Re: RIBEX

Ok, so I went and it was incredibly fun.  Not as many builders/manufacturers were there as I would have hoped, but was able to get a complete listing of all RIB builders/manufacturers and speak with several about the possibility of making the RIB you want.

 

Of the builders that were present at the show, the following had or expressed willingness to produce RIBS of 40' or more:

 

Scorpion - www.scorpionribs.com - Obviously, you know who they are.  They told me about Emad and the decision not to complete the 10 meter that was ordered with them.  I was not aware of this.  I will tell you, however, that as I asked around the RIB Expo nearly anyone I spoke with told me to check with Scorpion first because of Scorpion's reputation for quality and because Scorpion already has a rather attractive wheelhouse structure that was at the show (the only one at the show).  As I spec'd to the scorpion reps what I wanted and they asked me where it was to be used.  They asked if I was sent to the Expo by you.  It was very weird, but . . . be that as it may; Scorpion wants to do a 12 meter hull to which they would mount twin Yamaha 350s.  Don't know what the reason for stopping with them was, but may wish to consider this.

 

Rib-X - www.rib-x.co.uk - Looking to expand into the larger RIB luxury line.  Would be interested in building the boat I specified to them and not lay off the full design costs on you.  They would potentially like to add the boat to their new Exige line of luxury RIBS

 

Ceasar Marine - www.ceasarmarine.com - Young guys also eager to take on the design project and not pass on all costs to you.  These guys appreciate speed as well as aesthetics, but they tout stability of their hull as well.  I liked them, but the RIB they had at the show was an 8.5 meter RIB.  There is a 10ft RIB that they are currently building and I think they may have it available in Florida relatively soon.  They have a commercial design to spec division and a racing division.  Worth taking to them.

 

Parker - www.parkerribs.com - Parker had their 900 Baltic and RS models at the show - The 900 Baltic can be built with a completely encclosed wheelhouse, although that particular model was not at the show.  The 900 boats are Incredibly fast boats, but nearly crippled me on the Ride (literally, hit the water so hard my back was destroyed for the day).  Parker is already working on a 14.5 meter search and rescue boat for Bulgaria and, according to the Company's owner, has delivered a 12 meter cabin boat to the caribbean.  I was given the specs for the 14.5 Bulgarian SAR and will bring them to you when I get back this week.  Hard to know how the longer heavier boat will handle on the water.

   

Hunton - www.hunton.co.uk - Very pretty boat. Strong aesthetic sense.  Willing to design a larger hull for you, but did not have any sense of price.  Felt that speed, stability and wheelhouse where not problems, but that price might be too high for what it is that you want to produce.  The rep asked me to call him next week after he has an opportunity to talk to his engineers and architects about such project.  I liked his practical analysis, but was not particularly impressed with enthusiasm.

 

Other RIBS discovered through RIBEX that you might want to look at:

 

TP Marine - www.tpmarine.nl - Their range of hull sizes is 4.5 meters to 16 meters.  They make boats for military, special forces, police and coast guard.  Check out the caribbean search and rescue boat in the image gallery.  Really cool looking.  May be the one.

 

Arctic Blue - www.clearwatercompanies.co.uk - Arctic Blue 37' Cabin also very interesting.  More as I review the site.

 

 

I will review more of the info that I received at RIBEX and write to you later.