From one of New Zealand’s important sports boat builder to a major RIB builder has been a short step for Rayglass. The new focus on RIBs was sparked by the perceived requirement for RIBs to patrol the Americas Cup competition and has been developed into an important market which now includes search and rescue RIBs for the New Zealand Coast Guard and tenders for super-yachts.

The primary RIB in the Rayglass range is the Protector that is based on the Rayglass 7.30 metre sports-boat hull. The laminate specification for this hull in RIB form was developed by High Modulus, a world leader in laminate construction. The overall length in RIB form is 8.50 metres and this RIB version has a 23 degree dead-rise, nearly up to race boat angle. The hull is a conventional deep vee in all respects, with Rayglass concentrating on a well-proven form rather than trying to re-invent the wheel.

Above the deck there is an integrated superstructure which embraces an open steering position with full crew protection and good security. The crew is provided with seats and there is more seating aft in the cockpit, but this layout can be adapted to meet operational requirements. The clean lines of the superstructure integrate with the tubes on both sides, but walking on the tubes allows access forward with good secure handholds around the cabin.

The cabin is surprisingly spacious with a bunk down either side. A large hatch in the forward part of the cabin allows access to the cabin for stretcher casualties from the foredeck and there is an aft door into the cockpit for regular use. The layout of the cabin can be fully customised for special requirements and there is space for a toilet and small galley and almost full headroom.

The standard propulsion system is by outboards that leave plenty of useable space in the cockpit. On the prototype tested these was a pair of 150hp Yamaha outboards that proved very responsive and gave a top speed in excess of 40 knots. Over 500 litres of fuel I carried in stainless steel fuel tanks located under the deck. A wide range of optional power units are available including single or twin inboard diesels and petrol engines which can be coupled to water jets or stern drives so that even the power units can be fully customised to requirements. With inboard engines the engine box takes up a lot of the cockpit area.

The two bolster seats fitted at the helm and navigation positions give good support and allow this boat to be driven hard in adverse conditions. The wheel and throttles well placed for aggressive driving and it is obvious that a lot of thought and experience has gone into this area.

Rayglass plan to market the Protector in both the leisure and commercial markets and this could prove to be a serious boat in both these sectors. Commercially there is a wide range of possible uses and the experience gained with the New Zealand Coast Guard demonstrates its pedigree. In the leisure markets, this could be the perfect boat for RIB cruising with adequate space on board for overnight stops and the capability to cruise in difficult sea conditions. The Rayglass Protector is now being marketed world-wide and a license arrangement in Malaysia is expected to lead to production in that country and wider in SE Asia.

Builder
RAYGLASS BOATS
43 Ben Lomond Crescent
Pakuranga
Auckland
New Zealand

Tel: 0064 9 576 4256
Fax: 0064 9 576 7666