When you see a fast rigid inflatable boat (RIB) that first responders use ripping across the water at high speed with lights flashing, you might think to yourself, “That looks like fun!” Having driven those types of boats, I can tell you that it is fun. Now you can have the same performance experience but on a boat with higher quality finishes and more accommodations.
Inventech Marine Systems (IMS), based in in Bremerton, WA, builds aluminum collared boats for all kinds of police, fire, and other commercial users, including the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). They also build recreational powerboats using the same technology under the Life Proof Boats brand. Life Proof Boats deliver recreational boaters professional-grade quality along with speedy performance, durability, and ride. Their new Life Proof 45 Cabin, with 1,800 horsepower of outboard power, is a great example.
Not Inflatable
While I called the first responder boats RIBs, and some of them are, the Life Proof 45 is actually a collared boat because the exterior fabric is not filled with air; instead it contains closed-cell foam that has 60 pounds of flotation per cubic foot. This system provides all the benefits of inflatable collars, like buoyancy, stability, and impact protection, but can never deflate. The rigid part (hull, deck, and superstructure) of the Life Proof 45 is made of 5086 H116 military-grade aluminum, which is meticulously hand-welded. Most recreational builders use cheaper alloys and thinner plates, but Life Proof builds their pleasure craft to the same standards as their commercial and military boats. The hull plate is a quarter of an inch thick and doubled at the bow, forming a half-inch beaching plate. Extensive I-beam construction and stringers in the hull create a rigid interior grid. Excess buoyancy foam from the collars packed into bags and placed in the hull grid makes the boats nearly unsinkable and provides insulation and sound dampening.
Driving is Believing
You can’t help but notice the massive triple Mercury Verado V12 600-horsepower outboards, with their jet-black tops and articulated contra-rotating duo-props on the Life Proof 45 Cabin. These outboards are unique for several reasons. The motors don’t turn like other outboards, only the gearcases move, which allows the engines to be mounted closer together because they can’t hit each other when turning. Mercury prioritizes the turn ratio of the gearcase, delivering smoother turns under way and increased maneuverability dockside.
The engines are also incredibly quiet, which is great because their large alternators act as the primary chargers onboard, negating the need for a generator. The Life Proof 45 has 48-volt lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries and Brunswick/Navico’s Fathom® e-power system. Fathom alerts you when batteries need charging and, with a touch of a button, starts one or more of the Mercury outboards in “charging-only” mode and then shuts them down when they are no longer required. At idle, you can barely tell the motors are on. I measured 58.5 decibels at the wheel and, at wide-open throttle, sound levels maxed out in a gentle throaty hum of 80.5 decibels. Unlike other outboards, the Mercury 600s have two gears. This provides more low-end torque in first gear to get out of the hole and then better fuel economy at speed in second gear. Shifting is smooth, so you generally don’t notice it, but when running at moderate speeds (12 to 20 mph) throttling up until the motors shift to second and then easing back to the speed you prefer works best.
With 1,800 horsepower, this boat is incredibly fast. I clocked 0 to 50 mph in 22 seconds and topped out at a peak speed of 65.8 mph. In calm conditions behind Bainbridge Island, we easily and comfortably broke 55 mph while the boat remained completely in control, humming along like it could go all day. Slowing to 47.5 mph (41 knots) at 5,000 rpm, fuel burn remained a respectable 77.6 gallons per hour (gph) and range was 242 miles (211 nautical miles) with a 10% reserve. Faster speeds burn over 100 gph, but because of the time savings there really isn’t much of a speed penalty and the range only diminishes slightly.
For rough conditions, the Life Proof 45 has handrails throughout and a shock-absorbing helm seat. The owner chose to have a bench seat to port, which allows multiple people to sit there comfortably under way. A multifunction display (MFD) repeater on that side conveniently allows navigation away from the helm. Twin driver-side 16″ MFDs and all controls are easy to access at the helm, and visibility is good through the inverted two-panel windshield.
Maneuverability really makes this boat fun to drive. At 50 mph, I cranked the wheel over and the Life Proof 45 leaned into the turn and tore around in a circle of about six to eight boat lengths with no side slip. We lost about 10 mph in the tight turns, but the grip on the water of these boats is unparalleled because of the performance fins built into the aft section of the hull. These aluminum blades keep tracking precise during high-speed turns and deliver amazing control. Portlights above the helm both bring in light when the boat is level and provide visibility when the deep-V hull digs into hard turns.
Comforts
The Life Proof 45 Full Cabin that I tested is set up for overnight cruising with a V-berth style queen bed cabin forward and a large single head. There is a second quarter-berth double cabin, and the salon table can create another berth (sleeps up to six). The raised salon dining area is high enough for guests to see out even when running or to watch a movie or game on the 42″ flat-screen TV that rises up on an electric lift. The galley is fully equipped with drawer fridge/freezers, an icemaker, a microwave/convection oven, stainless-steel sink, Corian counters, and storage. The cabin is climate-controlled with multizone heating and air conditioning.
The 11’ wide cockpit features an outdoor steering station, seating with storage, a washdown, downrigger outlets, rod holders, macerated in-deck fish boxes, and a BBQ to cook your catch. There is a transom pass-through to the swim-step and the big Merc’s service hood for fluid checks. A dinghy rack allows for a moderate tender. Handles along the coach roof aid when traversing the side decks. The decks and cockpit are also self-bailing, so they drain within minutes.
The Life Proof 45 Full Cabin combines the ruggedness and performance of a commercial or even military boat with the comforts and accommodations of a cruiser. The speed and agility of the design means you can safely cruise Puget Sound and the San Juans or motor up into Canada or even Alaska. The boat is equally adept as a fast commuter for owners with homes on the islands who want to avoid ferries and planes. If you are looking for a boat that is fast, fun, and safe, the new Life Proof 45 Full Cabin will let you ride like the pros and go anywhere in comfort and style.
Lifeproof 45 Cabin Specifications
- Base Price $1,900,000 U.S.
- Speed: 65 mph w/ 3ea 600HP outboards (EST)
- Hull Lengths Available: 45′
- Beam with Collar: 14′
- Deadrise at Transom: 22 degrees
- Deadrise at Entry: 48 degrees
- Aluminum Construction: 5086 H116
- Fuel Capacity (Gasoline): 620 gals. (2,347 l)
- Aux Fuel Capacity (Diesel): 20 gals. (76 l)
- Fresh Water Capacity: 100 gals. (378 l)
- Black Water Capacity: 70 gals. (265 l)
- Dry Weight: 29,000 lbs. (13,154 kg) approx.
