Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: 1988 Rigid Raider Military Boat

Posted by transport20se on 09/06/08 - 9:29 PM
#1

Does any one have any information on this boat?

Posted by wrangler on 09/07/08 - 10:29 AM
#2

I have a 1991 BW Commercial products line catolog.
I think you are talking about the Guardian line.
It shows a 22' and 27' Piranha. Designed to carry 6-10 troops and twin engines. 50 cal gun fwd and 7.62 guns aft. It had extended range fuel tanks. They were used by foreign naval forces. The picture shows infanteria de marina on the side of the boat.
The USCG still uses a guardian 22' type of the same design today. They are easily transported on a C-130 aircraft to anywhere you want to go.

Posted by Binkie on 09/07/08 - 8:51 PM
#3

I would use a trailer for transporting. C-130`s require a crew, and pilot, not to mention the cost of buying and owning such an aircraft.

rich

Posted by Tom W Clark on 09/08/08 - 9:31 AM
#4

The 18' Rigid Raiding Craft (aka "Raider") should not be confused with the Guardian models.

The Raider was a special purpose military boat made for use as a landing craft for assault landings. The hull is the same shape as the Outrage 18 but the interior was modified by eliminating the bow locker/foredeck entirely. This allowed more interior volume.

The idea was that up to 8 troops could pile in and lay low in the hull while the bosun rant the boat up to the beach. There were inflatable fenders that were also used as rollers to pull the boat up on the beach.

The hull also had numerous tie-down attachment points 'glassed into the interior of the hull for lashing gear down.

The boats were quipped with a pair of highly reliable and robust OMC 70 HP outboards.

The 18' Raider is shown on page 10 of the 1991 Commercial Boats catalog.

Edited by Tom W Clark on 09/08/08 - 9:31 AM

Posted by Jeff on 09/08/08 - 10:58 AM
#5

Also on all but one of these Raiders that I have seen the fuel tank cavity was entirely filled with foam and the boat used on deck fuel tanks.