Which Rib?!

[alimacprc@yahoo]

I am in the market for a new rib or ex demo. Have narrowed my choice down to a Ribeye Playtime 550, like the Jockey/bench seating arrangement, Ribcraft 5.85 or Ballistic 5.5. Any experiences or advice that may help my decision gratefully received. Ali

[behavin]

can only go on what i've seen and experianced:
I have a ribcraft,been aboard a ballistic and seen a few ribeye's.
the order i'd put them in is ribcraft-ballistic-ribeye.
The ribcraft i have is fantastic,heavy well built and has nice touches ie: decent sumps for bilge pumps,anchor locker,front post,wing back seats,big console,stable at high speed (unlike the delta i had),carrys weight well.
This is with a 250 4 s on the back.
I have read great reviews on the 5.85 and infact there was a cracking example of one for sale in cornwall (roy cruise)
The ballistic's are also nice but when i looked they were out of my price bracket.
Ribeye: there are a few over here and one user of one hates it as its wet .The larger ones i've seen seem a bit "playboat"
I'd look at the ribcraft imo.

hope this helps and hopefully others may give other opinions.

[Mollers]

It's hard to fault a Ribcraft, the 585 can be a little nose light in bigger sea. Having said that, Roy Cruse (my boating buddy) would keep his trimmed out to max to stop me from passing him. This would have made it look a bit 'flighty'. The Osprey Vipermax 585 has a super hull and well worth checking out.

[Bittentobuggery]

Agree with behavin's opinion. The Ribcraft is a robust boat with strong residual values whereas the Playtime, imo, is style over substance.

[C2 RIBS]

If you like the Ribeye give John Wood a call at Ribeye for a full demo. I have a 650 sport and changing to 785 Ribeye. Have been on loads and it is a personal choice for final decision. Each RIB has strengths so may depend on what use, where and costs, good luck

[Cookee]

I've got a couple of 6 metre boats available soon, both ex demo and quite reasonable! Email me at cookee@bananasharkracing.com and I'll send you some details!

[TimMcC]

Originally Posted by alimacprc@yahoo

I am in the market for a new rib or ex demo. Have narrowed my choice down to a Ribeye Playtime 550, like the Jockey/bench seating arrangement, Ribcraft 5.85 or Ballistic 5.5. Any experiences or advice that may help my decision gratefully received. Ali

Just got details on a XS550 which will be ex demo after Excel . Over my budget but send me a PM and I can forward you the details if interested .

Tim

[matt h]

Ribcraft Ribcraft Ribcraft!!!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by matt h

Ribcraft Ribcraft Ribcraft!!!

Nah, horrible old tubs and everyone has got one. Go for something newer and a bit of style, those Banana Sharks will be very nice given the attention to detail and quality we have seen coming from John and Kitten

Pete

[ribit]

How about some pic's of the smaller range of boats from Banna Shark as on the web site only the 770 is shown, do they still have the same hull form as their bigger brother?

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by ribit

How about some pic's of the smaller range of boats from Banna Shark as on the web site only the 770 is shown, do they still have the same hull form as their bigger brother?

We are currently working on getting some better photos of the new boats and putting some information up, I will happily send you what I have by email if you send me your address.

The hull form is different to the 770 - it is a regular V without steps, available in either 5, 5.5 or 6 metre lengths, and the fitout is available in every combination possible from bare hull with tubes, to jockey, bench or bucket seats and with a plain transom or moulded "rear end". Whilst we are better known for supplying Mercury products we are of course happy to supply any make of engine.

Our 115EFI 6 metre 7 seat demonstrator will be available shortly at a very reasonable price! We also have our diesel waterjet demonstrator which will need to go to make room for a new boat for this summer - an inboard petrol using the new Mercruiser Vazer possibly?

[behavin]

Ribcraft may be boreing and outdated but for what i use a rib for its perfect as i need a hull i can beach (have keelshield) one i can leave on a swinging moorings (last week 83mph into the harbour).
I'm sure the above boats for example are lovely but that stepped hull wouldn't last 5min with me beaching the boat etc....personally i don't like that as a rib, prefer mine to be bulky "commerical" boats

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by behavin

Ribcraft may be boreing and outdated but for what i use a rib for its perfect as i need a hull i can beach (have keelshield) one i can leave on a swinging moorings (last week 83mph into the harbour).
I'm sure the above boats for example are lovely but that stepped hull wouldn't last 5min with me beaching the boat etc....personally i don't like that as a rib, prefer mine to be bulky "commerical" boats

I think you may have misunderstood - the RIB in the pictures does not have a stepped hull (it is also available with a keelshield if required!) - they are also available with any layout the customer requires - even with large diameter orange tubes, bottle racks and a stainless samson post! It is only the larger 770 that shares the stepped hull with the race boat. You are welcome to call in if you are ever up this way and come for a test drive.

[ribit]

Actually I thought the rib looked more the 4x4 verity than it's sleeker big brother the 770, especially with what appears to be a very high bow, ideal I would of thought for offshore work, is this your hull design or Lorne Campbell...I personally prefer a sleeker design as in the larger 770 but each to their own

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by ribit

Actually I thought the rib looked more the 4x4 verity than it's sleeker big brother the 770, especially with what appears to be a very high bow, ideal I would of thought for offshore work, is this your hull design or Lorne Campbell...I personally prefer a sleeker design as in the larger 770 but each to their own

That one is an existing hull we bought the rights to and modified extensively in-house to make it more desirable - very dry and quite quick - 48mph with a 115 EFI Mercury 4 stroke out of the box.


Let me know when you would like your 770 delivered!

[ribit]

Must admit I have always thought if the race boat had a slightly higher deck and side by side seating it would be a kind of tubed Ring/phantom with occasional cuddy ability not to many peoples liking perhaps but as I have owned many sports boats I kind of like the idea

[Millermob]

Originally Posted by behavin

Ribcraft may be boreing and outdated but for what i use a rib for its perfect as i need a hull i can beach (have keelshield) one i can leave on a swinging moorings (last week 83mph into the harbour).

How do you manage to get that sort of speed with a Suzuki 250 and a ribcraft? The new record just been set in the Banana Shark was something like 91mph and thats made for speed.

Freddie

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Millermob

How do you manage to get that sort of speed with a Suzuki 250 and a ribcraft? The new record just been set in the Banana Shark was something like 91mph and thats made for speed.

Freddie

I thought he was going quite well until I realised he was probably talking about the wind

[Millermob]

Ha ha very true I think I just put 250hp and 83mph together in my head. My appologies if it came across aggresively my misunderstanding

Freddie

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Nah, horrible old tubs ....

What do you consider horrible about Ribcrafts?

Originally Posted by Pete7

...... and everyone has got one....

There may be a message in there...