New Osprey Console

Chris · 02 February 2009, 20:55

Osprey have released a new console called the Searider. Some pics here along with pics of some recent Vipermax builds.

http://www.ospreyribs.co.uk/

I am sure all you fellow Osprey lovers will be dribbling over them

chewy · 02 February 2009, 21:06

That console will never fit on a Searider, lol!

Hightower · 02 February 2009, 21:16

It's nice to have another console to their range but considering the amount of time they had to design and build the console, it looks pretty much like anyone elses one. I guess the upside is that it looks to be big enough for all the bits and pieces and has a built in front seat with storage. But there is no room for your legs under the console, which is a little disapointing.

A few more pages to the website to showcase all the different options and configurations would also be nice.

Chris · 02 February 2009, 21:44

I think it is difficult to see from the pics but the whole console slants back towards you giving some leg room.

I have to say I am still a firm supporter of the Discovery console. Definately one of the nicest looking consoles available. All subjective and down to personal taste however!

Chris

Hightower · 02 February 2009, 22:11

I'm all for no frills boat packages and the Osprey has to be one of the nicest RIBs in the market place (don't tell anyone).....However there could be some improvments in the looks department. There are some really nice consoles and accessories out there that manage to combine both good looks and practicalities.

But yes, I agree it's subjective and down to personal taste I guess

Ian M · 03 February 2009, 07:23

I am glad to see that Osprey are thinking about consoles. To my mind it is the single biggest shortfall in the Osprey 'brand'; it has certainly been my biggest headache

Like Andy, I can see that this new console is certainly a no frills design, which may suit some more than others. Down to the individual I guess.
I take it that the build quality will be up to Mike's usual standard, bloody good

bedajim · 03 February 2009, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

I am glad to see that Osprey are thinking about consoles. To my mind it is the single biggest shortfall in the Osprey 'brand'; it has certainly been my biggest headache

Like Andy, I can see that this new console is certainly a no frills design, which may suit some more than others. Down to the individual I guess.
I take it that the build quality will be up to Mike's usual standard, bloody good

Your not thinking of changing yours now

Ian M · 03 February 2009, 12:05

Well actually Jmaes, I've got this idea of enlarging the console, chopping through the deck, relocating the fuel tank (probably to the 'A' frame) and converting it to a cabin RIB, whadya think

OSPREY RIBS · 03 February 2009, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

It's nice to have another console to their range but considering the amount of time they had to design and build the console, it looks pretty much like anyone elses one. I guess the upside is that it looks to be big enough for all the bits and pieces and has a built in front seat with storage. But there is no room for your legs under the console, which is a little disapointing.

A few more pages to the website to showcase all the different options and configurations would also be nice.

I've read with interest everyone's comments regarding the new console. I've got no argument with the length of time it took to produce but feel that it is a thoroughly useable console. We have deliberately kept it simple so that it is still very good value for money and extremely practical. If you look on the website you can see just how much room there is for instrumentation, large chart plotters etc. The front seat covers a large access hatch where everything can be accessed very easily. There is now ample room to walk to the front of the boat without standing on the tubes. Regarding leg-room, the console slopes away leaving masses of leg room for even the tallest helmsman. The shape by the way enables it to be extremely strong. We have now added more picutures to the website. (www.ospreyribs.co.uk) Good luck to everyone on the water in 2009, let's hope the sun shines on us all!

Roy

bedajim · 03 February 2009, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

Well actually Jmaes, I've got this idea of enlarging the console, chopping through the deck, relocating the fuel tank (probably to the 'A' frame) and converting it to a cabin RIB, whadya think

I'll drop mine off when you've sorted the prototype and can you also sort me a Etec 200 HO without the stars and stripes for the back end

Ian M · 03 February 2009, 13:26

Ian M · 03 February 2009, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSPREY RIBS

I've read with interest everyone's comments regarding the new console. I've got no argument with the length of time it took to produce but feel that it is a thoroughly useable console. We have deliberately kept it simple so that it is still very good value for money and extremely practical. If you look on the website you can see just how much room there is for instrumentation, large chart plotters etc. The front seat covers a large access hatch where everything can be accessed very easily. There is now ample room to walk to the front of the boat without standing on the tubes. Regarding leg-room, the console slopes away leaving masses of leg room for even the tallest helmsman. The shape by the way enables it to be extremely strong. We have now added more picutures to the website. (www.ospreyribs.co.uk) Good luck to everyone on the water in 2009, let's hope the sun shines on us all!

Roy

Yep, looking again, I could have been tempted if you had had that design when I bought my hull etc. What width is it?
So, bringing one to Ribex then

Hightower · 03 February 2009, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSPREY RIBS

I've read with interest everyone's comments regarding the new console. I've got no argument with the length of time it took to produce but feel that it is a thoroughly useable console. We have deliberately kept it simple so that it is still very good value for money and extremely practical. If you look on the website you can see just how much room there is for instrumentation, large chart plotters etc. The front seat covers a large access hatch where everything can be accessed very easily. There is now ample room to walk to the front of the boat without standing on the tubes. Regarding leg-room, the console slopes away leaving masses of leg room for even the tallest helmsman. The shape by the way enables it to be extremely strong. We have now added more picutures to the website. (www.ospreyribs.co.uk) Good luck to everyone on the water in 2009, let's hope the sun shines on us all!

Roy

The Slope on the Console wasn't obvious from the pictures I saw yesterday, however your new photo's showcase the incline nicely.

I guess I was hoping for something that was a little more rounded looking, but can't argue with the size of that front seating.

Is Into the Red the first Vipermax to feature the new console?

blufin · 03 February 2009, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Is Into the Red the first Vipermax to feature the new console?

hi andy, i think the burgundy tubed 6.5 with the 200 ho pictured on the website was the first.
atb gerry

OSPREY RIBS · 04 February 2009, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

Yep, looking again, I could have been tempted if you had had that design when I bought my hull etc. What width is it?
So, bringing one to Ribex then

Hi Ian,

The console is 1100mm at it's widest point and 810mm at it's narrowest point, at the front of the seat. It was designed to taper approximately the same as the tubes so you have an even space between the tubes and the console as you move forward. The console also tapers slightly as it gets taller just to make it look nice.

Are we going to Ribex? - Not sure yet but what I can say is that I will be on the South Coast with my new boat during the show period and I would be happy to meet anybody by prior appointment.

This boat is going to be tested in Sports Boat & Rib in the May/June edition. This will be a new experience for me and I'm looking forward to demonstrating what the boat is capable of. The first time out (last weekend) the boat performed brilliantly with a top speed of 58 mph (taken off the GPS speedo) but as I am sure all Osprey enthusiasts know, it's the ride and handling in rough conditions that I am always most impressed with.

I am also intending to do the Isle of Man run in June, which is being organised by Dave Manning - I believe at the moment there are well over 20 boats going.

Erin · 04 February 2009, 19:40

Nice to see a simple new console available. It must have said something, that a number of us here on Ribnet have supplied our own for fitting during the build.

It looks to me as though you've also improved the seat pods and done away with the skirt/plinth at the bottom. Nice. Much better for fitting side hatches if you want them.

Keith