Rib choice for cruising in Outer Hebrides

[matt h]

Im guessing If they haven't replied, they will do shortly. Their order books are stacked unlike some of the garage built ribs around at the moment.
I don't own a Ribcraft or a Redbay so I'm not biggin up what I own, but without any doubt they are two of the finer rib manufacturers around and built like the proverbial for British waters.
If I were ploughing a load of money into a new craft then I would want to know their accounts/build quality/In house manufacturing processes stack up and are put together by qualified craftsmen in one location so I can watch the entire build and add additional bespoke options where I see fit.
Good Luck with whatever you decide!!

[uist]

Thanks for your answers.

This guy has gotton his shortlist down to some very able craft (Yes, he should take a look at Ribcraft and Redbay). Unless he's Dag Pike, or at least very experienced, he could take every one of them out in every condition in the book and struggle to find a great deal of difference between them all.
He's not comparing apples and pears here, his has a tidy basket of apples.

He's come on here and asked the right questions, I'd say go get the best deal.

So as I understand there's no fundamental differences between these boats at sea ?

Anyone owning an XS ?

[uist]

Good luck in getting a response from Redbay

Why ?

[matt h]

XS Very capable ribs. Great build quality and and . Have a good name. never owned one but all good!!

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by uist

Anyone owning an XS ?

Owned 2 still have a 600, driven Loads. from 4.5m up to the 8.5m

Have delivered 6, 6.5, 7 and 8.5 to Scotlands west coast and Lewis can only say good things about them...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by uist

Why ?

I suspect that like most of the other "up there" manufacturers, their order books are so full with lucrative "big stuff" they haven't time for the little guy anymore. I tried several times to get a quote for a new boat, including seeing the gaffer at a trade show & never even got a reply to my emails. I gave up in the end. I went back to Ribcraft & even then I had to be persistent, but as a returning customer I knew the form. What you read into that a given manufacturer may be flat out, & can only supply you with a boat 4-5 months down the line, as opposed to a company that can deliver next week & give you a hefty discount is up to you. Some things are worth working for.

[spittle123]

hi on my second osprey vipermax never eny problems and they will go enywhere the best all rounder rib ive ever found well pleased with mine wouldent buy enythink els now but osprey vipermax

[willk]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I suspect that like most of the other "up there" manufacturers, their order books are so full with lucrative "big stuff" they haven't time for the little guy anymore. I tried several times to get a quote for a new boat, including seeing the gaffer at a trade show & never even got a reply to my emails. I gave up in the end.

There's no denying or defending that P.D. There's also no denying the fact that during that time, Clamchowder (a member on here) met them, emailed them, ordered and currently has under construction a brand new Stormforce 6.1m (below) due for delivery in (very late ) March 2015. I can't explain it, that's just what is.

Maybe they roll dice?

[Dan Gurney]

We managed to get in touch with them ok, but to be fair to Pikey we aren't taking delivery until March. I think Redbay are perfectly happy to build small stuff you just don't see pics of them on here so often.

If you genuinely want to get in touch I would say give them a call rather than an e-mail. Either that or give their south coast agent MRL a call.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Clamchowder

...you just don't see pics of them on here so often....

Yes you do!

[mick]

I always ring if I need to ask anything

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I tried several times to get a quote for a new boat

That might just be that Willk warned him off

never even got a reply to my emails.

If I wanted to be treated seriously rather than as a tyre kicker* I would phone not email (or at least follow up with a phone call)! The same is probably true for many places where the first challenge is to make it through the spam filters.


* I have no idea how Redbay actually qualify customers but having met Tom I can imagine he's more comfortable using voice than email!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

That might just be that Willk warned him off

I never! I swear!

Originally Posted by Poly

...but having met Tom I can imagine he's more comfortable using voice than email!

Dunno. He's a dab hand at Texting though. I frequently receive my Instructions that way....

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Poly

That might just be that Willk warned him off



If I wanted to be treated seriously rather than as a tyre kicker* I would phone not email (or at least follow up with a phone call)! The same is probably true for many places where the first challenge is to make it through the spam filters.


* I have no idea how Redbay actually qualify customers but having met Tom I can imagine he's more comfortable using voice than email!

I prolly didn't go into enough detail. My initial contact was by email, followed up by several calls to Gary, culminating in a face to face meeting with Tom at Seaworks. Tom wasn't impressed with my treatment & assured me that they'd get back to me asap............... I think you might be onto something with the willk angle though. Anyway, it's academic now.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by willk

There's no denying or defending that P.D. There's also no denying the fact that during that time, Clamchowder (a member on here) met them, emailed them, ordered and currently has under construction a brand new Stormforce 6.1m (below) due for delivery in (very late ) March 2015. I can't explain it, that's just what is.

Maybe they roll dice?

Is that a crack? Top right. ;-)

[Red Fox]

+1 Yampower. Tony or Phil is your man to talk to.