South Coast RIBS is a highly professional RIB builder. Their building facility is clean and well organized. The company is part of a larger marine company and owner, Graham Jelly, has considerable experience of RIB building and driving, notably with the successful Hot Lemon. The whole boat is built in the one place so South Coast has complete control of the quality, and it certainly looks good.

For their Scorpion range, South Coast went to experienced designer David Marsh who was responsible for the large Moody RIBs. Marsh has developed an interesting variation on the deep vee hull with the bottom starting out with the conventional vee shape, and then meeting a pronounced reverse angle chine which rises to meet the tube at the high bow and creates the waterline aft at planing speeds. Above the chine the sides are nearly vertical until they meet the tube which sits on a wide moulded landing which is part of the deck moulding.

Like the hull, the deck moulding is highly developed so that it can incorporate a variety of layouts and formats for different purposes. Two test boats were available and they demonstrated the variety possible on the Scorpion hull. By far the most exciting was the 50 knot diesel powered 8.5 metre race boat which South Coast has built for Michael Deacon. Powered by a single 320hp Yanmar diesel coupled to a Trimax surface drive this boat was
fresh from a win in the first BIBOA race of the season.

The contrast was the Scorpion 7.5 which South Coast has built for Honda as a demon­strator for its new 90hp four stroke outboards. This was more in the conventional RIB style with twin saddle seats side by side facing a moulded console, leaving clear open deck space forward. Speeds here were more moderate but still reaching 40 knots and the Honda engines produced very smooth power and excellent acceleration.

The two designs were an interesting example of how the performance changes when the centre of gravity is kept low. The diesel boat has the heavy engine low in the boat and the seating kept the crew weight low. The result was a boat which ran very level with an easily control­led ride. In contrast, the Honda boat was more lively because the engine weight is higher and the saddle seats move the crew weight higher. However, in making this contrast it should be borne in mind that the lighter boat rides higher in the water so the tubes have to travel further down before they can touch the water and exercise a stabilising effect.

The chine is another reason why these boats ride so well and the reverse angle concentrates the lift to help stabilise the hull although a negative aspect is that it does make the ride harsher. The design of the Scorpion has the chine narrowing forward where the main wave impact is found, so the harshness is only noticed when the boat flies and on the test day there were not many waves around to do that.

The race boat was really a pure joy to drive, and much of the credit must go to the wonderful seats which South Coast has developed. Deep, but firm foam combined with a back which wraps around to give good lateral support does all you could ask of a seat for arduous condi­tions. The seats produce a sense of comfort and well being which allows the crew to get on with job of driving and navigating. The throttle and gear lever is on the centre line and the steering wheel well angled so everything seems right except the low seating does limit the view over the bow.

The diesel sits well down in the boat in the generous engine compartment. The engine hatch moulding is well engineer­ed and extends about halfway over the tubes. This is the smallest boat which has been fitted with the Trimax Drive and it integrates well, although a centreline hull extension is required to provide the outboard shaft support and rudder mounting.

For racing, a bow ballast tank has been integrated into the hull and the moulded fuel tank which fits between hull and deck moulding is a standard feature on all the Scorpions. The whole design looks well integrated with well finished tubes but, it is out on the water that this race boat really shines.

Opening the throttle produces an instant surge of power and as the turbocharger cuts in, the rooster tail rises aft as the propeller moves into surface piercing mode. There is no trim adjustment on this drive once it has been set up, but flaps are fitted to level the ride and keep the bow down. The rudder steering is unusual on this size of boat, but it works well and certainly reduces the chance of a spin out at high speed. The ride is exhilarating but fully under control and it is hard to remember a boat of this size which felt so safe at these speeds. With another 200rpm still to come when the right props are fitted this boat still has speed in hand.

Switching to the Honda boat was almost an anti-climax, but once the boat became familiar and the lower speed adjusted to, the same refined handling could be experienced. The lack of toe straps and the high saddle seats gave a less secure feeling and the ride was livelier, but the 7.5 represents a good working or leisure version and like all the South Coast RIBS, the specification can be developed to meet individual requirements.

South Coast expects the emphasis to be on customized designs as sales develop and four sizes are
planned from 6.5 to 9.5 metres. If the two boats tested are typical of what this yard will be producing, then it certainly looks as though they have the experience and concepts to produce highly individual RIBS to specific requirements, but also RIBs which will cope with hard work and adverse conditions. Prices range from £55,000 for the race boat to approx. £24,000 for the Honda version and the latest development is a cabin version with a
snug two berth cabin under a moulded top forward.

Dag Pike

Builder

South Coast RIBs Ltd
Haven Quay,
Mill Lane,
Lymington,
Hampshire
SO41 9AZ.

Tel +44 (0)1590 677805
or +44 (0)1590 677080
Fax: +44 (0)1590 671911
Workshop: +44 (0)1590 677582

email: JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING