Motor Cruising and Powerboating
RIBs were featured in Splash Camp, but there are lots of other ways to enjoy the water in a powered boat. A modern motor cruiser will provide the whole family with a comfortable home on the water. All this means good cooking facilities, perhaps refrigeration, central heating, electric lighting, a modern toilet and shower and, in a big narrow boat, perhaps even a washing machine. Follow the links below for more information:
- Sportsboats and RIBs
- Narrowboats
- River boats
- Seagoing Motor Cruisers
- Launches and open boats
- Powerboat racing and handling competitions for young people
- The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship
- Special Interest Groups
Readily trailed, and easily launched and recovered, the sportsboat is the ‘sportscar’ of the boating world. With the right engine it provides exhilarating performance and carefully driven in designated areas, will thrill the whole family. We recommend that anyone who decides to buy a sportsboat should tackle one of the Royal Yachting Association’s powerboat courses before setting out, particularly before going to sea. As an alternative to the classical GRP sportsboat, RIBs are available in a variety of sizes and designs, some of them as pure sportsboats and others more suitable for angling or diving. The RIB gets its name from the Rigid hull and its upper Inflated Buoyancy chambers. RIBs are widely used as rescue boats and so designed that if one of the buoyancy cells is punctured, there is always sufficient reserve. Again, these are family boats and readily trailed.
A narrowboat is so called because it is designed to fit through a lock which is only 7 ft (2.15m) wide, but the boat itself may be up to 72ft (22m) long. Whilst fitted out to very high modern standards, narrowboats still lean on their traditional heritage for their decoration of roses and castles.
The boat that you will see on the Thames is not restricted by narrow locks, and so can be built with more beam. Since it does not have to pass under low bridges it can be made taller and even have a ‘flying bridge’ from which the boat can be driven with a splendid view all round. River boats tend to be displacement boats and like their narrowboat cousins, they will operate well within the speed limits. Generally you will need a mooring for a boat like this, but there are a number of small cruisers on the market which you can tow behind a family car and launch easily. Most of these will have a large cockpit and a cabin just long enough to lie down in, with perhaps a tiny loo and cooker; ideal for quiet days on the river for a small family at the weekend.
At sea, of course, there are no limits to beam or height, and except in harbour and some restricted areas there are no speed limits apart from what is sensible. The modern seagoing motor cruiser is designed as a semi-displacement boat, which means that under power it can rise up onto the flat sections aft and plane at high speeds, providing an exciting ride for all the family. Care is needed, of course, and some preliminary tuition is going to be essential. A boat like this will probably be fitted to luxurious standards, and have separate family accommodation.
For the family that likes to explore rivers and backwaters in a quiet way for a day or perhaps for a weekend, there are river launches which are really open boats, although some may have a small cabin in which to shelter children; whilst they can all be powered by a conventional diesel engine, they are also available with quiet electric propulsion and even, for those of us with deep pockets, with a steam plant.
Powerboat racing and handling competitions for young people
Youth powerboat racing is organised by the Royal Yachting Association in two classes. These are the Offshore K (Kids) class, in which youngsters can start in K200s between 8 and 12 years old, move on to K400s between 12 and 16 and finally into the more powerful K600s from 16 onwards. There is also for juniors the J250 class.
 |
To enter youth powerboat racing, youngsters are expected to attend a number of weekend courses in boat handling and in driving theory.
Youth racing is explained in detail on a separate website at www.wandaoffshore.co.uk and the full racing programme is included on the RYA website -turn to Powerboat Racing and look at the offshore calendar.
The Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship
 |
The championships are held for youngsters in two age groups, 8-12 and 13-16. They are a series of competitions in boathandling and seamanship, run against the clock. Regional heats are organised by clubs or similar associations. Go to the RYA website, click on the boating tab; find the heading for ‘Power’; follow it through to Sportsboats and from there to the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship.
For more information on this sport contact the RYA through their website or by calling 0845 345 0400.
Follow the links for detailed information on special interest clubs for adults and children.
