It is not often you see two identical RIBs running side by side, let alone 50. Yet that was the scene in February when 50 bright yellow Ribtec boats powered down the Solent in formation. Just the logistics of getting all these boats into the water and finding crews for the test flight must have been a considerable challenge. Ribtec called in volunteers from local boat clubs and diving clubs to help out.
The boats have been specially designed and fitted out for the Camel Trophy, an adventure sports challenge which this year assembles teams from 20 countries to tour the islands of Tonga and Fiji.
With such prime diving destinations in mind, it is no surprise that competitors will have to complete a number of diving tasks, though at the moment the precise nature of these tasks is being kept under wraps. Other activities include wave skiing, mountain biking, quad biking, climbing and abseiling.
Based upon Ribtec's standard 6.55 metre deep V hull, each RIB is fitted with a full electronics suite, dry storage lockers, capsize recovery device and a unique space frame "roof rack" to carry expedition equipment. To handle long open ocean crossings the boats are powered by fuel-efficient Honda 130hp 4 stroke outboard engines with 505 litres of below floor fuel tanks for a cruising range of 300 miles.
The Solent test flight began with the RIBs cutting through a medium sea along the Solent to the Isle of Wight in a variety of formations while photographers and TV crews worked from designated photo-RIBs and a helicopter.
For the return journey it was fun time, with the enthusiastic crew's being let loose to see what the boats could do. Despite a grey day there were smiles all round as boats cut in and out of each other's wakes and danced on the waves.
When my turn came at the wheel, I found the hull nice and stable in a straight line, but with good manoeuvrability when turned hard. Together with the nice dry ride and a quiet engine this is just what I would want for long distances over open sea, though I wonder how low speed handling will be affected by a fully laden roof rack in a cross wind.
The South Pacific event happened in July 2000. Read more on the web at www.cameltrophy.com.