We took the SACS Venus RIB out into the breaking waves on Salcombe Bar to see if it had a performance to match its looks ....we came back very pleasantly surprised.

The hull is a conventional deep vee with a gently rising sheer to give good freeboard at the bow. The large diameter 58cm tube eats up some of the internal space, but it integrates well with the GRP hull. When the boat is at rest, the tubes at the stern just kiss the water, the right position to give good stability with minimum drag. The angle between the tube and the hull is reasonably comfortable with very little downturn so that the passing water has a good escape route and doesn't generate spray.

It is only at the bow that things do not look quite so comfortable. A GRP moulding is cantilevered over the tube and extends forward to give a good clear lead for the anchor line. Handrails on each side made this a useful boarding point as well, but the squared off tube across the bow suggested that we might be in for a wet ride in following seas.

The style comes mainly from the flowing lines of the steering console and the very graceful arch mast. The base of the mast flows into the moulding which forms the rear settee seat which, in turn, forms the secondary transom. The console is very much a one person affair with a single padded tubular stainless steel seat facing the hooded displays. A double curved wind­screen tops the console and around this is a tubular handhold.

There is a stowage locker in the front of the console and this also gives access to the electrical systems inside. There is plenty more stowage space under the two bench seats in the forward well. These have padded cushions and a centre infill cushion can turn this whole forward area into a large sunbed, or by raising the infill, it is transformed into a six water table for those picnics off the beach. Another large locker in the bow moulding keeps all the ropes, fenders and anchor tidy.

The 150 litre fuel tank filler is in the side of the console with the tank under the deck. The oil tank and battery are readily accessible under the rear bench seat. Swim ladders can be fitted on each side of the engine and good mooring cleats are located at bow and stern, although the stern ones are not easily accessible behind the arch mast.

The Venus could benefit from more and better handholds. Passengers in the rear seat only have the seat in front of them to hold on to, and anyone on the sunbed forward has to make do with rubber loop handholds on the tube which are never very satisfactory. The shaped tube handhold around the screen helps for anyone standing alongside the console, but it doesn't feel too secure.

With the maximum 150hp outboard on the back you do need good handholds if the performance of the boat is to be used to the full in lively conditions. The driver is fine on his seat or standing at the console, but the rest of the crew have to make do with what they can find, which doesn't make for a comfortable ride when the driver gets carried away with enthusiasm.

And, you do want to drive this RIB enthusiastically. Even with a temporary throttle mounting on the side of the console instead of the customary one on the angled fascia, you can get some exciting perform­ance. In the conditions, we couldn't measure the top speed, but it is probably around the 40 knots mark, but it is the way this boat performs in waves that makes it shine.

With a 21 degree deadrise, the hull cuts cleanly through the waves and you feel very much in control as the boat lifts onto the plane. The steering wheel is well angled for one handed control and it is light enough to make it responsive. When you are standing at the wheel, which is my favoured position, there is excellent visibility so the driver has all the ingredients required to get the best out of the performance.

In a head sea there is the need to use careful throttle control, but the boat lifts readily to the waves and the ride is remarkably dry although a little harsh. In beam seas the stability is good and again you feel in full control of the situation. It was following seas which worried us with that squared off bow tube, but even in the big breaking seas rolling in over the shallow bar, there was adequate buoyancy in the hull to keep the bow up so the tube never touched the water.

The Venus is obviously designed primarily for the sunny waters of the Mediterranean, but it translates into a practical RIB for more northern waters. It appears tough and durable and with more and better handholds it would meet the needs of many leisure users.

Paul Lemmer

Builder
SACS s.r.l.,
Strada Alzaia 1/B1 - 27010 Veltezza Betiini (PV)
Italy.

Tel/Fax: +39 382 826 81721

UK Importer
IBI, PO Box 1066,
Caterham,
Surrey CR3 5YU

Tel: 01737 644307
Fax. 01737 644173

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