Ribcraft - Challenge the Elements
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RIBEX 2000 DROP TEST
Ribcraft attended the worlds only dedicated RIB Show. RIBEX 2000 located at Southampton's Ocean Village was an extremely successful weekend. The star of the show was undoubtedly the Ribcraft 4.8 drop test.
The idea is to test the overall strength of the craft. To achieve this the 4.8 was fitted with a Mariner 40hp and just for good luck 50Kg of sand was placed under the console to simulate all up weight. The 4.8 was then repeatedly dropped flat into the water from ever increasing height's.
On the last day of the show there was almost a pantomime feel to the whole display, The commentator was encouraging the crowd, With shouts of higher and higher the 4.8 was eventually dropped from approximately 40 to 45ft. Considering the standard commercial drop test is from 10ft, it was certainly an extreme test that proved as much of an eye opener for us as it did for the spectators.
Photo by Gary Blake Photo marine and edited by RIB International Magazine.
The most impressive thing of the whole exercise, is that the dropped boat is a completely standard production boat with no additional strengthening. I just hope if the event is repeated with another manufacture the same would be true, somehow I am doubtful.