About Us

A LONG HISTORY

Based in the picturesque village of Cushendall on the North East Antrim coast, at Redbay Boats we have established ourselves as one of the finest boat manufacturers in Europe. Since our humble beginnings in 1977, we have developed our specialised traditional wooden-clinker boats into what is now our award winning Stormforce range.

This has been both a labour of love and a challenge for the team at Redbay, one which we’ve met by maintaining the core ethos of our company and delivering every time on experience and expertise for our clients.

AN UNRIVALLED RANGE

We are an ambitious company, always striving to stay ahead of the market in terms of an unrivalled product, quality and customer service. We have led in design development, from our fibreglass sports boats, now gracing the waters of many countries around the world, to our latest and most successful boats in our Stormforce range. We have developed our own revolutionary hull design with the result being that our Stormforce RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) range has been successful globally in both leisure and commercial fields. These vary from 6.1 metres, to our treasured 11 metre, and now to our newest model, the impressive and imposing 16 metre.

Our location, just metres away from the rugged demanding waters of the north east coast of Northern Ireland, is the perfect platform for rigorous sea trials, allowing our team to test and refine our models on a continual basis, further improving our winning formula. The unpredictability of our environment, combined with the flexibility and creative design of our range, has enabled us to develop and manufacture RIBs varying in size and layout capable of meeting the needs and requirements of both our leisure boat and commercial customers.

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Today we continue to deliver on our vision by creating the ultimate experience for our clients, from the initial concept right through to the completed model. We are extremely proud of our highly qualified teams and value every element of their input into the Redbay brand. From office management, to design, to fabrication, the teams of highly skilled individuals deliver the highest possible standard with a sense of enthusiasm and consistency. This continuous hard work and dedication enables the vision of our company to be realized and delivered on all levels.

We have always known and appreciated the importance that our environment holds in the success of our business. We continue to work within our local community to develop partnerships that will both enhance community links and protect the natural beauty of our local environment.

At Redbay boats our emphasis on your positive experiences have been essential in the development of our products and it is these experiences which shape our future at Redbay boats.

A Brief History of Redbay Boats

1977

1977 We began building 1st wooden boats.

1978

May 1978 saw the 1st 16 foot wooden boat completed.

1980 – 1981

1980-1981 – Appointed agents for Plymouth Pilots, 16-18 and Saltram 24, and Supadorys.

1982

1982 – Began building our own brand of fishing boats, the Rathlin fisher 15′ (later to be known as the Redbay Fastfisher 157).

1984

Developed Rathlin Fisher – with cabin and steering console.

1985-1986

Extended premises. Began building Fastfisher 21.

1987-1988

Developed Fastfisher 21 with two cabin sizes.

Built three open Fastfisher 21 passenger boats for Argyll & Bute Council.

1991

Began building Fastfisher 166.

Moved to existing premises – opened new shop.

1993

Developed Fastfisher 166 and 19.

Began building 1st Stormforce 6.1 and 5.1, both based on our speedboat hulls.

Raced the Stormforce 6.1 powered by 2 x 65hp Suzuki in the Round Scotland races, winning three of the five offshore legs and finishing 2nd in class. The crew were, Tom McLaughlin, Peter McLaughlin, Gerard O’Neill, and James Farrell. Race No. 63.