Scorpion RIBs
22 December 2004 - 17:56
Graham Jelley, managing director of Scorpion RIBs, has been in the boating industry for 30 years. Having extensively worked on the restoration of Fairey Swordsmen he decided in 1995 to turn his hand to RIBs and initially sought to buy one for his own use. However, he found that there were no RIBs on the market that were purpose built, they were all makeovers from powerboats. Furthermore, the available RIBs did not give the comfort and the performance that he expected could be achieved.
Graham knew that to build the best one, he had to use the best, not only in materials but also from accessing knowledge. After several years of extensive market research, rigorous analysis of the hulls, powerboats and RIBs and lengthy consultations with experts in various marine fields, the Scorpion hull was designed with the first Scorpion RIB being launched deep in the winter of 1995/96.
To test the Scorpion design, the first RIBs were rigorously put through their paces. This included not only races, which were invariably short, but also long distance pleasure cruising, even to the Artic. The result has been a hull which still holds good to this day, as Scorpion number 140, launched in July 2003, used the same mould as number 001, all those years ago.
The first owners of Scorpions came from all sectors and the majority still own and enjoy a Scorpion. The feedback received from these earlier purchasers as well as from ongoing observations made by all people involved with the Scorpion have enabled the company to be the market leader.
All the mouldings and the tubes are made by Scorpion themselves. Design is paramount and each component is tested to ensure that the Scorpion quality is not compromised. All the mouldings are watertight and only stainless steel and upholstery is contracted out.
To keep a step ahead of the industry, the deck layout is constantly evolving. The tubes have been streamlined and do not have separate tail cones. Each Scorpion is different as they are all built to the customers specific requirements. However, they all give fast, comfortable, dry and smooth rides, the best on the market.
In addition to the open RIBs, Scorpion also designed and built in 1996 one of the first RIBs to have a cabin - the Sports Cruiser. Today, the Mark II design of this Cruising RIB is an endurance record holder having traversed the seas around Britain in record-breaking time. The standard Cruiser is 10m in length and ideally suited to twin 315hp inboards. It has a galley, separate toilet/shower compartment and a spacious comfortable cabin.
The 10m Open is the complimentary RIB to the Sports Cruiser.
Historically, the company was formed as South Coast RIBs Limited in March 1996 and traded under the name of Scorpion. As the brand name became a recognized industry standard, the company changed its name to Scorpion RIBs Limited in February 2001. Today, Scorpion is continuing with leading the way and giving depth and integrity to the rigid inflatable boat market.
Contact: sales@scorpionribs.com
