Product Page Title: 

Overview

OUR 2023 F-Rib BOAT PRICES WILL NOT BE ANNOUNCED UNTIL WE KNOW STOCK IS AVAILABLE (in LATE 2023).
 
The four 2023 model F-rib, in the rebranded light grey tubes and the white hull, will be:
 

• F-Rib folding rib model 275 - our price - TBA
• F-Rib folding rib model 330 - our price - TBA
• F-Rib folding rib model 360 - our price - TBA
• F-Rib folding rib model 460 - our price - TBA

 
Our F-Rib folding rib prices here include UK VAT at 20%. All these F-Rib folding rib prices and are quoted here in good old-fashioned Yorkshire pounds. All our normal terms and conditions of sale apply to this F-Rib folding rib.  
 
All new F-rib boats come with standard accessories of oars/paddles; pump; seat benches (1 or 2); carry bag for boat (bag wraps over boat); owners manual. For the list of genunine optional accessories: see below. Outboard engines for the F-Rib folding rib can either be purchased together with the boat, or engines can be sold separately.
 
Collection: If you boat is collected from here in Ilkley, we will provide a free demonstration of your new F-Rib boat (and also engine if purchased together.) 
UK Delivery. UK shipping is available, on a pallet for these folding F-Ribs.To arrange delivery of any F-Rib boat and engine package to any UK mainland address, please call us  (please note - engines can be shipped complete and PDI'ed, but with oil supplied to refill on arrival)
International Delivery For F-ribs for international export outside of the UK, please contact ourselves by e-mail or phone.
 
TO ORDER YOUR NEW F-RIB BOAT AND /OR  A NEW OUTBOARD ENGINE

• Please call us at Ilkley on 0113 532 8575
• E-mail us at info@penninemarine.com

This photo is us unpacking the F-Rib - please note that this photo was of a new 2019 f-rib 330 model - so a typical brand-new F-rib model.
 
PLEASE ALSO SEE THE BANNER PHOTOS ACROSS THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.......
 
In this photo here is the packed-up F-Rib hull - just taken out of its box and with a strap on it. We are about to roll down the bow.
 
Look carefully at the patented secret of the F-Rib - a very solid rib hull  - however with the slot and groove system neatly hidden within the hull.

The folding rib F-Rib is  now shown a few minutes after the earlier photo.
 
Literally all we have done is connect the footpump and inflated the F-Ribs tubes. All we have done with this folding rib since the last photo is to add something that is still free and plentyful - fresh air. The word "SIMPLICITY" is just far too long winded to describe this rib.
 
It this F-Rib is now a fully functioning rib - please just point me in the direction of the waterfront - and not forgetting to put a suitable outboard engine onto the F-rib first.

The F-Rib folding rib folds down so small that it will easily fit into a car boot, caravan locker, small van or any 4x4. This gives the F- Rib folding rib is a unique portabilty for a high-performance inflatable boat.
 
Shown here partially folded on our Ilkley workshop floor, this one was a 2018 model F-rib 275 (the smallest model) with the optional wheels fitted. In this photo / image, the unique folding F-rib 275 boat is shown with the bow having just been pulled over into the middle: however we have yet yet to complete the second manouvere, which would bring the centre of the f-rib right up to the stern. Also the tubes are hanging out; before folding it again we would tuck these in. These F-rib models all fold incredibly easily - thus when this one is completely folded-up, the top of the f-rib hull will then be almost level with the top of the transom (nearest to the camera)  A simple strap then secures the boat, allowing it all to be easily lifted into its carrying bag.
 
Please note that, in this photos, the small bag at the front is only for the F-rib wheels, not for the whole F-rib 275 boat itself. It will fold small enough to go into a car, yacht, caravan or motorcruiser, but unfortunately not quite small enogh to fit into a handbag...For full / more details of the F-ribs unique design of folding AND detachable wheels (an optional accessory) please see below
 
Before now, true rib hulls had to be transported by trailer - which obviously limits their flexibility and especially the portability. 

