Precision Built & Designed For Speed & Luxury
How do you like your ribs? Typical smoky BBQ or Buffalo sauce? How about four-alarm hot with a touch of ghost pepper flakes? Maybe you are a honey mustard flavor kind of person or one who prefers a classic brown sugar taste. How about stepping out of your comfort zone with a Kansas City rub or a Jack Daniel’s glaze.
The point is there are a lot of choices in this sector of Center Console RIBs as there are well, numerous varieties for this savory and popular food. And with the Hunton H1005 (10.5m/34.5ft) in the mix, should you be in the market for an upscale, superior detailed, and head-turning selection, whether for a stand-alone vessel or a bar-raising tender for your megayacht, you just might have found your match.
With its racing heritage dating back to 1975 when Jeff Hunton entered his first of eleven prestigious Cowes to Torquay to Cowes high-performance competitions, going on to found his boat-building enterprise in 1979, the emphasis of the company has been to provide the thrill of speed and extreme stability and comfort with luxurious accommodations all wrapped up in an exceptional build.
One look at the H1005 Center Console will provide you with all you need to realize where this RIB gets her DNA. Hunton designs and engineers all their boats to exacting standards and to ensure the same occurs with this vessel, the hulls and decks are hand laid up, use the latest in cutting edge computerized technologies, and reflect a fastidious attention to detail pursued by many and achieved by few. From its sleek and sexy H37, H45, and H55 performance yachts right on through to its H830 RIB—8.3m/27.3ft—as well as the subject of this review, Hunton’s ability to deliver a superior product through its model line is second to none.
“No matter which boat in our lineup you look at, all are built on race-proven hulls,” said Fiona Pool, the company’s CEO. “The same amazing performance and sea-handling is as big a part of our RIBs as that found in all our boats.” To Pool’s point, the H1005 RIB took home the top honors for boats in its class in The Round Britain powerboat race.
According to Hunton, the H1005 is a sizzling performer, posting top speeds of 65 knots—with the larger horsepower outboard selection—a 250 nm range at cruise and still able to post a speed of between 40-45 knots, sports a 10’9” beam, draws 2’8” of water, and weighs in at 3,858 pounds dry. She is available in both twin outboard power featuring 2 x 400-hp or 2 x 350-hp Mercury Verado engines or a pair of 260-hp Yanmar diesel inboards. A larger horsepower outboard option is available if necessary. “The power options are purely up to the individual client and their particular use,” adds Pool.
With the already gained popularity of Center Console RIB ownership in Europe, including that outside of the megayacht tender, and the fact that its attractiveness is on the rise here in the States as a stand-alone center-console as well, the inboard diesel application presents an attractive alternative.
“Again, if you only want this as a day boat, using the Yanmars affords us the luxury of being able to create a large sundeck aft,” said Pool. “And while the speed is a bit less than that provided by the outboards, we still see postings of 50+ knots depending on sea conditions and other factors.” As far as being able to support the weight of the diesel inboards, and with the only option being the 260-hp models, this is all taken into consideration when building the hull.
The deep-vee hull with teak decking is standard as are the hydraulic drop-down helm seats, GarminTouchscreen GPS plotter/sounder, custom stainless-steel mast, and GRP T-top, recessed transom shower, along with a host of other features. Some optional equipment includes a head console with a sink and shower, stainless ski pole, and Esthec decking, an impressive, long-lasting and durable composite alternative to teak that has been successfully used on many large yachts from leading builders around the world. “We also offer a bimini top aft that attaches to the T-top with poles on the aft end as well as taking the bow sunbed and creating a refrigerated locker below.”
As far as the five-chambered tubes are concerned, Hypalon is the product of choice for Hunton’s H1005 CC RIB. Given its sea-proven durability for extreme use as well as its longevity in the harsh medium of saltwater operation, it was the only selection for the builder to use. With the rub rail along with proper fending off, this incredibly strong material will stay that way for years to come.
“While we have had ski enthusiasts purchasing our boats, we have other additions we can provide,” said Pool as we spoke of the versatility of the boat. “The T-top can also be equipped with radar and nav lights, and we have also provided a racking system for wakeboards, scuba equipment, and even added special compartments for using other types of gear.” And of course, Pool indicated only the finest of outdoor-speakers and stereo equipment is used for an additional heart-pounding experience. “We have found that the Fusion system works best and given its design and build are superbly suited for application in the marine environment,” she added. “Customization is no problem.”
The same high-quality leathers and materials that go into its yachts are also found on the H1005. Again, with the European RIB market being much larger than that found in the U.S., especially as day boats, Hunton decided to make sure this model presents itself as not only a high-quality build but possesses important luxury touches as well.
Hunton’s H1005 owns all the fun and high-powered energy the company has built its fine reputation on all wrapped up in a stable platform that can-do double duty as both a megayacht tender or standalone boat. She runs as well at 20 knots as she does at 50 and with the family and friends aboard, will provide the kind of experience that will last a lifetime.
For more information contact Hunton Yachts: info@huntonyachts.com.