1st RIB - old Ribtec 535

[Swain Marine]

Originally Posted by Pete7

That could be the very first Ribtec 535, which they used in the early advertising pictures. Two blokes sat in it, one called Alan Priddy who was the passenger if my memory is correct.

Pete

There's no plate or hull number visible, don't suppose you have any of those early pictures?
Engines are ex RNLI circa 1985/86 and apparently were fitted to the boat when the boat was new. Don't what contract the RNLI/ Barrus were doing back then but 3-5 years?? So could have been sold on 1989-1991??

[kubcat]

Originally Posted by matt h

Ribtec History a bit of cut n paste...................Ribtec was launched in 1989 by Tim Wilks, whose great uncle Maurice Wilks designed the first Land Rover in 1947 as well as the early rescue RIB model Watercraft, on which the initial Ribtec rigid inflatable boats were based. Starting on a very small scale at a boatyard in Swanwick, Southampton, Wilks gradually expanded the business, commissioning a new hull from expert boat designer Alistair Cameron which formed the backbone of Ribtec range over the next decade.

Thank you, that is interesting.

[Alan Priddy]

The 535 with ex RNLI engines was the first Rib Package to hit the market. It was a collaboration between Ribtec and EP Barrus. A great little package but slightly under powered. It came about by me ordering a 535 after wrecking a Narwell back in 1990. I already had the engines so it made sence to use them. The picture was of me and Tim Wilks who sadly passed away a few years ago. The boat was assembled by Reg Russell (87) who is currently in hospital have heart surgery. The boat was stolen never to be seen again but rumoured to be in Southern Ireland. Alan P

[Swain Marine]

Is there anything to look for to help I.d. Or work out the boat's age. The transom has a sheet of plastic/Perspex over it may be covering the hull# if there is one. Have the engine numbers that's all.

[Kernow Buoy]

Originally Posted by Swain Marine

Is there anything to look for to help I.d. Or work out the boat's age. The transom has a sheet of plastic/Perspex over it may be covering the hull# if there is one. Have the engine numbers that's all.

seem to remember mine had a stamp in the gelcoat on the rear of the transom port side, only about 10mm high and gave a 5 digit hull number.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Kernow Buoy

seem to remember mine had a stamp in the gelcoat on the rear of the transom port side, only about 10mm high and gave a 5 digit hull number.

That f'kin thing.

[Kernow Buoy]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Cracking. Kernow had one.