SACS Sports Class S780: Review

We ranged offshore to bring you this test of the excellent SACS S780 with the maximum 300hp Verado outboard. More than just a high-quality tender to your superyacht, the S780 (a popular size) is an exceedingly seaworthy stand-alone RIB with a beautiful ride, class-leading fit and finish, and the autonomy and seaworthiness to explore places.

OVERVIEW
- Italian-made quality in a handy size
Produced in Milan under the direction of award-winning designer, Christian Grande Design Works, the semi-custom SACS Marine rigid-inflatable boats (RIBs) are incredibly well-respected overseas.

The boats embody the philosophy that: "The RIB is no longer a mere means of transport but becomes the fulfilment of a dream and a way of asserting one’s personality."

With this in mind, we embarked on an ocean adventure that took us up the coast from Sydney to a Manly surf break. With a maximum 300hp Verado on the tail, we were forced back to flat water to find the 46.7 knot top speed.

But it was the beautiful offshore ride and the high-quality fitout that put this S780 in a league of its own. You can cut straight to our ‘verdict’ below to read our honest sentiments. This boat is built to perform, not built to a price.

Represented here by SACS Marine Australia, the upmarket RIB range spans a host of exciting models from four to 18 metres in length in three core product lines: Individual Class, Sport Class and Top Class.

This S780 sits in the middle of the Sport Class, flanked by the 700 and 900. Italian styling, a focus on performance and handling, large floor and cockpit spaces, thoughtful design features and top-shelf finishes are part of the appeal.

SACS Marine Australia representative, Richard Gazal, said the standout values of Italian craftsmanship, attention to detail and performance will ensure these Italian RIBS attract plenty of local attention.

A luxury motoryacht owner based in Sydney, Gazal imported the SACS range after being blown away by the tender he was running. The 2015 Sydney boat show saw the launch of this SACS Sport Class S780, a Top Class Strider 8, Strider 10 and Strider 13 into the Australian market.

While we also spent out test day driving the impressive SACS Top Class Strider 13 review with twin diesel engines, bow thruster, bathroom and a bunch of cool kit, the S780 wasn’t left floundering in its wake.

The S780 is a perfect size to serve your superyacht tendering duties, while at the same time being big and capable enough to range pretty much wherever you point it. It’s conveyance, a commuter and a classy dayboat.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Luxury inclusions create an upmarket RIB that delivers
You could probably bundle an S780 together with a basic factory fitout and 200hp outboard for just over $100K. But SACS prides itself on having a performance edge and a luxury fitout, so our boat was upgraded.

Out test S780 had the maximum horsepower in that sweet 300hp Mercury Verado outboard.

The options included teak decking for a luxe feeling underfoot and to the eye; a windlass for push button anchoring; Fusion stereo with remote control and iPhone docking; folding stainless steel ‘roll bar’ aka targa with bimini top; stern swim platform; and a 36lt drawer fridge.

All told, our stand-alone adventure RIB had a $139,000 price tag. So there’s a premium there, but we’re glad to report the S780 delivers.

LAYOUT AND DECKS
- Centre console with 20-person passenger rating
The S780 is a gorgeous looking RIB. It’s essentially a centre console and, as is peculiar to big RIBS, it boasts an extraordinary passenger capacity of 20, according to the specifications.

We don’t doubt you could tote that many to the beach for a party or the waterfront restaurant for a birthday, but offshore it ran beautifully with the three of us.

There’s bona fide seating on deck via inbuilt lounges for about seven and room for a couple more standing either side of the centre console. So lets call it a working boat for up to 10 in open waters.

Up front, the moulded bowsprit is part of the GRP hull and deck. It conceals the anchoring gear before the forward sunpad and casting deck, under which is dry storage and room to stash safety gear.

If it’s not too rough, and with the cushions in place, you could sit up on this sunpad when running, aided by the handholds on the side tubes. Recessed speakers might add to the party atmosphere. There’s also a ‘mother-in-law’ seat moulded into the front of the centre console. Of course, the best seating is aft.

The centre console is a beautiful moulding, traced by handy and sturdy stainless grab rails, with carbon dash accent panels and a recessed compass. You could mount electronics on a bracket while dry storage exists inside the console.

The trick sports wheel and throttle binnacle were mounted at the right height when driving from the two-person leaning post. The flip-side of the post is an aft-facing seating that faces the boat’s rear lounge.

With a teak table in between and pull-out bimini top, you have a lunch venue out of the midday sun. The drawer fridge, under the helm seat, means a cold drink isn’t far away either. The seating then converts to an aft sun lounge. Zeds.

The high-quality upholstery, deck fittings and teak decks, the intricate mouldings and the flow of the boat all make this a delightfully user-friendly big RIB at sea. You could range to your favourite beach or anchorage quite elegantly or fill the boat with kids or sporting types and go spearfishing, towing tubes, surfing, and so on.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Constructed from high-end materials.
The sponsons on this S780 are made from ORCA FABRIC 866 from Belgian company Pennel et Flipo, which produces some of the best hypalon with the highest decitex rating that money can buy. There are six separate chambers.

The ORCA material is cold glued, that is, assembled using vulcanisation, and is backed by a five-year material warranty, with SACS giving two years warranty on the entire boat.

The hull is composite with foam sandwich to cut down on weight, but there are certainly plenty of extras piled into this upmarket luxury RIB. The S780 tips the scales at 1200kg without engine, the teak decks and the options.

On the water, it feels nice and solid and not flighty like some lesser competition. The 300 litre fuel capacity and 80 litres of fresh water mean you can roam away for a comfortable day and, with a deck shower, return home without that scratchy salty feeling.

ON THE WATER
- Big boat feel adds to the capability of this refined and spirited performer
In the true Italian fashion and the implied meaning of the term Sports Class, the S780 is a spirited performer with the 300hp Verado spinning a three-blade 19in Enertia prop. At 6000rpm, we hit 46.7 knots in the harbour.

At 3000rpm, I noted a 17 knot heavy-weather cruise, but it was at the optimum 4000rpm that I skirted the wave-washed ledges under towering North Head at speed of 25-26 knots. We remained dry, dressed and unruffled enough to walk into a top-notch restaurant for lunch.

At 5000rpm, the fast cruise speed is 34-35 knots, which is flying, but that’s with just two of us. One thing is certain, there was plenty of grunt to shift a bit passenger load if that is your anticipated duty. Otherwise, the S780 is just a lovely dayboat, perfect or all kinds of adventurous tasks that involve jumping in and getting wet at some point.

VERDICT
- The spirit of adventure teamed with refinement
My notes convey sentiments like: beautiful ride and drive; smooth dry and refined; top runner; and that word, “beautiful,” again. The hydraulic steering makes control effortless, while the self-draining decks add to your own sense of bravado on bars, around breaking water and offshore.

There are keener priced RIBS in the market, but some of these are inferior products that show their true colours down the track. The SACS are preceded by a big reputation and following. The 780 is a popular size RIB for those with superyachts and luxury motor yachts, but you could drop the mothership altogether and still have a blast.

LIKES
>> Italian design and flair
>> Upmarket fit and finish
>> Spirited performance
>> Refined handling

NOT SO MUCH
>> Price premium

Specifications: SACS Sports Class S780
Price as tested: $139,00 with 300hp Mercury Verado and options as detailed above
Length Overall: 7.80m
Max Beam: 3.06m
Number of Compartments: 6
Tubes Diameter: 61 cm
Dry weight without Engines: 1200kg
Fuel tank capacity: 300lt
Water tank capacity: 80lt
Maximum installable power: 300hp/220kW
Shaft: XL
Homologation category: CE – B
Persons capacity: 20
Builder: SACS Marine
Design: Christian Grande Design Works

Imported and Supplied by:
SACS Marine Australia
For more information go to: www.sacsmarine.com.au
Phone: (02) 8336 6333
Email info@sacsmarine.com.au