The Aqua Adrenaline Series brings three different watercraft together to carry out a series of races.
Jet Bikes (not a rib), OCR boats (not a rib) and Pro Cats (almost but not quite a rib).
As with most powered sport they organise different events across the Country from May – October.
However, what holds the series together and allows them to operate safely? The Safety Fleet and yes, they are almost nearly all RIBs.
Primarily all boats are there to keep the course safe, to ensure other water users, that aren’t so observant, don’t stray into the danger area and to keep an eye out for water based mammals.
Red (stop) and yellow (warning) flags are carried and both start and finish are signed from one or other of the ribs.
That said each safety boat has its own characteristics and layouts, which suits them to different roles.
The Safety Fleet
The July event, held at Westbay in Dorset saw this RIB fleet:
RIB
Length
Engine
Fuel capacity
Highfield Patrol 600
6,00 m
Honda 135 hp
140 l inboard
Highfield Patrol 700
7,00 m
Honda 200 hp
285 l inboard
Avon Adventure
6,20 m
Mercury Optimax 150 hp
70 – 120 l inboard
Ribtec
5,00 m
Yamaha 100 hp
150 l inboard
Ribtec Camel
6,55 m
Mercury 150 hp
280 l, multiple inboard tanks
Humber
5,00 m
Yamaha 90 hp
35 l external
With the 5.4 m Sea Rider, that’s often present, having a well deserved break.
This video gives you an impression of an Powerboat Level 2 course, showing the practical skills required to handle a powerboat safely and confidently (RYA website).
The training covers boat handling, manoeuvring, navigation and essential safety procedures. Participants also practise coming alongside, mooring, man-overboard recovery and controlling a powerboat at speed.
Designed for both newcomers and boaters looking to sharpen their skills, the course combines practical experience with essential knowledge. The goal is clear: to develop safer, more confident and increasingly independent powerboat drivers.
Frequently Asked Question
Which RYA course is right for me? Use the Course Finder to find the course that best matches your experience, goals and boating needs.
I would also recommend OLM (OLM Perfectionnement Mer Formée), led by Olivier Consorti. He offers specialised training focused on handling boats in rough seas.
Understanding Deadrise, Hull Shapes, and How They Affect Ride and Handling
Hull shape is one of the least visible specifications on a RIB, hidden entirely beneath the waterline. Yet it shapes nearly everything about how the boat feels: ride comfort, stability, fuel use, and top speed.
This guide explains the main hull shapes used on RIBs, what deadrise means, and how to match hull shape to intended use.
What Deadrise Means and Why It Matters
Deadrise is the angle of the hull bottom relative to horizontal, measured in degrees at the transom.
A higher deadrise angle means a sharper V-shape, which cuts through waves more than it rides over them.
A lower deadrise angle means a flatter bottom, which rides higher and planes faster but pounds more in chop.
Most production RIBs fall somewhere between 18 and 24 degrees of deadrise at the transom. Deadrise typically varies along the length of the hull, sharper at the bow and flatter toward the stern.
Deep-V Hulls
Deep-V hulls carry a transom deadrise of roughly 20 degrees or more, sometimes reaching 24 degrees. They excel in rough water, cutting through chop and swell with less pounding than flatter alternatives.
The trade-off is reduced initial stability at rest and typically higher fuel consumption at a given speed.
Shallow-V hulls use a lower deadrise angle, generally between 12 and 18 degrees at the transom. They offer better low-speed stability and often reach plane faster with a given amount of power.
The trade-off is a harsher ride in genuinely rough conditions compared with a deeper-V equivalent. This shape suits calmer inland or coastal use where ultimate rough-water performance matters less than efficiency and stability.
Cathedral and Tri-Hull Designs
Cathedral hulls use multiple sponsons or a stepped bottom to combine stability with reasonable rough-water ability. They’re less common on modern performance RIBs but still appear on some tenders and utility designs.
Stability at rest is a strong point, useful for diving, fishing, or work-boat applications requiring a stable platform. Rough-water performance and top-end speed generally fall short of a well-designed deep-V equivalent.
Variable Deadrise Hulls
Many modern RIBs use variable deadrise, sharper forward and flatter aft, rather than a single constant angle. This design aims to combine a soft entry through waves with efficient, stable planing at speed.
Warped-V or compound-V are terms sometimes used for this type of variable-deadrise hull design. Most performance-oriented RIBs today use some form of variable deadrise rather than a truly constant-deadrise hull.
How Hull Shape Affects Performance
Deadrise angle, hull length, weight distribution, and tube design all interact to determine actual on-water performance. A deep-V hull with poor weight distribution can still perform worse than a well-designed shallow-V equivalent.
Hull shape alone doesn’t determine performance; it sets the baseline that other design choices build upon.
Choose a deep-V hull if you regularly boat offshore or in areas prone to chop and swell.
Choose a shallow-V or cathedral design if stability at rest and calm-water efficiency matter more than rough-water comfort.
Most buyers are best served by a modern variable-deadrise hull, which balances these priorities reasonably well.
Our RIB Buying Guide covers how hull shape fits into the broader decision alongside size, engine, and materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a deeper deadrise always better? Not necessarily. It improves rough-water ride but reduces stability at rest and typically increases fuel consumption.
What deadrise do most leisure RIBs use? Most fall between 18 and 24 degrees at the transom, often using variable deadrise along the hull length.
Does hull shape affect fuel consumption? Yes. Deeper-V hulls generally need more power to plane and cruise at a given speed than flatter hulls.
Can hull shape be changed after purchase? No. Hull shape is fixed at manufacture, making it one of the most important factors to get right when buying.
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