Yamaha and Ribeye celebrate 25 years in partnership

Yamaha Motor UK and Dartmouth-based rigid inflatable boat builder Ribeye are celebrating 25 years in partnership this year.

This quarter-century collaboration is as old as Ribeye itself, with the family-run business embarking on the successful collaboration with Yamaha as it was founded in Devon in 1998. 

Now into its second generation, Ribeye says it has grown to become one of the largest employers in the southwest of England. The firm says it remains committed to British manufacturing and craftsmanship – a quality which is supported by Yamaha’s commitment to engineering excellence.

“Our long-term success is not just built on the boats we produce, but on the enduring relationships we have fostered with like-minded suppliers and partners like Yamaha who share the same values as we do,” says James Burroughs, managing director at Ribeye. 

“Yamaha’s unwavering pursuit of excellence mirrors our own, and we look forward to another 25 years of successful collaboration with the team at Yamaha. Together, our brands have the privilege of being featured on many iconic superyachts, being trusted by captains and chief engineers around the world, as well as being the RIB and outboard combination of choice for recreational users in the UK.”

Producing a wide range of RIBs for recreational boating, watersports and professional use, Ribeye has been recognised for its excellent build quality and innovative design, receiving the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2021. 

“We’re delighted to have been part of Ribeye’s journey over the last 25 years as it’s become the pinnacle of quality and performance in the RIB world,” says Jonny Twelvetrees, manager of marine sales at Yamaha. 

“It’s the longevity of partnerships with boat builders like Ribeye that allow us to really understand the needs of the evolving marine market. Through close collaboration, we’re able to design and manufacture engines and boat control systems that truly deliver powerful, reliable and efficient propulsion, enhancing performance across the models in a boat partners’ range.”

Last summer (2022), Ribeye announced it had become a long-term distribution partner for XO boats, a Nordic manufacturer.