News

We are delighted to announce that Island RIBs is now receiving support for its first apprentice, Lewis Wilde, from the Shipwrights Apprenticeship Scheme.

The Scheme is run by the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights and backed by the Lloyds Register Foundation.  The Scheme offers not only financial support in the form of wage funding for Lewis, but also access to many training and development opportunities.  We are already seeing the benefits, not only financially but in terms of the assistance provided by the Scheme in all matters relating to Lewis’ apprenticeship.  We are very grateful to Paul Harris and all others involved for the award.

Our new Facebook page is now live. Please click here to visit the page and see all the latest photos of our new 7.5m at the Southampton Boat Show.

Island RIBs will be at the Southampton Boat Show from the 11th to the 20th September 2015. Come and experience the performance of our RIBs out on the water with a trial of our new 7.5m powered by the Suzuki DF200APX outboard engine. You can find us in the Suzuki area at the marina in berth M402. If you would like to pre-book your trial, please contact us. Alternatively just come and see us on the day. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our new 7.5m RIB design has been certified by the independent body, HPi verification systems, as conforming to the requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) Design Category B for a crew of 10. The certification process involves testing of stability and buoyancy, shown in this image.

Category B is defined in the RCD as “Offshore: Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to, and including Wind force 8 and significant wave heights up to, and including 4m may be experienced. “ It is the highest design category possible for a RIB and is evidence of the seaworthiness of the vessel.

Island RIBs are one of the first UK boat manufacturers to supply the new lightweight, high performance Suzuki DF200APX four cylinder petrol outboard engine

At only 226KG, the DF200APX is 30kg lighter than Suzuki’s comparable V6 model but this weight saving has been achieved without a reduction in power or performance. In fact the DF200APX offers the best power to weight ratio in its class.
Other key features include outstanding fuel efficiency from Suzuki’s Lean Burn Control System. This is an intelligent fuel delivery system that achieves remarkable improvement in fuel consumption. The system predicts fuel needs through real-time monitoring of engine performance and operating conditions then delivers a leaner fuel mixture to the engine producing fuel saving benefits over the engine’s wide operating range, which includes the cruising range where the engine is used a majority of the time.

The DF200APX has a final drive ratio of 2.50:1, the largest in its class. This delivers powerful torque for quick acceleration and higher top end speed.

Selective rotation enables the same engine to operate in either regular or counter-rotation mode fiving market-leading versatility.

A first in the marine industry, the DF200APX benefits from Suzuki’s Keyless Start System. When the key-fob is within one metre of the console, the user simply turns on the ignition system switch and starts the engine with the push of a button. The key remains in the user’s pocket. The system offers simple, stress-free operation while reducing the risk of a lost key and makes for an excellent theft deterrent since the outboard will not start without the proper fob.

Island RIBs has joined the British Marine Federation. The BMF is the trade association for the leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry in the UK.

Island RIBs are pleased to announce that we are now members of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to meeting some of you at future events!

Island RIBs limited, designers and manufacturers of Rigid Inflatable Boats, have taken up occupancy at Unit 4, Kingston Works, East Cowes. Director Brian Hallett is the founder and previous owner of Coastline Marine and has been designing and building some of the most seaworthy RIBs on the market for the past 20 years. In this new venture, Brian is working with fellow director and marine engineer Alex Cottle.

Since moving to Kingston Wharf the team have been developing new tooling ready for the launch of their new model, the Island 7.5m, later this year.

In partnership with Southampton City College, Island RIBs have taken on their first apprentice. Lewis Wilde will officially begin his four year apprenticeship leading to NVQ level 3 boatbuilding in September but will spend the next few months working with the team, gaining valuable experience. Alex Cottle, technical director, believes that taking on an apprentice will be beneficial to the company: “we are a company that wants to grow a skilled and committed workforce rather than rely on subcontractors. We see an apprenticeship scheme as vital to that aim. We hope that any apprentice who trains with us will be offered employment on successful completion of their training.”