J Craft

[Hightower]

Anyone know anything about this manufacturer and their RIBs?

http://www.jcraft.co.uk/

[matt h]

never heard of them allthough the hull looks good!!

[Hightower]

I rather like the console design. The beam for a 5.8 looks quite wide as well. If I've got time tomorrow I might just drive down to Pompy and have a shoofties

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Anyone know anything about this manufacturer and their RIBs?

I asked the same question back in January. Anyone seen one yet?

"Based on the south coast in Portsmouth, Hampshire, Jcraft was founded in 2004. Managing director Jamie Dobson has been involved in the rib building industry for over 10 years and is an expert craftsman well known in the industry sector."

Strange that they have been around a couple of years and no one seems to have heard of them. I may be displaying my ignorance, but I haven't heard of Jamie Dobson either!

John

[paul tilley]

jamie has been more involved with repairs and very small ribs the larger boats are a new venture for him and are fitted with wonderful tubes from dartmouth as with all new ventures only time will tell .he is a nice bloke and the photos of the rib look good hopefully he can now turn in some good sales .

[stella]

Jamie started at Porters Bros in Emsworth back in 95 making the BWM's/Ballistics and the first Tohatsus then went onto to work at Ballistic and built all the UK Ballistics before leaving to start up on his own in 2004. He still does repair work but now concentrates on his own Jcraft ribs.

[Hightower]

Thanks for the info Stella, Jamie told me today that you regulaly visit RIBnet .

Went there today and spoke for some time with Jamie. I look forward to the ride next weekend .


Andy

[neilb]

Has anyone managed to test drive one of these ribs. They look good from the website.

Neil

[Hightower]

I never actually helmed the RIB but was a passenger during a Demo.

I never really saw the limits of this RIB and would have very much liked the controls. But I was never offered and the odd suggestion wasn't picked up on

Seemed like a nice stable ride and with a 175 she seemed to pick up pretty well, was a typical Solent chop and seemed to handle it pretty well. I'd have liked to have seen it in decent following seas though.

Build quality looked good from what I saw but I did notice that the gell coat was thin in places and showed the shadows of the fibreglass weave though. I was told that this would be addressed in production models.

Console is one of the nicest I've seen and incorperates a nice 45 degree footrest along the bottom and decent front hatch. No front seat though!

Jamie is a nice guy to talk to and I'm sure if you gave him a ring he'll offer you a demo.

[neilb]

Thanks Andy, I may have to pop down to Gunwarf and have a try. I assume it was the 6.8m you tried. It looks like he it trying to sell the demonstrator on Boatsandoutboards for £19,000

[Hightower]

You have a PM my friend

[willgrf72]

I have just bought the JCraft 400 4 mtr rib with an Evinrude30 etec. It was a right gamble as ust my first rib BUT I need not have worried as it works brilliantly . It reaches a top speed of about 28mph and cuts through chop well. Videos to follow....

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by willgrf72

I have just bought the JCraft 400 4 mtr rib with an Evinrude30 etec. It was a right gamble as ust my first rib BUT I need not have worried as it works brilliantly . It reaches a top speed of about 28mph and cuts through chop well. Videos to follow....

Like to see those! when I visited he was only making larger 7.5m and 6.8m RIBs so it'll be interesting to see something smaller. Have you bought new or used?

[willgrf72]

Here is a picture of our rib. It was effectively bought from Jcraft albeit indirectly. Long story...

[willgrf72]

Still urgently needs another seat though and back rests!

[willgrf72]

First short video of my daughter taking it steady behind our other boat . I was more worried than her !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDi8RySlZno