Rayglass Boats has launched a new Protector Expedition Series built around a redesigned hardtop for longer and more equipment-intensive trips. The builder says the Expedition shape is available on both the Protector 380 and 410 platforms, but Leisure Boat Guide is focusing on the 11.5-metre 380 because the 12.5-metre 410 sits outside LBG’s under-12m coverage.
The announcement marks the first major change to Protector hardtop design in nearly seven years. Rayglass says the concept grew from a custom European project and has now developed into a series offering for owners who want more carrying capacity and greater flexibility from the roof and helm area.
A much larger hardtop
The key change is an 800mm extension to the hardtop, creating 5.6 square metres of usable roof area across the Expedition design. That extra space is intended to support items such as roof racks, kayaks, bikes and solar panels, giving owners more options for carrying equipment without consuming cockpit space.
A forward-sloping windscreen is another defining feature of the new layout. Rayglass says the change improves visibility from the helm, reduces screen glare and condensation, and contributes to a more open feeling inside the cabin through larger glazing and a revised overhead structure.
The 380 keeps LBG within scope
Rayglass lists the standard Protector 380 Targa at 11.5 metres overall, placing the platform within Leisure Boat Guide’s strict sub-12m remit. The Expedition announcement confirms that the new hardtop shape is being offered on this 380 platform as well as the larger 410, so the smaller version brings the new concept into the leisure-boat category covered by LBG.
The underlying 380 platform is already positioned by Rayglass as a blue-water RIB for demanding recreational and professional use. Applying the Expedition hardtop to that hull broadens its appeal for owners who want an adventure-oriented boat capable of carrying more gear while retaining a protected helm and enclosed accommodation.
From custom build to series production
Rayglass says the Expedition idea began with a custom Protector commissioned in Europe through Ancasta Yacht Services at the end of 2022. Interest from other customers encouraged the company to develop the layout into a formal series, with new moulds now being produced for the Expedition range.
The new series remains part of the wider Protector family rather than a separate hull line. For buyers considering the under-12m market, the 380 version is therefore the relevant model to watch as the new Expedition configuration moves from its custom-project origins into wider production.