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With top speeds flirting with 60 knots, Sterk RIBs impose increasing mechanical and human constraints. The integration of Shockwave S5 Sentinel suspension seats answers many questions concerning sailing comfort, on-board ergonomics and the technical modifications to be made, as well as the evolution of the German brand's positioning in the high-performance segment.
Comfort becomes a requirement as soon as speeds exceed 50 knots
For a sailor accustomed to cruising between 25 and 35 knots, the benefits of a suspension seat may seem secondary. But at 50 knots or more, the situation changes. The body is subjected to recurrent vertical shocks, amplified by hollows and stiff hulls. This leads to premature fatigue and increases the risk of microtrauma, particularly to the vertebrae and cervical vertebrae.
The addition of a suspension system therefore aims to absorb some of the kinetic energy generated by impacts with the sea. The gain in comfort is immediate, especially for pilots and co-pilots in intensive use (testing, safety, or long crossings at high speed).
How does a Shockwave S5 suspension seat work?
The S5 Sentinel model from Canadian manufacturer Shockwave is based on a central hydraulic shock absorber coupled to a multi-axis mechanical system. It is designed to filter vertical and diagonal shocks, without altering the perception of the boat. The shock absorber's stroke is adjusted to support up to 130 kg of dynamic load.
The version installed at Sterk is supplied with a Swivel & Slide System, allowing side and front mobility. The whole unit remains relatively bulky, with a base requiring a dedicated pedestal, often integrated directly into the console.
What modifications are needed to integrate the system on board?
On Sterk units, the suspended seat option is invoiced at approx 5,000 euros (excl. VAT) per space . This price includes adapting the brackets, repositioning the anchors and, in some cases, modifying the electrical circuits to power the active elements (depending on configuration).
Compatibility with older models depends on console vintage and type. On latest-generation boats, the interface is already provided. However, for boats delivered before 2024, a site visit is generally required.
An option that changes perceived on-board safety
Suspension has a direct effect on safety, not by altering the boat's behavior, but by stabilizing the pilot's body. Concentration is better maintained, especially in heavy seas or during long, constant-speed sailing.
Fatigue reduction is another argument put forward. When sailing beyond 30 nautical miles, users report better physical recovery. On the other hand, feedback points to a slight dissociation from the boat's actual behavior, particularly for yachtsmen who like to feel the hull as they steer.
Sterk Yachts: positioning itself as an ultra-high-performance RIB
The choice of top-of-the-range equipment such as the Shockwave S5 confirms Sterk Yachts' sporty, premium orientation. Based in Nuremberg, the shipyard develops center-console units with twin-engine power ratings in excess of 600 hp.
This standard or optional integration of an element hitherto reserved for professional units (intervention, customs, offshore) shows that comfort and performance requirements are no longer incompatible. It remains to be seen whether the market will follow: at this price, the technology is aimed at a discerning public.
