Camel RIB / Ribtec 655

[Jus]

I wondered if anyone had any experience of owning or simply using the Ribtec 655 boat as used in the Camel trophy.

I am interested in any opinions at all on the boat as am thinking it might make a good step up from my current 5 metre.

[Polwart]

search on here for camel rib - you will find various threads discussing their "virtues" . No personal experience - but from what I have read here - I would think twice.

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Polwart

search on here for camel rib - you will find various threads discussing their "virtues" . No personal experience - but from what I have read here - I would think twice.

Its a shame really because they look like good boats.
That is if you rip the extended A Frame off it and change the engine. Then whats the point of buying it !

[hamster]

I have been using a ribtec 655 at work for the last 5 years and couldn't fault it. We have just put twin merc 60's on it after having honda 50's on it since new. I find it to be a great sea boat, having done more trips accross the solent with upto 10 people aboard than i wish to remember. The deep v hull takes the waves excellently for a boat of this size and gives a good return of speep. We've had the boat 9 years and its still in ecxellent condition despite being used two or three times a week all year round.
Have also used another one a few times fitted with a 130 honda on a heavily reinforced transom, which also handles faultlesly.

[Jus]

Thanks for all the comments, very helpful.

I was attracted by the reasonable price of certain boats on the market but am put off by the high weight and stories of problems (Camel boats specifically).

I'd love to hear of any recommendations for other boats in this size range (6 - 7m), for use for family, fun and cruising.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Jus

I'd love to hear of any recommendations for other boats in this size range (6 - 7m), for use for family, fun and cruising.

Have a look at Osprey.

[Rogue Wave]

I call all my boats after songs or musos. I called my Camel won't get fooled again. They are heavy, the engine is a dog and the whole boat is not very well put together with a lot of things to go wrong. Toobs and hull are good


I think Tohatsu 6.5 represent excellent value for money secondhand, I havent got one but I have worked on a few and have been genuinely impressed by the quality and they run very nicely with a decent 90 to 125 but they are a bit nippy with a 150 Opti

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by hamster

I have been using a ribtec 655 at work for the last 5 years and couldn't fault it. We have just put twin merc 60's on it after having honda 50's on it since new. I find it to be a great sea boat, having done more trips accross the solent with upto 10 people aboard than i wish to remember.

how did you manage to get a boat that size coded for 10 people?

[Jus]

I think this would make a good project....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[Rogue Wave]

It would be a heartbreaker! they would need a lot of power to push em through the water with reasonable performance and that means a lot of fuel upwards of 80 litres an hour. Also the yaren't that comfy for the passengers and tend to be quite wet and bumpy. Incredibly well made though but big pad at the back doesn't help the ride

I had the misfortune to hire one once we went out in about a force five did about thirty miles and it cost 95 litres of fuel. It had a big old 2 stroke on the back though.

The lack of transom also makes the hulls very wet so again your passengers are in for a very wet ride but also ensure that there are no holes in the deck or the void will get waterlogged very soon