Innovative CE Cat-B 11m RIB utilising unique John Moxham designed hull lines to create a genuine all-weathers, all-conditions, high performance luxury RIB.
FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:
Using technology from the Valkyrie supersonic bomber of the 1960, the Ultimate Boats, John Moxham designed a hull that differs from all that have gone before. Exploiting a design principle where water is entrapped below the hull, rather than thrown out to the sides, the boat rides on a cushion of entrapped water. This cushion provides hydraulic lift, giving a much flatter trim than a normal RIB, as well as offering blistering performance, unrivalled handling and surprisingly smooth ride.
The Ultimate Boats X-Class is the Rolls Royce offering from a builder normally focused on commercial craft. Built for a discerning owner STORM BIRD has been fitted out to the highest standard with a packed inventory including highlights such as:
• Twin Suzuki DF350 Petrol outboard engines
• Single station electro-hydraulic steering system
• Zipwake Interceptor Dynamic Trim Control System
• Exalto digital windscreen wiper control system
• 2x Raymarine Axiom PRO 16” MFD displays, fully configurable
• Raymarine Quantum digital radar scanner
• Raymarine CHIRP fishfinder transducer
• Raymarine CAM300 Eyeball Day and Night camera, displaying on Axiom MFD
• Raymarine RAY63 VHF
• Raymarine AIS700
• Fusion RA770 touchscreen marine stereo system with Airplay 2 software and Wi-Fi streaming
• Fusion Signature Series 3i speakers with LED backlighting
Currently stored in a drystack facility in the Solent the Ultimate Boats X-Class STORMBIRD is available for viewing strictly by prior arrangement.
PRESS REVIEW:
The name may sound rather hubristic but thanks to a revolutionary new hull design it may not be far from the truth. Simon Everett drives the Ultimate Boats X-Class.
The 1950s and 1960s were a time of great innovation, driven by the race to the moon and the Cold War, which, believe it or not, is where the Ultimate Boat Company’s new range of rugged high-performance RIBs has its roots.
The Ultimate Boats may be a relatively young Scottish-based yard but its talented team of designers includes a highly experienced naval architect by the name of John Moxham.
Back in the 1960s Moxham worked on the XB70 Valkyrie, a high-altitude supersonic bomber capable of flying at Mach3.
It flew higher and faster than any fighter plane of its era. The key to its performance was specially shaped wing tips that trapped the air to give the increased lift and stability required to keep it flying in the thin atmosphere at 70,000ft.
The hull of the Ultimate Boats X-Class uses the very same principle. Instead of throwing the water out sideways, it rides on a cushion of entrapped water held there by Moxham’s specially shaped ‘retaining rails’.
It is counter-intuitive but the compressed water also acts like a shock absorber, helping to soften the ride. In Moxham’s own words: “When a boat is moving at speed, tonnes of water are moved to either side of the boat in the form of wash. Viewed from above, this wash forms a V shape.
“The new hull has vertical retainer rails which prevent the wash moving away from the hull. As the water is unable to move sideways or downwards a hydraulic force is formed which lifts the boat upwards, hence the principle of hydraulic lift.”
Another noticeable side effect is that the X-Class trims much flatter than most planing craft, 2-3 degrees instead of the usual 5 or 6 degrees, due to much of that enhanced lift being at the stern.
The compressed water beneath the hull also has another benefit, giving more bite to the props even during extreme turns, resulting in virtually no detectable side slip or cavitation and minimal loss of speed.
For a boat aimed primarily at the commercial and military markets, its main focus is on comfort, stability and payload capacity rather than maximum speed. But it’s no slouch either. There is virtually no bow rise when accelerating, it simply slides up onto the plane without any discernible hump and can hold that planing aspect at just 11 knots.
The special chines, or Moxham retaining rails, are more than simple reversed chines. Starting fine at the unusually high stem to provide bow lift during a plunge, they increase in size towards the stern where vertical dams entrap and compress the water.
Coupled with a deep 25-degree deadrise angle at the transom, it helps explain its remarkable ride and handling.
I tested a prototype 7.5m version of the X-Class in a 4-5ft swell with white tops and, despite testing hundreds of RIBs over 30 years in the industry, I can honestly say it left my eyes wide open in amazement. This much larger 11.0m version is even more capable.
The strength and rigidity that Ultimate Boats engineer into each craft doubtless helps that impression of indestructibility. There are no fewer than six hefty resin impregnated foam longitudinals with similarly constructed cross beams every metre helping to deliver a very robust hull and a pleasantly quiet ride.
The owner of this boat specified a Hypalon covering that looks like an inflatable tube but it’s actually a rigid polyurethane collar that can be colour matched to the hull. The rigid collar has several benefits; it uses less internal space than an inflatable one, it cannot deflate and it is harder wearing.
