Ribtec 5.85 opinions please

[Bittentobuggery]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Also, Ribeye took over Ribtec in 2001,

Think my 7.4 was one of the last Ribtec's built in Southampton in April 2003. Their focus seemed to be shifting to superyacht tenders then.

By joining my Yamaha control cables under the deck in the trunking, I don't think they were too bothered about my further repeat business !

[Kernow Buoy]

Originally Posted by Mollers

knowing my mate Kernow, it's very possible that the boat he is interested in may be pre '01.

You cheeky sod, how dare you intimate that I'm some sort of cheapskate, and on a public forum too.

edit

Sorry, just re-read your post, thought you said 91, yea, much older that an 01

[CJL]

I'm on my second Ribtec 585 and I have to say they are great.

With a 135 verado it goes like a rocket ship but the UK built hulls are rated for a 150 or twin 60's. A 150 could be interesting!!

Its very sure footed in heavy weather and the reverse chine hull is designed by the same chappie who designed the Atlantic 21!!

The tubes are made by Henshaws and the consoles are made by Outhill so they are both top notch.

Its my understanding that Ribtec and Ribeye are seperate companies. Ribeye simply distribute the boats for Ribtec.

Also Ribtec are making hulls for Pasco .... not Ribeye.

If you're interested in buying, look for damage to the bow lockers, back of the console seats, and tube seams on the rear cones.

Also I've noticed my old ribtec is for sale with a 135 Merc optimax saltwater. If you want all the inside gen give me a call.

However if your after a newer one my current one is up for sale with a new verado and new trailer. Check out the ad section.

Chris

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by CJL

I'm on my second Ribtec 585 and I have to say they are great.

Finally someone from London who knows what they are talking about

We use an early model with twin 55s on for diving, nice rib.

Early 645s that later became 655s did have minor problems with the hull flexing along the chines were the longitudinals join the hulls. This would show up as 10 foot long cracks in the gelcoat. Seen a few with this problem.
They have more of a deep V hull rather than the Opsreys warped V hull shape so need lots of power to make them go. Transoms can be a little low and small waves do splash over into the rib.

Whilst Ribeye and Ribtec may now be part of the same company to try and compare or infer that they are similar is just barking. Remember you could see the fibreglass through the gelcoat on the early Ribeyes.

Pete

[Daniel]

Pete, Hi... hope you are well.

Are you suggesting a ribtec needs more guts to get it to go than an Osprey?

As an aside, the ribtec is a much, much dryer boat than the Osprey.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Daniel

As an aside, the ribtec is a much, much dryer boat than the Osprey.

Quite possibly true, but how do you know that for sure? Also, to which Ribtec and which Osprey models are you refering? The whole range from both manufacturers?

[jwrhold]

I have a ribtec 585, i think it is 1993, with a Yamaha 115 V4 2 stroke.

The boat was comissioned by the father of a mate of mine, so I have known and used it since new. After having enjoyed using it with my mate for 5 years, I managed to convince the father that he was too old for this sort of boating, and he should sell it to me. Some months later he did!

Fantastic boat with this engine. I still have it, although have not used it for 4years (no time or money!) but for the years I used it regulary, ie twice a week, it was truly brilliant at anything I asked of it, and I asked a lot. I have had 13 people on it for an evening cruise, and we still did 25 knots. It is a great boat to ski behind, it a great boat for rescuing people, and a most magnificent wave jumper! It's not the fastest rib by todays standards, but with fuel costs as they are, I am pleased for it's relative economy. Used to get about 38knots trimmed out, one or two on board, as least that's what the speedo used to say.

I miss using it at the moment, but am working on a new business which I hope will fund it in the long run. Many times, I have considered selling it, but my sympathetic other half knows how I really feel about it, and that is if I sold it, I wouldn't get a particulary useful sum of money, (don't misunderstand that!), and I know that if I wanted to replace it, I would have to spend a fortune, so, keep it I do, hoping that one day I will re-tube it, and re-engine it, and have basically what is a new boat. The hull is in great condition, and it is stored under cover.

