Sports Boat and RIB Magazine

GADGETS GALORE: THE DEFINITIVE 20-PAGE GUIDE TO THE BEST OF THE LONDON BOAT SHOW

THE UK’S HARDEST HITTING POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS REGULARS WORD FROM THE WATER 12 Save big bucks on a Greek charter WORD FROM THE CIRCUIT 18

Marathon magic with John Cooke WORD FROM THE WEB 26

A happy reader and his Hunton 36

ON TEST RIBTEC 585 48

Easy-access boating with Ribtec’s new entry-level option

REGAL 2100 BR 54

Is this the ideal affordable bow rider?

60

ATLANTIS 36

A fresh take on the sports cruiser format

20

BEST ACCESSORIES

OUR PICK OF THE LATEST BOATING GADGETS

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68

TOP TEN RIBS

IN SEARCH OF THE UK’S GREATEST HIGH-PERFORMANCE LEISURE RIBS

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FEATURES BOAT SHOW REVIEW 28

The definitive 20-page guide to the best of the London Boat Show

82

SIX OF THE BEST

87

SHOW PREVIEW

92

RACE CRAZE

Top powerboating sunglasses for a season of high-tec chic

What can you expect from Birmingham’s premier powerboat and camping show?

Make your debut on the race circuit with the RYA

SB&RIB I 11

BEST BOATS IN

SHOW

The organisers of the London Boat Show had promised us an exciting new atmosphere, with fresh vigour, new attractions and lots of action. So did it deliver? Alex Smith, Adrian Porter and Stuart Field went along to find out . . .

We have eight new models coming in over three years”, announced Chris O’Connor, MD of Sealine at their annual opening breakfast. And that is how the 2011 Tullet Prebon International London Boat Show started with good news. It was only quarter past nine in the morning, but as glasses of Champagne and the occasional canapé were quaffed, the hordes of bleary-eyed journalists began to warm to the unexpected wave of good tidings. Chris continued: “As a result of the strong demand for our recent new boats and this additional investment in future models, we will be hiring over 50 new employees to work in engineering and manufacturing”.

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The positive sounds from Sealine set the tone for the show and as we were ushered around the various stands, taking in sights such as the largest boat ever to grace the inside of a London Boat Show hall (the Princess 32M), and listening to the delectable sound of Rebecca Ferguson’s vocals as she helped unveil two new Sunseekers, there was one clear message coming across - the boat industry is doing much better than you might think. True, there were a few exhibitors, such as Honda, Suzuki and Evinrude who were conspicuous by their absence, but from the general impressions gained on the first day, the atmosphere was distinctly upbeat.

OUT AND ABOUT I LONDON BOAT SHOW REVIEW Ramped up watersports

The opening ceremony itself did not disappoint. Freestyle canoeists performed synchronised tricks on the huge new 70 x 24-metre pool, and wakeboarders made use of the Sesitec 2.0 System - a special point-to-point cable tow that had been attached to the ceiling as an indoor set-up for the first time ever. With some of the world’s best athletes on hand to make the most of it (including the likes of Matt Crowhurst, Dan Nott, Lee Debuse and Jonty Green), it was an extremely slick and exciting way to herald a new kind of London Boat Show.

Dazzling new layout

The pool was without question the best new attraction at the show and it was quite rightly placed by the east entrance, where the majority of visitors entered. The new multi-level floor layout also worked extremely well, turning last year’s relatively featureless expanse of aisles into a compact and surprising event full of fresh turns and interesting vistas. One particularly good example of this was the new boardwalk, which allowed visitors to view the boats as if they were floating. And outside on the water, the Used Boat Marina (small and limited though it was) proved a storming success, with boats changing hands at enormous pace. In fact, given the success stories pouring out of the Used Boat Marina, it will be interesting to see just how many exhbitors take

advantage of the chance to bag a space on the water in 2012.

Another popular new attraction that came about in response to public demand, and ran through every day of the show, was the Knowledge Box, where experts and personalities from various waterborne activities gave short talks and answered visitors’ questions. The tutorials on ‘How to get the best from your sextant’ were a little bit esoteric for most, but by and large, the new show initiatives were extremely well received.

The hardware trail begins . . .

Inevitably, the traditional top-end exhibitors did their very best to outdo one another with the customary ‘mountains’ of Sunseeker and Fairline craft, formidable displays of luxury Prestige and Pearl motor yachts, and the enormous Princess 32M - and it all formed a very impressive backdrop to the new elevated walkway display.

