12 meter + for diving?

[kelvin]

I run a dive center in the red sea, we have a small fleet of ribs the biggest being a tornado 8.5 with twin 200hp yamahas. this boat is now 3yrs old, has performed very well averaging 2 to 4 fifteen mile round trips a day.
But i have a big demand for something 12 meters +. obviously needs to be of sound hard wearing commercial construction to take the constant abuse. needs to be a very good sea boat as we run in a lot of rough wind over tide conditions. will fit multi O/B set up here.
Any unbiased suggestions on a big rib manufacturer???? New build, no second hand!

[codprawn]

http://www.quinquarimarine.co.uk/

Speak to John Price. Very tough boats and they supply all over the World so used to shipping to remote areas - they have sent quite a few out to West Africa recently for oil rig protection.

Unlike many of the big RIB builders they also love outboards so won't try to force you into having diesels.

[Dirk Diggler]

http://www.ringpowercraft.net/

[codprawn]

I was goping to suggest RING - they are awesome boats but the tubes tend to be very high out of the water - not really what you want on a dive boat.

[kelvin]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

http://www.ringpowercraft.net/

that made me laugh. will be in touch

[Blizzard]

I would look to New Zealand, the Protector route from Rayglass.
http://www.rayglass.co.nz/protector/125m/index.html

Definately a well built boat.

[Petrov]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I was goping to suggest RING - they are awesome boats but the tubes tend to be very high out of the water - not really what you want on a dive boat.

Yes and no, sold a 10,5m to a guy in Norway and he is very pleased that the tubes are fitted high, he takes around 15 divers onboard with double set of tubes, the tubes are just at the water line when he is loaded to get stability and during the run the tubes are just out of the water and doesnt take the speed down (and it takes the fuelconsumption down)
But remember on several boats we have cutted the topsides down so the tubes are lower than standard so its not a problem if you want lower tubes.
I know of two 12m Ring that are for sale, one used with engines and one new that can be fitted with the equipment you need, both boats has standard fitted tubes.
PM me if you are interested.

[xtreme]

Have a look at www.ribcraft.co.uk give jason a call they are really helpfull,