Winsor Brothers, like many of their competitors, are now producing a range of second generation RIBS that have come a long way from the days when all RIBS were grey or orange and were designed purely for the functional purposes of dive or rescue.

Imaginative colour schemes and designs, a full selection of accessories coupled to an endless list of potential modifications and specialist equipment, means more than ever before, the choice is yours and the choices endless. Whether you go racing, cruising, diving, or are in the commercial sector, you can now have a boat built to cater for your every whim, as long as it possesses that all important inflatable tube!

For their part, Winsor Bro's produce a range of RIBS from 5.25 metres to 10 metres, the latter though being built to special order and not featured within their usual catalogue listing.

On our day of test, we had at our disposal two models, the Ocean 675 with 205hp V6 MerCruiser petrol inboard, and the larger 725 model with a 180hp MerCruiser inboard diesel engine. Both engines burnt a very economical 3 gallons an hour!

Each craft had a distinctly different feel about it, caused to a large degree by the difference in power and length. I must confess, I preferred the manner in which the smaller 675 model handled. It had a more "up together" feel about it, responsive and well balanced, she answered to the helm in a positive way in a manner not simply attribut­able to the power source alone. She felt as though she was a boat at ease with herself, her length and weight well matched to her power.

Of course, the strengths of a diesel rig are quite unlike those of its petrol counter­part. Diesel makes for a different beast altogether. The 725 possesses all the classic benefits of an inboard diesel installation and immediately gives one that pleasant feeling of confidence and security. Once fully underway, though, she had the tendency to be a little prone to following her nose or steering from the bow. This was particularly notice­able when putting her through her high speed manoeuvres. The hull design of both these boats features a very fine entry to the bow and it is possible, therefore, that the larger of these two craft lacked a little in the way of lift to the fore section of the hull, with the
consequence that the bow tended to `dig in' somewhat. That said, she possessed a fine turn of speed and even though she's a big boat, she gave no indication of playing the tortoise to the 675 hare.

The standard of fit-out to both these craft was high and extremely comprehensive. Of particular note was the Winsor designed helm station. This console features on all their craft and in my opinion is one of the best on the market today. Its full width expedition styled design is not only attractive to the eye but also highly practical, maximizing on space for ancillary equipment as well providing locker storage and overall protec­tion for the helmsman and navigator. Seating wise, both boats were equipped with jockey styled or bench seating which was perfectly adequate and comfortable. It was also good to see plenty of handholds, particularly to the console area. These were fashioned, as was all the metal work on the boats, in stainless steel and very well finished it was too. Just one comment to add though; the stern A-­frames although very well made, appeared quite high in proportion to the rest of the boat. Though this may not prove to be a problem, in general, it's a safe practice to keep such items as low as possible without of course hindering their purpose. This keeps a low central point of gravity and reduces the strain and stresses common to such fittings, especially, as in the case of these boats, where spot lights and antennas etc have been fitted.

Engine housings were set well aft and in both instances had been constructed with much thought and care to detail. The larger of the two craft even featured upholstered seating to the top section, providing further valuable passenger carrying capability to a craft that could have suffered from lack of space in having a large diesel installed.

One last highlight here with regard to the fitting out. Although both the RIBs possessed all the usual internal components that one would expect from a craft of this type and specification, the 725 featured to its foredeck an impressive central unit which allowed for a superb amount of storage for at least 12 dive cylinders and gear. Not only that, but its top surface was squabbed to provide further seating for additional passengers. These were also provided with the added security of a central grab rail to support themselves when underway. All this, plus plenty of remaining deck space to comfortably move about in - quite an achievement.

In conclusion, in spite of my comment regarding the handling characteristics of the 725, I feel in all fairness it should be balanced against what I recently observed during this year's Round Scotland RIB Race. Out of approximately 25 starters, a mere handful completed the course trouble free. To their credit the crew aboard the Winsor Bro's Ocean 625 completed the total course with complete success even in the face of a force 7 wind that saw other much larger boats exper­iencing problems in the prevailing conditions. In any event then, the real test remains at sea!

HMS

Prices exclude VAT, includes: 2-man console with fuel tank and battery stowage, watertight bow locker and mooring cleat, s/s back rest and console grab rail, heavy duty D fendering with mooring/anchor fairlead, lifelines/grab handles, full non slip deck, transom tow eyes etc.

Builder

Ocean RIBs Ltd, Units 13-14 Wicormarine, Cranleigh Road,
Portchester, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 9DR

Tel: 01329 829100
Fax: 01329 829100