RIB built for endurance

Ribcraft UK’s latest addition to its police and military range boasts Ribcraft’s signature military grade solid deep V hull with a free running deck together with a heavy-duty anti-slip decking finish.

The 8m long Ribcraft 8.0 features a Hypalon inflatable tube manufactured from heavy-duty premium Military Grey fabric impression. It comprises a conventional O shaped sponson around the bow section for increased buoyancy which gradually converts into a D shaped collar along the sides to the transom to maximise the deck operating space.

Jason Purvey, general manager of Ribcraft UK, said: “The new addition to the range, not only features the tough Ribcraft construction, but is also technologically advanced. We are bringing operational intelligence with the new Reygar Barefleet digital monitoring system which provides real time data and remote monitoring reports on boat performance, engine hours, fuel consumption, live boat motion and vessel location.”

The tube is protected by military grade cladding and Ribcraft’s signature impact push bow, sprayed over with indestructible coating. The hull is also reinforced with a full length Toughtec indestructible keelguard, and integrated heavy duty bow ramming tow eye.

The boat is powered by a Yanmar 8LV 370 horsepower diesel 4 stroke engine and a SeaStar Optimus steering system for powerful and easy handling.

The console houses two ICOM M423G VHF / DSC Radios with Procom Aerial, an Icom HM-195 COMMANDMIC, together with a Plotter Repeater heading sensor transducer raydome for radar, Garmin GPS map chart plotter and a Garmin Panoptix Live scope transducer, enabling the operator to see real-time scanning sonar images up to 200 feet down and away, even when the boat is stationary.

Ribcraft has plans to convert the 8.0 PRO to be fully unmanned.

By Rebecca Jeffrey