trips accross the solent with upto 10 people aboard than i wish to remember. The deep v hull takes the waves excellently for a boat of this size and gives a good return of speep. We've had the boat 9 years and its still in ecxellent condition despite being used two or three times a week all year round.
Have also used another one a few times fitted with a 130 honda on a heavily reinforced transom, which also handles faultlesly.

Jus · 21 August 2006, 14:36

Thanks for all the comments, very helpful.

I was attracted by the reasonable price of certain boats on the market but am put off by the high weight and stories of problems (Camel boats specifically).

I'd love to hear of any recommendations for other boats in this size range (6 - 7m), for use for family, fun and cruising.

Richard B · 21 August 2006, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jus

I'd love to hear of any recommendations for other boats in this size range (6 - 7m), for use for family, fun and cruising.

Have a look at Osprey.

Rogue Wave · 22 August 2006, 02:16

I call all my boats after songs or musos. I called my Camel won't get fooled again. They are heavy, the engine is a dog and the whole boat is not very well put together with a lot of things to go wrong. Toobs and hull are good

I think Tohatsu 6.5 represent excellent value for money secondhand, I havent got one but I have worked on a few and have been genuinely impressed by the quality and they run very nicely with a decent 90 to 125 but they are a bit nippy with a 150 Opti

Rogue Wave · 22 August 2006, 02:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamster

I have been using a ribtec 655 at work for the last 5 years and couldn't fault it. We have just put twin merc 60's on it after having honda 50's on it since new. I find it to be a great sea boat, having done more trips accross the solent with upto 10 people aboard than i wish to remember.

how did you manage to get a boat that size coded for 10 people?

Jus · 22 August 2006, 10:07

I think this would make a good project....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Rogue Wave · 22 August 2006, 10:39

It would be a heartbreaker! they would need a lot of power to push em through the water with reasonable performance and that means a lot of fuel upwards of 80 litres an hour. Also the yaren't that comfy for the passengers and tend to be quite wet and bumpy. Incredibly well made though but big pad at the back doesn't help the ride

I had the misfortune to hire one once we went out in about a force five did about thirty miles and it cost 95 litres of fuel. It had a big old 2 stroke on the back though.

The lack of transom also makes the hulls very wet so again your passengers are in for a very wet ride but also ensure that there are no holes in the deck or the void will get waterlogged very soon

Jus · 22 August 2006, 11:08

Would have thought a heavy hull would have helped more with the ride!

Must say I had wondered about the flat 'pad' at the back though, thought it looked strange.

Ideally I'd like a project boat similar to this but with a better hull.

Pete7 · 22 August 2006, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jus

Must say I had wondered about the flat 'pad' at the back though, thought it looked strange

provides lift at the stern.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jus

Ideally I'd like a project boat similar to this but with a better hull.

How about this:

Link

Pete

Jus · 22 August 2006, 11:23

Yep, thats a project alright! Good value at current price too.

I'd be tempted if the garage was bigger!

Its not a project, but I quite like this (with a view to fitting bigger engine of course)...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ribeye-600-Pla...QQcmdZViewItem

ADS · 22 August 2006, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jus

Yep, thats a project alright! Good value at current price too.

I'd be tempted if the garage was bigger!

Its not a project, but I quite like this (with a view to fitting bigger engine of course)...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ribeye-600-Pla...QQcmdZViewItem

Im not sure an Atlantic 21 and a Ribeye are comparable!

Pete7 · 22 August 2006, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jus

but I quite like this (with a view to fitting bigger engine of course)

Suprisingly I find myself agreeing with the Nobber;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Have a look at Osprey.

and would rather have this over the Ribeye. This was a demo boat and there are lots of reviews on the net for her.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.com/view/F89881/

Pete

Jus · 22 August 2006, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

Im not sure an Atlantic 21 and a Ribeye are comparable!

Why not? Aren't they both deep V boats that could suit cruise/ski use?

Just keeping my options open at this stage!

Jus · 22 August 2006, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Suprisingly I find myself agreeing with the Nobber;
and would rather have this over the Ribeye. This was a demo boat and there are lots of reviews on the net for her.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.com/view/F89881/

Pete

Yes, have seen that and do like it alot.

nugent · 22 August 2006, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Suprisingly I find myself agreeing with the Nobber;
and would rather have this over the Ribeye. This was a demo boat and there are lots of reviews on the net for her.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.com/view/F89881/

Pete

would have to aggree the 6.5 osprey is well up to the task,

as for the ribeye, who the hell fitted that control box yuk!!

poulner6 · 01 April 2014, 22:05

I have just purchased a 2005 Ribtec 655 with a Yamaha 150 HPDI, performed faultless on sea trials in the solent with a F5 SSW. but now I'm worried.... have I purchased a duck on water, all my digging for reviews etc, sounded very positive

Daniel · 01 April 2014, 22:25

It's the camel trophy ribtec that's a bit naff (it looks kewl but doesn't really perform as well as it looks)... I'm assuming yours is a plain and simple open rib, console and a couple jockey pods. Upload a photo...