A new hull, new interiors and deck, but the result is always the same: luxury, sportiness and comfort
by Niccolò Volpati – photo by Pietro Bianchi
Ten years is enough for a bit of an update; however, Sacs Tecnorib has decided to do a radical one. When the Strider 13 appeared, it marked a change in the RIB sector, and not just because of its size: it was then amongst the largest on the market. It was a model that let you know that design also had a significant role in an inflatable. And now the yard has decided the time is right for a new Strider 13. But it hasn’t just made cosmetic changes. Federico Fiorentino once more designed the hull on this new boat, but it has been done entirely from scratch, as were the interiors and deck, which are again the work of Christian Grande. The deck looks for two things above all. The first is to have plenty of room so that it can host lots of guests, and the other is that you have to be able to get around quickly on board.
The Strider 13 has a generous volume and 190 cm of headroom, making it ideal for mid-range cruising.
The version we tried had two inboard-outboards with D6 Volvo Penta stern drives, each turning out 400 horsepower. It’s easy to get from the quay and onto the stern platform to come on board. The same goes for getting into the cockpit because there are two sun pads, each taking two people, with a central walkway. The cockpit has two L-shaped sofas and their respective tables, so room is available in the middle. The tables can be opened up and joined together if there are extra guests, and with the addition of a cushion, the sofas become one, with room for ten or so people. The side decks are expansive, and the tubes don’t get in the way, far from it. The problem is that there aren’t any grab handles to get to the foredeck, and they would have been helpful. In contrast to the stern, which has a central walkway, the route is down the outside, and the walking surface is level with the tubes. So, having something to hold on to as you get around would have felt safer. The foredeck is entirely taken up by another large sun pad, not least because the anchor comes out of the hawsehole. That means the stem is not very large. It is helpful to stand on when getting off when moored bow-to, and it also has two foldaway cleats and buttons for the windlass. This area is slightly raised above deck level to allow for more excellent headroom below (190 centimetres, while the double bed is 160 cm wide). The interiors are also very comfortable –and the bathroom is spacious and includes a separate shower cubicle. There are two other beds amidships, but these are a bit more restricted in terms of headroom since they are under the cockpit. The berths are laid out across the beam to get the most out of the available area. Buyers can have a dinette rather than the beds and can – of course – choose the fabrics and colours used. But the interiors aren’t the only thing you can customise, as there is a lot of choice regarding engines.
Windscreens and T-Tops offer protection without compromising the visibility and open space a rib should provide.
As well as the two 400-hp Volvo D6s, you can go for a total output of 880 horsepower or an outboard set-up – the top rating would be three 400s, for a total of 1,200 hp. We had two 400-horsepower Volvo D6s with stern drives in Genoa for our test. The sea was calm, so to see how it handled waves, I had to make do with going over the waves left by passing ships. There were quite a few of them, and they were by no means small. I got the feeling I was expecting: it is stable, easy to handle and performs well without disappointment in any category. Despite not having mighty engines, the Strider 13 gets to 38 knots. And it planes at just ten, which is remarkable and shows how efficient the waterlines are.
Fuel consumption is also excellent, and consequently, so is range. At 30 knots, you need around 100 litres per hour, so you need just over three litres per mile. The fuel tanks hold 1160 litres, so the range varies between 290 nautical miles and over 400 at planing minimum. So you can go up and down the Mediterranean at any speed. Indeed, the Strider 13 is not just a luxury tender or a chase boat for a mega yacht but can also be the perfect RIB for a medium-range cruise. The helm station has excellent visibility because the trim is just right. The hull is always nicely out of the water, and the tubes work well as a rubbing strake, given that the spray never got on deck, not even in rougher water. The console’s central position and the dashboard’s ergonomics further enhanced the feeling of having everything under control. Everything is to hand and at the proper distance, making it an absolute pleasure to be at the helm.
Engine room
Two 400hp Volvo D6s with stern drive are just one of the possible engines. A total of 880 hp is possible, or 1,200 hp with outboards.
SACS TECNORIB
Via Don Locatelli, 51
I-20877 Roncello (MB)
T. +39 039 6885489
[email protected]
www.sacsmarine.com
PROJECT
Federico Fiorentino (hull) • Christian Grande Design Works (interiors and superstructure)
HULL
LOA 13.47m • Length 11.94m • Maximum beam 4.26m • Draft 1.05m • Fuel tank volume 1,160 l • Water tank volume 200 l • Maximum rated power 1,200 hp
MAIN PROPULSION
Volvo Penta 2xD6-400 DPI • Outlet mechanical power 294 kW (400 hp) • 6 in-line cylinders • Swept volume 5,5 l • Compression ratio 1.69:1 • Maximal rotational speed 3500 rpm
EC CERTIFICATION
CAT B
PRICE*
710,000 € Excl. VAT in a standard configuration
*The price refers to March 2025
(Strider 13 – A radical change – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, March 2025)
