Does anyone have experience of a Ballistic 6.5

[Excaliber]

Hi, I'm new to this site and am currently searching for a new rib to cruise the solent and maybe to Channel Islands and West Country. I have looked at a number of different ribs including Ring Sports or Offshore 685, Revenger 715, and Ballistic 6.5.

Quite fancy Ballistic but can find very little history or info from anyone who has owned one. Does anyone have any views on the above options - likely engine 150hp 4 stroke or hpdi or similar?

Want something strong & reliable that's going to last a while - bit worried about quaility of South African hulls and lack of anyone impartial to talk to!

Any help greatly appreciated

Thanks

[Graham]

Can I commend to you this site www.gaelforceventures.com for a new Irish Rib building company in Cork
Looked at the Excalibur and I have to say, I really was extremely impressed. Everything on the RIBs was excellence, and there is a lot of attention to detail put into the boats. Great sea boats, high bows, big tubes and great protection from the large screen. I seriously recommend having a look at these boats.

[andyace]

I had a 3 year old one
Bought it for 13k
One hot day last summer the front seam split
I took it to Ballistic in Portsmouth for a professional repair.
They informed me that they had a period where their boats were built in South Africa and they were badly manufactored and this was one of them.
The Lad who repaired it told me on the QT, not to buy a ballistic rib again he was leaving the company anyway, he recommended a Ribcraft
The repair cost £350.00. (Apparently the warranty was 2 years) and i sold it for
£13k so lost £350 quid.
I gained other peoples opinions and am now extremely happy with my 5.85 Ribcraft

[RIVA]

I am sorry you had a bad experience with a Ballistic rib. The Ballistic that you bought three years ago would of been manufactured by Mako. They stopped trading in 2001 as they had their licence revoked and are no long allowed to manufacture Ballistic ribs due to QA problems. The new manufacturer of Ballistic is aware of this and is making the new Ballistic ribs to a exceptionally high standard. If you would like to speak to some new Ballistic owners then please give me a call and I will gladly pass on their numbers. 0870 908 9336

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by RIVA

The new manufacturer of Ballistic is aware of this and is making the new Ballistic ribs to a exceptionally high standard.

So who makes Ballistic RIBs now?

[robsa]

The manufacturer of the Ballistic ribs are Boating Dynamix in Cape Town.
www.ballisticinflatables.com , www.boatingdynamix.co.za

[Jon Brooks]

I have been lucky enough to play with both the new 6.5m and the larger version.

I loved it.
Build standard was very high.
Ride and stability...fantastic.
Oh and quick

I am looking at buying a rib, about 6.5m, early next season and have to say the balistic is high on my list.

Also the guys and lady at JBT (distributors for Balistic) are a great bunch.

All IMHO

Hope that helps a bit.

Regards

[xpertski]

.....just noticed you have an ocean pro, dont mean to deviate from the subject of bqallistic, which i like very much but wonder what you think of your ocean pro as i have ordered an ocean pro 6.3 with suz 140, dual wide console, 2 single jockeys, and bench to rear, in blue tubes white hull, what do you think? ready in a months time!

[Graham H]

I have the 5.5 I dont think you will be dissapointed
Graham

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by xpertski

.....just noticed you have an ocean pro, dont mean to deviate from the subject of bqallistic, which i like very much but wonder what you think of your ocean pro as i have ordered an ocean pro 6.3 with suz 140, dual wide console, 2 single jockeys, and bench to rear, in blue tubes white hull, what do you think? ready in a months time!

As someone said you wont be disapointed.
The Ocean Pro belongs to charity I work with.
It is one of the main rib's I play with.
They are good boats, good sea keeping.
I have had some great times out on Humbers but the Balistic just has the edge for me.

Regards