For most of us, however, the success or otherwise of a show is denoted not by the layout or the atmosphere but by the nature of the hardware on display. An early contender for ‘Product of the Week’ was a cap with LED lights on the underside of the peak to help light your cockpit and keep your hands free. But if by some tragedy of common sense, you deem such a product irrelevant, then stand by for a look at some new boats instead . . .

Jodie Kidd’s a ribster

The star of the opening ceremony was none other than Jodie Kidd.

Jodie is one those people that seems just a cut above. Not only is she a successful supermodel, but she is disgustingly talented at just about anything she puts her lovely hand to. She is recognised as a top polo player and a formidable racing driver, and while this may cause jealous journalists to scorn a touch, she has won our hearts by revealing that she is in fact a secret RIBster. That’s right, supermodel Jodie Kidd roams the Argentinian waters in her RIB, enjoying exactly the same pleasures you and I pursue on our commoner’s budgets at the weekend.

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48 I SB&RIB

BOAT

ON THE WATER I RIBTEC 585

SMALL

BIGSEAS

A capable seagoing boat doesn’t have to cost the earth and fill the marina. On the contrary, with a good small RIB, your options are virtually endless. Mike Pullen reports on the latest incarnation of the Ribtec 585.

SB&RIB I 49

REGAL 2100 BR

Fancy an affordable bow rider that is anything but entry level?

Mike Jones reckons the Regal 2100 is a great place to start looking.

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ON THE WATER I REGAL 2100 BR

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ON THE WATER I ATLANTIS VERVE 36

TheAtlantis VERVE 36

In casting off the format of the existing model line-up and pursuing a path of brazen innovation, Atlantis is enjoying a new found freedom - as the exhilarating new Verve 36 demonstrates.

Words: Craig Barnett Images: Courtesy of Atlantis Yachts

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TOP TEN

HIGH-PERFORMANCE

LEISURE RIBS As the RIB revolution brings ever quicker, slicker leisure boats to the UK market, Paul Mahy picks a shortlist of the select few that really get his motor purring . . .

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TALKING POINT I TOP TEN PERFORMANCE RIBS Humber Sports Pro 1000

Cobra 8.6

Cougar R10

Hunton 1004

Hysucat 210

Osprey Vipermax 7.5

Pascoe SY10s

Revenger 34

Scorpion 10m Cabin

Stingher 10m

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HIGHLIGHTS • Good wraparound fit • Polarised • Affordable • Broadly available • PRICE: From £40

DIRTY DOG

HIGHLIGHTS • Hydrophobic lenses • Embedded polarising filter that won’t delaminate • Distortion-free for maximum clarity • Adjustable and detachable elastic headband • 100 per cent UVC / 100 per cent UVB / >99 per cent UVA block • PRICE: £49

GILL SPRINT

HIGHLIGHTS: • They float • 100 per cent glare-free polarised lenses by Polaroid • Frames are light, tough, flexible and comfortable • Affordable • Lightweight, shatterproof and scratch-resistant lenses • Range of colours available • Price: £39

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SIX OF THE BEST

MARINE

SUNGLASSES Adrian Porter scours the accessories market to find six of the best pairs of marine sunglasses for 2011 . . .

nglasses. up buying su most given al e ce, there I’v fa , y lly m ersona grafted to ly al ic ys within ph ’re place them Unless they ce I will mis an ch as nt t ce no r e is a 99 pe , if you ar se. However ncy ha fa rc u pu yo t of bu k e a wee en if you ar ev r out (o es e ss m la foolhardy as enty of sung der there are pl on ), w ay ay yw m an u self ating that yo bo treating your to d ite e so well su there that ar t them. got by withou er ev u how yo

Bloc X303 and X306

BLOC X303 AND X306

1 Bloc X303 and X306 Bloc is a widely accessible sunglasses manufacturer. Models are available in shops like Debenhams, Millets, Two Seasons and Halfords, so the chances are you’ll be able to find them somewhere on the high street. I went to my local Two Seasons and, after much deliberation, I chose the X303 and X306 (the latter is the ladies version). The X303 has a fairly tough exterior and a sporty design with good wraparound lenses. I found them quite comfy to wear and the rubber strip along the inside of the frame tops and along the handles goes slightly gammy when you sweat, helping keep them in place during periods of exertion. The polarised layer of the lens is actually stuck on, compared to Oakley technology where in many cases it is injected, but these are cheaper to produce and more

affordable to buy. For £40 they are a sound purchase, and although Gill glasses are a bit more suited to boats, the X303 will do a perfectly good job.

