Strider 19 – Supertender to Megayachts

Like all the best rigid inflatable boats, the Strider 19 has large tubes that are important for stability and safety.
The helm station is very safe and comfortable.
This new craft uses the highest technology in its build and is prepared and furnished with the care, taste and elegance so readily associated with a made-in-Italy product.
The deck resembles an enormous terrace on the sea …

Strider 19 – Supertender to Megayachts

Is it a RIB? Is it a yacht? Maurizio Bulleri lifts the lid on the new Strider 19 project from the renowned Italian builders Sacs, and discovers a Latin gem …

Many people dream of buying a RIB of 5 to 7 metres in length to cruise along the coast or reach nearby islands. But what can we do with a 19-metre RIB that in many ways is more like a yacht? There is plenty of space on deck and in the two cabins for five persons below, and yet it is still a RIB. So why did they design and build this strange tender?

Sacs are Italian rigid inflatable boat builders founded in 1990 in Milan. In the 90s they became well known for comfortable and elegant RIBs from 4 to 10 metres, and they produced up to 600 RIBs per year. In 2000, Sacs decided to build RIBs over 10 metres in length, and they were one of the first yards to explore this sector. At the same time they began to participate in endurance competitions to acquire the necessary expertise to make fast, strong and extremely large RIBs. In 2009, the new CEO, Matteo Magni, changed the company’s focus, orientating the developing strategy towards new, big, luxury RIBs and even very special models built in partnership with famous car builders such as Lancia, Abarth and Jaguar – and always with the collaboration of the Italian yacht designer Christian Grande, who was also working for the famous Italian boatbuilder Sessa Marine. So the most beautiful and largest RIBs created by Sacs became comparable to the best yachts in terms of quality, design and finish.

Despite the crisis in the nautical sector, which was felt especially deeply in Italy, Sacs have increased their turnover, year by year, thanks to the international success of their products. Today Sacs produce three ranges of RIBs and one special series: the Sport Class (sporty models from 5 to 8.75 m), the Top Class (elegant models from 8.4 to 17.1 m) and the Individual Class (exclusive models from 12.3 to 17.1 m), while the special series includes limited-edition RIBs such as the Lancia di Lancia, Abarth Powershore, Abarth Derivazione, Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari and Jaguar XT8.

Sacs are now world leaders in supertenders for megayachts and also produce very fast RIBs, such as the Strider Esse R and Strider Gran Coupe. The models are shaped using a five-axis, software-controlled, laser-cutting milling machine, and all the larger RIBs are constructed using a vacuum injection moulding system.

The Strider 19 project is the brainchild of the Italian designer Christian Grande, who has designed all the recent Sacs ranges. This tender is based on the Strider ZetaR but is similar only in colour and style. The hull, for example, is completely different and has been designed by Naiad, a company based in New Zealand, who are experts in many different types of RIBs – for rescue, police and harbour pilots, as well as commercial and recreational activity. This hull has been specifically designed for rough seas, with a deep deadrise angle along the whole keel, from bow to aft.

The Strider 19 is a large and luxurious megayacht tender, and the first one off the production line will accompany a fabulous 77-metre ship on her cruise around the world. While life on a huge ship of this kind has many advantages – not least enjoying, albeit temporarily, five-star accommodation – the sea is a long way from the highest bridge and people want a RIB to have fun on the water, and to reach the most beautiful coves. The Strider 19 seems to be an ideal solution in many ways.

This new craft uses the highest technology in its build and is prepared and furnished with the care, taste and elegance so readily associated with a made-in-Italy product. The deck resembles an enormous terrace on the sea, with huge beach and living areas capable of accommodating up to 22 people – corresponding to the maximum capacity on board according to European certification.

The external kitchen is equipped with all you need to have a party on board with many friends, with food and drinks being served on the two extendable tables next to the sofas. Below deck there are two large cabins, one double and one triple, a bathroom and a dinette – all of them luxuriously finished and equipped. The layout and decor can be chosen by the owner as the Strider 19 is a partially custom-made product and many parts of it can be personalized as desired. For example, the tested model also has a small kitchen under the deck – ideal for preparing a quick breakfast and a coffee when you wake up.

The helm station is very safe and comfortable. The wrap-around windshield, four anatomical seats and two sliding doors provide good protection in the cockpit, so the captain and their crew can cruise comfortably at speed, for a long time and for many miles. As for protection from the sun or rain, you can choose a soft top, as on the tested model, or a hard top, which is larger but also heavier.

Like all the best rigid inflatable boats, the Strider 19 has large tubes that are important for stability and safety. They are not only useful as fenders, they constantly touch the water surface to stabilise the RIB on cruise and at anchorage, and moreover the air volume provides huge buoyancy, which can help enormously in an emergency.

The powerful engine set-up consists of two 1200hp engines, with the first model tested this winter being equipped with twin 1150hp Caterpillars. The surface drive propulsion system needs to be adjusted, and the trim angle can be regulated at any speed, but if you leave the trim at zero you can get on the plane and cruise without any trouble. A good captain puts the trim at -3.5 degrees to get on the plane and cruise at up to 30 knots (@ 1500rpm). At this speed the bow lies softly on the surface with low water resistance and the hull runs very quickly and smoothly. The most efficient speed is 35 knots @ 1650rpm with 0.14 nautical miles per litre, and in this condition the maximum range is about 420 miles. The spray rails are very narrow and they do not impact hard against the waves, even at high speed. If we consider the maximum RPM cruise range of Cat engines @ 2100rpm, the corresponding speed is 45.5 knots with no wind and half-metre waves. In the same condition, if you adjust the trim propulsion angle to +2 degrees and wait for a couple of minutes to reduce the propeller slip, you can reach a top speed of 50 knots. At full throttle, the maximum fuel consumption is 0.107 miles per litre.

Probably the most interesting feature is the perfect trim of the hull at any speed and in any sea condition, with minimum pitching. The deep-V hull, the low centre of gravity and the huge tubes enable fast and comfortable cruising even in rough seas. The Strider 19 is much too much large to be considered a simple, classic RIB, but you can find on it the same important features that you can find on all good RIBs, and for this reason it could be considered better than a traditional yacht.

Sacs Strider 19 – Technical Data