(special order) UK's first frib 375

[Bigsofty]

Thanks to this great forum and its even better members ...
I've ordered my keelguard (KeelEazy) tonight..
Well you've gotta protect your bottom

Top Tip: From what I remember you need a spotlessly clean bottom before applying

Thanks for that, I shall ensure my bottom is squeaky clean before putting the sticky stuff on

[9-R]

Any chance that F-Rib will be making a larger version, say in the 4.6m to 4.8m range, that is wide like the smaller units?

[Martin]

How's this 9-R
http://foldablerib.com/product/f-rib-460/
Please be sure to mention us in any correspondence

[9-R]

I saw that unit but it would be too narrow for us. Looking for it to be wider overall, especially more towards the front. Same shape as the smaller units. Currently ours is at 190cm. Tubes at 50cm.

Still have yet to see if I can get our boat to work but keeping options open. Do like that it is about half the weight of ours which is fantastic.

[Martin]

F-rib are constantly adding and altering their products to suit the requiring market, but I'm not aware of any width changes.
Can I ask why it's important and I'll forward your comment as feedback is very important to them !

[9-R]

More room! Family of 5 with cooler, equipment etc. Also, potentially more stable. 3 (almost adult size) sit across on our back bench now when cruising. While touring more slowly, they like to spread out around the boat for more space. When my boy and I are fishing, one takes the back and the other is up front. It's nice to have a larger front platform to stand on and balance with. While swimming, it's great having the extra room as they enter into the boat and dry off, eat lunch, etc. Can pass on that majority of other manufacturers in that length are shaped similar to a Zodiac/Seapro.

[Martin]

Ah, I see where your coming from.
I'm no boat designer or expert but I'm kinda getting an inclin as to why your boat is performing like a margarine tub (not meaning to sound awful, saying that) . I'm guessing with that width you'd expect a greater keel requirement, requiring a larger draught ?
Surely that takes you out of the SIB range?

I know you get wider sibs, but they all have a sausage keel arrangement which appears to impair higher planing speeds and handling.
Just my view, and probably incorrect.

[9-R]

Keel an issue, yes, but weight or width no. Boat behaves the same whether one or five people. Our boat is no wider, may even be narrower than a Zodiac, Seapro, Seamax, etc., but that is covered in another post. Just looking to see if there were plans for F-Rib to match the others in similar width/design for their larger boat. The smaller versions of F-Rib do so didn't know why the 4.6m model was so different? It also only has a max hp of 20. Are there issues with the folding design once you get over a certain length?

[Martin]

To answer your question.. I honestly don't know
I'll certainly forward your query on and try and get an answer or two

[harrison]

Any chance that F-Rib will be making a larger version, say in the 4.6m to 4.8m range, that is wide like the smaller units?

Take a look on the Winboat website http://winboat.com/en

They make a folding 440RF SPRINT and non folding 440R LUXE, both of which have a 2100 beam width.

Perhaps F-Rib may consider a special order on one.