Advice on RibEye and RibTech

[Appleyard]

Hello.

Have been offered either of a couple of 6.5 M from stock by dealer. Expect to use the boats off S Wales Coast and possibly off N Yorks Coast as holiday fun. Likely to be based Saundersfoot in front of friend's house.

Can anyone tell me whether I should consider either of the RibEye or RibTech for family trips and exploration. This is the first venture into power.

Steve

[Seamonstie]

Have owned a Ribtec 6.55 for 3 plus years, fantastic hull, found it very safe in windy conditions. The RIBTEC 6.55 is the basic hull for the Camel Trophy boats which saw open water between Fiji and Tonga, some 1000 miles. I am told it is not the fastest hull but it is very safe. We get between 36-39 knots with two up and 150 ltrs fuel on board. Ours is fitted with a Honda 130 4 stroke. We are thinking of upgrading to the 150 Vtec Honda.

Ribeye, I know nothing about, but would not be my first choice. The MD of Ribtec sold out to Ribeye but kept a 49% share of the new company. I understand Ribtec only now make one offs.

Richard

[brucehawsker]

Originally Posted by Seamonstie

Ribeye, I know nothing about, but would not be my first choice. The MD of Ribtec sold out to Ribeye but kept a 49% share of the new company. I understand Ribtec only now make one offs.

Richard

Ribtec and Ribeye are now one compsny? So how are the two products differentiated? Is Ribtec the serious and Ribeye the leiasure part?

Bruce

[Appleyard]

Why the negative on ribeye?

[Seamonstie]

Originally Posted by Appleyard

Why the negative on ribeye?

Said I knew very little about Ribeye, 3/4 years ago Ribtec were highly recommended and I have had nothing but pleasure from the rib.

Get some comments from a ribeye owner for the true picture on their product.

[Andy]

The older Ribtec hulls made before the move of manufacture to South Africa are excellent. I have a 585, i know people with 655, and ask Alan about The Jolly Sailor, its done a few miles!!!! However since the move their reputation has taken a hit, but that may be a consumer confidence thing as much as anything else. Your best bet ... apart from doing what you have and asking people on here is to go and see the boats and go out in them, in more challanging conditions. If you enjoy the boat and get excited by it, then you are half to way to making your decision.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Andy

If you enjoy the boat and get excited by it, then you are half to way to making your decision.

Yes, good comment.

As Andy says, there were wide reports of poor quality from the first SA produced Ribeye boats. However, some recent buyers like timw on this forum have been well pleased with theirs.

I'm told that the owner of the the company (first name Charles, second name escapes me) is one of the nicest guys in the business and totally trustworthy.

My only reservation about the Ribeye is that I've never known anyone use one for long distance cruising. I think that they used to source hulls from different GRP fabrication companies before the merger so different size or age of boats would handle in different ways (I stand to be corrected on this - just from rumours!)

[scm]

Hi Steve,
I have the Ribtec 655 and can highly recommend it to you. I have had it in a Force 9 and it lapped it up, as said before it’s the same hull that was used in the last Camel trophy. Mine is a few years old now and was made before the change to the current set up. I do not understand why the hull is not still being pushed as it is a very very good one.
I have been on a few Ribeye ribs and I do not rate them that much, that is not that they are bad, but just for a different market than what I use mine for.

My details are on my website below if you want to see some more pics.

So for me I would go for the Ribtec, wonder why
Regards
Stuart

[nick wood]

Same here had my bibtec for 3 years now done about 2000 miles in her she is a old one now (1994) but still a brilliant hull, around the channel islands you can choose the weather you go out in but not wat you come back in, we have been through some monster seas but she coped well, i agree about the hull never been pushed to its full iv got twin 90hp mariners and push her at 40 knots but im sure she could go better. go for ribtec any day.

[timw]

Steve,

I have a Ribeye 7.5 and have had it over year. As RichardB pointed out I am really pleased with it. Have used it in the quite rough off South Coast...now have it on the Thames for a bit. Nothings gone wrong, quality is high, and has performed well in all the conditions that I have encountered.
Ribeye in Dartmouth are very helpful and enthusiastic, I recommend speaking to John Wood who will give you good advice.

I would say however, that they might appeal more to family type cruising although it is a pretty tough RIB.

I know someone on this forum has a Ribeye 6.5m but can't remember their name.