Ribeye 740SX PRICE £63,995 TOP SPEED 43.6 knots 0-40 KNOTS 7.2 seconds
A
s an overall package the 740SX is probably the simplest and most attractive of all the boats we had on test. After wrestling with the
beefy twin rigs on a lot of the other RIBs it was a joy to jump on board the Ribeye with its single 225hp Yamaha V6. Turn the key, engage the feather-light throttle and settle in for the ride. The layout may be simple,
On the water the 740SX is a real laugh and
a strong performer. The low freeboard means you feel more like you’re on the boat than in it so feels a little exposed in the rough stuff. With a light chop running, though, I really enjoyed the fantastic view you have over the water in front of you and the ability to predict the wave patterns and thread the boat through the best course. She weighs in just below
comprising an aft bench, two jockey seats and wrap of seating in the bow but it’s the way the 740 is executed that sets it apart. The Hypalon tubes look and feel superb in their matt-grey fi nish, though we’d forgo that extra sprinkling of cool in order to gain a couple of grab handles here and there. The Tek-Dek fake teak works a treat with its grey caulking and we like the way it creeps up on to the transom to meet the squat, brushed aluminium A-frame. The gorgeous seat units spring up out of
most attractive boat on test – a simple turnkey package
Probably the
peppered with stylish delights
two tonnes so performance is not an issue even with a relatively modest 225hp outboard. In fact, from a standing start the Ribeye felt like one of the quickest boats off the mark because it gets its power into the water so quickly and easily. The fi gures reinforce this as
the 740SX takes only 3.3 seconds to get from 0 to 30 knots. Flat out we managed
43.6 knots in our two-way speed runs but Ribeye’s skipper reportedly hit 46 on the way back down a calm Southampton Water with the engine trimmed up as far as he dared. As an all-round leisure RIB this really hits
the deck on thick stainless steel pods and fl oat in the perfect spot in front of the helm. It’s a shame that the windscreen is so small and offers little to no protection but Ribeye says it’s easy to fi t a larger version. Forward the solid teak table is really classy
and can be dropped down and covered with an infi ll cushion to make a decent sunpad. For family dayboating, the Ribeye’s neat styling, clever stowage solutions, versatile seating and secure handling are bang on.
the spot, whether that be for watersports, going to the beach or hosting a picnic on board, it has all the answers. When tasked on day two to take a RIB and
drop the photographers and their numerous hulking boxes of kit on to the chase boat I grabbed the keys to this boat. That says it all really; if you want a simple, turnkey package peppered with stylish delights and functional features, the 740SX is a perfect match. Jack Haines
A larger windscreen can be
fi tted and there’s a fantastic view out from the helm
THE DATA SPECIFICATIONS
LENGTH 24ft 3in (7.4m) BEAM 7ft 5in (2.3m)
WEIGHT 1,797kg DRAUGHT 2ft 8in (0.85m)
FUEL CAPACITY 200 litres
ENGINES Single Yamaha F225 225hp
TOP SPEED ON TEST 43.6 knots 0-30 KNOTS 3.3 sec 0-40 KNOTS 7.2 sec
PRICE FROM £60,995 inc UK VAT (single Yamaha F225)
PRICE AS TESTED £63,995 inc VAT
CONTACT Ribeye. Tel: +44 (0)1803 832060 Web:
www.ribeye.co.uk
This is a tantalising and versatile leisure RIB
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