Shearwater Rib Concepts

The Shearwater RIB has been developed by the team at Bembridge Outboards on the Isle of Wight.

Jim Robinson, Director

"We've sold many RIBS from our business in Bembridge, as well as looking after and servicing approximately 220 RIBS at our yard. We pick up customer comments and feedback about their boats, and spurred on by the demands of my own young but growing family we decided to developed the Shearwater.

We spent about two years developing the concept, striving to add a little comfort and protection without loosing the advantage of owning a true RIB. Most of our customers want a RIB with good seakeeping ability, appropriate image and ease of use. Many people often have limited time off to use their boat, and are often under increasing pressure to make the boat more of a family commitment.

The Shearwater is designed to bridge the gap between the fun and performance of a RIB and a comfortable "day boat". The cuddy is great for families like mine - I have three young children. The first ten minutes out is novelty value, then they get cold or want to sleep they can go below and we can still complete our trip. The "wrap around" sides and windscreen give good protection from wind chill, and if you are caught in a shower you can put the canopy up and head home at a reasonable speed.

Most 750/860's are very capable and it's normally the windchill and spray that dictates the length of most trips, rather than the sea state. With the Shearwater you will be able to stretch the season and with the more efficient motors now available, undertake longer trips in improved comfort.

We didn't want to take up too much space with the cuddy cabin - just enough for a toilet, and an overnight stop for two. The centre cushions are removable exposing the foot well so you can sit, change clothes etc.
The well has open ends, so skis and rods etc can be pushed forward for storage. This also gives the option of a toilet.

There is a jump seat in front of the cuddy which the kids love and a large raised anchor locker with two compartments and sun cushion, the helm seat is a twin bolster, and there is a four person bench aft."

Shearwater Rib Features

- The bow houses a useful recess with a large cleat for lines. Above is a rubber fairlead to guide lines safely over the bow tube.
- Just aft is a large draining anchor locker with two compartments for anchor and fender storage.
- Set into the front of the console is a single seat with high safe sides to hold you firmly in place, plus two stainless grab handles.
- The cabin is twin-berth with an opening ventilation hatch. The interior is carpet-lined with head linings and an interior cushion set in four sections. The middle cushions with boards can be removed, leaving a footwell with a teak and holly floor. The floor ends are left open to allow skis and rods to be pushed up under the foredeck. There is also room to fit a sea toilet, this sits below centre cushion boards.
- The companionway, hatch and dash panel are finished in teak. The windscreen is 8mm acrylic and angles the weather up and over the driving position. It is supported by a stainless grab handle. We have a spray hood option, which in foul weather can be clipped around the windscreen and erected very quickly, allowing you to continue your journey at reasonable speed in rain or heavy spray.
- The console has "wrap around" sides giving a very secure helm position. It has plenty of storage room inside, a handy accessories recess with teak cup holders in the rear and stainless grab handles.
- The twin-helm bolster seat is very comfortable and allows you to stand or sit.
- Behind the helm's seat is a large open area with the option of a table.
- In the stern is a full wrap around seat for four, plus a moulded engine well with substantial ‘A’ frame.
- The towing eye in the top of the frame will pull a reasonable size skier. The inside space of the engine well moulding is used for battery storage etc. There is a teak bathing platform option for the stern, and room for an auxiliary outboard bracket.
- The hull is very deep with heavy chines to throw spray down and away and also to generate lift. A 300 litre fuel tank is fitted under the floor.
- There is large a choice of colours available.
- See the Specification and Gallery sections of this site for detailed images of the various features described here. 

Specifications & Options

SHEARWATER RIBS SPECIFICATIONS
TECHNICAL DATA	IMPERIAL	METRIC
Length overall	28'3"	8.6m
Beam	Internal:6'2" External: 8'10"	Internal:1.9m External: 2.7m
Draught	2'4"	0.70m
Air Draught	5'7"	1.70m
Weight	3,638lb	1,650kg
Fuel Tank	56 Gallons	300 litres
Sponson material	Hypalon
Sponson diameter	Tapered from 14" to 18"	0.36 to 0.46m
Tramsom deadrise	24
Minimum recommended power	150bhp
Maximum approved power	300bhp
Maximum recommended number of people	10
CE Category	RCD Design category C: This craft has been assined a category C rating in accordance with ISO 12217 – small craft – stability and buoyancy – methods of assessment and categorisation. In accordance with ISO 6185 the Category assigned to this boat is considered to render it suitable for operation in costal waters, large bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers in conditions up to and including significant wave height of 2 metres and mean wind speeds up to Beaufort Force 6. This is subject to many factors including the following:-The training, skill and experience of the coxswain and crew. The standard of design and construction of the hull fittings and equipment.The standard of maintenance of the hull, fittings and equipment.The environmental conditions of the operating area.

SHEARWATER RIBS STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
3 stainless cleats	3 Stainless towing D-Eyes	Stainless 300 litre fuel tank, sender, filler & breather
Battery and cables as necessary	Cabin and deck lights	Under deck cable trunking
Cabin cushion set	Front bucket seat with stainless grab	Vetus ventilation hatch
Door and dash woodwork in teak	Hydraulic steering	Compass
Drain tubes and deck water catch well aft	Rear splash well and seating	Drain bung
Floor liner incorporating anchor locker & sun deck	Helm/passenger bolster seat	Hypalon tubes with heavy-duty rubbing strake
Stainless 2" (5cm) diameter double A-Frame with lights:	Two Auto/manual bilge pumps	Upholstered linings
Waterproof switch panel

SHEARWATER RIBS OPTIONS
C-map expanded area (whole of South coast etc.)	Chemical toilet:	Fletiteek teak effect decking is maintenance free:
iCom VHF with antenna:	Rear seat cover:	Sony CDX-R30M Marine Receiver/CD/MP3 player
Anchor locker cushions:	C-map for GPS of your local area:	Console cover:
Folding bathing platform/swim ladder	Lowrance LMS-520c Sonar/GPS/Chartplotter combo:	Sea toilet fitted into cabin:
Spray hood: