DISPATCHES
A 2005 boating accident killed 11-year-old Brianna Lieneck. In the wake of the tragedy, her mother has been fighting to institute mandatory boating education in New York state.
Zodiac- Nautic in June launched its OPEN 5.5 RIB. The 17-foot, 7-inch rigid inflatable hull boat (RIB) is the first in what will be an extensive line of inflatables aimed at active recreational boaters.
“With its highly stable hull and tube, the OPEN 5.5 offers comfort and plenty of cargo stowage. Its versatility and performance make this RIB well suited for a variety of activities, including fishing, diving, water-skiing and cruising,” says Zodiac Nautic North America President Gary Durnan. “This is a real Swiss Army knife of a boat.”
A bevy of optional accessories allow owners to customize the OPEN 5.5 to suit the type of boating they do. A sundeck extension, leaning post backrest, swim platform and optional T- top up the comfort factor for families, while a tow bar, a swim platform extension and foam decking are great add-ons for watersports. Accessories are also available for folks who want to scuba dive or fish.
A variety of Yamaha and Mercury 4-stroke outboards can be specified up to 130 horsepower. Test craft at the launch event were equipped with a single 115- hp Yamaha VMAX SHO 4- stroke good for 39 knots of top end and an economical cruise of 23 knots. Time to plane was 7.6 seconds and zero to 30 mph took 12 seconds.
The OPEN 5.5’ s tubes are made from Zodiac’s proprietary Strongan DUOTEX or Hypalon Neoprene fabrics and come with a five-year warranty. Base price for the 5.5 OPEN is $30,393. Zodiac Nautic, Summerville, South Carolina, (843) 376-3470. zodiac-nautic.com