Ribcrafts!

Chopppywaters · 09 July 2005, 02:24

Hey i'm looking to buy a RIBCRAFT boat (my first RIB)..i think third boat. I was wondering if anyone could give me some feedback or opionions on the 5.85 and 6.5 recreational model ribs? Thanks!

hannah · 09 July 2005, 07:25

Good choice , we have a ribcraft 5.3 rib , it has never let us down , but i think anything under 6m is realy only a solent friendly rib. So it all depends on how you want to use it .

Pete7 · 09 July 2005, 08:47

An excellent choice of rib, well made if slightly heavy lay up, I would have no quarms about using a 585 offshore or crossing the English channel and now they have a franchise in US, one of our younger colonies, so much the better

Pete

petewooden · 09 July 2005, 09:06

Ribcraft make some good RIBs, however, in my experience there customer service is terrible.

I recommend you look to purchase from a company that wants your business.

jools · 09 July 2005, 09:07

Hi Choppywaters

We used to have a Ribcraft 5.85 fitted with Mercury 90Hp 4-stroke.

It was an excellent boat, never let us down and we had a lot of fun with her. As always with a rib, the boat is a lot more capeable than the crew onboard.

We used to keep it on a trailer and launch her all round the coast of England.

Have a look at her website to see the sort of trips we used her for

www.ribpanther.co.uk

Cheers
Jools

Hightower · 09 July 2005, 09:11

Jools, what was the performance of the 5.85 with a 90 on the back?

jools · 09 July 2005, 09:13

comfortable cruising - about 25 knots
WOT - 33-35 knots

Jools

geoff · 09 July 2005, 09:35

We have a 585 with Yamaha 100 on the back.
Been across the Channel in a big sea. We were exhausted but the boat was fine. Also been out to the Scilly Isles and done a lot of cruising around Scotland where the weather can turn pretty quickly. As a result we have been in a lot of rough weather (although the worst has been in the middle of the Solent).
The boat is now 5 years old with a few cosmetic signs of wear and tear, seat cushions, velcro etc. Tubes, hull and fittings have all lasted well.
My experience of customer service is first class. For example we had a couple of electrical switches fail and replacements were sent out free of charge. Always helpful when I have phoned up for advice.
The biggest problem we had was with the sealed hubs on the trailer which they no longer use.

Chopppywaters · 09 July 2005, 15:04

thanks for the speedy responses guys! I wonder how long it takes to customize/order the RIBs here in the U.S.

limeydal · 09 July 2005, 19:33

Choppy,
Mathew at Ribcraft USA ,is very helpful and they send out a nice info; package.Also they usually have a couple of Demo craft for sale at reduced prices. (Avoid the Mitigator, unless you have $125,000 to spare!!!

)
Also I would check out the Coastguard in your area.
All the CG units are getting equiped with the new Rigid Bouyancy boats (SAFE boats) and have a surplus of their older RIB's.
There is a nice one sitting unused in the parking lot of the CG station here in San Diego and would be sure to be asking if I was still in the market for a boat.(and best thing they come in Orange!!!! )
The Coast guard have a good web site, so check for local contacts in your area.
cheers Dal

boatster · 09 July 2005, 23:40

Darral,

do you know of one could contact the USCG for the surplus ribs? Is it really that easy? I want one of the bigger 18' Hurricanes or Seariders.

John Kennett · 10 July 2005, 06:23

You could try contacting sunrider who posts here. I know he's bought a couple of RIBs from surplus disposal auctions in the past.

John

boatster · 10 July 2005, 09:38

Thanks John,

I've spoken to Sunrider about surplus ribs. I know of the online auction venues for Gov/Mil Surplus but wonder if there is a more direct or local method of obtaining a rib. I will probably make a trip to one of the local USCG stations and see if I can gather more info.

Boatster

I apologize for the thread hijack.

Chopppywaters · 10 July 2005, 16:01

are the USCG boats maintaned well? or are they worn down, etc?

limeydal · 10 July 2005, 16:28

I used to know the Commander of the Coastguard down here;but he has just been promoted to San Francisco station.
I will email him and see if he has the name of a contact here and in fact they are allowed to sell directly.
I know a lot of time a buyer will just come in and give them a price on all the surplus they want to clear out.
cheers Dal

boatster · 10 July 2005, 19:14

Choppywaters,

The condition of the boats varies from near pristine to completely trashed. I currently have a Avon Searider 4m that was in very good condition when I got it. I really like the full rubbing strake and orange hull.

Boatster

boatster · 10 July 2005, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by limeydal

I used to know the Commander of the Coastguard down here;but he has just been promoted to San Francisco station.
I will email him and see if he has the name of a contact here and in fact they are allowed to sell directly.
I know a lot of time a buyer will just come in and give them a price on all the surplus they want to clear out.
cheers Dal

Hi Darrall,

Thanks a bunch. You have me drooling right now

Boatster

The Edges · 11 July 2005, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by petewooden

Ribcraft make some good RIBs, however, in my experience there customer service is terrible.

I recommend you look to purchase from a company that wants your business.

Just to balance things up. I have a Ribcraft 5.3 which is serviced and worked on at the factory in Yeovil. The quality of workmanship is brilliant.
They are very helpful and complete all work promptly. The only slight gripe is they are not proactive in communicating. But thats just because they are based in the west Country !!

As for the boat. Fab hope to move up to the 5.85 soon

Andrew

dctucker · 11 July 2005, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopppywaters

Hey i'm looking to buy a RIBCRAFT boat (my first RIB)..i think third boat. I was wondering if anyone could give me some feedback or opionions on the 5.85 and 6.5 recreational model ribs? Thanks!

I'm just round the corner in Marblehead, where Ribcraft USA is located. There are a few of their boats moored in Marblehead, including a few 5.85's and/or 6.5's and even a Mitagator which just looks so intimidating!

Stop by their facility, I suspect they'll be happy to give you a demo. They may even still have a used boat or demo available for purchase. Not sure...

Chopppywaters · 11 July 2005, 20:45

Yea i live like 15 minutes from marblehead so im gonna go down this weekend. I saw the Mitagator in action coming out of the harbor one day...that thing is intimdating! I wonder who owns it