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RIBsport
Shearwater 860
Ever thought your RIB ought to be easier to live with? Shearwater
could be the answer.
Simon Everett reports.
RIBs are very popular but they do have certain limitations. One of
the main ones is the dearth of internal space when compared to a
sports boat of similar length and Jim Robinson plainly recognised
this when he came up with the Shearwater concept. With a young and
growing family his personal situation required a practical, safe,
comfortable RIB, but he didn't want to forego the ability to drive
fast in Solent conditions. His answer to the question was
Shearwater. It is a very good attempt at being all things to all men
and comes with pedigree backed by racing success too.
The basis of the Shearwater is Mike Ring's proven hull in its
25-foot format. The three distinctive, full length, downward-angled
strakes provide both dynamic lift and additional hull rigidity. They
also grip the water when heeled over, giving a handling advantage
over plain strakes. The high length to beam ratio of the hull is
countered by the support provided by the tubes, making the
Shearwater a very easy boat to drive fast, even in lumpy water. She
is a little 'puddingy' at moderate speeds but once on the plane
she's a different beast altogether.
There is a tendency to react to propeller torque or wind list, both
of which are easily rectified by simply trimming her right out. The
effect of all this trim is to actually stabilise the boat where it
would have others dancing all over the place. The feedback the hull
gives you, both through her motion and through the wheel, is
reassuringly positive. You can attack waves and the boat cuts
through them like a cleaver. If you are brave, there is little that
will put her off her stride. Simply believe in the hull and it will
do its job.
The boat feels very distinctive. It's totally planted on the water,
as if stuck down by magnets and that's basically the lower strake
doing what it was designed to do. Hauling the wheel over, even at
what might be considered reckless speeds, results in a clean,
wide turn with the tubes touching the water for about a third of her
length. Turn as hard as you like and you are unlikely to see the
prop let go, even once.
There are several engine options but the Big Daddy Verado at 275hp
suits the boat beautifully. With the power and revs to take the boat
to nearly 48 knots and the acceleration we've all loved ever since
we first tapped into the Verado supercharger, it's top
entertainment. As you throttle on and your eyeballs are pinned back
in their sockets, you still feel that the balance between
performance and drivability is very finely judged.
The teak decking
and biscuit-coloured upholstery add a touch of class. Even the aft
bench seat sets itself apart with its unusual U-shape and high
padded back. Underneath the cushion, strut supports allow free
drainage aft into the well.
Sticking a Cabin in
a narrow beamed RIB is bound to upset the purists and you might
think that the lines would become interrupted but in reality, the
low profile of the coach roof, ducked low behind the tubes, looks
like nothing more intrusive than an elongated console. The practical
benefits quickly overcome the stylistic compromise.
The after end of
the boat feels very much separated from the bow area, but the cabin
is a tight fit on such a narrow-beamed craft, so the 'two halves'
sensation is inevitable. To help ease the passage forward, the cabin
is offset. There is only room for a minimal shift but it does give a
few more inches between cabin side and the tube, allowing you to get
forward to the spacious foredeck with its double storage
compartments under the fore hatch. There is also a small rope well
forward of the raised foredeck, so your bow line can be tucked out
of the way without getting lost. In an excellent concession to
common sense, the foredeck is also fully cushioned, producing a jump
seat and sunbathing pad for one.
But the main centre
of action, as always, lies astern of the screen. The low profile
cuddy barely protrudes above the top of tubes, so it hardly
interferes with your view at all. Shelter is good too, as the screen
angles from the coachroof and wraps tightly around the sides.
At the helm, the
double seat folds up to make a full width padded leaning post, or
down for those who prefer to sit. The cabin sides enfold the seating
position and extend nearly to the seat moulding, making a very snug
position, which is both well protected and very secure. Standing at
the wheel, all is good, except for the windblast that clatters into
the top of your head unchecked.
The dash is a
two-tiered layout with flat panels for gauges and lots of flat space
for additional retro-fit electronics. The multifunction gauges of
the Verado certainly play their part in minimising the clutter and
freeing up the space. A grab rail follows the top of the screen all
the way round, but the gap is too narrow, causing your knuckles to
rub the screen. To remedy this, the edge of the very thick screen
can be bevelled to increase the clearance.
The cabin is
protected from the possibility of flooding by a high storm sill and
tinted Perspex washboard, which can be inserted in the event of
heavy weather. A supported companionway hatch increases the access
and provides a means to secure the cabin when ashore.
A clever folding
camping cover converts the entire helm into an enclosed wheelhouse
with the option of leaving the sides and aft open, or zipping it up
completely. There is the possibility of an extended camping cover
running all the way aft to the A-frame to produce a completely
covered cockpit. The soft wheelhouse can even be used for passage
making at moderate speeds of around 25 knots, and this makes the
Shearwater an uncommonly versatile RIB.
The cabin is not
big, but it's certainly worthwhile. A couple could spend the night,
or even the weekend, in here quite happily. the berth settees are
supported from the foot well to allow full sitting headroom all
round. The overhang at each end extends the stowage possibilities
and it is feasible to put a chemical toilet in here. There is also
room for a small fridge and microwave. It may be compact, but the
cabin is a useful feature as somewhere warm and sheltered to hide
from the lash of wind or rain or just somewhere to sit in privacy.
It's nothing revolutionary but on a boat of this length the
combination of cabin, storage space, useable foredeck and cockpit
camping is virtually unique. As 8m RIBs go, you will struggle to
find a weekender that makes more sense.
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Article courtesy of
Sports Boats and RIBs
sportsboat.co.uk
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