Driver 560 speed boat

[dpround]

In order to get a trailer for my project rib, I have just bought a what was advertised as a Driver 19ft speedboat. If it is a Driver, I presume it will be the 560 as the length most closely matches. Does anyone know anything about these boats? It does occur to me that installing a self draining floor and console in the Driver may be less demanding that fixing the rib and give me a boat that ultimately needs less maintenance - no horribly expensive tubes to replace... One of the things I want to do with the new boat is use it as a rescue boat for scouts sailing. I expect the Driver will have a higher freeboard, which would make it less convenient. (The rib is a 5.3m wildcat which has snapped approx 1m infront of the transom fwiw...)

All the best

David

[Landlockedpirate]

Driver was a great sportsboat in the 80's giving 40kts + with just a 80hp, but IMHO it would make a horrible safety boat.

Because of the stop/start nature of the task its going to spend most of its life with its nose in the air, giving zero viability to the driver, not great for a safety boat.

Getting people out of the water will be difficult, narrow beam and high freeboard will make it tippy and difficult to keep contact with the casualty. Access really is only by a transom ladder, but no good if the casualty cant help them self.