What I like: The funky style and the

resounding solidity of build. You can also find them on the high street, which is great.

What I dislike: The fact that these are

the same prices as the Gill glasses, which seem to offer a bit more. I feel the Blocs could easily be five or even ten pounds cheaper.

Source:

www.bloceyewear.com www.twoseasons.co.uk

Prices: from £40

SIX OF THE BEST I SUNGLASSES

SECURE, HYDROPHOBIC, POLARISED SUNGLASSES FOR LESS THAN £50 IS GREAT VALUE

3 Gill Sprint

Gill makes great sunglasses for boaters and the ‘Sprint’ versions featured here are typical of the range. The lenses are polarised, the wraparound design is a good fit and better still, they float. It all seems a bit too good to be true, but when you consider that the entire Gill brand emerged from a dinghy sailor who was frustrated that there wasn’t more specialised clothing on the market, it all makes sense. Gill takes great pride in what it does, putting thought and experience into each product. My only gripe with these is that they do not have hydrophobic or distortion-free lenses, but for £39 you really can’t complain.

What I like:

I tried on many different pairs of Gill sunglasses in the course of researching this article, and all of them fit very comfortably. This might be a coincidence but I think it is indicative of an excellent design. Also, they’re affordable.

What I dislike:

Gill is quite a specialist brand so you won’t find them in general stores. I went to Grafham Water to try a few on, though I tried the featured ‘Sprint’ pair at the London Boat Show. Gill’s store locator can be found on their website.

2 Dirty Dog Wetglass (Curl II)

Source:

www.gillmarine.com www.jonti.co.uk (online shop at Grafham water)

With an aggressive look to them, these sunglasses are a great mid-priced choice for someone who wants to thrash about on the water. The headband that comes as standard will keep them anchored to your head and their hydrophobic lenses will ensure that water will bead on your glasses and slide off as opposed to smearing. When I tried them, I have to confess I did not think they were the most comfortable pair in this group test. But that said, they are not particularly uncomfortable and they will cling to your face with great gusto, even in heavy weather. I would recommend these glasses to energetic RIB owners and to those who like to bounce through the chop at pace.

What I like: the Wetglass range of Dirty Dog sunnies offers high-

spec, hydrophobic, polarised, distortion-free, secure sunglasses for less than £50.

What I dislike: the range of Wetglass sunglasses is not huge,

though they have enough different styles/colours to keep most people happy.

Source:

www.dirtydog.com www.jonti.co.uk

Price: £49

Price: £39 SB&RIB I 83

Irving Stewart takes a close look at the new GPS Map 78 handheld chart plotter from Garmin . . .

IN DEPTH REVIEW 22 I SB&RIB

S

ince the early days of Sports Boat, when we used bulky handheld radar guns to record a boat’s speed and acceleration, countless GPS units of varying makes and complexity have crossed my desk - and Garmin has always been among the very best. It’s not that other brands of GPS are any less accurate or reliable (which they are not) or that I haven’t tried every other make (which I certainly have).

It’s just that Garmins are so easy to use straight out of the box. When a new GPS arrives, there’s often no time to spend hours reading a multilingual handbook or fumbling for the right buttons before using the device. I just expect to be able to work it, instantly - and with Garmin, that is almost always the case.

Being the world’s largest GPS manufacturer, Garmin offers a whole host of different GPS products. These range from wristwatch-sized GPS gadgets for golfers and outdoor sports enthusiasts, and phone-sized Sat Navs for motorists, right up to ‘flight deck’ navigation systems for aircraft. And for marine leisure, the breadth is just as broad. Those who only get afloat from time to time will probably be satisfied

with a small, affordable GPS like an Etrex. Those aboard more serious craft will probably demand larger multi-function displays such as the GPS Map 720 chart plotter, or even the truly delicious 15inch GPS Map 5015, which is enhanced by radar.

But when you make a habit of hopping between different craft, as a boat tester tends to do, something small, simple, portable and practical is the ideal companion - and that brings us very nicely to the Garmin GPS Map 78.

The new GPS Map 78 For many years, Garmin’s GPS Map 76, with a large clear mono screen and big easy-to-use buttons, was a favourite with serious users on both land and sea. Although not colourful, trendy or particularly small, it boasted an almost unique combination of practical features. The fist-sized unit was easy to operate with wet, cold and even gloved hands and the flat shape enabled it to stay put on the sloping dash of a RIB. It was even buoyant, which was great for people like me. And that fantastic old gadget has now been replaced by the GPS Map 78 - complete with a glorious colour display and a grey and white case.