The Robust 17c hull continues to be an exceptional platform for moorings maintenance and the Yamaha 70hp outboard an excellent performer. As Christchurch Harbour is shallow and dries out at low tide, the shallow draught of the hull combined with the jack plate to lift the outboard make access very easy.

The hull is so good that we have recently managed to break the gearbox in the bow mounted capstan. We have been able to pull weights greater than the 190kgs limit of the capstan as the hull is a very stable platform.

I needed a safe stable workboat for line fishing off Gower which was easy to launch and recover from Mumbles.
When I turned up at the workshop boat builder Steve Rees dropped tools and said grab your wellies and took me out on sea trials around Ramsey island on a spring ebb tide,
Decision made!
After much discussion and thought I now own a custom made 17c fit for purpose. Quality of service and workmanship second to none. Heartily recommended.
Rob Richards F.V.Robust.

The new boat has surpassed our expectations tenfold with many admiring glances and enquires as to where she was built.
When considering a harbour workboat the local ‘worthies’ of which there are many in number tried to convince me to purchase a Pioneer Multi.
Whilst I have a pioneer dingy at home I felt that a workboat should have as much freeboard as possible with a high gunwale’
and I am so glad that I followed my instincts after meeting with you at Sea work 2009.
Even the so called ‘local experts’ agree that we have an ideal tool for the harbour which will easily fulfil all duties with a strong emphasis on safety.
We are in the process of organising powerboat training for the harbour employees and the RYA has agreed to use our boat in harbour waters which is an ideal situation for us.
Once again many thanks for supplying such an excellent craft and being such a pleasure to deal with, I will recommend your services far and wide at every opportunity.

Always a safe crossing even if we sometimes get into the over falls
where there can be up to 2m high standing waves in the Tidal runs,
The ability to crane the boat out onto the harbour cliff is essential,
any other material just wouldn’t do the job & the engine protection
frame is essential

Being A Non swimmer and keen boating Angler I was very impressed,
I instantly felt safe and was more than impressed with the stability of the Robust 17,
The extra beam also gives the ability to carry Six people comfortably
with room to move freely around the deck was another impressive feature,
and with the mercury 80hp four stroke we notice little difference in performance
or fuel economy with two or six passengers, planning at just over 3000 revs & 17knots,
ample storage space & sealed buoyancy give that extra bit of confidence.
Cheers, Martin.