Cross Water XW Modular 750’s in action
Swedish-Estonian Firm Aims to Revolutionize Military Boats
A Swedish-Estonian company that wants to end the era of single-purpose boats is turning its navy-proven hull into software-enabled hardware: one platform where mission modules, drones, sensors and remote control all plug into the same boat.
“Boats today are where phones were in 2006: one device, one job,” said Jürgen Visnapuu, CEO and co-founder of Cross Water (XW Production).
“Thousands of companies build boats. Hundreds build drones. Nobody builds the boat in between: designed from day one to carry a whole ecosystem of capabilities, like drones, and then to become one itself.”
Cross Water’s answer is the XW Modular, a family of aluminum rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) in different sizes, each with structural rails designed into its deck from day one.
Consoles, seats, sensors and other mission equipment lock onto the rails in minutes, with no tools, so the same hull changes missions instead of being replaced.
The XW Modular 750 (7.5m RIB) is in its second year of service with navy divers and special operations forces in a NATO country the company does not name.
In September 2026, the navy took it to Portugal for REPMUS 2026 (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems).
This NATO-backed exercise focuses on uncrewed maritime systems.
Among other use cases, Dutch company Lobster Robotics launched and operated its new-generation seabed drone from the boat’s deck.
On the strength of these real operations and missions, Cross Water rates the 750 at Technology Readiness Level 9, the highest level.
“You have no idea how often we think back to this boat,” said Daan de Groot, chief technology officer and co-founder of Lobster Robotics, which first worked from the boat in 2025.
“It has been the best we have used, by a long shot.”
The next layer is software.
Vessel Manager, developed in-house, will serve as the boat’s operating system, recognizing which modules are mounted and where they are positioned.
It will run the entire ecosystem on deck as one integrated system, including remote control and autonomy.
Remote operation comes first, in 2027, followed by autonomous, optionally crewed operation.
“Autonomy is an upgrade, not a new boat,” Visnapuu said. “A navy runs the hull crewed today and adds remote operation and autonomy to the same hull later.”
Cross Water has taken its first steps toward that ecosystem, with the first mission modules being co-developed with partner companies it does not yet name.
“Any company that puts a sensor or a drone on the water or in the air can be a module on our platform,” Visnapuu said.
The platform’s next hull is a 10.5-meter model, now under construction in Estonia and launching in spring 2027.
Designed by co-founder Niclas Kling, a naval architect formerly with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), it is built for a top speed of 60 knots and will carry Vessel Manager’s first deployment.
Beyond the navy, a 750 built for a customer in the Gulf is awaiting shipment, and Cross Water offers its boats both for sale and as a full-service rental.
Cross Water says it is ready to brief navies and defence agencies interested in the platform. Its browser-based 3D configurator, at cross-water.com/platform/configurator, lets anyone build a mission layout on the boat without signing up.
The company will be at IDEX 2027, the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, in Abu Dhabi in January.
About Cross Water
The company was founded by Jürgen Visnapuu, naval architect Niclas Kling and boatbuilder Reimo Võting: cross-water.com.
Cross Water (XW Production OÜ) is a Swedish-Estonian maritime technology company that builds modular aluminum boats in Estonia for defence, security and industrial operators.
The boats serve as platforms with one hull reconfigured for each mission in minutes, while the company’s own Vessel Manager software provides the operating layer.
Media contact: Jürgen Visnapuu, CEO and co-founder, email, +372 5373 9913
This video was published on the XW Production media YouTube channel
I’ve posted more videos of this pro-focussed brand here.
Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · RIB Buying Guide · Best RIB for Rough Water · What Size RIB Do I Need?
Specs
Continue Reading →Highfield PRT Julien Carussi Reveals New RIB Division
Highfield PRT Targets Patrol, Rescue and Tactical Operations
Highfield Boats launches the professional RIB division.
Julien Carussi (LinkedIn profile), founder, owner and CEO of Highfield Boats, explains why the company is launching Highfield PRT, a dedicated division for Patrol, Rescue and Tactical RIBs.
Over the past 15 years, Highfield has built boats used in more than 50 countries.
Professional operators have increasingly turned to the brand for work in demanding conditions.
According to Carussi, Highfield PRT is a natural response to that growing demand.
The goal is simple: build tough, effective boats that crews can rely on, maintain easily and keep working for years.
Those qualities matter when a mission leaves little room for delays or equipment problems.
But PRT is not just about developing specialist boats.
Carussi wants the division to provide practical solutions that match the real needs of professional crews at sea.
For Highfield, this marks a more focused commitment to the people who depend on their RIBs for patrol, rescue and tactical operations.
This video of the PRT division was published on the Highfield Boats YouTube channel
The company produces lots of videos. I’ve published many of them here.
Proud to share that Highfield is a good Friend of RIBs ONLY.
Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · Deep-V Hull: Advantages and Trade-offs · Best RIB for Rough Water: What Really Matters? · Aluminium vs Fibreglass RIB · RIB Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Boat
Yamaha 350 V6 Engine: See the BRIG Eagle 8 in Action
See the Yamaha 350 V6 in Action
This Yamaha promotional video captures a sun-soaked adventure on the open sea on a Brig Eagle 8 RIB powered by a Yamaha 350 V6 outboard.
It aims to bring adventure and excitement to those seeking a closer connection with nature through the thrill of open water exploration.
They pass a lighthouse before encountering playful dolphins in crystal-clear waters: a moment that lasts.
When picking up speed, it shows the boat’s smooth handling and responsive controls, including its digital dashboard and throttle.
As you can see, the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) cuts effortlessly through the waves, carving sharp turns along a spectacular coastline of red cliffs.
This video was published on the Yamaha Motor Europe YouTube channel.
I’ve posted many videos here featuring RIBs powered by Yamaha outboard engines.
Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · RIB Buying Guide · How to Choose an Outboard for a RIB
Specs
Continue Reading →Salpa Soleil 37 Walkthrough & Sea Trial: Full Review
Salpa Soleil 37: a Double Berth, Wet Bar and Thrilling Speed
The Salpa Soleil 37 fills the gap between the brand’s 33- and 40-foot RIBs, combining family-friendly comfort with serious performance.
Its spacious cockpit features an electric table, wet bar, generous storage and wide aft platforms. Below deck, the double bed converts into a sofa, while the bathroom has a separate shower. A lightweight carbon-fibre superstructure helps keep the centre of gravity low.
Tested off Porto Venere with twin Yamaha 350 hp outboards, the single-step hull impressed in short, half-metre waves, delivering a remarkably soft and stable ride even at 30 knots.
Forward visibility from the helm could be better, especially for shorter drivers. But the performance speaks for itself: 48.3 knots, comfortably beating Salpa’s claimed 45 knots.
Sea Trial Results
| RPM | Speed (Knots) | Fuel Consumption (l/h) | Fuel Efficiency (l/NM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,300 | Approx. 10 | 33 | 3.1 |
| 4,000 | 25 | 88 | 3.5 |
| 6,000 | 48.3 | Not stated | 5.3 |
Test conditions: Twin Yamaha 350 hp outboards, short waves of approximately 0.5 metres, off Porto Venere, Italy.
Als check this review of the same RIB.
This video was published on the SalpaYachts YouTube channel.
The Italian company Salpa produces many videos. You can find many of them here.
Proud to share that ORCA Retail and ORCA Pennel & Flipo are good Friends of RIBs ONLY.
Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · Why Do RIBs Have Inflatable Tubes? · RIB Buying Guide · What Size RIB Do I Need? · How to Choose an Outboard for a RIB