One for yourselva?

If you are a diver who is considering buying a private boat for the family and some occasional diving, an increasing number of RIBs is being built for your requirements. One such boat is the Italian-made Selva S550C.
It even looks Italian in its attractive blue, grey and white livery. Decor aside, good, safe seakeeping is promised by a deep-V hull and chunky, German-made tubes tapering from 57cm to 52cm at the boat's squarish, tucked-up bow.
The S550C has a GRP hull which looks, feels and sounds strong. Firmness is increased by three generous spray rails, the boat's bow locker and, internally, two glassed-up longitudinal stringers per side plus floor members beneath the console.
In character with a boat of Mediterranean origins, it offers plenty of sun lounging and kitting up space. It has a large bow locker and a hinged after locker for batteries and tools.
More stowage space exists beneath the console and its two double seats - one bench for steering and one forward of the small windscreen. There is enough room for the driver to stand up at the wheel.
The console has a stainless steel safety rail, plenty of instrument space and a neat recess to keep the ignition switch away from knees and children. Cabling is all short-run and covered. Unusually, the boat's grab lines are set in a straight line along the very tops of the tubes. Good rubber fittings include six grab handles, a full-length rubbing strake, and a combined bow roller and jamming cleat with a bollard-shaped top.
The boat comes with a Selva engine - whether you like it or not! An 80hp engine is adequate, but it handles well with the top-of-the-power-range 100hp motor. Selva motors are not top drawer but not bottom, either, and they carry a 2-year parts and labour warranty.
The aft console places the main passenger mass well forward, allowing an easier lift 'over the hump' on to the plane and, at lower speeds, helping the bow sections grip the sea. Once stopped, the cox'n has a clear view of divers as they drop into the water. The deep-V hull and tubes set well outboard also do much to maintain linear stability.
The generous beam inhibits heel and skid in the corners, so in a seaway you should not get jerked out of your skin every time a sliding stern catches on a wave.
All in all, the 100hp Selva S550C boat and engine combination should make a comfortable family boat while providing enough room, carrying ability and power for diving groups of four to six.
Enquiries
Chillington Marine ,
Unit 1, New Town Business Park, Ringwood Road, Poole, Dorset BH12 3LJ
(tel. 01202 747400).