Spotlight: SACS Strider 11

SACS is an Italian boat brand that specialises in building RIBs that are more than just tenders for superyachts. SACS’s products are standalone luxury day boats, capable of entertaining a surprisingly large number of people, going places fast, and then pampering those on board once you’re there.

The SACS Strider 11 measures just over 11.0 metres long, but as are most RIBS, the 3.8-metre beam is fairly wide for its waterline.

This unique configuration makes it possible for SACS to build the best attributes into the Strider 11.

It starts with the fibreglass hull that sits in between the flotation tubes running down each side. One of the problems with ocean-going boats is that they need a deep-vee hull to help them slice through the water, with the downside being the stability of the steeply raked hull at rest, where they tend to be a bit tippy.

Because the pontoons run so wide, they can be used to add stability.

The SACS Strider 11 has a 24.3-degree vee up front, which allows it to easily cut through swell and waves at high speed and with confidence. Once anchored up, no one will spill their drinks.

The SACS Strider 11 is available with either an inboard engine that sits under a large aft sun pad, with outboard engines featuring an aft sun pad, or with a U-shaped lounge complete with a height-adjustable table.

Because this is a boat made for getting places quickly, engine choices include twin 360hp Volvo Penta D4 diesel inboard engines or twin 300hp Mercury outboard engines.

With either engine choice, the SACS Strider 11 will still hustle along at 47 knots with the throttle controls pushed right down, or the equivalent of almost 90km/h over land.

A more sedate cruising speed is from around 28 knots to 32 knots, or between 50 and 60km/h.

The range at cruising speeds is around 220 nautical miles – roughly Sydney to Newcastle and back again.

Onboard comforts include the aft sunbed if you haven’t requested the transom seating, a forward cabin that will allow two people to spend the night on board, a separate toilet and washbasin, and a central two-seat helm with easy-access walkaround space forward.

One of the other strengths of the RIB is the amount of flotation it can provide. The SACS Strider 11 is rated for up to 14 passengers, which would make it pretty crowded onboard.

The inflatable flotation down each side are also very safe and hardwearing. It’s not a single tube but instead is built into six separate sections so that if one deflates, the others hold their buoyancy.

Even with all the tubes deflated, the SACS Strider 11 can remain afloat with level buoyancy.

You can order the SACS Strider 11 as an open boat, or with a T-top that extends over the helm station.

RIBs are also light compared with boats built out of fibreglass, making them ideal for out-of-water storage such as in a dry stack, cutting down on maintenance needs.

SACS RIBs are sold in Australia via SACS Marine Australia.