NEW STYLE 2022 F-RIB 330 MODEL.
 
The unique F-Rib folding rib is quite simply amazing when you get it out of the bag. Shown here on a beach "somewhere in Europe" - You simply unroll the F-Rib folding rib boat until it is flat. One then gets the footpump pump out and inflates it (not forgetting to connect the pump into the valves on the boat first).
 
This F-Rib folding rib is so simple to put together that you need to be illiterate to read the instructions. You can leave your tools in the garage at home - or just forget to bring them with you when you go on holiday. Really all you have to do - and I mean all you have to do - is unfold the f-rib folding rib boat and then add lots of free air. The unique F-Rib folding rib patented groove system does all the rest - locking the F-Rib boat hull firmly and securely in place. This F-Rib folding rib really is so brilliantly engineered that it does'nt need any engineering expertise at all. Your young child could put this together the F-Rib whilst you watch and supervise.
 
When it comes to doing things on the beach on holiday, quite frankly I have had more trouble with putting up a sun-lounger than I had assembling the F-Rib folding rib. The other advantage is that - as you will be  bringing the F-Rib folding rib to the beach with you - is that you can pick and choose where you are launching from.  

The F-Rib out on the water performs so well that it really is quite remarkable. It has a "solid feel" when being driven out on the water of a proper and much bigger rib.
 
I am actually struggling to think of a small rib - from any small boat manufacturer - that actually feels this "solid" underfoot when out on the water. Certainly nothing I can think of from any other manufacturer that I have driven in recent years..... The F-Rib feels more solid than any other fibreglasss or aluminium hulled recreational rib.
 
Indeed the F-rib has the "tough construction" that would lend itself to occasional workboat use.  The F-Rib really does instill a feeling of confidence.
 
Here we have a boat tester (and I hasten to add - not one of my guys) that is so confident in the F-Rib that he is not even wearing a lifejacket. Foolhardy I know, but the F-Rib feels that safe on the water...............

Photo showing the smaller sized F-Rib 275 - seen here folded up in the back of a smaller Merc 4X4 - with the unique floor joint fully on display.
 
Note: this photo / image shows the latest 2018 / 2019 colours of the boat hull and tubes of the F-Rib. These colours are a grey interior to the hull: white exterior to the underside of the hull and - running straight down the middle of the keel - a very neat and useful bit of grey keel-strip.
 
Now look at what a reviewer ( you can tell its a soft southerner: somehwat unbellievably he is standing indoors)  has to say - nice things - about the F-rib in this webiste boats.com reviewer Youtube video:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXtBNiaQIGM

Close up on the F-Rib folding rib floor bolts. These are only used on the larger models, this photo being a 2018 F-rib 360 model.
 
These are simple to fix and will be "hand-tight".
 
This photo also shows the good and solid build quality of the F-Rib folding hull.

The obvious use for the F-Rib folding rib is exploring the wild coast around the of the 5,000  miles of shoreline of the UK. Have you seen it all of our UK coastline yet - what do you mean, no ? Well we can only suggest that you get out there with your new F-Rib and get looking.
 
The one great advantage of the F-Rib is its great portablity. This means the F-Rib is ideal for a couple or a family to put into their car, van, 4x4, motorhome or caravan and just go out into the wild and find somewhere remote to unpack it. Then ten minutes later, your F-Rib will be ready for some adventures.
 
Here we show our "southern test dummy" waiting in the boat. Please don't worry about him being lonely, his wife, kids and dog have all run off to have a good time on the beach and hopefully buy him an ice-cream (after all - ask yourself who took the photo?). This is southern England's idea of great scenery, sort of flattish and spolit by industrial pipework. None of those great hills you have hee in Yorkshire - as seen from our Skipton windows.
 
