Ribtec 6.5m are they any good?????????

[Gary Wilson]

hi ribtec 6.5m are they any good?

do they have a deep v hull?

Gary

[John Kennett]

Yes, and yes. They are very seaworthy RIBs with a good reputation.

I haven't looked closely at any of the recent South African built models, but the original UK built version was certainly built to last.

Jan Falkowski had (I think) the first one about ten years ago and it certainly coped with some severe abuse

John

[Gary Wilson]

Thanks for the info john

Gary

[philip]

I have heard mixed reports about the Ribtec 6.5 commisioned for the Pacific Camel trophy event - Would be worth doing a search on here for "Camel".

Cheers

Phil

[John Kennett]

That is a very good point. I was only thinking of the standard version.

The extra weight of the substantial frame on the Camel Trophy boats, coupled with the heavy and relatively underpowered Honda 130 engine means that these don't represent the Ribtec 650 at its best. Some of them have also taken a serious beating.

One in decent condition, without the extra ironwork, with something like a 150hp Optimax on the back would be a different matter entirely.

Due to the ruffty-tuffty looks and the Camel Trophy connection they were quite expensive when they came onto the market, but they seemed to sell well. There are definitely some cheaper ones around now.

John

[Jimbob]

I was thinking about a ribtec Camel at one point, however it seems from the ribbers that

1) They are hevy and with the 130hp fully loaded - probably underpowered
2) The frame looks nice and different, but it changes the boat handeling
3) Many have been worked hard

But that just feedback, i see many about, i still like the look of them and they have plenty of gadgets

[CJL]

I've got the 585 which for arguments sake is a 6m but its got a 135 Optimax on the back it goes like stink.

Its a UK version and is built to last. The newer SA ones I`m not too sure. Stewart who post as H20Events has several SA 8m ones. PM him and I`m sure he'll be helpfull.

Chris

[stuart hedges]

My ones are 8mtr ones are also actually UK built. I think Ribtecs are great boats, just not sure if I would by a new one as they are from SA.

[tue]

I have a Ribtec 6.5m. It is a 1997 boat and the build of the hull is excellent. The deep V carries on all the way to the stern and gives a nice ride in rough water. . With the 200 Mariner on the back I have had 47 knots, but need to change the prop to a larger pitch. When fully loaded with 6 divers and twinsets (very heavy load) I have pulled 35 knots. Its sea keeping is excellent and handles large seas with ease. It can be a bit rocky at rest as the tubes are well out of the water but the ride more than makes up for it.

EDIT: Should you ever come down to Devon and want to try one let me know and I'll take you out for a spin