This boat was commissioned for transporting guests across from the mainland to the isle of Tiree off the West Coast of Scotland, hence the Scotseat suspension units for Ultimate Boats’ own bucket seats to ensure a comfortable ride even when things cut up rough, as they do quite regularly up there!
The wheelhouse has a hinged screen that can be opened in fine weather or dogged shut for cooler, inclement days. There is also a canopy system aft for weather-proofing the entire cockpit. In essence it is a high-speed water taxi with a few nods to hospitality for day trips, such as the fridge and space for a galley fitment.
The high bow and freeboard provide seakeeping commensurate with the conditions. Enclosed side decks give a safe walkway forward o the deep bow cockpit with its 80cm of internal freeboard. Three steps up to the foredeck are set into the chain locker hatch where the anchor is held in a dedicated rack.
The twin 350hp Suzuki outboards are steered electronically and linked to an Optimus 360 joystick control system for close quarters manoeuvring and holding station using a GPS lock. Moving an 11m RIB sideways, without bow thrusters, is a very clever piece of vector thrust control but it does seem to work.
The props are still being tweaked for optimum performance but during our test they pulled to 5700rpm giving a top speed of 45.5 knots. There will doubtless be a few more knots to come when the engines are able to reach maximum revs.
Motor Boat & Yachting - October 2021
SPECIFICATIONS
CONSTRUCTION
RCD Status:
• Our understanding is that the vessel is CE certified for category B – Offshore for up to 12 persons.
Hull Construction:
• Single-piece FRP moulded hull
• Hand-laid and consolidated solid glass laminate
• Vinylester skin coat with polyester laminate
• CNC milled PET foam forming an internal structural matrix, fully laminated to hull internally
• Plywood and stainless steel-reinforced transom
• Grey gelcoat finish to hull externally
• Kevlar-reinforced PU foam collar with protective PU coating applied in factory, black finish
Deck Construction:
• Sandwich laminate construction deck
• PET structural foam core with hand-consolidated polyester laminate
• Stainless steel frame work laminated to underside of deck to secure seating
• Flexiteek decking to finish deck throughout and along gunwale tops
Superstructure Construction:
• Single-piece GRP moulded superstructure
• Sandwich construction, PET structural foam core with Danu-infused laminate
• Toughened glass windscreen with hinged top section
• Top of sandwich construction, PET structural foam core with Danu-infused laminate
• Stainless steel mast mounted at aft end of the superstructure roof
MACHINERY
Port Engine:
• Suzuki DF350 Petrol outboard engines
• 350hp
• V6, 4,390cc, 6-cylinder, 24V DOHC, electronic fuel injection, 4-stroke petrol
• Full throttle operating range 5,700 – 6,300rpm
• 12VDC, 54amp alternator
• Keyless start system
• Electronic, single lever control
• Power trim and tilt
• Stainless steel Suzuki Duo-Prop
• Suzuki Multi-Function display with engine status and on-board diagnostics
• NMEA 2000 gateway, allowing engine status and gauges to display on Raymarine Axiom MFD’s
• Suzuki Optimus 360 joystick control system with GPS stand on station function and independent status display
Starboard Engine:
• Suzuki DF350 Petrol outboard engines
• 350hp
• V6, 4,390cc, 6-cylinder, 24V DOHC, electronic fuel injection, 4-stroke petrol
• Full throttle operating range 5,700 – 6,300rpm
• 12VDC, 54amp alternator
• Keyless start system
• Electronic, single lever control
• Power trim and tilt
• Stainless steel Suzuki Duo-Prop
• Suzuki Multi-Function display with engine status and on-board diagnostics
• NMEA 2000 gateway, allowing engine status and gauges to display on Raymarine Axiom MFD’s
• Suzuki Optimus 360 joystick control system with GPS stand on station function and independent status display
Maintenance & Performance:
• Engines fully serviced by Suzuki agents since new.
• Cruising speed 30kts
• Max speed 45kts
Steering:
• Single station electro-hydraulic steering system
• Sea Star Optimus Sport Plus Tilt electric helm unit, fully configurable
• Hydraulic pump and steering rams.
