Happy Customers

Subject: Ribeye A550 "DOMINO TOO"

John and Anne-Marie
We purchased a Ribeye A550 from you in late April this year and we would like to give you some feedback on our "Ribeye Experience".
You could not have been more helpful when we came down to Dartmouth for a test sail. Once the order was placed, we still experienced all the patience and understanding that a new boat owner craves, but seldom achieves. Even parting with my savings proved to be relatively painless.
Martin, who also had taken us on the test sail at Dartmouth, delivered the boat to Cheshire and was patient and thorough throughout the handover.
We have now had "Domino Too" for two months, she has exceeded every expectation and has never given us cause for concern. The 100hp Yamaha engine is frugal, quiet and reliable. Once again, keep up the good work with the Ribeye Experience and best wishes to you all for the future.
Alan & Judy Christian, and Libby (our cocker spaniel crew), Cheshire, 20 Jun 2009

Subject: Ribtec

Dear Anne-Marie
I bought my Ribtec 535 in 2007 as the show boat for the Southampton Boat Show. The Ribeye team have been fantastic with excellent aftersales advice and assistance which cannot be faulted. The RIB is the perfect boat for both leisure activities as well as safety boat work and fits all the criteria! We have been out in a variety of conditions at different times throughout the year and have not once felt compromised.
Thank you very much.
Nicholas Williams, Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk, 16 May 2009

Subject: Golden Eye

Dear John & all at Ribeye
Have finally had some spare time to launch the rib today, 19/4/09. We are all very impressed and extremely pleased so far. We had a play in the harbour and in the river mouth. Also went offshore with 28mph N/E winds creating 10ft breaking swells, the children said it was awesome. Many thanks.
Jeff Hodgkinson, Gold-Rush Boat & RIB Charters, 19 Apr 2009

Subject: Ribtec Outboard Lock Problem

Dear Julian & John
Many thanks for your help. I really appreciate it and I'm more than impressed with Ribeye's customer service. I'd have no hesitation in buying another boat from you following this experience. Not many companies would have been so accommodating - it's been refreshing to find a company which actually values its customers.
I've been delighted by my Ribtec 585. The handling and performance have been superb and we make regular trips to France from Ramsgate - last week was Dunkirk overnight for the carnival. I've been really impressed with it, particularly the ride and safety it offers in rough conditions. In fact, in the company of three lifeboat men last week, it was roundly praised for the way it behaved, even in comparison to my friend's 6.5m Tornado which accompanied us.
Russ Pullen, Level Eleven, 18 Mar 2009

Subject: MOJO

Dear John, Anne-Marie, and the Ribeye Crew
Once again, many thanks for all your help when buying the 650 Sports. It was a very smooth and painless operation. We have named the boat 'MOJO' to pick up on the South African roots.
We have been all over the Solent, up all the rivers and been to most of the waterside watering holes. The boat has proved to be a very smooth ride. We have enjoyed some very good wakeboarding days and with the engine trimmed just right, not a bad wake to get some air time off.
At Cowes Week, the club of which I am a member (RNSA) phoned me late one night to ask if I could take someone across from Portsmouth to Cowes as the boat that was due to take them over was not up to the job, due to the current and weather conditions (South Westerly 6). Well, the Ribeye 650 was loaded up with gear and four people. It was a bit of a rough ride but the boat took it all in its stride and it was more or less a dry trip. One of the guys said it was an 'awesome ride' and that he felt safe in our boat due to its sea-keeping quality.
The other trip worth mentioning was our trip to France! We loaded the boat up, topped up the fuel tank, put the iPOD into our Fusion stereo and off we went. Our speed was restricted to 25 to 27 knots due to the massive swell (to stop us getting airborne). The crossing was comfortable, fun and over in 2hrs 35min.
The trip back was not so smooth as the sea had come up with 1m chop (which was coming from all directions). This went up to 2m seas about 15 miles off the Isle of Wight, but the boat took it very well. Due to these conditions, it took us about 3hrs for the return trip. We are planning to do this trip again (it's good fun). We have told other RIB owners and friends that we know and it looks like we will have a group of us crossing next time.
Also, it looks like the boat may be used in April as a wedding boat to get my brother and his new wife (who also has a Ribeye 650) to his wedding breakfast, weather permitting of course.
Mike & Allison Sparshott, Gosport, 25 Feb 2009

