Protector 8.5m Cabin RIB with twin Yamaha 150 hp four stroke engines. A well spec'd example with a Garmin chart plotter, DSC VHF, spot light for aft deck, large bilge pumps, anchor windlass, large bimini top over helm position, etc. This boat is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots! The cabin has two single berths which double up as bench seats - large enough to seat 10 people in the cabin.
Manufacturer Provided Description
The Protector 8.
Protector 8.5m Cabin RIB with twin Yamaha 150 hp four stroke engines. A well spec'd example with a Garmin chart plotter, DSC VHF, spot light for aft deck, large bilge pumps, anchor windlass, large bimini top over helm position, etc. This boat is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots! The cabin has two single berths which double up as bench seats - large enough to seat 10 people in the cabin.
Manufacturer Provided Description
The Protector 8.5 mtr is a rigid inflatable boat designed as a multipurpose vessel; to serve military and workboat requirements worldwide. As a rapid response vessel in all extreme conditions, it is capable of being highly manoeuvrability in the rescue of personnel in emergency situations, and gives the crew the ultimate in protection and safety, as well as a comfortable ride. The stylish but tough Protector range is built to the highest quality standards and practicality for all rescue requirements. Protector R.I.B.s feature innovative design and style, uncompromising quality, superior rough water performance, and handling second to none.
Additional Description
The test boat was fitted with a midship cabin with two bunks, each of which could take a full length stretcher. The large door leading forward is made by Weaver Hatches with 10mm toughened glass to survey standards and allows the easy passage of stretchers to the for deck if necessary. Likewise, access from the main deck was easy though a wide opening. If necessary a watertight door could easily be built here too, but most workboats prefer the unimpeded access in and out of the cabin. The test boat used an open cockpit with toughened glass windscreen and a stainless steel arch for aerials. I liked this for it's simplicity and visibility, but for a similar price a hard top can easily be fitted. The test boat has the helmsman standing with contoured bolsters, legs nicely spread for balance and controls perfectly to hand. Instrumentation was simple on this boat, but the panel is made to accept a huge range of navigation and communications equipment, whatever the owner desires. So big that my only criticism is the distance between grab handles, which will be fitted to the buyers choice on the finished versions.
Additional Description
I must say a word about the engines. The boat can easily be designed to accept a range of power units from inboard diesel to jet drive. I like the versatility and speed of the twin 150HP Yamaha Saltwater series outboards, which gave us superb quiet performance and are designed for a long tough life. Top speed is about 50 knots, but best of all we could still achieve 35knots on only one engine with the other tilted up! Fuel consumption is about one litre per kilometer which gives an excellent range of 500 kilometers. Another technical innovation was the use of Rubbermark's Keelguard, this is hard wearing, abrasive resistance strip, which has been proven in the United States, Australia and now New Zealand for use on commercial craft pleasure boats and even jet-ski's. This will protect the perfect finish which Rayglass have produced, from the hurly burly of concrete ramps and beaches.
Additional Description
Called the Protector, their hull is based on the well known Rayglass 8.5metre from, which has many examples already on the water. The V shape is 23 degrees, which allows reasonably high top speeds but provided excellent sea-kindliness. Particularly useful for a workboat, the hull maintains this angle as it moves aft, which is again a slight sacrifice to speed, but means that the ride is more comfortable since the planing hull is still riding on a forgiving V cushion with a good grip on the water. The bow is long and high which allows a gentle entry and has the effect of bringing the spray well back to ensure the boat is very dry. The tubes then easily flick off any spray which might rise above the hull. Having lately been getting used to aluminium RHIB's, I enjoyed being back on board a fibreglass hull. They are slightly heavier, but that is used to advantage in a workboat. The seakindliness is improved, the stability at speed is better, the grip on the water is tighter and the crew certainly feel more comfortable.
Additional Description
The tubes are lancer, who Rayglass believe to be the world leaders in tube technology, and are designed Rayglass specifications in mind. This is a vital part of the boat, since Rayglass are tilting the design fair and square at the military, police, coast guard, and the dive charter markets. So the tubes are of absolutely the best Hypalon fabric, have seven separate compartments to meet military specifications and are double glued to the hull flange with nice wide overlaps. The diameter felt sensible. I have driven boats with huge tubes, but their awkward, bulk took away some of their advantages. At 550mm, these provided heaps of stability safety and fendering while never being intrusive. Incidentally, the boat does not depend on the tubes for its buoyancy, since the military require built in positive floatation with the tubes totally deflated.
Boat Design
The bow design can be critical. I have driven RHIB's with long slender bows which buried themselves deep into the backs of waves, and I have been thrown from my seat by others whose bluff entry stopped dead rather than lift at a wave face. Only a test ride in a gale will reveal the strengths of the Protector, but my sense is that this boat treads the balance nicely. The entry is reasonably lean but the height and diameter of the hull and tubes will softly lift the boat long before it can penetrate into a sea. Deprived of bad weather to push the limits, we were at least able to find some nice crossing swells from a fast ferry and a freighter. The ride was sure, and even though I tried to force the boat to slam as it came off or hit a wave, I could not. Neither could I induce any chine hopping or hull-form instability, and the tightest of speed turns did not see use slide out of the corner. The propellers never cavitated, and we were always in full control. The Sea Star hydraulic steering was positive and at four turns from hard over to hard over the small padded wheel was still easily turned.
The Editors Comments
The boat clearly shows close attention to a thorough design brief. This is a fully-fledged high performance commercial workboat, designed and built to maximum military and survey standards. That the navy and other professionals have tested the boat so far are impressed does not surprise me. But I shared a grin with Lyndsay when he told me that he was getting a lot of interest discerning private buyers. Well done!
