PBR’s Ed Hickling is extended a rare invitation to join owner John Brennan aboard his private custom-built motor yacht, Dromquinna – a boat, as Ed discovers, built for all seasons and all reasons, according to the famous hotelier’s extraordinary life afloat.

(With additional contributions from HMS and John Brennan)

Redbay Boats, based on the rugged Antrim coast in the far north of Ireland, understand better than most what harsh and unforgiving weather is all about. The team, led by MD Tom McLaughlin – himself an RNLI lifeboatman – are all seasoned mariners and, as a result, the company’s development since Redbay began life in 1968 has been forged out of an uncompromising and relentless passion for the sea. Indeed, there are few, if any, that spend as much time in the boats they design and build as Tom McLaughlin. Hence, the experience and huge body of knowledge that he has accrued over the years have earned him much respect among his peers. There are good reasons, then, why those seeking to commission an all-weather craft – one they might need to trust their lives to if necessary – will often settle for a Redbay.

While Redbay RIBs’ chief clientele tend to be professional maritime operators, it’s nonetheless true that seriously minded private enthusiasts have for many years also appreciated the attributes of this particular brand. Take, for example, the hotelier John Brennan, who, along with his brother Francis, has become a household name in his homeland of Ireland for the long-running At Your Service TV series. (In fact, it was this highly successful reality TV show, which John and Francis devised, that ITV set about replicating back in Blighty with Alex Polizzi at the helm.) A former owner of the world-renowned Park Hotel, located on the banks of the Kenmare river, just an hour’s drive out of Cork, John is an avid and highly experienced boater who wishes to not only enjoy life on the water all year round but also the ability to cruise to far off destinations in comfort and safety.

© Steven Lawson Photography

So, having now set the scene, let’s take up the invitation to join John on a ‘private tour’ of his much-prized Redbay 1450 RIB, Dromquinna – one of the largest to be produced by the Redbay yard in Cushendall and a considerable vessel at just under 16 metres in total waterline length.

© Edward Hicking

First impressions

Dromquinna’s commanding presence, no doubt many would agree, is more than reminiscent of a modern all-weather lifeboat. Her sheer size and voluminous proportions undeniably arrest the attention and, for that matter, would be guaranteed to do so in any marina, anywhere in the world. Dromquinna is pretty ‘unique’ as privately owned all-weather vessels go – not only in terms of her aesthetics, as bold as they may be, but even more importantly as regards the role she has been designed to perform, namely to arm her discerning owner with a level of assurance and sophistication that, within reason at least, enables her to become the ocean’s equal.

Dromquinna boasts a fully enclosed, commercial-grade cabin structure, a massive 750mm D-shape Polyurea fender system, a hard prow, with its sweeping sheer fashioned to slice and punch the vessel’s 21-tonne frame through the swells, and a deep-vee planing hull with the ability to cruise effortlessly all day long at 28 knots. Indeed, it occurs to me that this 1450 shares a kindred spirit with the likes of, say, a ‘Grenadier’ 4X4 – capable, durable and of a design that tolerates no nonsense. But while Dromquinna is unapologetically functional, she unquestionably possesses an alluring countenance too. Sure, her beauty is a far cry from the predictably sleek lines of a Sunseeker, or the thrusting carbon-fibre modernism of a Lekker, but to be fair, she’s been built with a very different end purpose in mind.

Friends join John on a trip up the Kenmare river. © Edward Hicking

On-board experience

Stepping aboard into the main saloon, the degree of space and natural light is striking and provides a beautifully welcoming, open feel. This main social area, which also takes in the flight deck with its commanding helm and dazzling array of technical systems, comfortably accommodates a party of 10 or so people, this being achieved through the design and orientation of the boat’s generous and super-comfortable internal seating plan, which in itself is complemented by the pleasant addition of an outdoor dining area located on the spacious aft deck. Depending on the weather, of course, the latter provides another very attractive socialising zone where family and guests can enjoy al fresco dining and the pleasures of eating ‘by the water’. And isn’t it the case that food always tastes even more delicious when enjoyed in the fresh air?

A full complement of three Garmin 8412 (12”) displays at the helm. © John Brennan

In terms of the elevated helm and navigator’s position, this features the added benefits of a professional shock mitigation seating installation, which in Dromquinna’s case is one designed and supplied by the German manufacturer Grammer. A full complement of three Garmin 8412 (12”) displays, a Garmin GMR18HD radome, two Garmin VHF 115i DSC VHFs, a Plastimo Offshore 105 backlit compass, a Lewmar TT3000 bow thruster system and a Garmin GHC 10 drive-by-wire autopilot system, not to mention the two Yanmar JCS joystick controllers (one inside, the other located on the aft deck), plus a Lenco double actuator performance trim tab system with LED tactile controller, all combine to provide an extremely effective, indeed impressive, array of hardware within Dromquinna’s chief ‘nerve centre’.

Ready to clear your head after all that technological wizardry? If so, let’s step outside again, this time up onto the raised foredeck. While this area is immensely spacious, it remains essentially a functional area designed primarily with the objective of providing the boat with structural strength as well as everything below its skin with total protection from both flying water and even the odd green sea. The subtle use of guard rails, etc., though, means the foredeck is really the prerogative of experienced, sure-footed crew working lines, etc., as opposed to guests.

