Smuggler Marine has exported another inflatable RIB to Perth for an Australian buyer – a 780 Super Sport model.
Ordered direct from the factory in Auckland, New Zealand, this 780 Super Sport model comes fitted with a raft of options and extra’s and is powered by a Mercury 300hp V8 Verado, propelling the 7.5m RIB to a top speed of 54 knots.
“Smuggler Marine has always been at the forefront of the inflatable RIB market in New Zealand and over the years has built up an enviable reputation for quality and innovation with our Strata range,” says Smuggler Marine Managing Director, David Pringle.
The Smuggler Marine order book is bursting with further RIB orders destined for Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
The 780 Super Sport has Smuggler’s legendary 27-degree deep vee hull that it shares with the Smuggler 7.5 and 8.0m models with Hypalon tubes coming as standard as too does a 150L flooding keel which provides extra stability at rest.
Catering to both the water sports, diving and fishing market alike, the 780 Super Sport’s bowrider style layout provides seating for up to five in the bow area. When added to the six seats in the main cockpit, this gives the boat a remarkable 12-seat capacity. Access to the bow seating is through a split windscreen – a wide walk-through between the forward area and main cockpit.
“The success of our Smuggler Strata 750 mid cabin model has been huge for us, but not everyone wants to walk around the side decks to go forward and we had some of our superyacht tender clients who wanted to maximise the space available with more seating.”
This 780 Super Sport is also fitted with a load of electrical options including a Simrad NSS12 Touch plotter/sounder, Fusion stereo with 2 x 6” speakers, VHF, forward facing light bar and floodlight, LED underwater lighting on transom and a camera fitted in the bow for ease of anchoring.
A hand held fresh water shower and pump with built in 80 litre water tank is also fitted. This 780 Super Sport was also specified withwhite gel coat, light grey hypalon tubes with custom canvas tube covers and upholstery in light grey with the flooring finished in brown / black U-Dek by Ultralon.
“We’ve exported around 12 of our Smugglers to Western Australia, a range of different models, but the most popular has been our 750 Centre Console. This is the first Super Sport model into Western Australia.”
It is expected that the new owner of the 780 Super Sport will be exploring the waters off the Perth coast, in particular, Rottnest Island.
The island is a popular destination for the Perth boating community, about 60nm offshore, the 27-degree deep vee Smuggler hull proving to be the hull of choice for the rough waters off the Western Australia coast.
The Smuggler Strata 780 Super Sport landed in Australia starts at around NZ $140,000.
