Ribquest
Well the show certainly started well for Julian of Ribquest. Well before lunch on the first day his display RIB had been sold. By the time I caught up with Ribquest in mid-afternoon the team were all in fine spirits!

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See the full range of these northwest built RIBs at: http://www.ribquest.com

Yamaha
The 2005 Southampton Show was chosen to host the world launch of Yamaha's exciting new Stern Drive diesel inboards.

For 2006 the current 165hp and 245hp have been upgraded and two big brothers added to the range. A High Output version of the ME422 (245hp) designated the ME422 HO at 275hp and a new 'flagship' version the ME432 boasting a 24 valve cylinder head pulling a genuine 315hp, complete with Hydra Drive and twin counter rotating propellers is something to look forward to with these compact units.

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RIBster Rachel Smith and friend Lin Griesel launched their Atlantic Rowing Challenge at the Boat Show. They are hoping to smash the British women’s record (currently 105 days, 16 hours, 28 minutes set in 2004) for rowing across the Atlantic when they set off in November 2007 to start The Atlantic Rowing Race from La Gomera and row 2,935 miles to Antigua, arriving in early January 2008.

As well as setting a new record, their second challenge is to raise over £90,000 for Breast Cancer Care, the UK’s leading provider of breast cancer information and support.

Friends for over ten years, Rachel Smith and Lin Griesel are no strangers to competition, both having raced at European and World Championship level for Great Britain’s Dragon Boat Team.

Rachel (left) and Lin
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Some 41,000 women and 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK. If you would like to encourage the team and help them reach their target of £90,000 for the charity please support the Atlantic Challenge, simply visit: www.justgiving.com/atlanticrowing

September 2005