Sports Boat September Preview

The UK’s hardest hitting powerboat magazine

Great EXPECTATIONS

CONTINENTAL CRUISE

THE PERFECT BOAT TRIP BRITTANY-STYLE

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2010 SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW

THE HIGH LIFE

JEANNEAU’S ‘PRESTIGE’ FLYBRIDGE ON TEST IN MARSEILLES

Four-Stroke

FROLICS

YAMAHA’S NEW OUTBOARDS UNLEASHED

BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE ZEGO SPORTS BOAT AND THE CAPELLI 770

RADIO GAGA THE GPS-EQUIPPED RADIO IS FINALLY HERE

PUBLISHING EXCELLENCE THROUGH EXPERIENCE

£3.95

SEPTEMBER 2010

EXCLUSIVE - FIRST UK TESTS

76 YAMAHA’S NEW F300 IS PUT TO THE TEST

6 I SB&RIB

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2010

REGULARS WORD FROM THE WATER..........................

10

Glastron comes in from the cold

SUPERYACHT NEWS....................................

16

When flybridges get serious

20

WORD FROM THE CIRCUIT.........................

The mentalists of the Waterski Racing scene

22

BEST ACCESSORIES....................................

Is this the greatest cool box in the world?

27

KIT OF THE MONTH....................................

Europe’s first GPS-equipped handheld radio

29

WORD FROM THE WEB..............................

A reader bags a bargain used boat

52

DIARY DATES...............................................

It’s hot, it’s wet and everyone’s at a party . . .

40 THE ROUND IRELAND RACERS DO BATTLE WITH THE ATLANTIC

92

HAVE YOUR SAY..........................................

Fill in our survey and win a free SB&RIB cap

FEATURES COWES WEEK PREVIEW.................................

18

The greatest race in 50 years is almost upon us

MAIDEN VOYAGE..........................................

32

The first family foray of a new Monterey owner

WAKESTOCK 2010........................................

36

Top-class boarding at Europe’s biggest festival

AEROFOILS AND STEALTH BOATS...............

38

Magic tricks from the annual Seawork Show

SB&RIB I 7

NEWS I SportsBoat AND RIB

WILLIAMS

ON BOARD WITH BENETEAU Williams Performance Tenders has been chosen by the Beneteau Group to provide the tenders for its new range of Monte Carlo Yachts (see the 23-metre MCY 76 pictured). In anticipation of the debut appearance of the new craft at the Cannes Boat Show in September, Carla Demaria, President of Monte Carlo Yachts, said: “Williams Performance Tenders is a perfect match for the new MCY

76 due to the high quality and attention to detail demonstrated across their range.” Mathew Hornsby, joint MD of the striking British success story that Williams has become, seemed equally upbeat: “We are delighted to be working alongside such a prestigious brand. We are eagerly awaiting the launch.”

www.williamsjettenders.com

OXYMORON ON SEA This year’s ‘Eastbourne Extreme’ put on its biggest line up ever, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. The two-day extreme sports festival featured round four of the national Formula Future Offshore Powerboat Championships, plus kite surfing, freestyle bike riding and a ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition.

Blessed with perfect weather and a festival atmosphere, the VW Campers exhibition was a big favourite, as were the windsurfing experiences courtesy of Spray Watersports. There was skating too and Zorbing to keep the kids happy. And just in case you were wondering, a local group called ‘Spaniels Ears’ took the title for best band. Eastbourne Extreme is set to return in 2011 from 16 to 17 July. Why not pay it a visit?

INTERACTIVE MAP ONLINE A new interactive map, launched by the Marine Conservation Zone Project, is designed to create an insight into how the sea is being used, and to build upon what we know about existing marine species and habitats. In the long term, it will also help identify potential sites for Marine Conservation Zones. The success of the project will depend largely on public participation so go to www. mczmapping.org before 30 September 2010 and upload details of any areas of particular ecological value near you.

NE

W

www.visiteastbourne.com

Hysucat 6.6 EVOLUTION The Hysucat 6.6 EVOLUTION is the re-engineered new model of the ever-popular, well proven Hysucat 6.5 metre. Its design has evolved in response to much valued feedback from Hysucat fans. It boasts of a wider hull that provides comfortable seating, has an enlarged console with improved storage space under and offers better protection from the elements. The revised bow provides an even smoother and drier ride. The pontoon wraps around the bow to suit a yacht tender. The bow seat can be adapted to a large sun-bed area with ample dry storage facility. Two built-in fuel tanks provide a lower centre of gravity with much longer range.

UK Head Office Tel: 44 (0) 161 3701 701 Email: info@watermarquemarine.co.uk Web: www watermarquemarine.co.uk Come and see the boat at the Southampton Boat Show 10th - 19th September on stand No.G042 (Tek-Dek) SB1009 Watermarque Marine

10 I SB&RIB

SportsBoat I NEWS AND RIB

PRO TOUR IS ON

Some of the biggest events on the European wakeboard calendar might now be out of the way but there is no time for the pros to relax. Having been absent from the scene for five years, the UK Pro Wakeboard Tour is back. Sponsored

by Relentless, O’Neill, Power Balance and Kustom Footwear, it is now the biggest tour, with the best quality riding, anywhere on the European circuit.

So far we have seen Dan Nott and Robbie Rendo take the honours at the first stop at JBSki / LDB Wakeschool. Then followed some serious cable skills from Declan Clifford and Kirsteen Mitchell, getting the number one spots in the girls and guys Pro Divisions at the first of the cable stops in Sheffield. With three stops left on boat and cable, serious money up for grabs and ranking points at stake, the Relentless UK Pro Tour title remains wide open.

www.ukprowakeboardtour.com

BAYLINER AND GARMIN UNITE STORMCAT Bayliner Boats, builders of affordable leisure craft from 16 to 33 feet in length, have formed a partnership with Garmin International. Beginning with the 2011 model year, all Bayliner navigation packages will feature electronics exclusively from the Garmin stable of easy-to-use marine electronics.

Betsy Lazzara, Bayliner’s Vice President and Brand Manager, explained the move: “In comparing product features, pricing and

overall value, we believe Garmin is the best choice. In addition to being great value, Garmin’s GPS and VHF radio combinations feature the latest interfacing technology.

Our primary goal is to make boating fun and attainable to everyone. To that end, Garmin electronics feature intuitive designs and clear menus, making navigating and communicating easier.”

www.garmin.com www.bayliner.com

950 EXPLORER

The StormCat 950 Explorer is the latest model to be released

by Scotland’s largest GRP boat builder. Having been tested in the Corryvrecken whirlpool off the coast of Jura in 25 to 30mph winds, it is already a boat of enviable dynamic pedigree but the extra detailing is also very impressive. The deck includes anchor points for sea kayaks and locking points for bikes, with plenty of storage space for fishing gear and scuba diving kit.

Performance comes from twin Evinrude ETEC 200hp engines, which, in combination with twin 350-litre fuel tanks, enable her to cruise over extended distances at 25 to 27 knots and hit a top speed of 35 knots. As a versatile family cruising boat, the new Stormcat looks very good indeed.

01496 300129 www.stormcats.co.uk

X-JET 140

e bl la ai rm av fo it ow k N in

INTRODUCING THE A new boat to set the standard Breathtaking performance & stunning good looks

SB1009 Sapphire marine

• 4 Seats • 143Hp 4 stroke petrol engine • • Complete watersports capability • £18,677 incl VAT •

Call 01747 873122 or visit www.sapphire-marine.co.uk for more details

SB&RIB I 11

BUILD UP

TO THE BIG ONE With the UK’s most celebrated marine event nearly upon us, Mike Pullen investigates what the 2010 Southampton Boat Show has in store . . .

44 I SB&RIB

F

LIFESTYLE I SIBS PREVIEW rom 10 to 19 September 2010, the UK’s leading outdoor boat show will once again return to Mayflower Park and open up its salty embrace to the boat lovers of the world. Bringing hundreds of boats, exhibitors and visitors together on the south coast for the 42nd time, it aims to fulfil its reputation as one of the most interactive boat show experiences around.

It also aims to showcase the very best of the British marine industry, with boats of every shape and size, ranging from dinghies to powerboats, sailing cruisers to catamarans and inflatables to kayaks.

You get plenty of small stuff too, with marine products, accessories and services, plus the latest clothing ranges, chandlery, electronics and engines. You can find out about your local sailing club, enroll on a course or gather inspiration for your next holiday.

Andrew Williams, Managing Director of National Boat Shows (NBS), explains the idea behind the 2010 event: “We are really looking forward to the PSP Southampton Boat Show. There is so much for visitors to see and do this year. It’s a great day out for everyone in the late summer sun, from boating enthusiasts to families with children of all ages, to the ‘just curious’.”

Down in the marina Construction of the show’s two kilometres of pontoons takes well over a month to complete, but it is certainly time well invested. Not only does it enable the venue to claim the mantle of ‘Europe’s largest purpose built marina’ but it also enables the organisers to display 350 boats on the water alone. That is precisely the kind of thing that makes the Southampton event special. It’s outside, in the UK’s spiritual heartland of recreational boating, and it has a huge fleet of boats down on the water where they belong. From ocean rowing boats to luxury ocean cruisers and everything in between, you should be able to find it down on the show pontoons.

The marina will also host a selection of feature boats, one of which is the University of Southampton’s research vessel, Callista. The ‘science ship’ will be on the marina for the duration of the show and is designed to encourage curious minds to come aboard to see, feel and touch the fascinating ‘other world’ of life beneath the ocean. You can even take part in experiments, see live specimens and play with the ship’s marine gadgetry.

Also on the marina will be Calypso from the Jeremy Rogers yard, a greener version of the iconic Contessa 32. Now it might not be that sporty, but it is resoundingly green and that alone makes it a vessel of great importance to us all. Embracing hybrid engines, hydrogen fuel cell technology, solar panels and reclaimed and recycled fixtures and fittings, Calypso embodies a green vision supported by the only bespoke environmental boating programme of its kind from the BMF and the RYA - The Green Blue. Take a look and see just how far the latest cutting edge green technologies have come.

While you’re pondering the merits of brave new technologies, you might want to consider the SB&RIB I 45

TEMPEST 770 Anyone for an ocean-munching RIB with a bed in the bow? Mike Pullen gets the first UK test of an Italian cabin RIB with a difference.

This is no slippery, fast-running Med craft for long slow swells, but a sharp-stemmed, sea-slicing offshore hull

62 I SB&RIB

ON THE WATER I CAPELLI TEMPEST 770

C

apelli was founded in 1974, not as a builder of hard boats, but specifically as a RIB-building outfit. It’s partly as a result of this that they have managed to gain such respect in the marketplace - and over the years, their 7.7-metre hull does nothing to harm that reputation.

Italian versus un-Italian

As often as not, Italian RIBs are designed and built for long slow rollers, so they can be a bit on the hard side in the rough. But the Capelli Tempest hull is strikingly different. This is not a slippery, fast-running Med boat but a craft designed for true offshore performance, which goes some way to explaining why they were used exclusively for the famous Raid Turquoise international endurance rallies. Its raked and curved stem cuts very aggressively through a steep head sea, while the flattened chines provide plenty of lift for a rapid passage over the chop of messy water.

As for the tubes, well another notable feature of Italian RIBs is their propensity to use a wide, high-volume collar, and in this respect the Capelli is actually fairly traditional. The tubes are neatly tapered toward the bow, adding to the aggression of the looks, but they widen significantly as they run aft, to a maximum capacity well in excess of half a metre. It is designed to lend extra buoyancy where the bulk of the weight is concentrated and it achieves its objective well. Despite the taper in tube diameter, the squared tube around the bow gives huge buoyancy to aid recovery and to keep her head up in the trough of a wave. It also enables easy ‘over-the-bow’ boarding at a pontoon and, while it might put tremendous strain on the adhesion of the inflatable collar in the event of a heavy impact with the water, it looks like a well considered front end.

SB&RIB I 63

Power PARADE Simon Everett heads for Cannes to take a look at the latest range of top-end outboards from the prolific Yamaha stable.

76 I SB&RIB

ON THE WATER I YAMAHA V6

P

erhaps the engineers at Yamaha never sleep. It certainly seems that way because, not content with producing an almighty V8 350hp engine to remain at the forefront of the outboard race, they have gone and bettered it by creating an absolute peach of an engine with less horsepower. Yes, it appears that less can be more because, while the new flagship has 50hp less in terms of output, it is so much lighter that it actually offers a higher power-to-weight ratio. That enables it to use less power to carry itself and more to propel the boat.

A helpful heritage

Yamaha, like the rest of the Japanese outboard engine makers, have other departmental engineering experiences to draw upon. For instance, in the new V6 engine line-up, Yamaha has used engineering techniques that were developed and perfected in its motorcycle engines, and have remained at the forefront of bike racing for decades. By comparing notes, the outboard development engineers have borrowed heavily from their two-wheeled colleagues to create three new engines that share the same V6 block and internals. All hail the F225, the F250 and the F300 Yamaha’s new flagship for the marine outboard sector.

SB&RIB I 77

B

rittany

It’s like Cornwall, but Frencher. Tom Isitt dons his beret and attempts to deliver a mot juste, avec choufleur et trebuchet migrante. Or, in the words of the most famous Britney of all: Ooh là là! Je l’ai fait à nouveau!

82 I SB&RIB

OUTWARD BOUND I BRITTANY

T

he fact that Phillip Plisson, the very famous lighthouse photographer, shot many of his most famous photos in Brittany tells you something about this place.

Not just that there are a lot of lighthouses in Brittany, which there are, but also that there is the need for a lot of lighthouses in Brittany.

There is indeed a need, with occasional Atlantic storms battering this wild and rugged coast, but don’t let that put you off. While the coastline and navigation can be challenging at times, the rewards are definitely worth the effort because Brittany is gorgeous.

Getting there

There are two ways of sports boating in Brittany - you can hop over there on your boat, or you can take the ferry from one of the south coast ferry ports with your boat on a trailer. Crossing in your own boat is more exciting and more of a challenge, but you’ll need to wait for the right weather to make your crossing.

Taking the ferry can be expensive, but you will at least have the option of inland sightseeing if you fancy it, and the countryside is so beautiful you would be mad not to have a look around.

For relative novices, or those nervous about two long days at sea, the ferry is the more sensible option.

There are ferries from Poole, Portsmouth, Weymouth

SB&RIB I 83

The latest GADGETS AND GIZMOS from the world of marine recreation . . .

BOAT ACCESSORIES 22 I SB&RIB

1 UK dive guide

2 Easy rodder

At the time of going to print, AquaPress, renowned publisher of diving books, was due to release the UK Dive Guide, a comprehensive guide to 100 dive sites across the UK. Written by expert diver, Patrick Shier, every entry has a substantial description, plus pictures, maps and useful information such as how to access each site. All dives featured in the book are above 18 metres, which makes the information suitable for novices as well as advanced technical divers. As a tool for getting the best out of your UK-based diving, it takes some beating.

Price: £19.99 ISBN: 9781905492145 www.aquapress.com

The Easy Rodder is a disarmingly simple concept for turning a regular open day boat into a more effective fishing platform.

Created by a fishing enthusiast from Florida, it is basically a device that turns your cup holder into a rod holder, providing you with a place to erect an additional fishing rod without the need to install any hardware. Built by Santoro Products, the Easy Rodder fits standard cup holder cutouts of three and five eighths of an inch and three and three quarters of an inch. It is due to be made available to UK boaters on Amazon.com.

Price: pending www.easyrodder.com

3 Posh bike Anyone who’s been to a boat show knows perfectly well you can get a folding bike for around £100. But if you want a comfortable ride, you might want to consider spending a bit more. Here we have the Mezzo D-10 Folding Bike. At £995, it’s not cheap but then neither are its components. Built from 6061 aluminium, its anodised one-piece frame provides much more stiffness than your average folding bike and yet weighs just 11kg. It can be unfolded in less than ten seconds, and its compact dimensions make it ideal for stowage on board a small cruising boat. You get a ten-speed gearshift, idiot-proof automatic catches and the rack and mudguards come as standard. Best of all it’s confidence-inspiring to ride and it doesn’t make you look like a cricket on a pogo stick.

Price: £995 www.mezzobikes.com

1.

4 Hard-core AquaCam Marine Electronic Services are all set to launch a new super tough (and super affordable) underwater camera. Capable of capturing images down to a depth of 45 metres, the AquaCam is housed in a lightweight waterproof casing and features a 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.4-inch colour display.

The nine-megapixel stills are complemented by the capacity to capture video footage as well as voice recordings. The complete unit is quite heavy at just over half a kilo but once you’re in the water that’s not likely to matter. It runs on AA batteries and will be available to view on stand G093 at the Southampton Boat Show.

Price: £199.95 www.mesltd.co.uk

2.

3.

RACE UPDATE I NEWS

THE WILD SIDE John Cooke considers the marvellous insanity of the waterski racers and laments a life-changing month for famous British powerboat racer, Shelley Jory Leigh.

I

will admit to not being the font of all knowledge when it comes to waterski racing, but it’s worth going to a race just to see the way they turn the boats out. Everything is polished, the trailers are all painstakingly customised and as for the boats . . .

They are all supposed to be ski boats, but I promise you, there is no similarity between the F1 ski boats and something you might tow the kids with.

Several hundred horsepower is common in the form of an enormous Mercruiser V8, and the king of the hill when it comes to building these boats is Bernico in Belgium. More commonly known for building the OCR boats with little Yamaha 130hp V4s on the back, it is not unusual to see a slightly larger boat with a 525hp or even bigger V8 inboard. It really is astonishing hardware, but then it has to be, to plough through choppy seas at speeds in excess of 100mph while towing a nut case on the end of an enormous rope.

In any event, the annual Diamond Race in Viersel was dominated by the Bernico crew, who won seven out of the ten classes - and while I don’t usually list names here, special mention must go to the British winners: Lee Holland in Eurokids ‘A’, Paula Newland in Ladies F2 and Darren Kirkland, winner of the Men’s F1 class. Well done guys.

accident in Sardinia, suffering head injuries and a broken nose during testing in Poltu Quatu. She was racing in the 41-foot Spirit of Belgium, when the boat came off the top of a rolling wave. As the bow landed, it shattered, causing both Shelley and throttleman, Patrick Huybreghts, to hit their heads on the console.

