Here's some picture of my new boat
, launched on Friday 12th at Redbay Boats. She is 11m and designed for ferry/crew transfers, media work, safety cover etc.
Licenced to MCA Cat 3 of the new codes with no restrictions i.e 20 miles from a safe haven day or night, for 12 passenegers and a up to 2 crew.
She is named after a warrior of the Clyde, that was murdered by some east coasties, during the time that Clutha (the other boat) was goddess of the Clyde.
I have chosen to go Raymarine as I was impressed with the C80 on the last boat. She has a C120 display, DSM300 sounder and a 4Kw Raydome. A Icom M601 and a Ic-M1v Handheld are also fitted (sorry Rogue), again chosen for reliability, I have had Icoms for years and they have never let me down (touching lots of wood!!)
Engines are the new Yamaha Sti 422 driving through the Hydra-drive legs. I did look at Volvos, too heavy and costly although one of the few commercially rated engines, and also Yanmars, reliability issues with the legs. I was luck enough to meet Mark Pullinger (Yamahas Commercial Manager) when I was over to discuss the boat and after a long discussion about what changes Yamaha had made to the new range I opted for them.
They are my type of engine, no electonics
, just a simple diesel engine.
She also has a set of Bennet tabs fitted and after playing with them over the weekend I really rate them. Being able to offset different weight dist. and being able to trim the boat, as the legs really dont do that much, is great and ensures for a nicer ride.
Other than that she has all the usual safety gear....even a Barometer!!
After looking at various manufactures of boats I again chose Redbay. The layup of their boats is immense. This is now my 3rd Redbay and the seakeeping is just fantastic. They are also very willing to "customise". I went and looked at a couple of similar boats and wanted some thing's changed, mostly asthetic and to aid operation. Stephen the Cad and QA guy drew up around 5 different designs offering options in around 2 days, and as usual the first design that he produced was the best
.
The boat was ordered in September, popped from the mould early January and completed mid May, It the longest I've been without a Rib for over 10 years but it was worth the wait.
We ran to Ardbeg on Saturday with Redbays from the smallest to the largest, I thought I drove the boat hard until I saw some of the 6.5m guys. We did over 215 miles at the weekend with the engine returning around 3 gallons per hour per side at 26-30Knots......if that keeps up I be a happy camper.
Anyone looking for a new Rib, from 4.5m upwards would do well to have a look at Redbay Stormforce, yes I'm biased
.
All I need to do now is get my trailer finished,and pay for the thing, yep its 38' long, no its not braked and yes it does tow nicely behind a 175hp 10 ton tractor
, anyone got a good winch?
Goes without saying that if any of you guys are up this way and want a quick blast......
Cheers
Andy
Maybe I should apply for a residents visa !
Crusader
.
