Rib manufacturer mystery!

tom118 · 03 June 2011, 22:08

Hey folks,
I have a 7.1 metre rib, it has been modified fairly extensively, both by myself and by a previous owner. Its now fitted with a 200hp nanni diesel and volvo penta sx stern drive.
The mystery lies in the question of who manufactured the boat originally. Any plates or significant markings have been lost due to mods made over time. the only mark left is a swooping eagle on the lid of the front stowage compartment. I am leaning towards an american origin as the boat had an inboard OMC petrol engine at one stage. Also, much of the plastic accessories in the rib are `Nuevo rade`.
I suppose my real question for y`all is could anyone here tell who the maker was from a couple of photos of the rib?????

Pikey Dave · 03 June 2011, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom118

Hey folks,
I have a 7.1 metre rib, it has been modified fairly extensively, both by myself and by a previous owner. Its now fitted with a 200hp nanni diesel and volvo penta sx stern drive.
The mystery lies in the question of who manufactured the boat originally. Any plates or significant markings have been lost due to mods made over time. the only mark left is a swooping eagle on the lid of the front stowage compartment. I am leaning towards an american origin as the boat had an inboard OMC petrol engine at one stage. Also, much of the plastic accessories in the rib are `Nuevo rade`.
I suppose my real question for y`all is could anyone here tell who the maker was from a couple of photos of the rib?????

My first RIB was an 1989 Osprey 6.4m Sparrowhawk (swooping eagle?) with a V6 4.3l OMC Cobra inboard petrol

benc · 04 June 2011, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom118

Hey folks,
I have a 7.1 metre rib, it has been modified fairly extensively, both by myself and by a previous owner. Its now fitted with a 200hp nanni diesel and volvo penta sx stern drive.
The mystery lies in the question of who manufactured the boat originally. Any plates or significant markings have been lost due to mods made over time. the only mark left is a swooping eagle on the lid of the front stowage compartment. I am leaning towards an american origin as the boat had an inboard OMC petrol engine at one stage. Also, much of the plastic accessories in the rib are `Nuevo rade`.
I suppose my real question for y`all is could anyone here tell who the maker was from a couple of photos of the rib?????

Upload as many photos as you can, from every angle you can, you will be suprised what you will find out

gotchiguy · 04 June 2011, 07:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

1989 Osprey 6.4m Sparrowhawk (swooping eagle?) with a V6 4.3l OMC Cobra inboard petrol

tom118 · 05 June 2011, 13:50

Finally got some pics resized to post. Ive been looking at the Osprey ribs (Pikey Dave), and they are very similar, just cant be definite. Anyway, I hope somebody can give me some help from the pics attached.

Nos4r2 · 05 June 2011, 14:00

I rather like that!

BogMonster · 05 June 2011, 14:10

Nice boat - it certainly has an Osprey-ness about it

The grey patch on the outside of the tube near the bow is about where the Osprey logo is normally fitted so maybe it was to cover that up - see OSPREY RIBS UK Osprey_Vipermax Range

Is this your eagle?

tom118 · 05 June 2011, 14:34

Thanks Bogmonster,
The Osprey logo you posted exactly matches the one on the hatch cover of my rib. Finally I can say for sure where it was made and find out a little more about it. You wouldnt believe how long its taken me to uncover even that, and I only found the Osprey symbol on the hatch by chance as I polished it.
Thanks again to all who helped.

nugent · 05 June 2011, 14:48

mike would of done the lay up on the hull
whitten glassfibre or something like that the number is at work

willk · 05 June 2011, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

The grey patch on the outside of the tube near the bow is about where the Osprey logo is normally fitted so maybe it was to cover that up...

I can imagine how that could happen

gotchiguy · 05 June 2011, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom118

Finally got some pics resized to post. Ive been looking at the Osprey ribs (Pikey Dave), and they are very similar, just cant be definite. Anyway, I hope somebody can give me some help from the pics attached.

Certainly look Fletcher-esque, although that bottom sprayrail maybe doesn't quite match what I'd expect for a VM. Is it a viper? Oh and is that a redbay patrol console?

Looks good anyhoo. I will reply to your email tonight when I get the chance!

willk · 05 June 2011, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Oh and is that a redbay patrol console?

No.

BogMonster · 05 June 2011, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I can imagine how that could happen

Indeed ... debadging often happens with prestige stuff as people with lots of money and good taste don't always want to show it off

Not really worth doing with yer normal mass market tat

Pikey Dave · 05 June 2011, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Indeed ... debadging often happens with prestige stuff as people with lots of money and good taste don't always want to show it off

Not really worth doing with yer normal mass market tat

It's not because it's been nicked then

9D280 · 06 June 2011, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Indeed ... debadging often happens with prestige stuff as people with lots of money and good taste don't always want to show it off

...or fitted out as part opf a deal with someone else - Mine is "officially" badged as a Delta, and was fitted out & badged by them before they started making their own hulls..... And I've had that story form both sides of the arrangement.

tom118 · 06 June 2011, 19:23

I doubt it was ever stolen, I bought it from an outdoors centre on the south side of Carlingford Lough and the guys there said the first owner operated a boatyard on the north side of the lough.
I took that to be the reason for the many mods that have been made to the boat, i.e. modified transom, console, reinforced floor. If he was doing the work in his own shop the unique end result makes sense!

willk · 06 June 2011, 19:51

Hi Tom

I should have said before - Welcome to RIBnet, always good to see another compatriot on here - we need greater numbers for harassing the Sassanach

Have you a connection with CHC, by any chance?

tom118 · 06 June 2011, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Hi Tom

I should have said before - Welcome to RIBnet, always good to see another compatriot on here - we need greater numbers for harassing the Sassanach

Have you a connection with CHC, by any chance?

Hey willk,
Its a great forum, lots of boating knowledge bouncing around.
Dont harass the sassanach too much, they know their boats and thats bloody useful!

No CHC connection, just a hereditary obsession with boats and boating.

Viper · 06 June 2011, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Certainly look Fletcher-esque, although that bottom sprayrail maybe doesn't quite match what I'd expect for a VM. Is it a viper? Oh and is that a redbay patrol console?

Looks good anyhoo. I will reply to your email tonight when I get the chance!

It's not a ViperMax but is one of the 'original' Osprey Vipers built by Offshore components, the clue is in the chines (originally Fletcher - check out the history on the owner assoc website) and the bow sponson running with the hull.

gotchiguy · 08 June 2011, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper

It's not a ViperMax but is one of the 'original' Osprey Vipers built by Offshore components, the clue is in the chines (originally Fletcher - check out the history on the owner assoc website) and the bow sponson running with the hull.

As I thought

Sure it isn't a Falcon though? I have advised to look for serial numbers etc in all the usual places. If found then I'm sure Roy will be able to trace it back