OLYMPIC 720 Fishing – V6 300hp Yamaha
Mazziena 26SP – V8 350hp Honda
OLYMPIC 720 Fishing – V6 300hp Yamaha
Mazziena 26SP – V8 350hp Honda
RIBCO Seafarer 36X - 2 x 350hp Yamaha V6
A timeless best seller with outstanding quality, ideal seakeeping and, above all… character.
Ribco Seafarer 36X is not just another mega RIB. It is a boat with personality. Beautiful and spacious, it sets the bar very high in terms of seaworthiness. Combined with Yamaha 350s, it delivers performance, reliability and pure enjoyment on every trip.
There are boats that follow fashion, and others that create it.
Ribco Seafarer 36 clearly belongs to the latter category. It is no coincidence that it has been - and remains - the absolute best seller of Ribco Marine.
At first glance it wins you over: beautiful, imposing, with lines that do not age and a style that uniquely combines dynamism and elegance.
It is one of those boats that attract attention even when moored in the marina. And once it starts navigating, it simply confirms its legend.
Build quality that stands out
The first and most important virtue of the Seafarer 36X is its build quality. Here, Ribco clearly demonstrates its philosophy: nothing is rushed, nothing is done for momentary impression. Everything is designed to withstand time and hard use.
The materials are of top quality, the fit and finish is impeccable, and the detailing is carefully executed down to the smallest detail. From the stainless steel fittings and gelcoat to the cushions and upholstery, the Seafarer exudes the feeling of a premium boat built for demanding skippers.
Attention to detail is truly impressive. Every storage space has a purpose, every layout is ergonomically designed, with no “dead” areas. It is a boat that does not tire you, either in use or in maintenance.
If, however, there is one area where the Seafarer 36X has built its legend, that is its seakeeping. Its hull is a benchmark in the mega RIB category. It cuts through waves with confidence, absorbs impacts effectively and transmits a complete sense of control to the skipper.
Even in challenging weather conditions, the boat remains stable, predictable and comfortable. In 4 to 5 Beaufort it travels with ease, without slamming and without stressing either crew or equipment. The running angle is ideal, the deck remains dry and the overall behavior of the boat inspires confidence.
It is one of those boats that “communicate” with the skipper, allowing full exploitation of its capabilities without unpleasant surprises.
Space and comfort
Seafarer 36X impresses not only with its ride, but also with its onboard spaces. The deck layout is exemplary. The two rows of seating, combined with the hard top, offer excellent protection for the crew from both sun and wind, allowing long-distance cruising without fatigue.
The large sunbeds at the bow and stern transform the boat into an ideal leisure platform, whether relaxing at anchor or underway. Sleeping accommodations forward and aft add significant autonomy and make the Seafarer ideal for multi-day excursions.
It is a boat that can comfortably serve a family, a group of friends or even professional use, without compromise.
Ideal pairing with twin Yamaha 350 hp
When such a well-balanced boat is combined with the right engines, the result is simply ideal. The pairing of the Ribco Seafarer 36X with twin Yamaha 350 hp outboards is one of the most successful packages in its category.
With a cruising speed of around 40 knots, the boat travels fast, comfortably and effortlessly. It does not tire the skipper, does not stress the crew and allows long distances to be covered in a short time, provided weather conditions allow.
The Yamahas match the Seafarer 36X perfectly on the transom, both in terms of weight and performance. They offer immediate response, linear acceleration and exceptional reliability - elements that ideally complement the character of the boat. It is a combination that inspires confidence and fully justifies its reputation.
Of course, another major advantage of the Seafarer is that it retains its value even after many years of use. This is no coincidence. Build quality, excellent seakeeping and timeless design make it a safe investment, both for private owners and professionals too.
At sea
The boat of our test was equipped with two Yamaha V6 4.3L 350 hp engines on the transom, with a 1.75:1 gear ratio, spinning ECO Enertia propellers with a 21-inch pitch.
Conditions were ideal for a comprehensive test.
