Ribcrafts!

[Chopppywaters]

Hey i'm looking to buy a RIBCRAFT boat (my first RIB)..i think third boat. I was wondering if anyone could give me some feedback or opionions on the 5.85 and 6.5 recreational model ribs? Thanks!

[hannah]

Good choice , we have a ribcraft 5.3 rib , it has never let us down , but i think anything under 6m is realy only a solent friendly rib. So it all depends on how you want to use it .

[Pete7]

An excellent choice of rib, well made if slightly heavy lay up, I would have no quarms about using a 585 offshore or crossing the English channel and now they have a franchise in US, one of our younger colonies, so much the better



Pete

[petewooden]

Ribcraft make some good RIBs, however, in my experience there customer service is terrible.

I recommend you look to purchase from a company that wants your business.

[jools]

Hi Choppywaters

We used to have a Ribcraft 5.85 fitted with Mercury 90Hp 4-stroke.

It was an excellent boat, never let us down and we had a lot of fun with her. As always with a rib, the boat is a lot more capeable than the crew onboard.

We used to keep it on a trailer and launch her all round the coast of England.

Have a look at her website to see the sort of trips we used her for

www.ribpanther.co.uk

Cheers
Jools

[Hightower]

Jools, what was the performance of the 5.85 with a 90 on the back?

[jools]

comfortable cruising - about 25 knots
WOT - 33-35 knots

Jools

[geoff]

We have a 585 with Yamaha 100 on the back.
Been across the Channel in a big sea. We were exhausted but the boat was fine. Also been out to the Scilly Isles and done a lot of cruising around Scotland where the weather can turn pretty quickly. As a result we have been in a lot of rough weather (although the worst has been in the middle of the Solent).
The boat is now 5 years old with a few cosmetic signs of wear and tear, seat cushions, velcro etc. Tubes, hull and fittings have all lasted well.
My experience of customer service is first class. For example we had a couple of electrical switches fail and replacements were sent out free of charge. Always helpful when I have phoned up for advice.
The biggest problem we had was with the sealed hubs on the trailer which they no longer use.

[Chopppywaters]

thanks for the speedy responses guys! I wonder how long it takes to customize/order the RIBs here in the U.S.

[limeydal]

Choppy,
Mathew at Ribcraft USA ,is very helpful and they send out a nice info; package.Also they usually have a couple of Demo craft for sale at reduced prices. (Avoid the Mitigator, unless you have $125,000 to spare!!! )
Also I would check out the Coastguard in your area.
All the CG units are getting equiped with the new Rigid Bouyancy boats (SAFE boats) and have a surplus of their older RIB's.
There is a nice one sitting unused in the parking lot of the CG station here in San Diego and would be sure to be asking if I was still in the market for a boat.(and best thing they come in Orange!!!! )
The Coast guard have a good web site, so check for local contacts in your area.
cheers Dal