Ribcraft 545 history?

[rkk01]

Are there two different RC545s...?

Or did the 5.45 model start out as a shortened 5.85 and then get marketed as a distinct model???

Thanks in anticipation ;-)

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by rkk01

Are there two different RC545s...?



Or did the 5.45 model start out as a shortened 5.85 and then get marketed as a distinct model???



Thanks in anticipation ;-)

Nope! The RC 545 is a unique standalone design. It isn't a shortened/ lengthened version of any other RC. It has changed subtly over the years but these are minor tweaks, nothing fundamental.

[Maximus]

As Pikey says purpose designed and built.
The original Brief for design was a smaller sized RIB to Take four Divers with Kit out safely and as comfortably as poss even in "inclement weather".
Very Beamy...Dry...Deep V Hull and Bullet proof! No sub 5.5 m RIB I've seen even comes close.
Internal Tanks/Side by side Seating/very stable and Great sea keeping.

I've been out in all weathers in one....includeing in a force 8 Gale for 14 hours in the Bristol Channel with one other Larger RIB!...without seeing another vessel of any kind ALL DAY!..Great/Hulls Boats!

[RickW]

what are they like fuel economy wise?

As far as I know price wise they are about the same as the 585 arnt they - don't think Ribcraft list them on the price list

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by RickW

what are they like fuel economy wise?

As far as I know price wise they are about the same as the 585 arnt they - don't think Ribcraft list them on the price list

Obviously depends on power plant....and driving Style!
They are a Very Deep V and as a consequence need a decent dollop of power for a brisk performance.
Mine had a 130 e-tec .......and with some fettleing managed late 40's! knts ....a Great wave jumper with nice soft landings.

Ribcraft will make one if you want a new one...maybe drop Pikey Dave a PM first.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by RickW

what are they like fuel economy wise?

As far as I know price wise they are about the same as the 585 arnt they - don't think Ribcraft list them on the price list

I get a reliable 1nm/l, usually around the 1.2nm/l mark, but I use the lower figure for passage planning.

[rkk01]

Interesting...

I've been given the impression (not here) that some 5.45m Ribcrafts were special commission 585s with the hull shortened by 40 cm...!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by rkk01

Interesting...



I've been given the impression (not here) that some 5.45m Ribcrafts were special commission 585s with the hull shortened by 40 cm...!

Absolutely not, the hulls are completely different. The 585 has a planing pad which starts at the rear 1/3rd of the keel. The 545 has a full length keel from stem to stern, no planing pad. The 585 has chines & spray rails that curve upwards to the bow, the 545's are straight along the hull. The 585 has a deep forefoot that tapers off towards the planing pad, the 545 has a long straight keel. Chalk & cheese! Duff info that Rick. I've had both boats & they are different beasts, trust me.
Maybe the info refers to the 530/585

[rkk01]

The boat I have seen has a deep forefoot with two prominent rails, with very little upsweep or flare. The V extends to the transom. The large diameter tubes have a slight droop over the bow, giving a different appearance to many ribs

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by rkk01

the boat i have seen has a deep forefoot with two prominent rails, with very little upsweep or flare. The v extends to the transom. The large diameter tubes have a slight droop over the bow, giving a different appearance to many ribs

545


585

[69cmw]

The 545 has a bit of Avon Searider 5.4m look to it IMHO.
What’s the better boat in the chop Pikey? 545 or 585?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by 69cmw

The 545 has a bit of Avon Searider 5.4m look to it IMHO.

They were both designed by the same bloke, George Marvin. He took the Searider hull & tweaked it for Ribcraft, raised the bow & increased the beam among other things.

Originally Posted by 69cmw

What’s the better boat in the chop Pikey? 545 or 585?

The 545 is definitely softer & drier, it's probably the driest boat I've had. As regards "the chop" it depends, the 545 is fantastic in a short high frequency sea, the lack of length can show if the frequency gets longer. Mine is stern heavy due to the 180l inboard fuel tank, so a bag of sand in the bow locker helped, I now have trim tabs which make a huge difference & I've ditched the bag o' sand.
I'm still tinkering with engine height & props, I'm distinctly underwhelmed by the DF140 after being used to the brute power of 2 strokes/Etecs, my next move is to lower the engine 1 hole & drop a pitch in prop.

[rkk01]

Thanks - based on those photos, the boat I have seen is unmistakably a 545

Currently fitted with a 125 2-stroke

[69cmw]

There is a 545 on eBay for £4500 ono needing some work done to it.

[rkk01]

Originally Posted by 69cmw

There is a 545 on eBay for £4500 ono needing some work done to it.

Aww - now you've gone and told everyone...! ;-)

But yes, that's the boat I was looking at...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by rkk01

Aww - now you've gone and told everyone...! ;-)



But yes, that's the boat I was looking at...

Have you got a link to it?

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Have you got a link to it?

I can't post a link from this phone, but comes up if you search "ribcraft"

[RickW]

Dave I looked also go on eBay search Ribcraft and easily found looks like it needs a retube

[pilotwillie]

This is its second listing on EBay. Not that I was tempted by it [emoji848]. First time round was bidding starting at £3750. Now it’s a fixed price or best offer. So there’s definitely room for ‘negotiation’ !!! It’ll need ££££’s spent on all the most expensive parts to it. Good luck to whoever bites.

[rkk01]

Originally Posted by RickW

Dave I looked also go on eBay search Ribcraft and easily found looks like it needs a retube

Which is exactly what I was concerned about, and goes back to the original reason for the thread...

I called Ribcraft to enquire about re-tube costs, and relayed what the vendor had told me about the boat being a cut down of a different model to meet a particular client spec. Instead of correcting me, the chap at Ribcraft referred to a "chop" and then gave me a re-tube cost estimate