Shearwater RIBs

Chris Murray · 19 June 2005, 19:52

Like anyone who buys a boat, the one I REALLY want (an 8.1 Scorpion, fully loaded) would require me to sell my soul - My wife is not too happy about this idea.

However, I've just been reading about the Shearwater 750 and 860 cuddy cabin RIBs, which may have a reasonable prospect of meeting my requirements.

They have an offshore (racing?) hull, designed by Mike Ring, which I should have thought must be good news.

Does anyone on RIBnet own one of these or have information about them that they would like to share with either us (or me)?

Thanks!

Chris.

gingercoastie · 19 June 2005, 20:10

Why don't you get Brians Scorpion, he has just reduced the price.

Chris Murray · 19 June 2005, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by gingercoastie

Why don't you get Brians Scorpion, he has just reduced the price.

A bit of a problem here - If we are talking about "Cyanide", I think it's over 9 metres - I can just see me saying "It's OK officer, two and a half metre draw bars are perfectly legal, you know"!

I need to be able to tow it legally, as I shall be keeping it some 20 miles from the water.

A nice thought though!

Cheers!

Chris.

Brian · 20 June 2005, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Murray

A bit of a problem here - If we are talking about "Cyanide", I think it's over 9 metres - I can just see me saying "It's OK officer, two and a half metre draw bars are perfectly legal, you know"!

I need to be able to tow it legally, as I shall be keeping it some 20 miles from the water.

A nice thought though!

Cheers!

Chris.

Why Chris?

I have never towed Cyanide anywhere. Keep her on a marina.

Cookee · 20 June 2005, 20:05

If you want an alternative to a Scorpion, we are a new manufacturer of leisure RIBs, with a racing background (we lapped everything else in the rough at Ramsgate a week ago). There are a few photos around here, just do a search for BananaShark! It obviously depends on the intended use as to how appropriate it would be for you - they are very different to the Scorpions!

By the way it's called a BananaShark Seven Seventy, it's 7.7m long, and easily towable, I've towed the raceboat to races in Italy, Norway, Gibraltar and Norway, and visited France, Holland, Germany and Denmark on the way! We did take it to South Africa as well, but we put it in a container for that one!

We have different packages depending on budget and a demo boat, so if you're interested give us a call, 07836 268747 or 01548 856078 Cookee AKA John Cooke.

ribraff · 20 June 2005, 21:17

..... does it have a cabin though?

Cookee · 21 June 2005, 07:55

As you know it doesn't have a cabin, (it does have a 6' long dry locker though!) but I'm not familiar enough with the Scorpion range to know whether the 8.1 does either?

Brian · 21 June 2005, 08:57

The only Scorpions built with cabins were:
4 off the 9.5s
and (I think), 3 of the twin engined 10m.

All others are "open".

Charles · 21 June 2005, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

The only Scorpions built with cabins were:
4 off the 9.5s
and (I think), 3 of the twin engined 10m.

All others are "open".

The original 8.5 Sportscruiser also had cabins, 3 were built.

Cookee · 22 June 2005, 10:33

Glad we sorted that out then ................ 8.1 .............. open!

codprawn · 22 June 2005, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Murray

Like anyone who buys a boat, the one I REALLY want (an 8.1 Scorpion, fully loaded) would require me to sell my soul - My wife is not too happy about this idea.

However, I've just been reading about the Shearwater 750 and 860 cuddy cabin RIBs, which may have a reasonable prospect of meeting my requirements.

They have an offshore (racing?) hull, designed by Mike Ring, which I should have thought must be good news.

Does anyone on RIBnet own one of these or have information about them that they would like to share with either us (or me)?

Thanks!

Chris.

I quite like the look of these as well - really clever bit of design - still a proper RIB with all it's benfits but you get a proper toilet compartment as well - and with a Ring hull they should be pretty good!!!

Chris Murray · 22 June 2005, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

Why Chris?

I have never towed Cyanide anywhere. Keep her on a marina.

Hi Brian,

At £3,500 + per annum for a mooring, annual antifouling, corrosion to its important parts, lift-outs, scrub-offs, replacement rams etc. No thanks!!!

I had my last boat in Chichester Marina (4 years), Ocean Village Marina (5 years) and finally, Port Hamble Marina (5 years). Even apart from the mooring fees, the wear and tear on the boat - to me - just doesn't seem worth it!

Regards,

Chris.

Chris Murray · 22 June 2005, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

I quite like the look of these as well - really clever bit of design - still a proper RIB with all it's benfits but you get a proper toilet compartment as well - and with a Ring hull they should be pretty good!!!

I am going over to have a look at these tomorrow. I agree, they do look pretty sleek, from the photographs. I still can't use a boat until next season (kitchen to rebuild!) but I need to research now, in order to get my order in during the Autumn.

The cabin is not a pre-requisite but would be a bonus, if everything else is right.

Regards,

Chris.

nik · 22 June 2005, 18:58

Hello Chris,
If you get to try one out, I would be interested to see how they cope with lumpy water.
The hull looks different from most others, sort of spikey.
Nick.

Chris Murray · 22 June 2005, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

Hello Chris,
If you get to try one out, I would be interested to see how they cope with lumpy water.
The hull looks different from most others, sort of spikey.
Nick.

Hi Nik,

This might be a bit of a problem - finding "lumpy water" tomorrow, that is!
Mind you, it will probably be a spring tide (I haven't looked but there seemed to be a full moon a couple of nights ago) so we might get some fast-flowing current in places - now all we need is a stiff breeze in the opposite direction!

Cheers!

Chris.

Richard B · 22 June 2005, 20:41

IMVHO Ring hulls seem OK in a head sea, but a bit twitchy in a following sea.

nik · 22 June 2005, 20:44

Depends on the tide, but going to cowes from Beaulieu can get lumpy.
High tide early afternoon.
Nick.

Chris Murray · 23 June 2005, 22:43

I can now confirm that CALM sea handling is excellent. The boat tracks well on the turns and does not appear to slip but there was nothing testing in the Bembridge area of the Solent at around mid-day today that would enable me to form a view about its handling in a typical Solent "chop".

IMHO the boat looks pretty good, although there is an inevitable trade off between the need for access to the "cabin" and space for locating electronics.

It will need to be tested in more challenging conditions before a useful view can be formed. Certainly worth a look, if you want a racing-style hull and a small cabin.

Chris.

Daniel · 23 June 2005, 23:46

Talking of 8.5m cabin scorpions... Charles is "Scorpio" still for sale?

Charles · 24 June 2005, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel

Talking of 8.5m cabin scorpions... Charles is "Scorpio" still for sale?

Well, sort of - basically if someone comes along with the right money I will sell her. Bear in mind we have re-engined her less than a year ago with twin 225 Opti's. I am dreaming of a 10M!!

ps did Jersey - Lymington in 2hrs 50min two weeks ago!