Rib Magazine Review

Ribcraft 5.85

"The multi-application Ribcraft 5.85 is definitely one for the short list if you happen to be looking for a sensibly priced, well built RIB capable of taking you offshore in a mature fashion"

The somewhat over-used expression "horses for courses", whilst belonging to a bygone age of hooves and birch wood, is rapidly becoming a description of the conundrum which confronts the modern mariner as he finds himself faced with an ever increasing array of RIBs all promising to fulfill a whole host of functions including of course, being able to take him to sea. The RIB International offices are getting a growing number of calls from people, who understandably perhaps, are having great difficulty in being able to determine the differences between one make of RIB and another. To make the right purchasing decision then, it is important firstly to decide upon the use to which you are primarily going to put the boat to, and then isolate by means fair or foul, those craft which fall into the chosen category. If you were looking for a capable deep-sea boat with a strong offshore application for instance, one suggestion might be to try and track down those craft which have a history of being used by commercial operators. This is often a good indicator that the boat builder knows what he is doing, possesses a boat that's strong and reliable, and runs a business that is capable of delivering on time and to a price.

By its very nature though, boat design no matter how good or comprehensive, has to incorporate an element of compromise. You simply cannot have everything in one boat, therefore it is even more important that your number one criteria, that of deciding what you want the boat for is decided upon first.

If your needs match that of the example above then you’re in luck because in this review we take a look at the Ribcraft 5.85, a boat ideally suited to the offshore environment. It's a RIB built to satisfy the needs of the serious sea-goer where lm happy to say function meets design but not at the cost of finish.

The Ribcraft range draws upon what might be termed as traditional RIB styling and construction methods and features principally two key designs within the range. The familiar Ribcraft high bow sheer as seen on the 5.85m, constitutes the most noticeable difference between the two, whilst the second and more recent addition to the Ribcraft stable, adopts more gentle lines and a hull designed by George Marvin. I personally favour the high bowed version, but that's just personal taste - sorry George!

The 585 Ribcraft on test carried a single Mariner 135hp V6 which delivered a more ample turn of speed. Though this model is capable of taking a maximum of 150hp, unless one had very specific requirements, a 135hp power pack would suffice most needs enabling the boat to be a good load carrier as well as a craft capable of high performance.

The hull is an orthodox deep vee running to a flattened planing section aft. Full length spray rails run in line following the contour of the hull clear up to the stem, this gives good lift and assists the boat to run true. She certainly handled well through a variety of manoeuvres on the day of the test, though hand brake turns are hardly the sort of things one does in the normal course of things!

The particular console featured on the test boat was of the new design produced by Ribcraft. Displayed for the first time at last year's London Boat Show, it replaces the former squarer style of unit to offer a higher degree of stowage and space for instrumentation. Because the new design is swept back and more contoured it probably means that it takes up more space overall. Though on a smaller boat this console, from an aesthetic point of view seems out of proportion and could be seen as a disadvantage, but I feel the advantages in stowage may be worth the sacrifice nonetheless. On the larger boats in the range, however, this unit blends in well.

As regards the seating pods on this boat, like the main console, *these are screwed to the deck as opposed to being bonded*. The seats themselves are well swabbed and provide comfortable support and cushioning for one's rear end. Good to note that the seat back rests are of a height to give proper support plus their stainless steel frames also double as handholds for crew travelling in the rear of the boat. Three compartments to the Hypalon sponson of the boat and a Lloyds approved hull which has a minimum 16oz or 12.5mm chop strand mat/woven roving lay-up more or less completes the basic spec of the boat. In all, the multi-application Ribcraft 5-85 is definitely one for the short list if you happen to be looking for a sensibly priced, Well built RIB capable of taking you offshore in a mature fashion. HMS

(* Correction our pods and consoles are all bonded to the deck and not screwed)

THE ONLY INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE RIGID INFLATABLE BOAT

Above article from RIB International Magazine. Tested at Southampton International Boat Show, September 1997