WB  Article July 2010.pdf

P-Series Ad 2010

P-Series Ad #2 2010

“We’ve built a reputation for producing extremely durable boats,” said Wing President Bill Wing. “And although Hypalon doesn’t initially demonstrate the level of puncture and abrasion resistance you see in polyurethane, we’ve taken measures to beef up the material and construction in the areas that historically see the most wear and tear. At roughly a third of the cost of polyurethane, we can afford to reinforce the Hypalon to our standards and still offer an attractive price point.” Wing said they have been developing specifications for the project for more than a decade, refining details and leveraging new technology to meet stringent quality, durability and performance requirements.

Another advantage of Hypalon material is that it can be easily rolled up for transport or storage - a benefit critical to many mobile rescue and military units.

The IB-530 can be equipped with a single engine or twin 50 horsepower outboards. It features a beefy 2” transom and special through-bolted transom-to-tube construction to accommodate the additional engine weight.

Two 5.3 meter (17’5”) prototypes were developed – one with a fixed steering console and the other tiller-operated and equipped with speed tubes. Each boat was powered by a single 115 horsepower Mercury Marine outboard engine. With a single person aboard each vessel, the company said both boats exceeded the original speed projections.

“The hull without the speed tubes exceeded 35 miles per hour and the hull with the speed tubes topped 50,” said Wing. “Of course, that was with a light load. You won’t see that with the maximum 13 passengers on board.”

Other features of the IB-530 include a transom-mounted drain assembly accessible from inside the boat, high capacity deck drains with elephant trunks to restrict water entry and an aluminum deck with D-rings.

Wing said a smaller member of the series will be introduced by the end of the year.

“The RibSki isn’t for the casual user,” said Wing president and founder Bill Wing. “It’s designed for extreme conditions – rapids, surf rescue, tight places with shallow water – places you go because you have to, not because you want to.”

Wing is quick to point out that the RibSki’s additional 280 pounds does not impede the PWC performance. “If anything, the RibSki enhances the PWC’s performance,” he said. “The additional hull surface area means you get up on plane quicker. And the collar helps you keep the right side up when things get dicey.”

Aside from enhancing lateral stability and providing fendering, the polyurethane collar provides flotation in the event of catastrophic damage. “If you impact something that breaches the aluminum hull and holes your PWC, at least you aren’t going to sink,” said Wing.

According to Wing, the RibSki is designed to take two or three people and gear into tight spots bigger RIBs cannot access – with the additional advantages of PWC speed and maneuverability. “The RibSki gives you the best of both worlds at a fraction of the cost of a comparably equipped RIB – if such a thing even existed,” he said. “And it doesn’t.”

The RibSki comes complete with the necessary hardware for adoption to most popular PWC hulls. Demonstration rides will be conducted during the MACC conference, June 16-18. For more information, call 386-423-1185.

About Wing Inflatables

Headquartered in Arcata, Calif., Wing Inflatables produces superior quality, extremely durable inflatable boats, RIBs, closed-cell foam collars and a vast array of products for specialty applications serving commercial markets. Wing is the largest supplier of inflatable tubes for RIBs in service with the United States Navy. For more information, visit http://www.wing.com or call 707-826-2887.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DeSyl1CGIQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK56q4gZCSE&feature=related

Knowles is grateful that the pilots’ launch, a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, has air-filled tubes on its sides. The 67-year-old pilot said those inflatable tubes prevented him from being crushed between the pilot vessel and the 293-foot containership Campeche Bay.

Wing Tubes of Course! Read complete story:

www.professionalmariner.com/ME2/dirmod.asp