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Old 23 February 2004, 13:28   #1
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Camel Trophy Boat

I could use a bit of advice. I am considering the purchase of one of the Camel Trophy Ribtecs. Current owner tells me that it is showing some wear.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with these boats. I am looking for the pros and cons as well as any guidance as to weak points of a used Ribtec in general.

Also , is is cost prohbitive to replace the tube set?
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Old 23 February 2004, 17:00   #2
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I would ask your potential vendor to define "showing some wear"!

Ribtecs are generally well made, and they are a good seaworthy design. The Camel boats were made in a hurry though so may not be as well finished as normal.

As you may know, most of the Camel RIBs have a variety of non-standard kit which includes a big frame for strapping wake boards and bikes to. Some people like them, others (myself included) think they are a liability.

The Honda 130 as fitted to the 6.5 metre RIBs is a great engine, but really too heavy for these boats.

When they first came onto the market they were IMHO over priced at around £25,000 but prices seems to be coming down to more realistic levels.

I would prefer a standard 6.5 metre Ribtec with a 150hp 2-stroke, but if the price is right and you are happy with the engine and layout then it could be a good buy.

A retube may not cost as much as you think (I would guess at a couple of grand or so) and is often a goos way of getting an old RIB into "good as new" condition. Henshaws made the tubes originally, so it would be worth asking them for a price. Others to try include Olmec and Eurocraft.

John
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Old 23 February 2004, 17:20   #3
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I agree with JK.
Great make (Ribtec) but heavy engine and bulky framework which is likely to serve little or no use in the average 'Ribsters' day out.
I am led to believe the boat is underpowered with that Honda and JK is not the first person I have heard say it.
You will be paying a fair bit extra for all the electronics which is nice if thats what you want.
I am currently lookin for a 6.5m RIB myself and my preference is to spend all I can on the boat and engine - the thinking being I can add electronics later if I want to.

Don't know if this helps - its only my view - but be very careful with whatever boat you buy and make sure it is right for YOU.

Nick
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Old 23 February 2004, 17:55   #4
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I think they are wonderful boats, nut just a bit misunderstood!

I certainly don't understand em or like em.

The Honda engine is most certainly an underpowered unit in itself. i.e. a 130 two stroke would show it a very clean set of heels. I think Honda measured the power at the crank and not the prop. bit of a difference if they did.

Also the engine is a converted Accord 2.2 car engine and it's very heavy so it doesn't combine well with all the other heavy bits on the Camel.

The frames a mistake, it was needed for the event but it doesn't function well as it develops stress fractures. We have had to have ours re welded twice. Get rid of it or cut it down unless you are buying it for the toys

It carries fuel tanks for 500 litres of fuel, this amount of fuel really slows down the boat so it's not needed. Get rid of the Back tank

There are a lot of electronics on the boat designed by genii, geniuss's, clever blokes, built by craftsmen and installed by monkeys. so expect some trouble with the wiring.

The Simrrad HVF is excellent, but it's not made for an open boat so the handset fails and Simrad are not as good as aftersales customer care as Icom.

The fuel tank senders are made from Aluminium which does like to corrode and let water into the engine. These should be replaced with stainless steel senders.

The fuel system filtration is mounted quite low so the shut off valves tend to corrode

It has got a lot of kudos and is a decent boat to drive, but it is high maintenance in it's original state.

We are taking our A frame off sticking an Opti 150 on the back. losing the back tank rewiring the console and then it will be a good boat which we hope to sell for 18k


how much is yours and where is it based.....is it from Portsmouth.
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Old 23 February 2004, 18:15   #5
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Quote:
Originally posted by Rogue Wave
We are taking our A frame off sticking an Opti 150 on the back. losing the back tank rewiring the console and then it will be a good boat which we hope to sell for 18k
That will be a nice boat

John
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Old 23 February 2004, 18:25   #6
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Anything with an Opti on it is a nice boat, but I am intesrested in seeing how much the feul bill drops. I know when we were running her without the A frame for a while we got about 4 more knots from her.
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Old 24 February 2004, 00:45   #7
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Thanks for the thoughts.

Boat is in the US. Interesting comments on the power. The seller alleged the boat would top out at only 28 knots due to the prop. Should I expect more with another prop?

Anything else to be wary of on this particular builder/model or any other used RIB?
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Old 24 February 2004, 01:10   #8
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you can expect more with a different engine. Prop size obviously makes a diffreence but you are pushed to ged 35 knots out of the craft. What prop is it!

Hull?tubes are ok on this boat and the hulls are pretty sound.
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Old 24 February 2004, 05:56   #9
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Well you know what they say about camels....they are horses designed by a committee!

Keith (a camel designed by a committee of horses) Hart
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Old 24 February 2004, 09:50   #10
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I used to get 32 knots flat out with 200 litres of fuel, 2 bodies on board and calm water. This was running the standard 13inch prop which let the motor rev to about 5500rpm. Any more load than this (ie 6 pax) or rougher water and the speed would drop to 26 - 30 knots.
I had a 15 inch stainless prop as well but felt this was to high a pitch as it would only just pull to 5000rpm and give about 30 knots when the boat was light. Kept that one as a spare.
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Old 24 February 2004, 18:21   #11
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Are you buying the boat in the US......if so then the fuel consumption isn't so much a problem...sell the Honda to someone Old and stick a big V6 merc on the back. Fuel costs 6.5 bucks a gallon so we don't like the old V6 technology.

At American prices then thats a very different story
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Old 25 February 2004, 06:27   #12
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Quote:
don't like the old V6 technology
You had a big smile on your face when I opened her up on Saturday though.

The camel rib with the latest honda 4 stoke uses about the same fuel as by 6.45m ribtec eg 45 lph. The difference is we go quite a bit faster with the 2 stroke so I am yet to be convinced about the fuel efficency of big 4 strokes.

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Old 25 February 2004, 22:32   #13
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You had a big smile on your face when I opened her up on Saturday though.

Pete
Yes , but the performance from an Opti is the same but uses less fuel. I have both feet firmly planted in the two stroke camp. I'd only have enother 4 stroke if the deal was too good to let go!

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Old 26 February 2004, 15:03   #14
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Originally posted by Rogue Wave
I'd only have enother 4 stroke if the deal was too good to let go!
I've know someone with a Honda 130, you might get it for £1.50 interested?
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Old 26 February 2004, 16:02   #15
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wow that's cheap I sold mine for 3 pounds 75 p!
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Old 26 February 2004, 16:05   #16
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Daniel will he take an offer ? I can buy a new 10 kg anchor for £37 but a honda 130 hp might be cheaper and they are certainly heavy enough.



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