3 RODMAN SHOWS ITS MUSCLE

Spanish shipyard Rodman has released renderings of a muscular new performance boat based on the highspeed patrol boat used by many of its commercial and military customers.

The new Rodman 33 Offshore is a luxurious, opencentre console day boat, unlike the enclosed wheelhouse design of the heavy-duty patrol boat. There is also a small cabin squeezed beneath the console and the forward sunpad, which will sleep two and provide a separate heads compartment.

The renderings suggest more than a passing nod to the Boston Whaler 330 Outrage. Like that boat, the styling is low and sleek with a centre console protected by high screens and a GRP hard top.

Different cockpit configurations will be available, tuned toward leisure boating or fishing, and twin outboards up to 350hp each should push the top speed past 50 knots. Although the look and finish will be a far cry from the patrol boat’s commercial origins, it uses the same proven offshore hull, which we sea trialled for last year’s Christmas boat test.

It’s not the only new model Rodman is launching next year. A heavily face-lifted 1040 Evolution replaces the existing 1040 in its Fisher & Cruiser line. The look has been updated with a substantially increased glass area in the saloon and a low profile flybridge. A coupé version with a sliding glass roof section will also be available.

Inside, the layout will be broadly similar with a galley in the saloon on the main deck and two cabins sharing a single heads on the lower deck.

Powered by twin shaft drive Volvo Penta D4 engines in either 260hp or 300hp guise, the yard says that it is also considering similar power options from other manufacturers. Maximum speed should be in the region of 32 knots according to Rodman.