| LOA | 8.5m | |
| BOA | 2.62m | |
| Internal Beam | 1.7m | |
| Internal Length | 7.5m | |
| Max HP | 2 x 250 O/B | |
| Max Speed | 2.2 tonnes | |
| Weight | 60 mph + | |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 gallons | |
| Water Capacity | 10 gallons | |
| Price as tested | £47,410 + Vat |
| There has been much anticipation surrounding the launch of this cabin cruiser RIB from South Coast RIBs….so we are delighted to bring you a full test report on this exciting new 8.5 metre craft. Much of the attraction of RIBs is the open driving position. Out at sea on a RIB you experience an affinity with the sea which is not apparent on other types of boat. The only snag with this sense of adventure is that when you get into harbour, you have to go ashore; there is no toilet, no cooking and no sleeping on the average RIB. With RIBs being used more and more for long range cruising, Graham Jelley of South Coast RIBS decided it was time for something better. The result is the Scorpion Sportscruiser 8.5, the first British RIB with a full feature cabin. In order to accommodate the cabin, the whole style of the RIB had to change. Gone is the rugged, outdoor approach of the conventional RIB and in its place is a sleek deck moulding with a raised coachroof which runs up to the beautifully curved windscreen. This screen embraces a deep cockpit, topped by an arch mast, and canvas covers allow this area to be fully enclosed to extend the accommodation in port. The covers divide at the arch mast so that the forward section can be left up at sea to give protection in the cockpit. In order to accommodate the cabin, the whole style of the RIB had to change. Gone is the rugged, outdoor approach of the conventional RIB and in its place is a sleek deck moulding with a raised coachroof which runs up to the beautifully curved windscreen. This screen embraces a deep cockpit, topped by an arch mast, and canvas covers allow this area to be fully enclosed to extend the accommodation in port. The covers divide at the arch mast so that the forward section can be left up at sea to give protection in the cockpit. The cockpit has the driving position at its forward end with two bolster seats with squabs which lower so that you can sit or stand. Behind, in the cockpit, is the galley area with sink, gas stove and fridge, not the most convenient layout, but one which can cope with basic meals and is a real luxury in a RIB! Behind again is the seating area, a bench seat at the rear and a single adjacent to the galley, with a portable table between. The cabin is fairly basic with two vee settees forming bunks with the dry toilet located under the vee. Like some aspects of the cockpit, this cabin layout can be tailored to individual requirements and there is space for a more sophisticated toilet and to have a table between the bunks. The cabin area is narrow because the coachroof has been kept relatively narrow and the overall beam of the boat has to be kept within the limits of what can be trailered on the road. South Coast have found a good compromise between the various space requirements on board. The side decks are wide enough to make the transit to the foredeck safe and easy. Here the deck moulding overlaps the inflatable tube to create a rigid surface for standing on and there are handholds in all the right places. A circular hatch at the forward end of the coachroof gives access to a useful storage locker below and there is further storage under the cockpit seats and the galley cabinet. The Sportscruiser is available with single or twin outboards or an inboard diesel version. With the latter the engine box will intrude on the cockpit space, but it can be incorporated into the seating. On the test boat, twin 225hp Mariner outboards provide a surfeit of power and generated speeds in the 50 knot range with matching acceleration. The boat tested was very much an early prototype straight out of the shop. Experience on the test suggests that the driving position needs improving and South Coast RIBS are already working on this. The angled foot rest is good for bracing against, but as fitted it does intrude on the standing space at the helm and would be better let into the cabin bulkhead. The separate throttle and gear lever arrangement is excellent for a boat like this, but they are not well located in the recess box let into the cockpit side. The steering has far too many turns lock to lock for precise control, and finally the trim switches need to be moved to a more accessible position. These deficiencies detracted from the enjoyment of a very exhilarating boat test with the 50mph wind whipping the Solent into a white rage. With its generous length of 8.50 metres the Sportscruiser was able to cut cleanly through these seas in a very satisfying way. The lack of precise steering made it difficult to hold the boat on a steady course and no doubt the extra top windage of the coachroof and screen emphasised this in the extreme wind conditions. The ride was not helped by the poor position of the throttles which made it difficult to provide the quick response to the changing conditions. Despite this, the boat coped with the conditions extremely well. In beam seas the boat was heeling into the very strong winds and flaps fitted to the transom would have been helpful to correct this. Flaps would have also helped the performance in a head sea, but with the two large outboards, the transom was already crowded and flaps add both cost and weight to the boat. The hull of the Sportscruiser is design by David Marsh and features the pronounced chines found on all the Scorpion range. These generate good lift and help to keep the tubes well clear of the water at speed, but you do become conscious of these flat surfaces when pounding into a head sea. In a following sea, these chines help to keep the bow up and the tube creates a good reserve of buoyancy so that there appeared to be very little tendency for the bow to bury. Despite my criticisms of the controls, this 8.5 metre RIB is a joy to drive. When the controls are modified it will be even better and this offers the prospect of a boat which is as good to drive as it is to look at. Certainly South Coast RIBS have done an excellent job on the styling, and the Sportscruiser range heralds a new approach to RIB design where the boat looks very stylish, where it performs well, and where it offers all the comforts of home (well almost). Three versions of the Sportscruiser are being offered, 7.50m, 8.50m, and 9.50m in length. RIB cruising will never be the same again. Since writing this report, South Coast RIBS have changed the controls and steering and say that it has transformed the boat, a convincing demonstration of just how important it is to get the controls right. Dag Pike Builder South Coast RIBs Ltd email:
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