Despite the continuing strength of the 'big RIB' market, there seem to be just as many people in the market for a small leisure boat one that possesses a good degree of on­water flexibility, is easy to launch and recover, whilst at the same time is able and seaworthy enough to deem it a direct descendant of its larger rescue styled cousins. If all these attributes can be bound up into a single package, which not only performs well but also looks good and isn't short on a few creature comforts, then the likelihood is that a steady flow of customers will begin knocking on the door of the manufacturer.

The Italians are well known for their RIB styling. Much of it is excellent and though, at its worst, it can sometimes err on the side of being a little excessive, it rarely could be described as boring or without imagination. The Italian company, Selva, well known for their 2 stroke outboard engines, have now also entered this market with a RIB range of their own. It's a good way to sell outboard motors I suppose, especially as in the case of Selva, where a dealership network is responsible for the marketing and selling of the product range by means of a drive away package offer.

The 460 model, as loaned by Mitchells Boatyard of Poole, represents one of the more popular boats currently being sold by the UK distributor. As expected, the quality of build was immediately noticeable. All the boat's internal features are moulded and finished to an exacting standard with good quality materials and tasteful styling employed throughout.

Clearly designed to meet the needs of the sportsboat or luxury tender market, the Selva 460 displayed some interesting design features. The double bench styled helm seat was a good example of this in the way its backrest cleverly folded down to form an optional `bum pad' thus allowing a more typical RIB driving position if so required. Within this unit, as in the case of most of the boat's unfitted areas, a good sized dry locker extended the full width of the boat's internal beam. Behind this section, a moulded GRP transom incorporating cable outlets, storm well and bathing ladder are complimented by the matching livery of the outboard itself.

The console with starboard hand controls is of pretty traditional design and comes complete with lightweight s/s handrail, tinted windscreen, plus a further locker with a hatch to the unit's rear face. Ahead of this arrangement a further seat topped deck locker completes the basic in boat hardware, although a raised sun lounger unit can be added to the foredeck and includes fully matching upholstered cushioned panels.

The sponsons are made in a tri-coloured hypalon livery with an additional nose cladding which gives added protection against wear and tear. The addition of a bow cleat to this section is also a good idea and is often a missed item on similar craft of this type. The styling of the sponson design is attractive as well as functional and is topped off with a set of good quality handles and coloured lifelines. Sadly, on the day of test, it appears we failed to give the sponsons a top up of air before commencing our photo session; hence the crumpled look I'm afraid! The bow itself has quite a sheer for a boat of this size and, though it might give increased protection in steeper seas, its pronounced shape goes someway in making good forward visibility difficult.

Well, 'here endeth the first lesson' for now we'll concentrate our thoughts on the boat's handling characteristics. In short, sadly, they are highly suspect and it's clear where the R&D money has been spent. The boat has an alarming tendency to stand on its tail even when fully trimmed in and clearly suffers from not being able to get 'over the hump' without great effort hence, the need for a great deal of horsepower. A boat of this size should be able to perform adequately with a 40hp, but this 460 it seemed, needed all the power it could lay its hands on, resulting in this particular package possessing a full sixty horsepower. Trialed with only a single person sitting on the rear seat, the boat porpoised dramatically as can be seen in the adjacent photographs. What may happen if the two man seat was subjected to accommodating its full quantity of personnel I dare not think. Once flung over the hump and onto the plane the boat chine walks as soon as three quarter throttle is reached unless the engine is kept trimmed in all the way. However, this does not alleviate the problem totally as the result of this evasive action is a boat that runs on her port chine glued to the water like a limpet. The effectiveness of her medium vee hull is subsequently lost and so is a big degree of potential performance, power and ultimately fuel. You will perhaps understand why my earlier comment regarding forward visibility was raised in the light of the boat's off plane running attitude.

In conclusion then, I feel it's a very great shame that such a high quality product has such a basic flaw. Even in its home Mediterranean waters, my feelings are that the handling problems associated with the 460 would be no less reduced. Re­design the ships 'undercarriage' and give it a hull worthy of that which sits above the waterline and Selva would have a product able to rival anything currently on sale within the small boat market both here in the UK or on the European continent. We shall be flying out to Lake Como in sunny Italy to test the larger RIBs within the Selva range very shortly and will duly report on our findings. Now, where did I put that passport ?

HMS

Builder

Selva Boats

UK Distributor
Mitchell's Boatyard,
Turk'sLane,
Parkstone,
Poole,
Dorset BH14 8EW

Tel: +44 (0)1202 747857