Joking apart, one of the features that our customers who briought the F-Rib have reported back to us here is the the F-Rib  feels so mch more safe and stable than a similar sized fully-inflatable boat, thus giving a lot more confidence to new and novice boat users.
 
The F-rib is also great for carrying fishing gear and dogs, as the hard hull is robust.

FINALLY...... just when you thought you could go back to watching the TV..... there is more.....
 
On this website we always try to use real photos and real videos of our customers own boats. None of that "fake news" type stuff from us here at Penine Marine - just the real thing. Also please note: no one called Donald works here!.
 
So here we go: from us here in Yorkshire, nothing but the absolute latest in high-technology and fashionable marketing - a F-Rib 360 Youtube video......with real people, real F-ribs and even real water - lots and lots of real water.
 

F-RIB 360 YOUTUBE VIDEO
 

https://youtu.be/J5EEGGoADJY
 
One of our earliest customer's Martin, who has owned his F-Rib 360 for a while, has now made a video. As this is Martin from Montrose in Scotland, not the much better known Montrose which is the home of the rather famous film festival, this is an honest and straightforward film, with none of the poncy camera angles that would win an Oscar at the other Montrose. (note to self: check up on why are they still called Oscars - as only one bloke called Oscar has ever won one!). Martin from Montrose has posted a great 24 minute long video on Youtube of him driving his F-Rib 360 in rough lochs off Scotland. Can you all please note that they call it a loch up there north of the wall, not the sea, for reasons that have always been "somewhat unclear" to us who are based here in Yorkshire. Anyhow, a while ago, Martin came south of the border, asked us lots of questions about the F-Rib, then he paid over his hard-earned money and he returned back over the border with a small box: within which we had put his new toy = called a F-rib.  For all you techies out their, the specification on this boat in this video is an F-Rib 360 with a 20 hp engine with remote control steering (cross-bar) and a bow canopy - the canopy stops both spray and midges etc hitting Martin. (note: Martin says the canopy is to keep the camera dry...). Otherwise, as you will see for youself on this F-rib youtube video, it is a standard F-rib unfolded straight out of the box and put out to sea (sorry, translation, I meant to say loch). However in the interests of this being a real honest news film, I do have to confess at this point that this F-Rib 360 does have the soft cushion pack on both (yes = both) of the seats. This was because even a Scotsman thought the cushion pack (yes = pack) was "an excellent investment" - not only for himself, but also for the camera-person. All we can say is that this just proves that all film-makers, even those living in Scotland, therefore all have a well deserved reputation for profligate expenditure. So, with no expense spared in the making of this film and (thankfully) that little confession out of the way...: 
   
 
Martin, who originally brought his F-Rib boat from here, sent us here at Pennine Marine a lovely note at the same time as he posted the F-rib video up on Youtube. Part of his note to us read:
 
"Hi, still loving my 360 been using it for 15 months now including a trip to Loch Etive where we spent 3 full days on the water covering up to 40 miles a day. I now have a new Tohatsu 20 efi on the back, still runnning in but is a perfect match for the 360 with standard prop and trimmed to 2nd hole out, no ventilation and no splash back over transom".
 
Just watch Martin's video on Youtube to see for yourselves how stable and seaworthy the F-Rib actually is. During the entire time this video was beiing shot, not only has Martin stayed in complete control of the F-Rib; he has also kept it in a straight line in rough seas and (best of all)  the cameraman (or - being politically correct - camarawoman) has stayed on the back of the F-rib and filmed the boat overtaking everything in sight = which being Scotland is not very much.  Opps .... sorry Martin - I promised no more scottish jokes !!!!) Therefore the F-rib has proved itself perfectly capable of holding up and acting like a proper rib. 
 
