Spotlight: Capelli Tempest 50

The Capelli Tempest 50, the largest RIB on sale in Australia, stretches almost 15.0 metres in length. Despite its impressive waterline, the boat weighs less than half of an equivalent-sized fibreglass boat making it light, lithe and pretty quick in a straight line.

RIBs are starting to find favour in Australia as owners look to downsize from slow-moving motor yachts into packages that make more effective use of their time, be it for a day out on the water or a long weekend. 

This boat is from Capelli’s Tempest line of ultra-luxury RIBs. The only compromise compared with a motor yacht that we can see is that the Capelli Tempest 50 is very much an open boat, meaning you will need the weather on your side to enjoy those extended trips.

Standard equipment on the Tempest 50 is pretty extensive, comprising a bow cabin with a double sofa bed and two stern berths, a fully enclosed head with a separate shower, a 200-litre drawer fridge, teak bow and cockpit floor coverings, premium 10-speaker audio system, electrically raised and lowering stern table, and LED courtesy lights.

Other features include a hard top that extends over the three-seat centre console helm station, an electric winch for the anchor, SeaStar Optimus fly-by-wire steering, shore power and a bow thruster.

Optional equipment available for the Capelli Tempest 50 includes air-conditioning, a 25-litre hot water system, an icemaker, 3.5kW genset, an upgraded audio system, a T-top bimini with carbonfibre poles, a full set of covers and underwater transom lights.

The Capelli Tempest 50 does stray from the traditional RIB design in that the forward cockpit is given over to a social space by default, with cushions that drop in to convert it into a large, flat lounging space for soaking up the sun.

Wide side decks run aft alongside the semi-enclosed console framed aft by a compact galley space to a large U-shaped dinette backing onto a large sun pad that extends to the transom.

The console features a central helm, with the port side of the console providing access to the below-decks space.

The Capelli Tempest 50’s design also incorporates easy water access with large hull extensions wrapping around the engine pod.

Befitting its status as Capelli’s largest RIB, the Tempest 50 is also its most powerful. The recent release of the 450hp version of the 4.6-litre V8 Yamaha XTO Offshore means performance is now capped at 1800hp.

Reported top speeds for the Capelli Tempest 50 show it is more than capable of achieving more than 50 knots when fitted with quad 425hp Yamaha XTO Offshore outboard engines, with the extra 100hp from swapping out to Yamaha’s F450s expected to add a couple of knots on top of that already impressive WOT number.

Pricing? It’s a boat that’s firmly in the “if you have to ask you can’t afford it” sphere, but with the 13.1-metre version of the Tempest listing for more than $1.5 million, you have an idea of how much you’re likely to be up for.

Capelli's extensive range of RIBs for just about any budget are available via Australian dealers including Short Marine.