A few RIB's on show including price spec etc

fastasfox · 18 February 2023, 00:23

Just a few Ribs that caught my eye at the boatlife show 2023.
First up is the Gala (nope me neither) 5 meter viking.
When I approached the stand I thought to myself these look like on offshoot of Grand and having spoken to the reps they told me that the designer At grand moved to Brigg then created this boat and has since sold the company...but there it is plane to see the designers DNA on display on a Gala craft...but the twist is the hull is aluminium as is the console seats anchor locker etc. They look to be very well put together .

Next we have the Brigg Eagle 6.7....if you own this rib you are one lucky soab. Absolutely stunning in every way.

Whaly anyone....look at the price though.

fastasfox · 18 February 2023, 00:34

A few more.

Excel Virago 470 lower end maybe but still offering great value for money.

Zodiac pro 5.5 a better showing from Zodiac this year.

My console has a battery and electronics in it this has a dayhead lol

fastasfox · 18 February 2023, 00:49

Neptune 520, a new one on me. The hull is made in china shipping to Ireland and tubed and finished and commissioned....aimed at low end of the market, think American car....they are fully loaded but nothing compared to The Germans. Still a lot of craft though.

Briggs crossover boat .....the Iron.

These chap's are worth a mention. Vanclaes...they make stainless steel trailers and they are off the scale quality.

fastasfox · 18 February 2023, 01:14

Finally the best for last.
Special boat Special story Special Country.
Rupert R8....I'm going to level with you I had never heard of them. I was drawn to this boat as it just looked quality....not in a fancy frilly Rich boys toy kind of way more a built like a brick privy kind of way. Over engineered to the max and as a big fan of SAAB and their Special way of doing things, I wasn't surprised to learn that this brand was Swedish....and it shows. Just look at that A frame and the T top they are absolutely solid...if you have this kind of money to spend on a Rib and don't look at Rupert then your mad. I spoke with a sole importer for a good 20 minutes and it turns out that having suffered several seizures last year he had an operation to remove some tumours from his brain....we are talking November and yet less than 3 months later here he was at the show showing off this cracking bit of kit....and he was disappointed he wasn't fully recovered yet....the fella is Superman I tell you....oh and his Dad just happened to Run Scania once upon a time.
I wish them all the success in the world....meanwhile just drink this in.
If you want more info powerboat & Rib magazine have just had them on their cover....and Monty knows his stuff...he was kicking about Thursday too.

oracle · 18 February 2023, 17:34

I love the convertible seating on the Rupert. Very inventive and, as you say, very solid.

fastasfox · 18 February 2023, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by oracle

I love the convertible seating on the Rupert. Very inventive and, as you say, very solid.

Had you heard of Rupert before?

C2 RIBS · 19 February 2023, 18:05

Rupert ribs are at my marina at Hamble. Great boat.
Craig is a star for what he has been through.

fastasfox · 19 February 2023, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

Rupert ribs are at my marina at Hamble. Great boat.
Craig is a star for what he has been through.

I agree...proper nice chap too.

spartacus · 19 February 2023, 22:24

Still digesting that a Zodiac pro 5.5 rigged is £37k.

fastasfox · 19 February 2023, 23:27

The base boat alone is nearly 23k
That's why people like me start with an older rib and renovate... to spend 37k on a 5 meter rib I would have to use it daily to justify it.

GuyC · 21 February 2023, 18:39

The Scandinavians do seem to build a good RIB - Goldfish, Rafnar* and Rupert all all nice RIBs that would be on my shortlist if my numbers were to land.

*Rafnar is Iceland so I guess not Scandinavian but you get the idea.

fastasfox · 21 February 2023, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyC

The Scandinavians do seem to build a good RIB - Goldfish, Rafnar* and Rupert all all nice RIBs that would be on my shortlist if my numbers were to land.

*Rafnar is Iceland so I guess not Scandinavian but you get the idea.

I put my numbers on before I went to the show lol

Apparently a lot more Scandinavian builders show at the dusseldorf boat show