The Ribcraft 5.85 PRO 2022 vs Ribcraft 6.5 2022 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Ribcraft 5.85 PRO 2022 at 19,1 ft versus Ribcraft 6.5 2022 at 21,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Ribcraft 5.85 PRO 2022 tips the scales at 1 873 lbs — 508 lbs more than the Ribcraft 6.5 2022 at 1 365 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 180 hp, the Ribcraft 6.5 2022 has a 30-hp advantage over the Ribcraft 5.85 PRO 2022's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Ribcraft 6.5 2022 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Ribcraft 5.85 PRO 2022 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ribcraft 6.5 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Ribcraft 6.5 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Ribcraft 5.85 PRO 2022 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.