Woody Marine Pty Ltd 24 Millennium Place, Tingalpa, 4173, Queensland, Australia Phone: 61 7 3393 5995; Fax: 61 7 3393 5994; Mobile Service: 0438 339 551 Email: sales@woodymarine.com.au

Why Woody's RIBs make superior boats

The Naiad Approach

Naiad has been the world specialist in the design and construction of rigid hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) since 1975. When Naiad first entered the market, existing companies were simply putting a hard hull on an inflatable vessel, with a focus on fender design and textile technology. We decided on a different approach.

Naiad focused on creating high performance hulls, rapidly building respect and a strong reputation for hull design and strength. In addition we realised that existing vessels had non-detachable fenders. We decided to make the fenders relatively cost-effective and easy to replace, like the tyres of a car, creating a dramatic improvement in value to our customers. Our buoyant fenders are fitted to the hull as non-structural components, easily removed for repair or replacement.

This entirely new concept was tested and refined in our first one hundred boats over a period of five years. The system proved to be excellent, and we have continued to improve our designs over a further two decades. In 1996, Naiad developed a removable foam fender system as an alternative to airfilled buoyant fenders, utilising a urethane and foam construction suitable for extreme commercial use. In 2002, Naiad enhanced their airfilled buoyant fenders to incorporate a layer of closed cell foam for heavy commercial applications.

Not only was Naiad the first in the world to fix removable fenders to the hull, but the company was also the first to design cabin structures for inflatable vessels to provide protection from the elements.

Consider these facts:

• Durability: try and buy a second hand RIB (if you can - RIB's are so durable they are rarely sold)!

• Reliability: Australian VMRs are now making RIBs their boat of choice on one of the world's roughest seas.
• Design: RIB's will continue to take it in rough weather long after you have given up!
• Easily maintained: the twin track system for attaching the buoyancy bags allows owners to do their own maintenance.
• Easily repaired: tears can be repaired anywhere - including on the water.
• Versatility: attach a wide range of engines including - outboard, inboard, diesel, Jet drive, surface drive, conventional and stern leg.
• Customisation: RIB's can be customized to meet 100% of your objectives.

Woody's RIBs, including Naiads, are now used by governments in Australia and around the world for customs surveillance, fisheries protection, Police, Volunteer Marine Rescue and Coastguard duties, and are used as commercial and pleasure vessels for fishing, diving, surveying, pilotage, tourism and as tenders for yachts.

The soft ride and predictable handling of RIBs makes them easy to drive in rough conditions, while maintaining excellent speed. Many RIB vessels built by Woody are used for various tourism ventures off the coast of Fiji and Australia. Each boat can carry up to one tonne of people at a speed of 45 knots, and over the course of a year will clock up four thousand hours running time, travel thirty thousand nautical miles and carrying excess of 5,000 passengers!

See some of the amazing RIB's built by Woody at this link