Request for Armoured Rib

[brucehawsker]

No, this is not a joke. I have a client who is looking for some fast small patrol boats for use off desert coasts. No, don't ask where and yes, he is legit. Probably 8.5M or even less. Wants very strong tubes and an armoured glass shield 3/4 around the helm. Anyone any ideas who might do this stuff? Delta? Ribcraft? He has a serious budget it seems but I have no idea what the armouring elements might add to a commercial build..... Andre or Paul??

[jyasaki]

I'd be looking at foam sponsons.

Something along the SAFE boat lines.

SAFE Boats International


jky

[willk]

Redbay have built a number of bespoke boats for the Fuzz, Customs and Drugs Enforcement types - but other than machine-gun mounts and a bit of reinforcing, I don't think they've done armour. Still, glass enclosures are something they do very well
I know that they have been experimenting with D profile sponsons, so you'd think foam wouldn't be too tricky...

[karlT]

Iran buys Bradstone Challenger - but why? | Motorboat news | MBM

[martini]

MST would be my first port of call or even Halmatic or whatever they call themselves these days

[Dry Run]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

No, this is not a joke. I have a client who is looking for some fast small patrol boats for use off desert coasts. No, don't ask where and yes, he is legit. Probably 8.5M or even less. Wants very strong tubes and an armoured glass shield 3/4 around the helm. Anyone any ideas who might do this stuff? Delta? Ribcraft? He has a serious budget it seems but I have no idea what the armouring elements might add to a commercial build..... Andre or Paul??

Did you say the "desert" coast or the "Dorset" coast? I hear the Olympics can get pretty ugly!

[BogMonster]

I would have thought Delta or BVT (what used to be Halmatic) if he has a telephone number budget.

If it isn't an off the shelf product the R&D costs on developing something that somebody will certify will be pretty horrific, assuming it needs to be designed properly rather than lash a bit of armoured glass round a jockey console.

I think I read somewhere recently that Zodiac did some US military work but the ones they had pictured didn't look to be armoured as far as I recall.

[paul tilley]

tubes can be kevlar coated , but would loose a lot of flexibility or you could use air / foam tube which may reseal to a low pressure if a bullet passes through .if you want more info email paul@tidel.biz

[Starovich]

zodiac does an Armorflate for its crrc could uses something similar

[Rokraider]

Other than some armour around the consol and outboards / engine, it is a waste of time armouring the rest. Your biggest problem is incendary rounds. It is better to try and stay nimble and elusive.
We designed and built a concept vehicle for a certain well known regiment. It was decided it was better to leave it soft skinned, light and manouverable allowing the rounds to pass through, rather than covering it in heavy armour that had limitations on what it could actually stop.

[Starovich]

afaik

Weight <> Protection.

so remaining nimble whilst using carbon Kevlar / ceramic composites is a feasible, if expensive concept?
In addition, neither material burn well, so incendiary rounds less of an issue?

Of course the protection level is limited or you just end up with a main battle tank, but ribs tend to remain nimble when full of air and not full of holes

[Maximus]

BAE Systems have done some pretty 'Radical' designs, including I believe the automated-remote control Rib 'Gunship' for the Isralies.Although I do suspect thier budget demands would probably outsrip most 'Private individuals' means!...Most governmental departments too these days!Some piece of kit though.

[Andre]

Hi Bruce

Pls call me to the office on 01403 780470

[akirk]

some interesting stuff here:
Shock Mitigation Directory - Specialist RIB & High Speed Craft Directory

I do wonder why a rib is needed though?
wouldn't one of these be better:
High Speed Craft - Professional Interceptors

Alasdair

[BogMonster]

BAE Systems Halmatic Fast Interceptor Craft

One of these passed through on the deck of the military freight ship that serves the Falklands a couple of years ago en route to an "exercise" for God Frog in an undisclosed location. Pretty awesome bit of kit and apparently good for something like 80 knots at full moo

[willk]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

Probably 8.5M or even less. Wants very strong tubes and an armoured glass shield 3/4 around the helm. Anyone any ideas who might do this stuff?

I don't read bullet proof rib from what you're saying Bruce? More personal protection from the odd round the Sand People might let rip?

This is the Stormforce 950, but the 850 might suit your client . The hull is a superb offshore design and the boat is capable of taking a big load - so well able to cope with the glass/steel that the "shelter" would require.

Like the Magratheans, Redbay specialise in Custom Builds.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

BAE Systems Halmatic Fast Interceptor Craft

One of these passed through on the deck of the military freight ship that serves the Falklands a couple of years ago en route to an "exercise" for God Frog in an undisclosed location. Pretty awesome bit of kit and apparently good for something like 80 knots at full moo

See these in and out of Poole daily ( for a clear reason)- great looking bits of kit!

[Cookee]

Shame this is too big - sounds like it would be an interesting project, however it seems that some slightly larger boatbuilders already have the jump on us!

[ch5120]

Originally Posted by PeterM

See these in and out of Poole daily ( for a clear reason)- great looking bits of kit!

I've been on this and it's bloody fast! The 2 that preceded it were pretty special as well, in fact I had them stored literally in a shed at my work for a bit!