Ribtec Freeway

[Walter]

I'm looking to buy a rib and have been offered a Ribtec Freeway with a 90hp Honda motor but I have no idea if they are any good.

I only want it for taking the kids out to beaches and pulling a donut etc but I have seen some comments in the forum that say that they are not great boats. Does anyone know why or will I be okay??

[Richard B]

Hi Walter!

Originally Posted by Walter

Ribtec Freeway with a 90hp Honda motor but I have no idea if they are any good.

IMVHO they're not great, but them my requirements are very different form yours. I'm only interested in performance offshore RIBs, and towing donuts is of no interest to me!
If you like the layout, then go for it. Ribtecs have a reputation for quality build, and their simple but effective hull design is good for small hulls (ie under 6.5m). The Airfoil A-frame is probably useless! And a 5.5m won't seat 8
Honda 90s are reliable as far as I know, although they are vulnerable to water entering the low exhaust port like many other Honda outboards. Performance isn't great, but then you wouldn't buy a Honda outboard if performance was top of your list.

Anyway, welcome to RIBnet.

[Walter]

Thanks Richard.

This boat is at a dealer just up the road from me he sold it new to its current owner in 2002 and it's the only one I have looked at. Have you got any suggestions for alternative boats or do you know where I shoud look. I've got about 11k to spend.

W

[ADS]

www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk

or go down to JBT Marine, www.ribsforsale.com, they are very helpful and have a big selection of boats that should give you a feel for the different types and what 11k buys you.

[ADS]

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F96752
engines abit old tech but very nice boat.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F89950
not for me but well built boats if your into that sort of thing.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F96208
Nice! Good boats the Ospreys

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F94221
Looks like one of Jonos, cheap for a new boat, Humbers are well built boats.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F73917
this is probably the freeway your referring to, get rid of that Evo 6 spoiler, looks abit max power

Should be able to get a nice rib for 11k, lots about,

[Alice]

To my mind the freeway is a big yacht tender rather than out and out rib. It's difficult to know what your ultimate requirements will be being new to ribbing. It would be a bind to have splashed out 11k and then wish you'd bought something different. However, I'd go for a little more rugged rib. It'll do the same job with probably more seats, space and less plastic to break or bash your knees on. I'd keep it less than 6m as this will stretch your budget a little further. You've definitely done the right thing by 'running it over' the guys on this site.

[Walter]

Thanks everyone this has been very helpful.

Walter

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by ADS

www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk

or go down to JBT Marine, www.ribsforsale.com, they are very helpful and have a big selection of boats that should give you a feel for the different types and what 11k buys you.

you after the 500 kwid finders fee!

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

you after the 500 kwid finders fee!

I genuinely didn't know there was one, but im only a poor student so if its goin.....
I actually thought it was a good place to look at a variety of different ribs, to narrow down the search before hunting down a good second hand deal, in retrospect RIBex or the Sports boat and Rib show might have been a better bet