Fletcher Rib

[RIB-Teccie]

Hello,

Does anyone remember the Fletcher Rib, It debuted in 1986 and after trials was modified a bit to be used in the Standby Industry. Does anyone have photos or know the whereabouts of one??

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by RIB-Teccie

Hello,

Does anyone remember the Fletcher Rib, It debuted in 1986 and after trials was modified a bit to be used in the Standby Industry. Does anyone have photos or know the whereabouts of one??

Fletcher sold the hull design and moulds to Northern Diver who then started Offshore Components which before long became Osprey. The Fletcher rib went through many evolutions before becoming the Viper, and more recently the Vipermax More info on the history page of the Osprey Owners' Association

[RIB-Teccie]

Thanks for that. It was 1985 it debuted and I remember going out to sea in the first one, it was equipped with the first of the three cylinder 60hp Yamaha's and could turn on a sixpence. They had to tone down the hull to allow slippage, the tubes were bladdered but came apart too easily, so conventional tubes were used.

[paul tilley]

fletcher radial , bolt on pvc tube with a plastic toggle arrangement that acted as a rubbing strake and opening zip type arrangement for easy removal of liners and access to bolts for attaching tubes to the hull . tubes by eurovinyl i think

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by RIB-Teccie

Hello,

Does anyone remember the Fletcher Rib, It debuted in 1986 and after trials was modified a bit to be used in the Standby Industry. Does anyone have photos or know the whereabouts of one??

I think they only made 3 and then gave up as there was no future in Ribs and the future lay in spped boats