Subject: "medium2rare"

Dear John & Anne-Marie
I write to say that having now run up 10 hours on my new 650 Sports Ribeye just how great I think it is.
My two sons and I have been having fantastic fun in the Solent over the last two weekends. I thought the 550 Plaything I purchased last year was good but the 650 is in a different class.
Can I also thank both of you and the rest of your team for some really first class service and support, nothing has been too much trouble and you even put up with me constantly upgrading the specification.
The boys (& girls) and I can't wait to take "medium2rare" to its new home in Spain in a month or so time where it is equipped for wakeboarding, water-skiing, rings, fishing and diving. Can't be bad, can it?
Thanks again
Terry Vincent, Southampton, 23 Feb 2009

Subject: Ribeye 600

It has been 18 months now since we bought our Ribeye 600 and I thought I would drop you a line to let you know how pleased we are with it. We looked at a number of different RIBs before we chose the Ribeye. The jockey seat layout gives my wife and son, Archie who is 10, complete confidence as they feel secure all the time.
We have enjoyed cruising around the Solent under a variety of sea conditions and the boat has always felt stable and coped well, with plenty of performance on hand from the Yamaha F115. Although the weather was not great last summer, we had taken friends out for the day and they had all commented on how comfortable and well laid out the boat is. I would have no hesitation in recommending the Ribeye 600 to anyone who is looking for a good all round family oriented RIB.
Mark Powell, Buckinghamshire, 21 Jan 2009

Subject: Ribeye 600

I bought my Ribeye 600 at Southampton Boat Show a few months ago. The whole Ribeye experience has been outstanding, from first meeting through to after sales help. The RIB is fantastic, both as a big boy's toy and in providing a great experience for all the family. Buying the RIB is probably my best purchase decision for many years.
Steve Charnock, Buckinghamshire, 18 Jan 2009

Subject: RIB 500

Hi Guys
All very happy here. Can't wait for the sun to come out again so we can play with her!
Alex Cory, M/Y Infinity Norwood, Corfu, Greece, 21 Nov 2008

Subject: Thank You

John and Anne-Marie
I wanted to say a massive thanks to you both for arranging the boat for us last week and for all of the contacts who helped us with berthing, delivery and winter storage. It really worked out very well indeed.
Now, having spent all week driving the 5m around Salcombe, I am a big fan of the RIBEYE!
Charlie Birkett, YCO Yacht, 13 Aug 2008

Subject: Having Fun

John & Anne-Marie
Just a short note to say having a fantastic time with my Ribeye. Took it to the Solent to follow the Round the Island in June and was really impressed with its honesty and stability in difficult sea conditions, particularly as we followed Hugo Boss around the Needles. The attached picture was taken by a pal of mine from another RIB as we headed back to Cowes from Yarmouth. Think you will agree it's a great picture.
Richard Logan, Hewlett Packard Ltd, 8 Jul 2008

Subject: Mooring Cover

Hi Anne-Marie
Just a quick email to say a big thank you for my Ribeye Playtime 500 mooring cover. Wish I'd splashed out the extra money for one last year. Money well spent! When I upgrade it's going to be the first thing on my list of accessories. It's lightweight, easy to fit and take off, and it's saving me hours not having to clear off all the 'messages' the seagulls keep leaving me!
Thanks
Simon Hutton, 9 Jun 2008

Subject: Ribeye 650

This was our first RIB purchase and after extensive homework we decided to look at the Ribeye 650. From start to finish the service and advice we received from the team at Ribeye was first class.
They constantly kept us in touch with progress right up to and including delivery.
It is also worth commenting that the RIB also happens to be an excellent boat. I have no hesitation in recommending both the team and the boat!
Chris Macdonald, Hampshire, 9 Apr 2008