With 400 liters of fuel in the tanks and three people onboard, we headed offshore and cruised for a long period at 4,500 rpm, maintaining a steady speed of 42 knots with a fuel consumption of 110 liters per hour. At this speed, burning 2.6 liters per nautical mile, you can travel for many hours, truly enjoying the ride and the trip.
Regarding the robustness, shock absorption and seaworthiness of the Seafarer in rough conditions, we have referred to these aspects in previous tests available on our website. With favorable weather on our today’s sea trial, we focused mainly on the boat’s behavior throughout the entire rpm range and on the quality of its ride.
Seafarer, with the two Yamahas on the transom, was standing beautifully on the water, perfectly balanced, maintaining an ideal running angle even at low rpm. Throttle response was very good, maneuverability outstanding, while its stability - even during abrupt maneuvers - filled us with confidence and trust.
On the Seafarer, speeds of 30–33 knots feel almost lethargic.
It moves with absolute ease, to the point where the sensation of speed almost disappears.
The Seafarer clearly shows that it was born for higher speeds.
The ideal cruising speed is found around 40 knots, where the boat is perfectly balanced, travels effortlessly and performs at the peak of its capabilities under normal weather conditions. There, the Yamahas reveal their true character, holding ideal rpm and allowing the hull to run freely, steadily and, above all, comfortably, in perfect harmony.
📊 You can find our full performance figures in the table below:
The ECO Enertia propellers were keeping the Seafarer on plane at just 2,200 rpm with a speed of 13 knots, brought it on plane in 5 seconds, and reached 30 and 40 knots in 8 and 12 seconds respectively. Excellent figures, clearly demonstrating the power delivered and the very good throttle response across the entire rpm range.
At 3,000 rpm our speed was 23 knots with a consumption of 2.4 liters per nautical mile, while at 3,500 rpm we were cruising at 28 knots consuming 2.5 liters per mile.
At 4,000 rpm we were running at 35 knots consuming 2.6 liters per mile, while at 4,500 rpm we gained another 5 knots with consumption remaining at similar levels.
At mid-range rpm, the Seafarer demonstrated excellent behavior with a high degree of maneuverability and user-friendly handling, maintaining an excellent running angle. It is noteworthy that fuel consumption at low and mid rpm remains at similar levels, a fact that highlights the very good hull geometry.
At WOT, we easily recorded a top speed of 55.8 knots, burning 234 liters per hour, with the engines reaching exactly their maximum recommended rpm.
Observing the performance table, we note that slip values are almost ideal across the entire rpm range, confirming an excellent boat–engine–propeller combination.
Taking into account that the engines reached their recommended maximum rpm, together with the superb driving sensation we experienced, we conclude that we had in our hands an excellent setup that requires no further intervention. This, after all, is one of the core characteristics of Ribco: each boat is thoroughly tested and delivered to its owner with the best possible setup, sparing them costly and frustrating trial-and-error adjustments.
On the Seafarer 36X, the Yamaha 350 V6 does not function merely as a source of power and performance. It is a complete navigation partner that elevates the skipper’s overall experience. It is the factor that makes the trip easier, calmer and ultimately more enjoyable. Its cooperation with the Helm Master EX® allows the skipper to let the boat “work” for them, enjoying the route with the assistance of the autopilot, especially on long crossings and extended trips. In the marina or during demanding maneuvers, bow thruster support adds a sense of confidence that perfectly matches the size and premium character of the Seafarer 36X.
At the same time, the steering precision, smooth operation and immediate response delivered by Yamaha make the boat feel lighter and more agile than its dimensions suggest.
Thus, the Seafarer 36 and Yamaha 350 combination does not simply offer high performance, but a mature, effortless and high-quality cruising experience—exactly as befits a boat of this class.
Manufacturer:
RIBCO Marine
Ag. Marina – Koropi Avenue 178
19400 Koropi – Athens
Tel.: +30 22910 90800
Fax: +30 22910 92159
Email: sales@ribcomarine.com
www.ribcomarine.com
