Full throttle powerboat experiences on the water
Powerboats - no longer the domain of the rich and famous only, with these zapcat, ribs, catamaran and race boat experiences you too can go power boating on and over the waves. We have a real mix of activities here for you. Some use actual race boats that are competing in current championships such as the Honda series.
Other power boating experiences featured here are a more leisurely affair, with things like trips out on big Sunseeker leisure cruisers. Then there are the madcap RIB tours on rivers where you’ll all have your hands in the air as you go zipping across the water. Now that’s what we call extreme sightseeing.
Make no mistake,if you launch in long-hull type of race-prepared vessel, you’re not going for the sightseeing, it's all about playing the role of co-pilot. You literally take the hull out of the water as you bounce along, skimming the water's surface. Perhaps just as well you'll be dressed up in the full racing suit and helmet too - it's going to be a thrilling ride.
In fact, some of these boats are so full-on that we can only offer passenger rides. Take a look at this 600bhp RIB doing around 50 knots out on the waters of Southampton! It might make you feel a bit seasick, or it’s have you saying ‘I want a go!’
Skipper your own RIB or powerboat
However, we do have a rather fine flotilla of motor boats that you can skipper yourself. Some of these may be onboard RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boats), others are your slick racers and we even have double-hull superboats too. In all cases, you'll be accompanied as you drive so you can make the most of your time at the helm.
Get an RYA power boating qualification on longer experiences
If you want to learn more boating skills, we can highly recommend the power boating courses. Over two days you will get to grips with everything from 'holding station', coming alongside in a harbour, high speed figures of eight, 'man overboard' retrieval exercises and even knot tying and learning about anchors. At the end of these all-encompassing sessions you'll be qualified to take a powerful motor boat out all by yourself!
Whether it's a Jet Viper, a RIB, a Zego, a Zap Cat or a Thunderbolt, these powerboats are superb fun. As you cruise out of the marina at slow speed you will be just itching to get out onto unrestricted waters so you can open her up, get the spray flying and the hull lifting with the sea salty air filling your lungs. Truly thrilling!