Subject: Ribtec 535

Hi John
Thanks again for the RIB. It really is the puppy's privates!
Everybody is commenting on how clean the lines are and the quality of the finish, the steelwork. Anyway, thanks again for your help and patience.
Justin Cotter, Project Director, Swansea Bay Sea School, 15 Mar 2008

Subject: Ribeye 650

Hi John
Please pass our thanks on to Tom and Anne-Marie who looked after us very well on Friday. We were very pleased with the 6.50 and its performance in the river, and are looking forward to her being delivered in Greece.
Stewart Turner, Sapphire Yachting, 10 Mar 2008

Subject: Great Work

Dear John
Can I thank you and your team for the outstanding support and direction whilst purchasing the new 785. The changes made to the craft to meet MCA charter coding have been superbly thought through and manufactured. On every contact with you and your office, I have been met with enthusiasm and professionalism. This approach just supports my decision to purchase Ribeye again.
Ian Winson, C2Ribs, 9 Mar 2008

Subject: Over the Moon

Dear Ribeye
I am over the moon at your re-introducing the Ribtec 535. I have owned one from new since 1991 and it has never let me down. What an outstanding boat and she is still going strong. I was out in rough seas last weekend and she out-performed many other RIBs in her class and they all asked me what boat make it is and how old. Keep it up!
Jeremy Husband, 15 Feb 2008

Subject: Maiden Voyage

We have finally launched and had our maiden voyage to Cowes last Saturday. There was only one other boat that braved the freezing conditions to tie up in Cowes ... and it was another Ribeye 650! We are both chuffed to bits with the boat and are extremely impressed with how well it handled the Solent chop - we were both blown away by how smooth and soft the ride was. Even the wind across tide - it beats every RIB we've been in (and we've been in quite a few)! It was really cold, but we still managed to stay out for quite a few hours. Only when it got dark did we come back in! The weather's looking good for this weekend, and we'll be a bit more adventurous as we run the engine in more.
Thank you all so much for everything you've done. Everything about our Ribeye experience has been first class - the service, the boat, the performance. We are now, without doubt, your biggest advocates!
Kevin & Kathy, Hampshire, 4 Feb 2008

Subject: Handover

Thanks to Martin for delivery of our new RIB. I am very grateful for the time he spent with us on Wednesday and hope he had a safe arrival home. It was a very major journey and I hope he is none the worse for it.
I have to say the whole family are delighted with the purchase. We were asked where we hired the boat from by some fishers who were out at sea around the same time as us as they saw the fun we were having but I had to tell them a daily hire was out of the question but I knew some very nice people who would sell them one!
The local fishermen were impressed by what they saw and even the Offshore Rescue people who operate out of Stonehaven were offering praise!
It has been a pleasure doing business with you and I wish the company every success.
I was very happy with the way your product coped with what were quite lumpy waters and have to say I never felt as if we were in anything but a very good sea boat that could handle these conditions with some ease. We are looking forward to many happy days at sea.
Thanks again.
Best regards!
B Knowles, Aberdeen, Scotland, 5 Oct 2007

Subject: The New Boat

Just a quick note to say that the boat went into the water on Saturday and we were amazed at the difference as compared to the Zodiac Medline III. Obviously, the layout is different but the Ribeye Playtime 600 is much more user friendly, and as to the performance, WOW!!! Although we are aware that it needs running in, its acceleration is fantastic. The motor is far quieter, and at low speeds, the boat trolls along comfortably as opposed to the usual digging in at the back. I have to say the quality and handover from your office was way above what I have experienced before. This is our 4th RIB and I think that it's a brand that I will stick with for a long time. If the Playtime 600 is this good, what's the Sports range like??!!
Thanks for everything, trust Southampton is a good one, and pass on my thanks to everyone for such a good service and product.
Ivor Kneller, Truro, Cornwall, 9 Sep 2007

Subject: Ribtec 535

Earlier this year, we purchased 2 Ribtec 535s with 40hp Yamaha engines and trailers for our outdoor education centre (www.whitlinghamoec.co.uk), working closely with John Wood and Marine Tech of South Walsham. We are delighted with the boats which have given great service during a very busy season.
Best wishes
Paul Hoey, Adviser for Outdoor Education Centre and Improvement, 6 Sep 2007

