Manufactured in Spain by the Neuvisa shipyard, the Tarpon RIB range is made up of several series. In this case, we are looking at the DV (for Diving) series offering 5 models from DV 60 to DV 80.
The Tarpon DV series
The DV 60 is perfectly adapted to the practice of fishing at sea, whether it is on the coast or offshore. It also allows some outings for pleasure and family trips. This semi-rigid of 6m (5.99m to be extremely precise) is the smallest of the DV series. A size of 6m which allows the DV 60 to be launched on most of the coastal docks and to be towed by any vehicle without having to get another license.
With a width of 2.53 m, there is plenty of room on board. You can fish with 3 people on board and bring all the necessary equipment. In the family version, with the addition of a bench seat, you can safely carry 4 to 6 people.
A boat at your choice
Buying a Tarpon means choosing a boat that is totally modular since all the elements are fixed to the deck by inserts or screwed/glued to it. The deck, made of a laminated wood floor, has a rough finish. This composition allows to fix solidly the elements such as console, bench, bolster or jockey seats.
The 100l tank, positioned in the deck, allows a significant space saving. Its capacity offers you an autonomy of about 100 nautical miles in normal conditions of use.
At the rear, against the transom, you will find a storage box that houses the battery.
Below deck, you will have the possibility to integrate an optional livewell. This last one is very appreciated by sport fishing enthusiasts. If you don't want to keep fish, this space can be used for storage (not waterproof).
As standard, you will find a large high trunk at the front offering an impressive storage volume. You can store your anchors, fenders, ropes and any other accessories. It will also be a popular spot for fishermen when conditions are calm.
This DV series offers comprehensive standard equipment:
- Washing rings
- Non-slip deck
- Bow ring
- Foot pump
- Mooring bitte
- PVC forceps
- Pressure Relief Valves
- Paddles
- Repair kit
- Anti-scratch strip
- Handles
- External referrals
- Exterior transom reinforcement
- Stainless steel heel
- High front trunk
- Integrated tank 100 L
100% customizable and a wide choice of equipment
As you can see, buying a Tarpon RIB will allow you to customize it as you wish. With 12 bladder colors and 6 hull colors, you will be spoiled for choice, even from a strictly aesthetic point of view!
As for the elements such as the console, the bolsters or jockey seats or the bench seats, you will have the possibility of choosing those of the Tarpon range such as this F5 console or this DR26 model available with or without a seat in the front.
The choice between jockey and bolster seats will be up to you, you can consult this article which deals with this subject. In this case, this tarpon DV 60 was equipped with 2 jockey seats of the Centaure brand with storage under the seat.
In navigation
With a weight of 400 kilos without engine and a well shaped hull, this semi-rigid does not require much power to enjoy a fast cruising speed.
The manufacturer recommends 115 hp while having a maximum power of 150 hp. With 140 hp, as shown here with a Suzuki engine, comfortably installed on the jockey seats, this semi-rigid quickly reaches a fast cruising speed of 28 knots.
To do so, you will have to trimming it quite high, making it sometimes unstable if the sea is rough. When drifting, it is relatively stable and safe. You can fish it with 3 people without any problem.
Its 54 cm flanges allow you to lean on it and thus secure your position when fishing in rough conditions. In following seas, it is safe but reduce the throttle and adjust the trim to avoid getting stuck!
What are its weaknesses?
It is necessary to find points of improvement on this semi-rigid!
Its weight, which is both a positive point for transport and motorization, is also a weak point. A motorization higher than 140 hp is difficult to use. At maximum speed, the boat becomes unstable. In head-on seas, the lack of weight on the bow is felt and the Tarpon tends to lift the nose as soon as you put the throttle on, making navigation uncomfortable.
Its price of about 31 500euros with a 130 or 140 hp engine makes it a good value for money. We could have hoped for Hypalon saddles at this price.
The hatches closing the livewell are of average quality. Their location in the middle of the deck makes it almost inevitable that you will not be able to walk on them and therefore break them. When ordering, ask the shipyard to provide hatches, or rather deck panels, that you can walk on without risking to break them.
To summarize
We like:
- Its light weight
- The quality-price ratio
- standard equipment
- Wide choice of colors
- The sea passage
- The place on board
- An adapted 130/140 HP engine
We like less:
- The lack of weight on the front
- Medium quality livewell traps
Tarpon DV 60 Technical Sheet
- Length : 5,99 m
- Interior length : 4,72 m
- Exterior width : 2,53 m
- Interior width : 1,72 m
- Maximum height : 1,06 m
- Diameter : 0,54 m
- Nº Compartments: 5 + 1
- Max Power : 150 CV
- Recommended Power : 115 HP
- Shaft length : Extra/XL
- Boat weight : 403 Kg
- Category : C
- Nº People : 16
- Max. load Authorized : 1.700 Kg
- Price : Approximately 31 000euros depending on equipment and engine.
