Event News

Stuart Field heads for the Seawork commercial show in search of some surprises . . .

Many boat builders well known in the recreational sector have long exhibited at Seawork, where the unique opportunity to meet commercial, government, and military buyers can result in substantial sales. This year was no different, with Pioner boats, Redbay RIBs, Hysucat and Ice Marine all on display, alongside large wind farm support craft and tugs. But as ever, a visit to Seaworks not only offered an opportunity to see a variety of craft but also to view new products that are of direct value to the recreational boating world.

The top gizmo

This year, a very simple new gizmo called the Universal Hub (from Safety Hub) was launched, following years of research by Dr Trevor Dobbins. Suitable for fitting to both outboard and shaft drive systems, this simple device (p ictured left) prevents damage to expensive props should they strike an obstacle, prevents costly repairs, and smoothes out the shock of engaging forward or reverse gear. More importantly, it ensures a boat is never disabled by a sheared or damaged prop. It’s a classic example of ‘Why hasn’t someone thought of this before?’. It is a simple solution to a very longstanding problem.

Wakestock is the biggest wakeboarding event in existence and, for 2010, the third stop in that most prestigious of tours, the WWA Wakeboard World Series. Matt Crowhurst was there. Pictures by Sim Bradley.

Martin J.Napier takes a look at what we can expect from the World Cup Marathon races of Cowes 2010.

It was in 1961 that The Honourable (Later Sir) Max Aitken Bt, DSO, DFC, son of the founder of the Daily Express newspaper and World War II fighter ace, started the series of races which heralded untold developments in the field of fast boats travelling over open seas. Sir Max had seen an early running of the Miami-Nassau Race in 1960 and determined that his own version of such an event, sponsored by The Daily Express, would be run off the south coast of England - and so the famous Cowes-Torquay-Cowes Race was born.
Sir Max wanted boats with cabin cruising accommodation, as opposed to the American open race boats, so from 1961 until 1966, only boats with cabins could enter. In 1967, however, the gates were flung wide, and while the awards for cabin boats were retained, the front-running contenders were likely to be ‘Open’ boats (or OP as they were classed).
When the Aitken family sold the newspaper in the late 1970s, the future of the race looked bleak, until a racer, Tim Powell, stepped forward, found finance, and continued to run the race for another 20 years - longer than the race’s original founders. It retained its glittering profile and prestige, becoming the race that every long-distance offshore racer in the world wanted to win. Known by many as ‘The Big One’, it became an event of such renowned style and charisma (not to mention physical brutality) that in racing circles, the August Bank Holiday became synonymous with a pilgrimage to the English south coast.

To read more check out the September issue of Sports Boat and RIB or subscribe today

Caribbean luxury sailing holiday with the stars at the Bitter End Yacht Club’s Pro Am Regatta 2010

Imagine being in the Caribbean, sailing on azure blue sea, at a luxurious and beautiful beach holiday – and then propping up the bar with some of the world’s top sailors, and sorting out which of them you’ll be sailing with the next day.

No, it’s not a dream, but it is the format of the Bitter End Yacht Club’s Pro Am Regatta.  Taking place from 30 October – 6 November, in the British Virgin islands, this unique sailing event brings together America’s Cup skippers, Olympic medalists, Around the World race winners and world champions, to head up teams of guest sailors in an action-packed week of race, social events and parties. And all held in the stunningly beautiful Bitter End Yacht Club resort, providing luxurious accommodation, restaurants, beaches, pools and watersports activities for all the family.

Read more ...