Fellow racers from the Italian team, SNAV OSG, gave assistance and further help followed from the event’s safety teams. Shelley was taken to hospital but will need further treatment on her return to the UK, while Patrick, who suffered a dislocated shoulder and head injuries, is making good progress.

On her release from hospital, however, Shelley seemed deeply affected by the events: “This incident, coming so soon after Malta, has made me reflect on my life as a powerboat racer and the dangers involved. As many top watersports men and women know, the sea is just so unpredictable. Although I take every precaution and train as hard as I can for each race, nothing can prepare you for the feeling when you face real danger and life threatening conditions. This incident has made me really appreciate my life, my family and perhaps the world outside powerboating. It may be a long time before I get back into a competitive powerboat. I have known what it is to win a British championship and perhaps that’s enough.” We will keep you up to date on her progress . . .

A tiny 500hp boat, towing a man on a ski over choppy seas at 100mph? It’s bloody madness!

Is it the end for Shelley?

After a crash in Malta in the reborn P1 series, now known as the Powerboat GPS (Grand Prix of the Sea), Shelley Jory Leigh has endured a more serious

20 I SB&RIB

FORUM FOCUS WWW.SPORTSBOAT.CO.UK

WAKESTOCK HARDWARE The Malibu VLX Wakesetter found favour with visitors to this year’s Wakestock event

CROATIAN EPIC

1

Dpb101

Well, I’ve just finished cleaning up the boat and putting her on the driveway after our road trip to Croatia and now I can't believe it is all done and dusted. Imagine it - 1,200 road miles each way, two weeks of clear skies and waters, sea temperature of 21 to 23 degrees Celsius, boating every day, unspoiled coastline, calm seas daily, beach-side restaurants to tie up to, and Germans - lots of them often naked - well it wasn't all perfect I guess . . .

FORUM IMAGE OF THE MONTH The Forum members relax in the shallows during a cruise round the Isle of Wight. More Forum Cruises are now planned for later in the season. To become a part of them, get yourself online and register for the forum at www.sportsboat.co.uk.

Overdraught

I watched 16 of the world’s top wakeboarders battle near horizontal drizzle and choppy water in winds of about 25mph to compete in the Wakestock round of the World Series at Pwllheli. Conditions blunted their performances somewhat and many fell, but some still managed the ‘rooftop’ - quite a feat in the conditions.

The towboat was a lovely Malibu VLX Wakesetter. In fact, there were two of them, one on the water and one on land for the rest of us to drool over. It has customisable presets for wake size and shape, so it can be quickly set up for any rider. It’s great bit personally, I prefer Tige’s ‘TAPS’ system, which can also give low, clean wakes for slalom skiing. I notice that Mastercraft is also offering a digital dash this year and that’s great, but we’re talking £45,000 plus for a new boat. For that kind of money I would want something really special.

One of these three slipways is Australian.

Can you guess which one it is?

2

3

SLIPPING UP Cap’n Jack

I asked the local council in East Sussex about a slip at Pevensey and was advised that it would be difficult because of the beach defences - which is understandable I suppose, when Pevensey is below sea level. But a recent visit to Australia showed me just how much some of our British slips need to improve: Slipway 1 Here is a design I saw while in Australia.

It is superb, particularly compared to ours. There are no tides, which certainly helps, but they manage to carry the slip below the water line by means of silicon rubber grips that are easily replaced but very hardwearing. Boats are easily recovered by two-wheel-drive vehicles and all Australian slips have dedicated

areas just a few yards away to either wash off or de-rig.

Slipway 2 By contrast, some of our slipways are very poor. Number 2 (above) is a public slip at Shoreham, just off the main road. Amusingly, there is a notice to the side which states that it must not be obstructed!

Slipway 3 And this one is equally poor. It is a public slip that happens to fall within the grounds of the Sussex Yacht Club. No fault of theirs but again it comes with a notice that it must not be obstructed. How absurd is that?

In short, I reckon if we can bring our public slips up to Australian standards, we will all be much better off.

WRITE TO US AT: SPORTSBOAT AND RIB MAGAZINE, CSL PUBLISHING LTD, ALLIANCE HOUSE, 49 SIDNEY STREET, CAMBRIDGE CB2 3HX E-MAIL: SPORTSBOAT@GOOGLEMAIL.COM

30 I SB&RIB