Rio Yachts Inagua S: exclusive sea trial at the Genoa Boat Show

Rio Yachts, all-Italian nautical excellence since 1961, enters the world of RIBs with the brand-new Inagua S, the first inflatable ever built by the Italian boatyard.

Entry Level of the Inagua range, the Rio Yachts Inagua S successfully combines all the sportiness of an inflatable with the elegance of details and finishes that distinguishes the Open family.

At sea it is incredibly stable and fast. The thrill of tacking to port or starboard is priceless because the high, diamond-shaped helm station shows a truly thrilling view of the sea caressing the tubulars.

The power is not lacking, there is room for two 300 hp outboards, like the Mercurys that now drive this boat, designed by Marino Alfani, to tame the waves that rise up in the bow. Chroming, premiere design, ample space and strong emotions complete the circle.

Inagua S is like a classic suit worn with a pair of tennis shoes, and now I’ll tell you why.

INAUGUA S SEA TRIAL

It had been unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2022 and I knew it would also arrive at the Genoa Boat Show, so once the countdown was over I was very happy that the day had come: I was curious to know what Rio Yatchs’ first Maxi Rib would look like live, and finally the day had come.

11 m by 3.70 m. I like such big boats because everything is comfortable: the walkaround runs throughout the boat like a gangway and moving up to the beautiful diamond-shaped bridge is very easy. The pilot seat is raised, you have the perception of being really high up and you are enveloped by this splendid, ultra-modern black T-Top, in line with the helm station that houses an eye-catching control console.

Getting out of the harbour quickly, the boat responds promptly to tight manoeuvres. The sea is rough, there are waves of about a metre and a half, the wind is picking up and I think it’s the ideal situation to test a Rib like this: wide, glued on its Marino Alfani-designed hull.

At 2,500 rpm, I exceed 20 knots, the boat is planing. Before starting with the speed and consumption tests I want to get used to it and so I start attacking the waves firmly, pushing down on the throttle, expecting to feel the fallout in the wave hollow, but… nothing. As if the waves weren’t even there.

Then it’s a succession of port and starboard turns and I notice the perspective which, I admit, has really seduced me. As I said, the helm station is raised as is the seat, the feet are on the footrest, and I enjoy the spectacle from above. The sea caressing the tubulars, the reflection of the sun on the water, the white of the Rib: the more you drive it, the more you’ll keep on driving it.

With this sea at 30 knots on the 4000 rpm we travel deliciously pleasantly and consumption is under control, 40 l/h. So off I go, lowering the throttle even more, 4,500, 5,000… at 5,500 rpm I’m at 43 knots and I’m happy as a child.

But the sea is getting rougher and rougher, the sky black and we decide to go back. That was my top speed, but it comfortably reaches 50 knots.

I don’t have a drop of water on me, those on the boat with me are chatting amiably on the comfortable sofas behind me, and there is an unconscious smile on my face.

THE INAGUA S IN DETAIL

Aesthetically it is refined, elegant: I can see it arriving with a celebrity on board at a Cannes or Venice Premiere.

The spaces are immediately reminiscent of an open yacht, with a large walkaround that emphasizes that convivial atmosphere I expect from a Rib. The rear decks, despite the fact that the stern is built to accommodate two outboards, are spacious and well designed. The white striped embroidery is a theme that continues throughout the cockpit.

Some features immediately catch the eye. The tubulars that wrap around the entire hull, for example, instead of closing in the classic semi-circle shape are cut: a feature that will also be replicated on all other Rio Yachts inflatable boats and that will make it a trademark.

Then the T-Top. Made of crystal, black in colour, it gives a touch of elegance to this boat, like wearing the right accessory that enhances the whole look, but still leaves wide viewing angles all around and covers from the sun the dashboard, which has a splendid diamond shape, also made of black crystal, hiding a toilet on the front. Not only beauty but also a remarkable effectiveness both in terms of protection, as I said at the end of the test I didn’t even have a drop of water on me, but also in terms of performance, since its inclination favours a more aerodynamic passage of air.

Last but not least, space. Almost four metres of width can be felt in the spacious seating, in the large bow and stern sundecks where passengers lie comfortably, in the situations when the dinghy is used for a lunch at anchor. Of course, nothing is missing: a kitchen with a cutting board (which can accommodate a cooker), a sink, a foldaway table, seven large compartments and a fridge where you can always keep a bottle of Champagne chilled to share with our lucky guests.

This Rib is the perfect crasis of two worlds, that of the dinghy and that of the boat, taking the best from both. Rio Yachts Inagua S has been presented to the world, and I leave with the knowledge that, from the looks of it, we are looking at a line destined to last and to surprise us with many other novelties.

TEST DATA