Hi Ferdi
I was told this unfortunate news about RIBEYE a few months back and as far as I know many people who have bought RIBEYEs had problems with them. Is unfortunate because the boat looks good and is fast.
The FALCON 575 and 640 SR have shallow Vs (about 15 deg) but they have an adverse chine which gives the boat an 'automatic' lift. The RIB planes quickly and you need a small engine to power it through. The ride on waves is smooth provided you don't do 50 knots. In weather force 5-6 and waves 1.5-2 mtrs we could maintain on the 640 a constant speed of 18 knots without any significant banging or passengers being uncomfortable. Both hulls are very light the 640 at 380kgs and with 115 Yam engine, 5 Tohatsu aux, consol, A-frame and 70 ltrs of fuel, chain and anchor about 650 kgs. Both hulls are very safe and stable and you do not need to use the trim to correct the boat but just the throttle.
The FALCON 700RSR is a different boat. The hull is based on the Phantom 23 and is a racing hull. The V is not deep, just 18 deg in the middle. The forward part of the boat is deep, therefore cutting the waves but the boat has to plane for a comfortable ride. Again the boat is very light similar to 640 SR, is also very very fast and it planes very quickly. Top speeds on this one that one can achieve with 150 HPDI about 52-55 knots (the racing boat) and with the 200 VMax about 57-60 knots (my boat with an 8 bhp Mariner aux, chain, anchor, A-frame and 150 ltrs fuel). The ride on waves due to the speeds is quite exciting and fun but not for the faint hearted. You need to know how to handle racing hulls to handle this boat and it can become quite dangerous (if you don't know what you are doing) at times. On this boat in force 7 with waves 2-2.5 mtrs we could maintain comfortably (short of) a speed of 25 knots. We could go faster and in the races you can be doing 40-45 knots. This hull is very responsive to trim and the slightest change makes a big difference in the handling and performance. As I said you need to know about racing boat to use this one.
For the BALISTTIC 780 I cannot comment yet. However I have heard good comments about the boat and when I go to SAfrica at Christmas and have a ride on it will let you know.
There is also the GEMINI which is a VERY VERY nice boat but expensive as it is also built in SAfrica. It has a very deep V (I think 25 deg) and is built for wave rides. Is not fast because is quite heavy and of the deep V but it goes through waves like a destroyer. I use to have a GEMINI 5 mtr same as those that the SAfrican Coast Guard uses. The boat was fantastic. I had a 75 Mariner on it with 17" prop and with 4 people, 150 ltrs fuel, a-Frame, anchor chains etc we use to do flat out about 38-40 knots. Cruising speeds on waves about 20-22 knots. It was a fantastic boat and I regret that I have sold it.
Hope this helps in deciding ..... and good luck. If you need to ask me any questions about the above boats please do as I have spend a lot of time testing them and re-testing them and I know quite (not all) a bit about them so far and will be happy to assist you.
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