Customisation is ensured by the fact that everything is done by hand, in-house at the yard itself. There is no lack of comfort, and it is easy to handle, but speed freaks will enjoy the performance
by Niccolò Volpati – photo by Andrea Muscatello
What would you say about a maxi RIB which is nearly fourteen metres long overall, and has as much as 1350 horsepower on the transom? Probably that it was an inflatable that was made to go fast. That’s the right answer, given that I got to around 48 knots, but the Envy 1400 isn’t just that. And perhaps it wasn’t created just to be that.
Like all of the models produced by the yard, the design is by Donato Montemitro, the founder of Scanner Marine. Everything is done internally, from moulding to assembly. Nothing is outsourced to third parties or partners, with two main advantages: there is a wide range of customisation possibilities as well as attention to the smallest detail, as happens with artisanal production. The first thing one notices about this boat, even before getting on board, is the design. The tubes are more than simply something that wraps around the hull and the sides. And not just because they are structural and essential.
To be honest, as is the case with a lot of maxi RIBS, the tubes are an addition. But they aren’t the same from bow to stern. Their shape and thickness accentuate the curves of the boat. They are thicker in the stern and along the sides so that they can play the dual role of carrying people while also ensuring that the cockpit and deck are always dry when the boat is in motion. And then, going forward, they get thinner to provide more space for the sun area, without the bow looking too huge. Another thing that you see right from the quayside is that the boat doesn’t have an excessive freeboard. So essentially the shape of its lines and limited water clearance give it a feeling of elegance and sportiness at the same time. The glass fibre part of the cockpit, which goes down to the sides, is covered in teak, so what you see is wood, cushion fabrics and the steel of the bitts and grab handles. So as well as the shape, the use of these materials gives an aura of elegance to the inflatable.
The interiors haven’t been set up for spending the night. But the dinette is unusually large for an inflatable boat of this size, which means comfort while cruising is ensured.
The lagoon of Venice, as was fairly predictable, didn’t have a stormy sea waiting for us. The water was flat and waveless. In terms of trying out the hull, all that was needed was to be happy with the bow wave. It felt very good, probably thanks to two factors: the V-bow and the displacement, which helps the boat to push its way through the waves without any problem and to get its trim back quickly. We also liked how easy it is to manoeuvre. In the stern, there were three Mercury Racing 450 hps with all the accompanying accessories. There is the joystick for manoeuvring when going in and out of port, a skyhook to maintain position by using the interface with the GPS, electronic throttles, auto trim and – above all – integrated electronic steering. The Envy 1400 does tight turns very easily. You can continue to turn, even at high speed, without ever worrying that you are losing control. It doesn’t lose that much speed, it doesn’t cavitate, and although the deck is fairly much at water level, there is no danger of getting splashed in the cockpit. The tubes do their job well. The bow breaks through the waves and the tubes handle the task of pushing the bow wave away. The boat sits back slightly, but as you open up the throttles, it stretches out perfectly parallel to the water surface.
The T-Top can also be customised. Buyers can request a more protective version that is suitable for use in winter too.
With 1,350 horsepower, the performance is more than just good. At top speed, I did over 47 knots, while to start planning I needed under 12. When you add it all up, that is a range of 35 knots in cruising speeds, from the calmest and most economical right up to the fastest. And the litres per nautical mile figures range from 6.2 to 10. So essentially there is something for everybody. It is difficult to imagine that you couldn’t find the right speed for the passengers that you have on board and the water conditions that you might find.
It’s easy to handle, even though it’s a boat that can do over 47 knots. You never get the feeling that you are going to lose control, and so that top speed is within everybody’s reach, even beginners.
There are several different motor options, and buyers can go for the outboard that they prefer. The Envy 1400 started with a pair of Volvo D6s each developing 440 horsepower, with stern drives. That was the perfect choice for people who are less interested in top speeds but are instead looking to keep fuel usage down. And then the stern drives mean that the whole stern platform is reserved for getting into the sea. Three outboards each turning out 450 horsepower, however, brings us close to the maximum power total, and the yard is about to try it out with a pair of 600 hp Mercury Verados. I think that is an excellent solution for various reasons. First of all, because the Mercury V12s have got so much torque, they have been designed to get heavy boats moving, and not just to deliver high speeds. So that could be perfect for this maxi RIB. Furthermore, as we know, it has a fixed powerhead so that only the gearcase turns, and so it takes up a lot less room in the stern. So the bathing platform loses a lot less space than when three traditional outboards are used. And finally when you look at the performance, even if you get 150 horsepower less, there is so much margin left over that I don’t think that is a big sacrifice.
Engine data
Three 450-horsepower outboards take the power practically to the most you can install. The other option is to have a pair of 600 hp engines or inboard-outboards.
SCANNER MARINE
Via Gautieri, 19
I-28060 Casalbeltrame (NO)
T.+39 0321 838973
www.scanner-marine.com
PROJECT
Donato Montemitro Design
HULL
LOA 13.70m • Maximum beam 4.00m • Dry mass displacement 8,000 kg • Fuel tank volume 1,050 l • Water tank volume 260 l
MAIN PROPULSION
3xMercury 450R • Outlet mechanical power 336 kW (450 hp) • 8 V-shaped cylinders • Swept volume 4.6 l – Bore&Stroke 92mm x 86mm • Compression ratio 1.60:1 • Maximal rotational speed 5800-6400/min • Weight 313 kg
EC CERTIFICATION
CAT B
PRICE
573,000€, Exc.VAT as standard (October 2022)
(Scanner Envy 1400, speed emotion – Barchemagazine.com – October 2022)
