ribtecs

nik · 23 April 2006, 16:15

Hello all,
I am aware that ribtecs are less well regarded than some other ribs, but I am unclear in which areas they are not so good. I have had a look at their website and they describe their boats as having a deep vee.
A 6 metre one has caught my interest, but I would like to know a bit more about the downside of these.

Thanks, Nick.

Pete7 · 23 April 2006, 16:31

Nick, nothing wrong with the older Ribtecs, but they recently taken over by Ribeye, not sure about any later hulls built in SA though. Since then the Ribtec brand has gone quiet and Ribcraft seem to have taken the initative during the last 4 years. The smaller 5.35 was based on an early Watercraft mould (same as the Solent 5.4m). The 5.5m Freeway is a medium v hull, and for buzzing around the solent probably well suited if you can live with the driving position and bench seat layout. From 585 upwards they are all deep v hulls and well made. However just like BMW during the 90s you were paying a premium for the name. They do need lots of power though to make them move, one downside to the deep V hull. The 6.45m hulls had a habit of gelcoat cracking along the shines as the outer hull flexed but they still go on for years like that.

6m hulls are rare, there was a 6m hull with a Volvo diesel stern drive (105 hp) built about 96 time which was very frugal. Take a tape measure with you to see if its a real 6m or a 585. Alan Priddy reconned the 585 one of the nicest boats around and I agree with him. They are very soft landing and an ideal all round rib size. Jimbo has one on here, and there were some photos in the gallery of his, It must be 10 years old and having been used as a dive boat shows the original construction was good and the previous owner looked after her well. Now if he would just sell it too me because he needs a bigger faster boat we would all be happy

. If you want lots of different opinions of one particular boat, post the details, but for UK built boats, one of the better builders IMHO,

Pete

Dino · 23 April 2006, 16:44

The South African boats are now marketed with Ribeye aimed at the "leisure"oriented market and Ribtec marketed at the "commercial" end.
In my mind they are still great boats with a nice soft ride and good quality build(not hearsay but having looked at how mine is put together)
I'm delighted

nik · 23 April 2006, 16:46

Thanks Pete,
This one has a 240 hp yanmar diesel on a jet drive. I must admit, the finish is a bit posey, but if it can cut the mustard at sea I dont mind.
I am interested in longer cruises or channel crossing.
Nick.

Pete7 · 23 April 2006, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

I am interested in longer cruises or channel crossing Nick

not sure about crossing the channel with those seats. I and a few others on here would much prefer good jockey seats for that. Something like this:

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F93112/

nik · 23 April 2006, 17:02

Quote:

not sure about crossing the channel with those seats

Yes, I do appreciate that. But hopefully that can be changed.

ADS · 23 April 2006, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

Yes, I do appreciate that. But hopefully that can be changed.

Probably a good hull under that, but it does look abit super yacht tender like, needs a couple of jockeys in it, CJL's Opti powered 585 that Pete posted looks abit more like it for offshore cruising.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/RSE021

nik · 23 April 2006, 17:25

Quote:

but it does look abit super yacht tender like

It is a bit super yacht tender like.
If you could take the engine and drive and swap them into CJL's boat, then I would be quite happy.
Nick.

paul1 · 23 April 2006, 17:27

Hi Nick, i have a ribtec 535 and purchased it 2 months ago after an exhaustive search, the build quality for my 12 year old boat is excellent, it looks like a new rib, with no issues regarding wear or broken worn parts, and it started life as a rescue boat for a sailing school.
Like most things in life you get what you pay for, check out the intended purchase for its condition , you may be pleasantly surprised, iam more than happy with mine.

CJL · 23 April 2006, 17:35

Thanks for the plug guys!

I've not had any problems with the hull or tubes on my UK built Ribtec but I have heard somethings about the many South African derived RIBS that are available on the UK market.

Several people have told me that the build quality just isn't as good or that the glues never really set due to humidity and temperature. It might be a load of old wives tales but you won't really know till you buy a UK and then later on a South African one.

So far the best built RIB I've own has got to be a UK built DELTA, the worst a UK built Humber (Sorry but really wasn't up to much!). My Ribtec is pretty well built and I know of several organisations that use them commercially, such as fisheries, Port of London, Weymouth Harbour Master, Environment Agency and the Met Police to name a few.

I'm not sure that Ribtec and Ribeye are connected anyway I thought they just have the same UK distributor.

I've had a look at a Ribeye myself and from a cursory view IMHO the engineering isn't the same or the build quality anywhere near as good as my Ribtec.

Chris

ADS · 23 April 2006, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

It is a bit super yacht tender like.
If you could take the engine and drive and swap them into CJL's boat, then I would be quite happy.
Nick.

Ah so your a diesel man, for the money then, even after sorting out new seating which can definatly be done its probably alot of boat for the money.
Im trying to think of diesel alternatives around that price and im struggling! Pacific 22, although probably not as fast, only other two in this size I can think of are the Parker 630 and the Solent 6m, both of which are likely to be a little more expensive although probably a better boats.

nik · 23 April 2006, 18:06

There is a delta up north for sale at 16K, diesel/jet. The picture is not very good but it does look like the other extreme,rather industrial. Nice high bow though.
Nick.

CJL · 23 April 2006, 18:22

Where have you spotted that???

Jimbo · 23 April 2006, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Jimbo has one on here, and there were some photos in the gallery of his, It must be 10 years old and having been used as a dive boat shows the original construction was good and the previous owner looked after her well. Now if he would just sell it too me because he needs a bigger faster boat we would all be happy

.

Make me an offer I can't refuse!!!

I love my Ribtec. As Pete says, the previous owner really did look after her well (Andy on Ribnet) and she only looks about 6 years old (she's a 1991 hull). The deep v is fun in chop - very quick to plane, and very soft on landing. Slightly different driving style to some boats, but you'll get that whatever.

I really rate the Ribtec 585 as a sea boat, because it seems solidly built, and handles very well.

nik · 23 April 2006, 18:32

Quote:

Where have you spotted that???

Fosdyke Yacht Haven, Boston, Lincolnshire.
No online presence though.
Nick.

Pete7 · 23 April 2006, 18:38

this would definately be worth a look, and an offer, superb ribs

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F89881/

Pete

ADS · 23 April 2006, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

this would definately be worth a look, and an offer, superb ribs

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F89881/

Pete

Nice boat and worth an offer, may be worth asking the boatmad lot its history as I believe its had some involvement with OCR racing as a safety boat, Boatmad advert

nik · 23 April 2006, 18:46

Quote:

this would definately be worth a look, and an offer, superb ribs

Petrol.

I am considring outboards, but I am limiting myself to under 6m and under 100Hp.

Pete7 · 23 April 2006, 18:52

Ignoring the engine hp, consider Robins Tiffino, Ribcraft 585, merticulously maintained, would have no quarms about a channel crossing on her.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F90744/

nik · 23 April 2006, 19:08

Interestingly though Pete, one type of boat I have been keeping an eye on is the pacifics. Various ones seem to keep popping up at Folly Ribs.
Nick.