F-Rib 375 (foldable Rib) - My Boat / My Build

[Andy B]

I'll just leave this here.

[Martin]

The joys of family life, running a forum, own business and helping others with their problems before sorting my own eh ....
Time to prioritise maybe

[Paul B]

Haven't you done it yet......
Pull ya finger out man

Finger pulled old chap , ready for the post office in the morning

[Martin]

diamond geezer, Thankyou
Mkiii hood to follow then, mind it might turn into a Bimini now

[Sonofgum]

@Martin

Hi Martin, thanks for the insight on the 375. I wonder if I can pick your brains a little more, I'm seriously thinking of upgrading to the F-rib next season but I'm torn between the 360 and the 375. What was it that made you choose the 375 over the 360 ? Are there any advantages of having the slightly bigger boat ?

You mention in your review that the ride of the F-Rib is harder than the standard SIB's and I wondered how bad it is or is it manageable ?

And finally and this is probably a bit soft but I have a Seapro 360 and when its choppy I can get a fair bit of water in but it all slides to the back of the boat where I've fitted a small electric bilge pump. With a flick of a switch I can empty the boat in seconds. On the F-ribs they are built in the folding sections so you don't get the sliding to the rear of the water, do you have to manually bail out each section in the event of shipping water and if so would you have to use a hand pump ?

Any insight you can give me of the 375 over the 360 would be gratefully received.

Kind regards

[Martin]

Hi @Sonofgum

The F375 has slightly larger diameter tubes than the f360, obviously it’s a little longer too. Every little length increment helps with the chop.

Absolutely no water issues with the f-ribs, they are one of the few dry boats out there..

Yes, the Fribs are a harder ride than the sibs when it comes to the choppy stuff, you can either blast along and pick your teeth and broken back up when you’ve done, or you can slow a little and have a healthy ride.
In all honesty, if your chasing in any small hard hull you will feel the pain, back off and enjoy the ride and the Frib is one awesome machine - I have no intention swapping it for anything just yet, love it to bits.

Martin

[Sonofgum]

@Martin

Thanks Martin

One more question if I may, is there much difference in weight between the the 360 and the 375 ? I'm led to believe from earlier reviews on the forum that the 375 was quite heavy because of its double hull but the later specs put the weight at around 56kg, that's about 9kgs heavier than the boat I've got now. Do you manage the weight of the 375 ok ? I often boat alone working off a trailer and launch wheels and wonder how I'd be with the extra weight.

Many thanks for help

[Martin]

@Sonofgum - We weighed my F375 in collection, it came in at 55kg.
I can move it about freely, opened and inflated I can up end it or invert it without issue... the only time I struggle is actually lifting it from the floor up to my chest to walk with when folded.
It’s a big old unit when folded.
Bring a trolley - sack cart into the equation and life is once again simple.

Mine was the first single skin F375 in the uk, now all F375 models are single skin so they'll be very similar weight.

Martin

[Sonofgum]

@Martin

That's brilliant Martin, thank you