So what makes some ribs better than others.?

Sonar · 08 February 2010, 18:55

Well since being a member of the forum I have now seen many many ribs .

All have a grp hull seats consul and tubes.
Some engines are larger than others.

So what makes some ribs better than others.
I don't think quality is the word here as if the finish was scabby you would not buy it anyway.

All the grp finishes look the same to me.

So what else makes Quality ? with the exception of engines.
And why such a varying price .?

As you can see from above it's obvious I know nothing about ribs.

Nos4r2 · 08 February 2010, 19:26

Deep V hull, well balanced so it doesn't land too heavily on the stern.

Mollers · 08 February 2010, 19:33

Some have Osprey written on them.

Trolli · 08 February 2010, 19:44

...and others RIBCRAFT

Puffin · 08 February 2010, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trolli

...and others RIBCRAFT

And the very best have Humber written on them..................there again I might be accused of being a little biased on that one!

HUMBER P4VWL · 08 February 2010, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffin

And the very best have Humber written on them..................there again I might be accused of being a little biased on that one!

No don't worry..... You're right!

Mollers · 08 February 2010, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffin

And the very best have Humber written on them.

Only if they've over-written the Osprey.

The Beard · 08 February 2010, 20:22

Seemed like a sensible question to me. Any chance of an informative answer?

Nasher · 08 February 2010, 20:28

Depends on what you want to do with the Rib I'd think.

Cruising the Solent in fine weather at high speed requires a different boat to crossing oceans in any weather.

Nasher.

Sonar · 08 February 2010, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Depends on what you want to do with the Rib I'd think.

Cruising the Solent in fine weather at high speed requires a different boat to crossing oceans in any weather.

Nasher.

O.k. lets say a 6 mtr rib no trailer no engine.
Does a name make one rib more expensive than another. if so Why ??

I think there all made in the same way..

non commercial pleasure use only .....

Poly · 08 February 2010, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonar

Does a name make one rib more expensive than another. if so Why ??

brand - same reason that an Audi is more expensive than the skoda that is essentially the same car but with slightly different finishing. The more reputable brand also should keep its value better. if you are busy you can afford to charge more.

Quote:

I think there all made in the same way..

I guess some builders would dispute this - saying that they take more time / care etc. I don't think people would say the others are bad quality - just not finished to the same spec.

Scale of production is an issue. If it costs X to get a designer to draw you a hull and then make a plug and mould (assuming your not just ripping off someone elses!) then you need to recover those costs. If you make 10 boats of that design (in the time you want the investment back) then you need to charge more than they guy making essentially the same thing but able to bang out 30 boats. A lot of boat builders will therefore use one hull design/tool to make 2 or 3 different lengths of boat - enabling them to get the return quicker (and/or offer a wider range of boats). To some extent at least 2 of those boats must be compromises on the 'perfect' design.

The thought/planning and effort involved in making bespoke / custom boats means that if you let customers pick any console in any position with any fuel tank etc then its going to take longer/more skill to fit out each boat than if every boat is identical. Likewise if you let people 'spec' their own tube colours/patches/handles etc.

Prices are also probably quite hard to compare unless you are into detailed quotes. Some people quote a package price; others quote the hull only. Even a package price is unlikely to include all the bells and whistles options (a frame, wear patches, electronics etc).

chewy · 08 February 2010, 21:14

You can also get RIB's with carbon fibre or alloy hulls.
As for cost you get what you pay for. I know one manufacturer said he charges what he does because people will pay it.

As for what makes a good RIB.... it all depends what you use it for.
My idea of a good RIB is orange and grey with a jockey console, no fancy bench seats or teak decking.

If you want to take your family out then lots of grab handles and seating would be better.

Hightower · 08 February 2010, 22:33

I'm not Biast, but I would choose value for money over any thing else, mainly because I've not got any money to waste.

For me there was only one player as all the other brands that I would have considered either couldn't match the price or do the spec to my exact detail.

Obviously it was an Osprey.

I managed to build my RIB for under £20k inc. engine and trailer and get uncompromised handling and a reasonable turn of speed.

A RIB I will be keeping for years to come.

But if money isn't such a big problem for you I would be Sea trialing various makes of RIB and trying to compare the difference, which is a difficult thing to do with different Sea conditions and not doing it back to back. Wait till RIBEX and make your own mind up, it's all subjective you know.

Bigmuz7 · 08 February 2010, 22:52

Brands definately have different levels of hull finish .. but just as importantly IMHO is tube quality

The hull needs to be of good performance and sea keeping but so does everything else .. If you go to your boat from time to time and the tubes are down evry time it doesnt inspire much confidence in the boat .. I hated Northcrafts for that .. their tubes were pretty shite on all the ones I had

CJL · 09 February 2010, 00:37

I have to say some boats do have a totally different feel about them compared to others.

The Halmatic, Avon or a Delta types of boats are in different league compared to Humbers/Ribcrafts/Ribtecs/Ospreys/Tornados of this world.

I know that a lot of people will disagree but the hull contruction is much better on these big three manufacturers. They have a different type of finish altogether, much heavier, more substantial. I mean I've seen 20 year old seariders that have been abused commercially all their lives that are still going strong and I don't think my old Ribtec or Humber would have lasted at all like these three manufacturers boats do.

Maybe its just old construction techniques compared to newer, lighter construction methods that perform just as well but I do prefer what I feel is this older type of design over the newer tpes.

Could just be me going round the bend as well!

C

Downhilldai · 09 February 2010, 01:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

I know that a lot of people will disagree but the hull contruction is much better on these big three manufacturers.

I disagree

You reckon the Avon Searider has a heavier lay-up than a Vipermax?

Mollers · 09 February 2010, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

I disagree

You reckon the Avon Searider has a heavier lay-up than a Vipermax?

DHD, having one of each, you can give us the answer.

BogMonster · 09 February 2010, 08:41

Yeah, cut them both in half and tell us what they look like

They look a lot more solid and the weight is probably a good mark of build, but then that is why a Pac 22 probably costs £100k rather than £20k

biffer · 09 February 2010, 08:43

the best boats are ........ from the guys who don't advertise and don't do boat shows, they have already made there name and have a good client base passed on by word of mouth

Poly · 09 February 2010, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

the best boats are ........ from the guys who don't advertise and don't do boat shows, they have already made there name and have a good client base passed on by word of mouth

I'm struggling to think of a serious/highly respected RIB manufacturer who doesn't do any advertisting / shows?