Packed with clever storage space and sporting a smooth-running hull, the Shearwater 890S is a practical and punchy RIB
Any decent RIB worth its salt should balance practical considerations with outright driving thrills, and the Shearwater 980S scores highly on both counts.
This new model from Bembridge Marine is jam-packed with cubbyholes, dry storage lockers and other thoughtful touches.
Take the extra-wide bathing platform for example, or the option to have an electric windlass fitted to the bow end.
However, a RIB would be pointless without a healthy dollop of driving joy and we found this in spades on our Solent test.
Fitted with a single 300hp Mercury Verado outboard, the Shearwater 890S leaps up onto the plane with barely any hump and delivers a smooth, yet exhilarating ride.
In this video, editor Hugo Andreae takes to the Solent to give it a proper runaround. To watch our report, click on the video above.
To read Hugo’s full review of the Shearwater 890S, including his take on the inboard cuddy alternative, pick up this month’s edition of Motor Boat & Yachting, which is out on Thursday (June 4).