Please note that this is not a telly-tubby on the rear seat of the F-Rib: if you look very carefully at the shadow of the camera-person you will see it is really a person, but wearing a crash helmet with a Go-Pro camera stuck on it. Quite why they are both wearing crash-helmets on an F-rib is a bit of a mystery = especially on such a safe boat such as the F-Rib. We have various theries here. Firstly it could be to stop midges spoiling a great day out on an F-rib when out on the Scottish lochs. Secondly (and more likley) it could be that this F-Rib crew are planning on visiting a Scottish hostelry after being out on the Loch - after all, you know what the famous greeting is that the Scots do to one another.... 
 
The proof of any great invention is not whether it is a good idea: it is always whether the concept works out as well in practice as it does in theory. However we think that just how well the F-Rib concept actually works is graphically shown on this youtube video. This video just goes to prove what a great idea the joint in the F-Rib hull is .
 
A final word of caution however - this video shows that the F-rib is for very serious ribbers, as a land-lubber (or soft southerner) would probably get sea-sick just watching this video !!!!
 
Anyhow, thanks for loaning us your great youtube film Martin. As they (probably) say at the "other" Montrose film festival, "that all about the F-rib folks...."

The F-rib comes in large box, with the boat complete and ready to use - but without the outboard engine and fuel tank. The outboard engine can be either purchased together as a package, or just "boat only"
 
This photo shows 2020 "older style" F-rib in its box.
 
The F-rib folding rib box set includes

• F-rib boat hull, fiited complete with the tubes
• the F-rib boat hull has a fitted keel-strip
• Bravo footpump (with gauge)
• Two paddles - clip together type, with rowlocks
• Carry bag for boat
• Another small bag for paddles and bits
• Plastic seats (one or two, depending on model) - these f-rib seats just slide on.
• For larger boats, the bolts and nuts (for the hull joint) 

If you purchase the optional seat cushion or bag etc, these also simply slide onto the seats.
 
The optional wheels are specially made for F-rib. These wheels are both clip on and detachable, so run the F-rib down the beach, float it off, flip them up and unclip!   These F-rib wheels do however require the bracket to be fixed and sealed to the transom, which we do here.

F-Rib introduced a all-new design of boat wheels, which we think are an excellent set of wheels - they really to complement the portability of the F-rib concept ...!!!!! The unique design of the F-Rib wheels are seen here in glorious close up: they both flip-up and also detachable. These boat wheels are unique to the F-Rib: but very similar to all of the well-proven design of wheels found on many other small inflatable boats.
The F-rib wheels are stainless steel and the bracket is bolted (peremantly fixed and sealed) to the boat transom. The bracket stays on the transom....The F-rib wheels the traditional type of robust plastic wheel.

• The neat design feature of the new F-rib wheels is they attach to the boat bracket with a spring-loaded clip - so they are fully detachable within about ten seconds.
• To detach them, simply press in the lever - by hand - and then unclip the wheels at and store them in their own small bag (note: wheel bag is supplied only with new wheels).
• Alternatively the F-Rib wheels can just be flipped up and left on the boat (both facing upwards) for when the boat is being driven across the water. 
• As seen here; these wheels will tuck in besides the outboard engine. (Also see photo at bottom: out on Lake Windermere.

When these two wheels are flipped down, they allow a fully inflated F-Rib to be easily rolled on a slipway, jetty or other firm and "flat-ish" surface,  by one person holding the bow of the boat. Obviously, with care, an F-rib with an engine already mounted on it can be slowly manouvered (providing the slope is not too steep). You drive up; unpack your f-rib and unroll the boat (see above); flip-down the wheels: then lift on the outboard engine. Then  gently trundle it to the water and just float off. Then either flip -up or detach the wheels. All in all, an incredibly simple way to drive up and go.
 
F-rib wheels can be supplied separately, purchased with a new F-Rib. We recommend that we fit them: firstly to ensure that the bolts through the transom is sealed and secondly to ensure the F-rib wheels are positioned correctly (note: to allow the outboard engine to swing from side to side: the f-rib transom is a tight fit for space...).

F-rib on Windermere
.
Note how much nicer it is up here "Up North" than "Down South" ...