Subject: Playtime 600 "With Chips"

Just used "With Chips" for about 4 hours today in very varied conditions & absolutely love it - great fun - very stable & extremely versatile.
Thanks very much.
Best regards
John Ingham, Ripon, North Yorkshire, 13 Aug 2007

Subject: Ribeye Customer Service

Hi Anne-Marie
Thank you for such great customer service. It is nice when everything comes together as it should.
Kind regards
Jennifer Way, Marine Construction Management, Newport, RI 02840, USA, Jun 2007

Ribeye RIBs – What a Grilling…

Having completed some 2,000 hours of RIB operations at the prestigious shopping location, Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth Harbour, my four seasons of skippering the Ribeye 785 leaves me with a deep affection for the craft. It would be fair to say that our business pushed the RIB and engine to their limits. Not so! Always, fully loaded with fuel, 11 passengers and crew, working 12 hour days, the 785 and the Yamaha F200 performed in all weathers without any problems at all, giving passengers a thrilling experience in absolute safety. I would recommend Ribeye and Yamaha as businesses that provide a World Class Partnership in an ever demanding World.
Paul Potgieter, Head of Operations, Predator Experience RIB Rides, Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth Harbour, Jun 2007

Ribeye was our first choice following demonstrator sea trials and we were very impressed. Ribeye have done everything we wanted and delivered accordingly. Engine choice was governed by environmental and economic factors, hence our selection of Yamaha four stroke 50hp as it is a proven frugal unit. We are looking forward to taking delivery of our second Ribeye in Apr 2002,"
Captain Simon Dowden MN, Harbour Master, Dartmouth Harbour & Navigation Authority, 2002
(DHNA took delivery of their third Ribeye in Apr 2007)

Subject: Ribeye Funtime 600 Delivery

Dear John
I am writing to advise you that we have now taken delivery of the above RIB. Dave Cobain from Gliddon Marine brought the boat up on Sunday in excellent weather and we had a superb day with him. I would like to say that we were very impressed with everything that Dave did for us and his truly professional manner at all times. The handover was excellent and covered loads of safety, handling and other information that will be very helpful to us in the future. We are very pleased with the boat and hope to spend many enjoyable hours on her. I can say it has been a very good experience buying the Ribeye and we will be very pleased to recommend Ribeye to anyone else who is looking for a RIB. Maybe we will see you at one of the Ribeye ‘meets’ during the season.
Yours sincerely
Tony Worth, Brixham, Devon, April 2007

Hi John
Just thought I would keep you updated. We have just taken delivery of our new boat, from Neil & Jonathan @ Rock Marine services. They have delivered a splendid build and quality service, always there to help. Neil spent the whole day with us on Saturday 15th April doing the handover. We still have a few things that need to be finished off, but this is all in hand before we next use the boat. We are delighted with the craft with its F150 Yamaha, which is so smooth and quiet in its power delivery. She performed beautifully in some quite challenging conditions and kept us dry! Over the course of the weekend, we clocked up 8hours on the engine and some 140 miles, with trips from Rock to Newquay and Port Isaac. We are really looking forward to the summer with this fantastic craft. We have had it kitted out with a specially fabricated Ski bar, Ski & Wake board racks, Garmin GPS , Icom vhf. Dsc . plus many other extras."
David & Tracy Gwillim, Sidmouth, Devon, Apr 2006

Could you please pass our thanks on to yourself, John and the rest of the team for getting our RIB delivered on Saturday. We gave her an extensive sea trial for the rest of the day and she goes like a dream - good to see the GPS fitted as well as all the other bits and pieces. We found the three day course with Dave (Shell Bay Watersports) very useful - both in power boat training and in getting familiarised with the idiosyncracies of our ownRIB, motor, GPS, trailer etc. Would recommend it as a good way of getting going for other customers of yours who are new to power boating. The RIB exceeds our expectations and we're looking forward to a great Summer with our families zipping around the coastline. Thanks again.
Jac Hansell, about his new Playtime 600, Mar 2006