Hunton RIBS back in build with Rib-x

Three-year deal with Rib-x Ltd to build boats

Hunton Yachts Ltd and Rib-x Ltd have announced a three-year joint venture to manufacture and sell the Hunton range of high-performance RIBS.

Under the terms of the deal, Hunton will provide the designs, technology and that all-important brand name, while Rib-x, based in Leicestershire, will build the boats. Both companies will market and sell them.

Hunton currently has two models in its RIB range, the 8m 830 and the 10m 1005. Both can be fitted with either petrol outboard or diesel inboard engines. The deal does not include the XRS43 high-performance sportscruiser or the yet-to-belaunched XRS55, although an announcement on this is due shortly.

Hunton Yachts Ltd was formed earlier this year after Hunton Powerboats was put into voluntary liquidation toward the end of 2016. The new business purchased the Hunton name along with the moulds and intellectual property rights, but not its Romsey-based factory.

Rib-x was founded in 2003 by Colin Baldwin, a former R&D engineer for Jaguar cars. It specialises in building RIBS for recreational boating and custom-built superyacht tenders.