Quality of Ribtec 7.1-7.3m 2002/2003

mr_sav · 29 December 2010, 19:03

Hi, hope all are well and forthcoming new years resolutions are booked in for you all.

I own an Avon SR6, fitted with twin Etec 90's which all works a treat with approx 180 litre tank.

But I need more cruising distance (Larger Tanks), and am looking at a 2002/2003 ribtec with 600 litre tanks and twin merc 200 efi motors. The ribtec is an ex police tactical boat here in Oz.

What was/is the general build quality of the ribtec compared to the Avon SR's, seeking critical / positive feedback on the 2002/2003 ribtecs, approximately 7.1 to 7.3m length.

Added:

What is the ocean going capabilities of this era ribtec compared to the Sea Rider?
Are they a deep V?

Any other info would be appreciated.

Regards in Advance.

C2 RIBS · 29 December 2010, 19:41

If Biffer does not come along soon to help I would p.m him as I believe he was involved with their build.

mr_sav · 29 December 2010, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

If Biffer does not come along soon to help I would p.m him as I believe he was involved with their build.

Thanks for that. In the mean time, how do you find your ribtec?

C2 RIBS · 29 December 2010, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_sav

Thanks for that. In the mean time, how do you find your ribtec?

The Ribtec I operate is a 585 with Yam 100hp which is used mainly as a training craft and then is coded to operate for small groups. This one went on the water in March this year and has done about 200hrs since then. No problems at all with kit. I had Biffer do some work to relocate the liferaft as I had got the balance wrong when I had her kitted out, and also he did a transom washwell for me. Images are on earlier posts on "good work". http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...ight=good+work

This boat is therefore a 2009/10 RIB but is a similar hull to the larger one you are asking about, it is a great sea boat and handles everything we have thrown at it so far. From what I know of these boats they have a very good reputation.

CJL · 29 December 2010, 23:28

Amazing boats!

I've owned three 585's of them now with no build quality problems. I have heard that the later ones made outside of the UK did have some problems (Eg Don't get a Camel trophy one!

)

The 7.3m feels like a stretched 585 and does not work with a single 225hp. More guts should make it very nice indeed!

Chris

jwalker · 30 December 2010, 09:49

Not wishing to negate what's been said above but I've seen earlier ones with the deck up for replacement of it and under structures because of water ingress. So I guess it's take care as always when buying second hand.

Rogue Wave · 30 December 2010, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

Amazing boats!

I've owned three 585's of them now with no build quality problems. I have heard that the later ones made outside of the UK did have some problems (Eg Don't get a Camel trophy one!

)

Chris

Camel Trophy boats were all built in the UK it was after that the producton shipped to SA. Hull , Seat pods Console and tubes on the Camels were fine but the fitout ,A frame and gutless engine made it a poor boat.

I've owned a Ribcraft 6.5 and 4,7,5.4 and 8.4 Seariders I think the Searider build is superior to the Ribtec. I definitely believe the Searider is a happier boat offshore and m the rough..

I don't like much like the single spray rail on a Ribtec which I think makes the boat wallow (yaw) a little. I've crossed the Channel (80NM) in a 7.5 and 6.5 Ribtec and no problems with safety or comfort
.
UK built Ribtecs had the hulls made by Trio Mouldings and Toobs by Henshaws so no problem with quality there Not sure when production of Ribtecs switched to SA but I also believe they continued to make special project boats in the UK for a while. Where was your intended boat made

200 efi's are very guzzley i reckon you'll be burning 170l at WOT if not more

martini · 30 December 2010, 11:50

If your fuel capacity is 600 litres, your cruising range should be up to about 230-250 miles I'm guessing. what's the top speed or cruising speed do you know? With twin 200's it should shift!

Alan Priddy · 30 December 2010, 20:48

This would make it one of the first of the Ribtec Large Range which Jan Falkowski and myself perfected? They user over built but any boat that is nearly 20 years old is liable to suffer wood rot in the deck. Saying this, it is not a bad job to cut the deck out and replace it with a new one? it was a Ribtec 7.4 that we took across the Atlanic via Greenland back in 1997.A brilliant deep sea boat Alan P