Trim Tabs:
• Zipwake Interceptor Dynamic Trim Control System
• Zipwake S-Series control panel
• Integrated with Raymarine system to allow control from Axiom displays
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Voltage systems:
• 12VDC onboard power system
Battery Banks:
• Port Engine Battery – 1x 12VDC
• Starboard Engine Battery – 1x 12VDC
• Domestic Battery – 1x 12VDC
Battery Monitoring:
• Battery voltages displayed on Suzuki displays or Raymarine Axiom Displays
Windscreen Wipers
• Exalto digital windscreen wiper control system
• Dual pantograph wiper arms to port and starboard
• Freshwater screen wash
Navigation Lights:
• LED navigation lights
Other Electrical:
• 12VDC auxiliary USB charging sockets at navigators seat forward and to port and starboard above cockpit storage units
• Contactless phone charging station on dashboard
PLUMBING
Bilge Pumps:
• Manual Bilge Pump
• Electric Bilge Pump
TANKAGE
Fuel:
• Twin fuel tanks with independent fillers
• Custom made stainless steel construction
• Approximate total capacity 1000ltrs
• Fuel distribution manifold to allow selection and isolation of tanks
Tank Monitoring:
• Fuel consumption data displayed on Suzuki displays along with % of fuel left
• Fuel statistics displaying on Raymarine Axiom displays
NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
On Deck:
• Plotter – 2x Raymarine Axiom PRO 16” MFD displays, fully configurable
• Radar – Raymarine Quantum digital radar scanner, displaying on Axiom MFD’s
• Fish Finder – Raymarine CHIRP transducer
• CCTV – Raymarine CAM300 Eyeball Day and Night camera, displaying on Axiom MFD
• AIS – Raymarine AIS700
• Magnetic Compass
Communications Equipment:
• DSC VHF – Raymarine RAY63 VHF
DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT
Galley:
• Fridge – Waeco front loading fridge with ice box, 12VDC
Lighting:
• Red LED lighting in cockpit
• Aft cockpit LED floodlight
Entertainment:
• Stereo - Fusion RA770 touchscreen marine stereo system with Airplay 2 software and Wi-Fi streaming
• Speakers - Fusion Signature Series 3i speakers with LED backlighting
DECK EQUIPMENT
Cockpit Layout:
• Individual, forward-facing, shock mitigation seating for six
• Helm station forward to port
• Dash spanning full-width forward of cockpit, engine controls and steering to port with Axiom MFD’s mounted centrally, Fusion stereo mounted to starboard side of dash
• Storage units with countertops to port and starboard sides at aft end of cockpit
• Built-in fridge below starboard side storage unit with storage drawer above.
• Storage locker and drawer within the port side storage unit
General:
• Single stainless steel bow roller
• Additional detachable bow roller, extending roller forward for use with mooring
• 7x Stainless steel, gunwale mounted mooring cleats forward and midships
• Stainless steel samson posts on port and starboard quarters
• Stainless steel grab rails along sides and up aft ends of superstructure
• Steps at forward end of deck up to small foredeck with windlass and central mooring cleat mounted on deck
• Central section of steps hinging up on gas struts to provide access to anchor and warp locker
• Double seat with stitched leather upholstery built into forward end of coachroof
• Seating unit hinging up on gas spring struts providing access to large storage locker, fitted with racks to secure gear inside
• Walk-around side decks on port and starboard sides of superstructure
• Aft cockpit spanning full width of boat
• Bench seating across aft end of cockpit with stitched blue leather upholstery and back rest cushion on removable stainless steel bar.
• Bench seat hinging upto provide access to fuel distribution manifold and storage space
Seating:
• Ultimate boats custom seating modules
• Six individual seats mounted on adjustable rails
• Shoxs X4 shock mitigating seat bases with foot rest bars
• Blue leather upholstery
Canvas Work:
• Spray Covers – Fitting above side windscreens to port and starboard, black with window panels, removable
• Aft Cockpit Door – Sheet fitting across aft end of cockpit, roll-up central panel with windows
• Cushion Covers – For forward and aft external seating
Anchoring & Mooring:
• Bower Anchor – CQR plough anchor on chain and warp rode
• Electric Windlass – Lewmar low-profile electric windlass, control switch at helm station
• Mooring Warps – Selection
• Fenders – Selection
Tender:
• Inflatable Dinghy
• Outboard – Torqueedo electric outboard
SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as liferafts, Epirbs, fire extinguishers and flares etc. are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on-board as part of the sale of a used vessel may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet a new owners specific needs.
Life saving:
• Liferaft – 6 person valise (2021)
VIEWING ARRANGEMENTS
Lying Portsmouth, UK
Available to view strictly by appointment
Office Hours Mon- Fri 0900 – 17.00
Saturday by prior appointment
For more information or to arrange a viewing please contact us.
Please Note: Due to the varying locations of our yachts, your travel time and the distances that may be involved, we recommend that you only make arrangements to view if you are actively considering purchase.
Lead Broker: Mark Cameron
Tel: Mobile: +44 (0)7988 763254
Email: mark@grabauinternational.com