F-Ribs And Sibs - Inflatable Boat Community

After a few years of sibbing in the marvellous Honwave, (see previous reviews) I decided it was time to move up a notch and order myself an F-Rib.
The Honwave colour scheme was something I really liked, and although the foldable ribs are generally grey, I asked Steve Bruce if he could do me a one off order in blue & white. I was delighted when he returned my call with a "Yes, we can do that"

So the order was placed, along with the new Suzuki DF20 efi.
http://foldablerib.com/product/f-rib-375/

I collected the Frib on 2nd July from Hamble Point, F-Rib HQ. I have loads of mods in my head, In time I'll document the changes as they progress, but for a start the keel guard tape was a must.
A quick clean of the hull, then pre warmed with some glorious Huddersfield sunshine, the 1st section was done With the real ease of application, and no longer feeling nervous - Sections 2 & 3 were done I'd ordered a good amount of tape, so having a decent amount left i decided to cover some other prominent parts that imo may be susceptible to damage. By now the sun was fading fast, so a quick borrow of the hair dryer
Looking good, and I don't mean my hair Last section finished, all cleaned up and looking the part, but more importantly... Protected ! Direct link for the keel guard https://goo.gl/XJ9eLp
A huge thanks to "The Gurnard" for his product find, fitment and review

Next on the list was the launch wheels, Id managed to get out in Wales using the launch trolley I bought for the Honwave. To be honest, what a pain in the backside that turned out to be without rollers fitted. After many discussions of the suitability and usability of the vast array available, I stuck with the ones tried and tested by Paul on his FRIB 360. A full breakdown can be read here https://goo.gl/hmI4Vx

I bought my wheels from here https://goo.gl/jQPr76
Delivered in quick sticks, so a nervous fitment followed at the weekend.
Now for the scary bit of drilling the transom of my new expensive toy... Talk about nervous
I also had slight problems getting the wheels to fit without miss shaping and rubbing on the transom splash guard. I quickly knocked up a spacer for each mount as has been previously mentioned by others. To be honest, when it's fitted, it looks just fine and not at all bodge like
The amount of outward throw from the spacer made a significant difference at the wheel end.. however, it think i'll be going for a slightly longer set of wheels (same type/manufacturer) or maybe a slightly smaller wheel circumference.
TBC on that one

For now, I mainly happy with the fitment, they certainly do the job with ease, swapping between up and down is a doddle with the lift/locking pin.
I've also taken Pauls great idea of swapping the mounting bolt for a stainless steel drop nose pin. I no longer require a spanner/socket to mount the wheels,. it's literally just a quick 2 second fitment to pop them on and off.

If you order any, remember they have a working length, allowing room for the swivel.

Easy Life !!!!



To be continued......

Next up, Time to make a spray cover.
Although the F-Rib spray is the mutts nuts and superbly made and mounted, I really didn't want something so big and gruesome..
Something long enough to cover the bow area, but high enough to let the nipper hide in if the rain threatens.
This was the making of the old Honwave one https://goo.gl/F483Fr

I had a little material left from the previous hood, but not quite enough to do as I wanted. However, "TWWA" was looming and I needed some cover..
So a little click of the heels, and Dorothy set too..
Not going into huge detail as to how I did it, I think spray hoods have been done to death on here now

Taking shape but a few mods still to do before the final sewing.
Finished product, tried/tested and doing its job in Oban

Great job mate on the cover, but it's a tad too small Hehe, I have boat that it will fit just fine , ,

The boat is awesome though, I couldn't believe how much better it handled and blindly quicker it was compared to the Honwave with the same engine,

Thanks Paul, and yes the cover is yours when I make the new one.
I might have to start making them and flogging them lol

The FRIB is without any shadow of a doubt an upgrade on the Honwave for speed and handling, the inflation/set up time reduction is also a great benefit.

The only shortfall which in fairness isn't the FRIBs fault, it's the hard ride for "Lil miss" but she'll soon get used to the crash/bang/wallop


On a whole... it's fribbing brilliant

Mods to hopefully follow.....
Seat Anti slip mod.
Seat bags, cushions.
Bow anchor box / seat.
Tube mounted rod holders.
Removable false floor sections.


VHF external aerial mount.

Paul B wrote:Great job mate on the cover, but it's a tad too small

Yeah, way too small

Andy B wrote:

Paul B wrote:Great job mate on the cover, but it's a tad too small

Yeah, way too small

Needs one like yours Andy, it doubles as a sail, and a tent

Andy's canopy is great but it's not the type of thing I want, nor is the f-rib one..
It's a bit of an in between that I'll be making.. a slight upgrade from my previous Honwave one.
That's the good thing about the Diy version, you make it to your exact requirement.

Looks great, def an eye catcher.
I'll be interested in a few of the upcoming mods.

Seat anti slip
Bow locking box
Removable floor sections

I'm waiting on 2 port and 2 starboard lifting eyes. They will be fixed aligned with the transom and before the bow section join.
Docking to rings on my swim platform and the other side lifted by davits stowing the rib almost on its side.
The bow section will be deflated, folded and strapped making my 360 about 2.7m i.e. within the width of the 'mother' boat's transom.

That's the plan anyway.

Andy B wrote:

Paul B wrote:Great job mate on the cover, but it's a tad too small

Yeah, way too small

Yup, something like this is more like it