RIB users the world over have long wanted a small, light­weight, and inexpensive diesel inboard engine specifically designed for their needs. The launch of the Volvo Penta TAMD22SX a few years back had been met with great excitement and interest, for it opened up a whole new set of opportunities within our ever expanding growth market.
As soon as RIB International heard that a boat was being prepared for a promotional pro­gram which would span the early part of 1996, we made sure we were the first on the list to put her through her paces. So by means of what could be described as a two part review, lets first take a look at the boat itself in order to appreciate the overall concept behind this development.

Ribtec 600
Ribtec Ltd, the builders of the 6.1 metre RIB in question, have over the last few years estab­lished a very fine reputation inter­nationally for producing quality boats for both the commercial and leisure markets. For their part, Volvo Penta undoubtedly made a wise choice in deciding upon the Ribtec 6.1, for this compact craft well illustrates the fact that a die­sel powered boat no longer has to be considered big, heavy and ex­pensive. This RIB is based on the standard deep-V hulled Ribtec 600 series, successfully in service with commercial and recreational users worldwide, and allows for a range of options suitable for most re­quirements.

The boat supplied to Volvo Penta was considered to pro­vide the optimum arrangement for their purposes and featured a transverse seating layout with plenty of stowage room and a rea­sonable amount of deck space for working and free movement. The diesel engine installation and general fit-out was professionally un­dertaken by the Ribtec team, working closely with Volvo Penta to ensure the craft was prepared to the exact specification required.

I have to say that whilst there has been a substantial in­crease in the number of larger RIBS being built for the leisure market recently, even though such developments may be very excit­ing, I still feel there is something special about what can be achieved in the smaller boat such as this. Take for example long distance cruising; here with this craft you have all the qualities of a manage­able, seaworthy RIB, capable of cruising long distances offshore with minimal fuel costs and at a total package price equivalent to that of a family car. Having cruised extensively over the last five years in an eighteen foot RIB and at the same tune observed others acquir­ing a larger boat for the start of every season, I can testify to the fact that `bigger' doesn't always mean `better', and the amount of enjoyment you get out of your rig doesn't always equate to the amount of money you've paid either.

Beneficially, a boat of this size presents few problems from a towing aspect, it's easy to launch and recover, and affords one great flexibility, weighing only 785kg. Being the big brother to the 385, the Ribtec 600 is a heavy wide deck version of the same boat which features an increased hull height designed to improve load carrying and sea-keeping performance.

The boat on test had an uncomplicated layout which set the side by side jockey seating just aft of amidships, behind a full width expedition console complete with forward facing bench styled seating inset to its front face. Of course, the advantage of jockey seats are that they allow you to move independently of the boat, thus affording you the opportunity to anticipate that larger wave or the heavy landing it's about treat you to! In general, I feel these are the more suitable RIB seats, un­less you are lucky enough to have bucket seats fitted with a suspen­sion system. The jockey seats aboard the Ribtec were well padded, of a comfortable height, and possessed stainless framed uphol­stered back supports which also doubled in providing good hand­holds.

The squared design of the main steering/control console in­corporated a high tinted wind­screen with a curved stainless steel grab rail surrounding it. It's worth noting that the height of the wind­screen enabled it to really be effective. So many windscreens are simply deflectors and do little more than direct the elements straight at your forehead. But here, in a seated position one could tuck right behind this screen comfortably and experience the benefits of the protection it gave.

The forward bench seat to the front of the console consti­tuted a wise use of space, and made up for the lack of additional seating caused by the engine cowl to the stern deck area. I liked the stainless steel hand rails either side of the seat but felt that with­out the console being modified to take a proper back rest it perhaps lacked somewhat in comfort. The inclusion of a samson post to the forepeak and the slim stainless double arch mast to the stern, fin­ished off the overall appearance of the craft, providing it with a semi ­commercial appearance.

