Very, very cool at 74° North

willk · 04 December 2014, 19:20

I was at HQ today - coupla things to attend to. Ever since donegaldan left for Antarctica, things have been, um, cooler. I dunno did his "comments" about the British Antarctic Survey only having Humbers at Rothera hit a nerve?

When I walked into the Fitout Hall, there was the shadow of a huge RIB in the corner. Only it WAS the RIB. I was going to shimmy up and grab a few shots with my Minox only Max the Alsatian appeared on a rotation and I moved on... I'm on Max's list

So later (as I was leaving

) I asked Tom about the 12 meters of gleaming GRP? All I heard was a muttered "going lamping polar bears"...

willk · 04 December 2014, 19:29

So yeah, all very secretive. But, where there's a willk, there's a way. I have my sources. Apparently she's going to Svalbard (think Spitsbergen) - right up at 74 North. (Where BAS have their Arctic Station, so put that in your pipe, donegaldan!)

She's going to be quite the boat if I understand correctly. 12 meters, twin Yamaha 350 outboards on a platform, luxury cabin, draining forward well deck with access from the cabin. And black. Very black. Carbon effect tubes too, no-one said...

Ribochet · 04 December 2014, 19:32

Very, very cool at 74° North you say - super coooooooooooooooool I say - I can just hear the James Bond music firing up

A little birdie told me that the propulsion for this RIB will "very interesting"

- Dam you beat me to it

willk · 04 December 2014, 19:35

Max was mustard today. I tried for the Big Shed where the Belfast Pilots 1650 is approaching completion. My comment about it being the Mutz Nutz may have been misunderstood and I only got as far as the steelwork before I took the hint...

willk · 04 December 2014, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribochet

A little birdie told me that the propulsion for this RIB will "very interesting"

You think that's interesting? The other hull in there is a 1050 (yes, another one, finally) getting twin Hyundai 250 inboard diesels. The cabin (yes cabin

) is currently being moulded in the Engineering Workshop (toasty in there for a change). That's going to make some offshore worker VERY happy in 2015

willk · 04 December 2014, 19:51

Other than that, nothing was happening. Well, Clamchowder II was in the mould, but she's a tiddler

Mind you, there was a bit of scuttlebutt doing the rounds about something exciting in the New Year. An all new RIB. Bigger than the stretch 11m that is the 12m, and yet smaller than the 16m that isn't a real RIB. Oh yeah, and anyone looking for a VERY well appointed orange and blue 11m RIB should start saving the pennies right now...

Ribochet · 04 December 2014, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Oh yeah, and anyone looking for a VERY well appointed orange and blue 11m RIB should start saving the pennies right now...

One careful owner - never raced or rallied

willk · 04 December 2014, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribochet

One careful owner - never raced or rallied

...or driven like it was stolen

willk · 04 December 2014, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribochet

One careful owner - never raced or rallied

Reminds me - I saw an RNLI 85 in a quiet corner getting a bit of repair work done "on station" rather than being returned to the "boat Poole" for replacement. Hopefully a sign of things to come

Ribochet · 04 December 2014, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

...or driven like it was stolen

Dan Gurney · 05 December 2014, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Other than that, nothing was happening. Well, Clamchowder II was in the mould, but she's a tiddler

Now then! Mrs Chowder has vetoed that as a name. Apparently we need something more 'dignified'.

Thanks for the pics willk

matt h · 05 December 2014, 08:49

Yeh good pics Wilk, Nice one!!

tonymac · 05 December 2014, 12:29

Nice pics Willk!

Anything they wanted tested??????

Love the new Black.

Zippy · 05 December 2014, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

All I heard was a muttered "going lamping polar bears"...

Nice looking boat, appreciate your comment was the usual tongue in cheek we have come to expect but shooting polar bears for fun is not the done thing and will almost almost certainly land you dead or in prison for a long time!

Having spend some time with a guide from Svalbard, shooting is the very last resort and even then, you can expect to face a lengthy investigation of your actions and decision making process!

Great to see Redbay making some cracking boats for top end of the market. maybe i could convince Mrs Z1ppy we need one...

willk · 05 December 2014, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

..but shooting polar bears for fun is not the done thing...

Really?!? I had no idea...

So, it's a big "no" to lamping polar bears and a "maybe" with "paperwork" for self defense

Glad you like the Bat Boat though - the interior is going to be very plush. Black, no doubt...

Poly · 14 December 2014, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

That's going to make some offshore worker VERY happy in 2015

Cut backs in North Sea oil mean you have to get yourself to the platform?

mick · 14 December 2014, 14:51

A couple of light force 240s won't go a miss for lamping and of course a night scope

prairie tuber · 17 December 2014, 06:04

Is this for the oil industry or to keep an eye on the maneuverings of a certain ambitious shirtless thug who tends to get shunned at G8 conferences?

willk · 24 December 2014, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Is this for the oil industry or to keep an eye on the maneuverings of a certain ambitious shirtless thug who tends to get shunned at G8 conferences?

Just heard who it is for: Better Moments AS | Walrus Safari

Harrys Game · 25 December 2014, 15:12

Better Moments AS. Wow in fact a bloody big wow. Regards Jim