Back inside

Beautiful and practical finish throughout. © Edward Hicking

The interior of this 1450 provides a very convincing sanctuary from the elements. Besides the expansive nature of the saloon, the boat’s entire interior benefits from high ceilings and a pleasant mix of both natural light and low-energy electric lighting, as well as the maximisation of locker and stowage space (including a very handsome wine rack), and a non-fussy, contemporary use of light-coloured woods and complementary soft furnishings. I must add also that the clever use of sound insulation throughout plays its part in adding to the boat’s internal serenity. This remains evident even underway when Dromquinna’s mighty triple Yanmar 8LV370 engines and her respective ZT370 sterndrives are powering their way through the ocean at 30 knots plus. With a sumptuous master cabin suite, a second double guest cabin (plus additional occasional bed settees) and a spacious heads plus a separate stall shower, overnight accommodation, though expansive in terms of its multiplicity, is nonetheless more than adequate for a family of four.

Cosy master cabin suite.

Built for purpose

In terms of her handling and general seakeeping, Dromquinna absolutely excels in her natural habitat. She’s a ‘class act’ by anyone’s standards, and it’s probably a fact that few privately owned motor yachts would share her planing-hull, sea-kindly ability when tackling the North Atlantic. But, of course, it’s not just about being able to withstand challenging seas and harsh weather: with 2,100 litres of fuel in her tanks, the coast of western France and Biscay lie within easy striking distance, thereby opening up a gateway to Portugal, Spain and the Mediterranean. Well, why not?

© Steven Lawson Photography

Is the Redbay 1450 the perfect boat? It could very well be if, like John, you love a ‘serious boat’ and what some might refer to as ‘serious boating’.

Electronics:

• 3 x Garmin 8412 (12”) displays
  • GMR18HD radome
  • P79 in-hull depth transducer
  • 2 x VHF 115i DSC VHF
• Garmin remote controls
• Plastimo Offshore 105 compass w/backlight
• Lewmar TT3000 bow thruster system
• Garmin GHC 10 drive-by-wire autopilot system
• Garmin AIS800 transceiver system
• 2 x Mastervolt combi-ultra 3kW
• Eberspacher D4 cabin heating system
• Shoreline 79L upright freezer
• Lewmar V2 automatic anchor windlass
• ROCA W25 wiper system
• Ocean Electric 12V electric toilet with two-stage flush
• Isothern Cruise 130 clean touch s/s fridge unit
• 240V combi microwave
• 240V Neff N53 TD40N0 hob
• Sun Power solar panel charging with regulator
• Iridium satellite phone
• Fusion sound system
• Gaggenau oven

Features include:

• • 2 x Yanmar JCS joysticks
• • 2 x Grammer Avento air suspension seats
• • Lenco double actuator performance trim tab system with LED tactile controller
• • Stormforce 1450 hull built to comply with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s code of Practice and Lloyd’s special
• • 750mm D-shape Polyurea fender system with polyethylene 28kg/m3 core wrapped in ORCA Hypalon
• • External EPDM D-fender rubbing straking

Specifications

• Overall length: 15.7m
• Overall beam: 4.35m
• Weight: 21 tonnes
• Full tank capacity: 2,100L
• Engines: Triple Yanmar 8LV370s with ZT370 sterndrives

In his own words

For most boaters, their current boat is the best in the world – until they sell it! My experience with Redbay is a little different, as between my son, Adam and I, we have ordered, specified and enjoyed five boats from the company – namely a 7.4m Open, a 1050, a GF1050, an 1150 and now a 1450 model. But I would buy any one of them again, as each is totally different but perfect for its intended use, whether that takes in coastal day trips, overnighters, extended weekends, full weeks away or, in the case of my current 1450, literally months at sea … if time allows, of course!

Dromquinna is hull number 2 in the 1450 range. She was conceived by Redbay and the owner of the hull, as was the 1150 cabin model a few years ago. I would say that that’s one of the key attractions about Redbay. They make superb hulls built for our northern waters but remain 100% flexible in terms of how the boat is ultimately configured. That’s the reason why the old saying is very appropriate to Redbay: ‘When you have seen one Redbay, you have, in fact, seen ONE Redbay.’

The 1450 is, by nature, a true cruiser. It just wants to go places, and even after a month on board, you just do not want to step ashore. Dromquinna has all the comforts we want or need, but I guess she may not be everyone’s cup of tea as she hasn’t been built to include some of those ‘frills’ you’d expect to see on the inventory of a standard production-built boat. But to my mind, no other brand offers the same ability as the Redbay when it comes to essential seakeeping and all-weather handling.

While we have had many boats over the years, the Redbay 1450 is definitely the ideal craft for my wife and me, and our business needs too. She’s able to perform every function and role we need from a boat, and all in the safety context of a lifeboat – or at least the closest equivalent to such. The ability to cover miles in a short time opens up enormous possibilities too. For instance, I went to Dublin from Kenmare the other week on my own. A straight 10 hours and 274nm later, I arrived without issue and feeling totally fresh. Then, as we did on a 30-day trip to France in 2022, you simply open up the back and enjoy the destination, as you are fully self-contained with cookers, built-in BBQ, fridges, freezer, proper mattresses, stand-up shower, great heating, dining and seating areas … The boat just ticks all boxes. I sometimes meet owners of much finer craft but who then admit to envying the 1450’s ability to do it all, and with no additional crew being required.

So, in essence, and in keeping with established tradition, I would say that our 1450 is the best boat in the world and will continue to be long after we move on to something else when life’s needs change in the years ahead.

John Brennan

www.redbayboats.com