THE GREATEST RIB TEST EVER THE TESTERS’ VERDICT A


fter two days on the water, a lap of the Isle of Wight and 22 performance and handling tests from three different writers you’d like to think that we could


come up with some kind of pecking order for the 11 RIBs tested but the reality is that arranging them in any kind of order would be hopelessly subjective and grossly unfair to the smaller, more affordable boats in the line-up. For some people speed is king, for others it’s a comfortable ride and everyone will have budgetary constraints of some kind, so in the end it comes down to personal preference and how you intend to use it. That’s why we simply asked each of our testers to name their favourite boats.


Pascoe’s awesome SY10 takes some taming but also offered the biggest thrills to our experienced testers


JACK’S PICK For raw, heart-pumping, scare-yourself-silly power then the Pascoe SY10 is unbeatable – it will take some


time to tame it but once you do, the rewards are astounding. The Ribeye is a lovely little package and does everything a family RIB needs to do with a dash of panache on top. If I were to pick one, though, it would be the Hydromax. It does the leisure part as well as any other model while being nearly as fast as the big boys. It is also by far the easiest to drive quickly and handles the sea beautifully.


Two epic days out on the water demonstrated just how far the RIB has come after 50 years of continuous development


The Scorpion’s beautifully balanced looks and set-up were a big hit with Hugo


HUGO’S PICK My pick of the bunch for all-round thrills and usability is the Scorpion. It’s a terrifi c- looking boat with heaps of


accessible performance and a very forgiving hull. The Cobra is another fi ne all-rounder, although the smaller boats in the range offer almost as much fun for less money. The Shearwater takes some beating as a do-it-all family leisure RIB, particularly if you intend to so some serious cruising, when that frugal engine and cosy cabin really come into their own. Then again if I already had a bigger boat for cruising and the money to indulge in a RIB that would give me a heart-pumping thrill every time I drove it, the Goldfi sh would make a hell of a second boat.


JEREMY’S PICK For me, there was no clear winner, the one I would pick would change according to my mood and the nature


of the trip. I had the most fun on the Pascoe SY10 because I like boats you actually have to drive to get the best out of them, plus the attention to detail was fi rst rate. I also have a deep respect for the Goldfi sh and in particular its excellent pitch control and stability in roll, making it an awesome raceboat platform. The Scorpion’s exceptional ride and top notch build quality make for a highly desirable package and the Technohull’s turning capability was awesome. But the surprise of the group test was the Hydromax – it’s not the most exciting to drive nor the most stylish but as a fast and user-friendly RIB, it’s a brilliant family all-rounder.


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WITH THANKS Thanks to MDL’s Hythe Marina


Village for the use of its excellent facilities during our two-day test. Located in a quiet rural setting with direct access to Southampton Water, it has its own thriving marina community


while still being within walking distance of the shops, pubs and restaurants of Hythe village. Give the team a call now for attractive rates on visitors’ and annual berths. Tel +44 (0)2380 207 073. Web www.mdlmarinas.co.uk


Thanks also to Vizion Charters


for loaning us its beautiful Fairline Phantom 48 for the photo shoot. The company offers charters around the Solent on board its luxury flybridge cruiser. Charters are tailored to suit guests’ needs. Enjoy a peaceful cruise


up the Beaulieu River or visit the quaint ports along this varied coastline including Yarmouth, Lymington and Cowes. Email enquiries@vizioncharters.co.uk Web www.vizioncharters.co.uk Tel +44 (0)1327 260 572


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