3 boats, one RIB with almost 900 hp: here the Rebel 40 by Sacs

She is a RIB but also a coupé or a sportboat. In short, something which didn’t exist before. Her older sister apart. Sacs is well-know for its Strider boats. These are RIBs – Rigid Inflatable Boats – highly appreciated by many yachtsmen for they well-defined attractive design, speed, sporty lines and reliability. The current catalogue of the brand includes 12 models from 7 to 20 meters in length, including mass production and special lines. Then, Sacs’ staff wondered: why don’t we create something really new? So, in cooperation with Christian Grande who had already designed other models for the shipyard, the Rebel line was launched in 2016 with the successful Rebel 47. Two years later, a new creature came, the Rebel 40, the smaller yet not less resourceful sister.

Still rib or not?

At first sight, the concept of RIB survives but only thanks to the presence of floats surrounding the hull. Unlike common RIBs, however, floats are not round and feature a V-shaped section with an outwardfacing curved part. If we cut them, we could realize that the external layer is made of the same Hypalon neoprene used on normal tubes but with expanded material, less dense than water and therefore floating, inside instead of air for a greater shock resistance. The reason of this choice is clear: the use of a moldable material instead of air allows to create floats whose shape can go beyond the conventional cylinder. The shape chosen by Sacs maintains its external volume which functions as a floating reserve and as a stabilizer in the event of roll while providing the deck with more space as well as a larger sidedeck than that of a common cockpit of the same size.

Floats role

Moreover, floats contribute to streamline the silhouette of the Rebel 40 which is now more ascendant thanks to the protective windscreen which is integral part of the T-Top ( which protects the pilot station and the galley). Two sun shades supported by two carbon poles can be installed for greater protection. In addition to the large astern sunbathing platform, the boat features many convenient sun pads. Interesting and well-refined is the forward lounge, equipped with two frontside chaises longues whose backrest can be integrated into the forward sun pad.

Below deck, interiors are lit up by two attractive windows that, positioned below the float, seem to emerge from the hull: a really good design solution. The night area consists of two cabins: one in the bow equipped with a queen-size bed and positioned next to the dinette and another under the driving console, fitted with bathroom and separate shower compartment.

Engine and technical features

Compared to her sister, the Rebel 40 is offered with less powerful engine options: 2x Volvo Penta /Mercury 430hp or 2 x Mercury 370hp inboard/outboard engines

• LOA : 12.32 m
• Width : 3.96 m
• Draft : 0.70 m
• Dry displacement (without engines): 7 t
• Weight with standard engines : 8.5 t
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 2 x 570 l
• Water Tank Capacity : 220 l
• Max Engine Power : 632 kW (860 hp)
• Design Category : CE – B
• Accommodation : 14
• Berths: 4
• Project : SACS
• Design : Christian Grande Design Works