Why haven't the Americans gone RIB mad?

[rbw156]

With the benefits of RIBs so clear. I don't understand why RIBs aren't more popular in the USA. Any ideas?

[codprawn]

Not enough cup holders.....

Another reason is that many Americans are fair weather boaters - helped by the fact they get fair weather!!!

Seriosuly though they are starting to catch on.

[Stoo]

As a "newbie" to this forum and a Canadian, I had a thought yesterday after watching various videos etc. on here. My observations might be relevant in this discussion.

My overall impression of many of the RIBS you guys use, is that they are much "sportier"... dare I say it... "sexier" than those available here. In Canada, the vast majority of RIBS are operated by the CG, Navy, police forces etc. Virtually all of them are Hurricanes. I had never heard of a Scorpion until the other day. Our RIBS come in a dazzling array of colours... grey and orange, and maybe black!

There was a CG Cutter tied up outside my house yesterday with something called a “Titan” on the fantail, but that is the only one I have ever seen. I asked one of the crew about it and his comment was something like, "It's not a Hurricane.." Possibly a budget compromise boat? On the "Left Coast", I believe there a number of Polaris RIBS, but again, I’ve never seen one. All of these are what I would call “workboats” not “sportboats”

It might be just that we don't have a lot of choices here, and the "choice" we do have is very expensive. I am frequently asked how much my boat cost by people who think it's a pretty cool "dingy", and they are generally blown away when I tell them... even though I'm lying and telling them about half of the real cost. (The replacement cost for my Hurricane 590, with a 150 Yamaha and a few electronics is about $75,000.00 USD) Most people respond with some comment like... "Geez, you could have bought a real boat for that!" (I have also noticed that the "real boats" are tied to the dock, or still on their trailers, when I am heading out to play!)

The dealer who supplied my boat works from an industrial complex with no show room. I think he has two "civilian" customers... me and a guy who owns a gold mine and he has two 733s for tooling around in. And my guy is the largest Hurricane dealer in the country!

You might also be right about the weather. Where I am on the Great Lakes, we get some pretty awful weather with large, steep seas. Personally, I can’t imagine going out in anything other than a RIB many days, but then I’m biased! In the sunny south it might be less of an issue. I also wonder how well the fabrics hold up in intense sun.

If one of you "sexy-boat" manufacturers would like to explore dealership possibilities, please PM me!

[jyasaki]

http://www.titanboats.com/

As I recall, I never contacted them when looking to have mine built.

jky

[prairie tuber]

I was on a Titan RIB this summer on a whale watching tour out of Tofino, B.C. A fair bit beefier than either the Hurricanes or the Alum hulled Polaris Ribs that were also out there.

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

I was on a Titan RIB this summer on a whale watching tour out of Tofino, B.C. A fair bit beefier than either the Hurricanes or the Alum hulled Polaris Ribs that were also out there.

The one I saw was a good looking boat... In an "industrial" sort of way. I didn't see it running though. I think it was equipped with twin 70s, but the boat looked to be bigger than my 590...

[pathalla]

Nautica in Miami builds some of the sexiest ribs out there, American made, Italian influence design, and extremely well built. I have owned a few. As to the rib question, actually there are quite a few ribs in the Great lakes and elsewhere, most of them are tenders (8 to 12 ft.) to larger cruisers. The main problem with big ribs is the cost, most people will buy a glass boat for comparable money with more amenities, head, cabin, galley etc. etc. They feel they are getting more for their money and they are probably right..

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by Stoo

The one I saw was a good looking boot... In an "industrial" sort of way. I didn't see it running though. I think it was equipped with twin 70s, but the boat looked to be bigger than my 590...

Yup. Very industrial, not too sexy though. The titan I was on was a 25 footer that looked like this;

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by pathalla

As to the rib question, actually there are quite a few ribs in the Great lakes and elsewhere, most of them are tenders (8 to 12 ft.) to larger cruisers.

LOL. True enough. I wasn't thinking of those! There's a sailor in town with about a 10' "rib" (as opposed to a "RIB"). His two boys spend hours buzzing around the outer harbour. I think it has a 9.8 on it, so it scoots along pretty well...

There are a few of those Nautica's come visiting sitting on the decks of really big yachts. I guess it's just me, but I kinda prefer the "industrial" boats. But then I would prefer a steel tug or a glass yacht too!

[pathalla]

You know... I just like boats, always did, always will, doesn't really matter what she's made of, how big, sail or power, as long as it's a boat! I do like ribs a little better than the rest, and industrial is o.k. by me....aluminum,rubber,glass. outboard, inboard, can't be too picky...