Naiad 14.5 Expedition

This vessel was created for an amazing couple; long-term Marine Riley clients.

I was asked to help them find their dream vessel and if it didn't exist, to create it for them.

They wanted a vessel that would allow them to explore the uncharted islands around Papua New Guinea, but also double as the perfect day boat for Sydney Harbour cruising.

The boat we chose would have to have enough range to get between fuel stops, but also enough performance - power and speed - to get ahead of bad weather.

Meanwhile, the fit-out had to be finished to luxury yacht standards, with all the comforts to make any destination enjoyable.

After hundreds of conversations and thousands of hours, we settled on a list of all the requirements for their dream vessel.

All I had to do now was to search the world to find the boat that met all these attributes.

I've travelled to almost every major boat show around the globe and know many builders, but nothing they made fit the bill.

So I started to look down the custom route.

The task was challenging. What boat can travel in the worst of conditions far from any type of help, cruise at 40 knots if required while fully loaded, nudge up onto a beach on an uninhabited island and have facilities to cook fresh seafood on the barbecue with a nice cool beer after having a warm shower?

We needed something special. After much searching, I found a company that could create our dream boat. It was then three hard, long years, dozens of meetings, thousands of emails and phone calls and lots of input from real masters of the trade to create this beast, our client's dream vessel - a 14.5 metre RIB dripping with luxury and powered by three 600hp Mercury V12 Verado outboard engines.

She is no show pony, having just completed a circumnavigation of Tasmania in conditions from dead calm to 8m seas in absolute control. Yes 8m seas and performing like a thoroughbred. Her rescue boat background showed what she is built to handle.

If you after an average boat, don't call us as we would be wasting your time. If you are after the ultimate explorer, a high performance super yacht tender, or just the best boat currently on the market, let's talk...