2018 Redbay Boats Redbay 1650 Explorer Cabin RIB

Redbay Boats began building RIBs in 1992 and were, as such, the first proponents of this exceptionally practical vessel. Building for the harsh conditions of the northern coasts of the Irish Sea (with a massive following in the wild waters of the Western Highlands), Tom McLaughlin and his team build a mean machine. With a full order book of 10- and 11-metre boats, Tom decided to proceed with the build of a 16.5m RIB in 2013 – no mean feat for a small provincial boatbuilder, but it needed to be done – so Tom got on with it. Joe McCollam (Redbay’s tame naval architect) suggested that the first 1650 be built as a pilot boat – high-powered, swift, durable, and built to endure and thrive in savage sea states whilst intercepting massive steel tankers. The moulds (separate hull, deck, and superstructure moulds for versatility and adaptability) were tooled, the hull was massively laminated, and CALEDONIA was born. She headed to the Seawork Show in Southampton, muscling through a Force 8 off Land’s End and 10-metre seas – at a very respectable 18 knots. Her debut provoked a further three orders straight off the bat, followed by a brace of pilot boats for Belfast Harbour and a customer order for passenger trips to St Kilda. In 2018, following a major expansion of the Redbay building facilities in Cushendall, the order for LADY KATE came in (yet another repeat customer – who had previously bought and enjoyed a 1250). The same phenomenally capable hull form of the pilot boats was now a fully-fledged luxury offshore cruising RIB. From the resilience of her pneumatic Hypalon tubes, through the array of suspension seats, to her hand-crafted oak interior – this is one purposeful lady. Built expressly to run through whatever weather is found outside, LADY KATE is truly individual. The weight in build is commercial, the hull integrity is beyond reproach, and the systems integration is exceptional. She is in no way everyday – but that is what makes her what she is. She can happily operate in conditions that would keep any “normal” yacht safely snugged up in harbour, with a 5,000-litre tank capacity offering well over 1,000 NM in range. Now that is a true explorer. With limited opportunity to indulge their passion, her owners have only enjoyed light use of her since the summer of 2024, and thus they feel the time is right to offer her amazing strength and abilities to her next custodians. There are just a few things to highlight based upon the trip we made aboard Redbay’s Cabin RIB from the outlying island of Rathlin to Ballycastle (the former being a wild and windswept rocky outpost located north of the infamous Fair Head and its race, and about an hour’s steaming out of Cushendall where the Redbay yard is based). I strapped myself in and observed while our designated helmsman put the vessel through her paces, driving her at speed through the rough. He pushed her hard, but at no time did she deliver a single hard landing. I have to admit, though, to finding the peculiar combination of the conditions raging outside and the warm serenity of the Redbay’s cabin with its Fusion SiriusXM sound system playing quite a surreal experience! Certainly, the latter gave a strange sense of ‘homely normality’ and psychologically had the effect of dumbing down the harshness of the conditions on deck. Being aboard one of these Redbay cabin RIBs in adverse weather is an experience that can only be truly appreciated in person – but safe to say, it’s very similar to that of being on an all-weather lifeboat. You feel utterly secure, in control, with a strong sense that the vessel’s power delivery, sturdiness and seakeeping attributes are able to match the worst the weather can throw at it. If I had to sum up the experience of being aboard the Redbay in heavy weather in just one word, it would be ‘impressive’ Redbay specialise in the business of customisation – it’s the company’s skill set and what they are known for. Whether it’s a commercial client or a private individual, Redbay understand the need to fulfil clients’ expectations. In addition, the Redbay yard has an impeccable track record of understanding engine installation and the fitting of electronic systems. The yard’s technicians work closely with these suppliers and Redbay craft have often been used to showcase new technology. Powerboat & RIB. LADY KATE is an outstanding boat with incredible all-weather capability. Whether your destination is St Kilda or St Ives, she will carry you there with grace and ease – a superbly practical, entirely capable, all-weather vessel. Limitless adventures and unforgettable memories are her forte.