Boating New Zealand - May 2018

62 Boating New Zealand

Atop is a binnacle compass, and on the
starboard side a transparent, lidded compartment
for binos and phones. Hand-holds for the
navigator are prominent and strong. But one note
of caution: in a big sea, or if falling of a wave, I
noted that the edge of the windscreen was directly
in line with my face, my teeth in particular. I’d be
keen on a padded bar over that edge, and it would
give a better handhold for the passenger.

PERFORMANCE
he attractive Gussi Italia wheel feels like a
sportscar’s, and so does the boat’s performance.
And it’s here the helm-and-power combo truly
impress. I’ve rarely felt such instantaneous,
smoothly-controlled power, out of the hole and up
on to plane. She’s quick and soft-riding, but the
word that came to mind again and again was poise.
Driven hard in the turn, it showed absolutely no
tendency to cavitate or chine walk.
Predictable, swift and conidence inspiring, this
boat will take serious sea in its stride and deal with
it superbly – there’s a reason that these vessels are
used as watch boats, pilots and for Coastguard ops.
Backing up will bring a little water onto the
transom deck, but manoeuvrability is incredible
with those opposable engines, delivering a spin
within its own length. We popped it out of the
water over some swells at the bar and it held
straight, landing squarely without crashing hard.
he 3.4m beam ofers acres of space for all sort
of activities. While not primarily a isher, such
activities have been catered for with the addition
of rod holders and a bait board, but good storage

facilities also mean this is an excellent dive tender

for larger parties.

Hammer down, you are going to get there

quickly too: top speed is nearly 100kph. here’s 580

litres of fuel capacity aboard, and you may need it

with those two big Yamaha musclemen guzzling

away if the taps are held wide open for a while.

Finished to a world-beating standard

throughout, there is also an air of military muscle

about the delivery. Occasionally one boards a boat

where the inish is perfect but delicate, and feels

like it won’t pass the test of time too well. Not

so here. he ittings are strong, hinges are beefy,

and the decks are rock solid. Drink holders, for

example have rubber bases and liners, ensuring

that glass will not break, and there is lighting

inside them for night use.

So this RIB has exceptional sea-keeping

ability, oodles of room for dive gear, acres of

loor space for parties, seating galore, a cabin for

sleeping and stuf, a head with privacy for the

women, exceptional electronic wizardry with

GPS, ish inder, stereo, video inputs and much,

much more.

It’s a hell of a lot of fun to drive, goes like

the clappers, has the poise of a Russian ballet

dancer, and a solid heritage of 27 years of delivery

throughout the world. So, yes, you pay for it, but in

this instance I think it’s fair to say that Rousseau

and his moody pronouncements belong back in

the 18th century.

Money can buy happiness. And one of those

happinesses would be a big, safe, fast, party-going

BRIG RIB. BNZ

PACKAGES FROM

POA

PRICE AS TESTED

$299,000

MANUFACTURED BY

BRIG Boats

http://www.brigboats.com

BRIG

Eagle 10 RIB

loa 9.95m

beam overall 3.4m

deadrise 23°

hull weight 2,000kg

wet weight 3,100kg

engines 2 x Yamaha 300hp

four-stroke outboards

fuel 580 litres

water 60 litres

tube diameter 65cm,

seven chambers

pob seated 14, capacity 20

max speed 50 knots

SPECIFICATIONS

Exceptional

seakeeping

Electronics and

entertainment

Power and poise

HIGHLIGHTS