This boat has been responsible for introducing many people waterskiing, ribbing and boating in general, and given me and my pals some brilliant days out.

If you're thinking of getting a rib, a ribtec 585 is a great choice....I wouldn't hesitate to have another one.

Good luck, and go and buy one, and then come back and tell me I'm wrong!

jwrhold

[Downhilldai]

Why a 5.85? Isn't there enough seating on your 5.3?

http://rib.net/forum/showpost.php?p=135404&postcount=1

[Kernow Buoy]

Strewth I'd forgotten about that! Since then I've added 2 taller well padded backrests and what a difference they make, much less impact on the back when out in the rougher stuff, more comfort on a flat day and something nice and solid to get hold of when moving around under way.


Anyway deposit down on a 5.85

[Downhilldai]

Nice one

Have you flogged the 5.3?

[Kernow Buoy]

No, there may be one or two 'little' bits to do on the 5.85 first.

[Downhilldai]

Got any pics of it?
What motor, seating layout, etc.?

[Kernow Buoy]

Don't think it had either.
Well not that bad but this could turn into a re-build thread.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Kernow

Don't think it had either.
Well not that bad but this could turn into a re-build thread.

Sound like a bewty.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Pete, Hi... hope you are well. Are you suggesting a ribtec needs more guts to get it to go than an Osprey? As an aside, the ribtec is a much, much dryer boat than the Osprey.

Daniel hi, yes fine thanks, nice to see you back.

As Mollers points out difficult to compare two boats with different engines. My 5.95m Osprey had a Yam 115 2 stoke the 5.85 Ribtec had twin 55 mariners and another 5.85 with twin 60s. Even making allowances for the different engines, yes I do think the ribtec could do with more gee gees than a similar size Opsrey. For what its worth I think the warped V hull of the Viper range is just superb and one of the best hulls in the business, it was originally designed by Fletcher.

That said the Ribtec 585 does seem to be a nice "floaty" hull and I would be happy with either but would do something about the low transom, water splashing in all the time was annoying. It is caused because the engine can only have a maximum transom height of 21" which from the bottom of the deep V hull isn't very far out of the water. Osprey using the planning pad has the engine just those few extra inches higher that makes all the difference. From new an XL engine would be good on a Ribtec, but for Kernow lots of work to convert it.

Pete

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Quite possibly true, but how do you know that for sure? Also, to which Ribtec and which Osprey models are you refering? The whole range from both manufacturers?

Don't Ribtec only do one range of hulls unlike osprey?

I did a few hundred hours in a 6m Osprey Viper when i owned one and am comparing it to the current RibTec 655 (18" longer) which i have put say 2000 miles on this year so as an opinion goes it's quite researched.

They are both excellent boats.

If the shorter RibTec hull is as good, Kernow has a good hull.

[Kernow Buoy]

Originally Posted by Daniel

If the shorter RibTec hull is as good, Kernow has a good hull.

That might be all I've got!

Thanks for all the feedback guys, as you may have guessed she is not in her first flush of youth and may well be appearing on a 'what the hell do I do about this' thread shortly!
Picking her up next week so pic's to follow.

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by CJL

Its my understanding that Ribtec and Ribeye are seperate companies. Ribeye simply distribute the boats for Ribtec.

Also Ribtec are making hulls for Pasco .... not Ribeye.


Chris

Ribtec is owned by Ribeye, which in turn is owned by Charles Chivers, a jolly nice bloke actually!

There is a model called "Ribtec by Pascoe" which is a smartened up, upmarket boat which goes through the Pascoe factory after the Ribtes one - that's all.

Hope that clears up any confusion!

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Cookee

... Charles Chivers, a jelly ...

[Kernow Buoy]

Right then, sleeves up and off we go!