Island-based boat builder’s new 10-metre RIB hits the water

By Nicky Godding

19 September 2023

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Isle of Wight-based boat builder’s new 10-metre RIB hits the water

A new high-performance utility 10m Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) designed and built by Isle of Wight-based Island RIBs, will make its debut at the Southampton Boat Show.

The new RIB has been built to be adaptable for a wide range of uses, from chase boat or commercial applications to the serious recreational customer wanting to explore further afield.

All Island RIBs are designed and manufactured at the boat builder’s Kingston Works factory in East Cowes within a process-controlled, low-waste environment to comply with rigorous recreational and commercial safety and environmental standards.

Island RIBs is also creating opportunities for young people on the Island to follow a career in the marine industry through its work experience and apprenticeship schemes.

As well as being a leading boat builder for the leisure and recreation sector, Island RIBs supplies boats to commercial organisations, Williams Shipping and Sea Start, and aids scientific research around the globe, supplying the British Antarctic Survey, Sea Start and Falklands Conservation for use in monitoring the region’s whale population.

With large (660L) fuel capacity and high horsepower capability together with a soft-riding hull, shock absorbing seats and full size hard-top bimini for protection from the elements, the new 10m RIB is exceptionally sea-kind, making it ideally suited to customers looking to go further and faster, while remaining dry and comfortable.

Its large deck area allows for a range of configurations, easy crew and equipment transport, and transfers at sea. The generous console cuddy can be fitted with single or V berth, sea heads and has spacious equipment stowage space.

The RIB is powered by twin Suzuki DF325 outboard engines, allowing for economical and fast long-distance cruising. It comes equipped with a fully electronic power steering system with joystick control, and an extensive Raymarine advanced navigation system with thermal imaging camera.

As with the firm’s 7m series vessels, the 10m RIB conforms to the Recreational Craft Directive, ensuring the vessel’s safety and environmental compliance, and it can be MCA coded to CAT 2 for commercial use.

By Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe.

After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts.

She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.