Rigid inflatable technology and design is emerging in all types and forms these days. It's good to see the RIB's attributes with its high buoyancy concept being taken and applied in a variety of circumstances and within a whole range of commercial roles.

Just such a recent example of this trend in modern thinking is the latest creation from S.R. Boats of the UK. It has to be said, this particular boat displays a number of specification details that make it quite unlike nearly all other "RIB hybrids" currently on the market today. Let's take a closer look at these to determine then, whether this is the boat to suit your needs.

Firstly, the `Sea Rover' as it is commonly known, is made entirely from high density polyethylene which has been built in carbon for ultraviolet protection. This gives the key material used in the boat's construction a working life expectancy of some twenty years. A big plus then for any commercial operator who might be concerned about the possible value and long term benefits of his waterborne investment.

Further, the Sea Rover's unusual qualities include the fact she is entirely rigid and to that extent she really falls within the RBB (Rigid Buoyancy Boat) category of commercial craft. In other words, her sponsons, though typically of the hollow cylindrical kind, are also made of the same material as the remainder of the craft - H.D.P.E. polyethylene. By means of a welded system the entire fabric of the boat has been given enormous strength along with the benefits derived from construction simplicity.

Sea Rover Boats have been in production for almost two years and within the number sold thus far, eight have been bought by fish farm operations located in the Outer Hebrides. Such an application, as you can imagine, though well suited to the craft in one sense, nonetheless, demands a high standard of "workhorse" type reliability. Both the climatic conditions and the sea states encountered so far north, can potentially give traditional boat building materials a pretty tough time of it. Add to that the equip­ment and tools of the trade, which are carried and roll about the heaving deck of an Atlantic salmon farmers work boat, and you'll perhaps agree, there is yet another reason why one may wish to consider this non-traditional option.

Being solid in colour and consistent in density and form, from its outer skin through to its inner skin, any face, whether it be foredeck or sponson, is almost wholly scuff-mark free. Being Q.M. System ISO 9001 certified, this black high density polyethylene material also meets the latest regulations and design requirements, therefore providing the commercial operator with that further level of technical assurance he may need.

The Sea Rover isn't a pretty boat, neither is it a perform­ance craft it simply doesn't need to be, for it is what it's marketed as, a workboat. Mind you, I have to say, she's no crawler and due to her overall weight, (further assisted by her aluminium floor) she simply doesn't need a huge power pack. Even the larger 6.40 metre in the two boat series only requires a recommended outboard power range of 30hp to 100hp. The shallow vee to the Rover hull, whilst sufficient to provide directional stability and lift when underway, also does not demand a great amount of power to enable it to perform. This is obviously a benefit in terms of both capital outlay/initial purchasing costs, as well as in future running/fuelling expenses.

You would expect a boat of this type to possess a large working deck area and indeed the Sea Rover's ability to meet this requirement is further enhanced by the design of its single helm console. Built to suit a standing position, this semi-central unit is compact enough to ensure it takes up minimum room, whilst at the same time its proportions are sufficient in size to accommodate key instrumentation and the boat's engine controls. A good amount of dry stowage is housed within such areas as the forward hatch and two stern lockers with the combined space of all three being further added to by the addition of a special storage box.

The Rover's distinctive bow sheer is offset by the addition of an arch mast, which, although not capable of taking weighty components, is nonetheless a useful and probably adequate addition to the boat’s specification.

The craft is a very stable platform from which to work. Its 2.40 metre beam is generous, (relatively even greater on the 5.50 metre model), and will, so I am told, take the weight of two men hauling up fishing gear off one side of the boat with ease.

On the day of test in Southampton Water, the boat handled in a very reassuring fashion. Indeed, a sure-footed and comprehensively kitted sort, capable of providing a whole range of functions within such industries as civil construction, environmen­tal services, commercial diving, fish farming, and pollution dispersants. In fact, you will have an opportunity to see the Sea Rover perform the latter during a demon­stration at RIBex'98 this May. Perhaps then, whilst there, you might care to judge the viability of the SR concept for yourself see you on the water at RIBex!

HMS


Builder

S.R.Boats
13 Cadman Way,
Corringham Road Industrial Estate,
Gainsborough
Lincs. DN21 1QB
England

Tel: +44(0)1427 617845
Fax: +44 (0)1427 617898