I was impressed by the fact that although this is a small craft, it remained well balanced in spite of carrying the diesel engine well to stern. She had no difficulty in getting up onto the plane and was not at ail sluggish or heavy in her movements, in fact she was a joy to handle. No doubt much of this is down to the hull which is clean and uncomplicated and could well be described as a proven hull, hav­ing been in service with commer­cial operators and offshore users both the UK and overseas since Ribtec's formation.

The company is one of the UK's premier boat builders, and although this particular craft represents one of their more straightforward fit-outs, it is evident that it has been built to a high quality using tried and trusted materials and components. She doesn't feel large for her size, but she would make the perfect cruis­ing companion from the leisure users point of view. A craft that would genuinely look after her crew; providing them with a great sense of security as well as the potential for much fun. I would recommend it.

Volvo Penta TAMD22/SX Inboard Diesel Installation

The power aboard this neatly styled 6.1 m craft is delivered by the all new Volvo Penta TAMD22/SX Aquamatic Diesel unit. The engine, like its bigger brothers, is turbo-charged and after-cooled and rated at 79 kilowatts, or 105hp if you prefer. It joins the 78hp and 59hp naturally aspirated 22/SX range of four cylinder Aquamatic diesel units, with outputs now ranging from 59hp to 230hp.

The 22/SX series provides the ideal option for RIBs and other small planing craft, and represents a real first in terms of size within a power range not previously available from a quality outdrive.

Evidently, Volvo Penta's thinking behind the production of the 22/SX was their desire to produce a highly compact power pack­age designed to replace petrol outboards and smaller inboard units, in a new gen­eration of boats which will offer far greater economy, security and, it is hoped, owner satisfaction.

The four cylinder 22/SX combines Volvo Penta's well proven and highly compact fresh water cooled diesel engines with the preci­sion and performance of their highly successful single propeller stern drive. On the day of the test, the engine clearly showed itself capable of delivering a smooth quan­tity of power right up through the rev scale, with her 105hp producing this day, in calm conditions, a respectable 34 knots.

What makes this package so appealing is the fact that the boat needs only to possess a fuel capacity of 20 gallons in order to give a cruising range of approxi­mately 120 miles. For those of us who undertake a sizeable amount of cruising each season, the substantial saving in fuel costs would very soon justify this engine's net value of £8,261.00.

Obviously, a diesel rig has quite a different feel about it to that of a petrol outboard installation. Although reassur­ing, the rattle of a diesel at low rev's is very unlike the highly tuned sound of a large V6 petrol engine. But diesel does have its great attractions, as I think you will agree. (Crossing the English Chan­nel for £15 being one of them!)

This prototype test boat did suffer from being a little noisy, however, not that the engine was necessarily at fault here. It transpired that the cowling had not been fully finished in time for our test and therefore evidently lacked the full ability to dampen the engine noise as it should. Even in its basic form, it was clear the engine housing possessed the potential for further develop­ing, perhaps say, into provid­ing an additional seating point for a third crew member. Overall, I have to say I was impressed by the compact­ness of the engine installa­tion, a commendable achievement in a craft of this size.

The Ribtec 600 package, complete with the Volvo TAMD22SX installed, weighs in at a very competitive basic price of £15,950 and is set to make an attractive proposi­tion for all those people who have wanted to 'go diesel' but in the past have lacked the capital means to do so. No doubt we will be hearing a lot more about this engine in the future.

To summarise: our impressions on the day, of both the boat and its power unit, were very positive in­deed. A very likeable pack­age and one that opens up a whole new set of possibilities. At long last, the option has arrived many I'm sure will take it.

Builder
RIBTEC LIMITED
Hambleside
Swanwick Shore Road
Swanwick
Southampton S031 7EF

Tel +44 (0) 1489 885773

Engine
VOLVO PENTA UK LTD
Otterspool Way,
Watford
Herts WD2 8HW

Tel: +44 (0)1923 228544