VIDEO: Nine sportsboats star in readers’ sea trial 2015

We head out on the water with 30 MBY readers to give them the ultimate sea trial experience in Portland Harbour

In what is fast becoming an annual tradition, dozens of MBY readers took to the water on Saturday (18 July) for a chance to drive some of this year’s hottest boats.

For the 2015 readers’ sea trial, we gathered together nine of the most exciting sportsboats and RIBs from the likes of Axopar, Brig, Cobra, Ribeye, Sealegs, Shearwater, XO and Williams.

Scorpion sadly had to drop out as they couldn’t provide a boat in time, but there were still more than enough high-speed thrills to go around, as the video above shows.

Editor Hugo Andreae kicked the day off with a quick safety briefing before Sealegs showed off their party piece by driving their amphibious RIB down the slipway and into the water.

Once all nine boats had cleared the harbour wall, we were able to put the hammers down and show what these boats are capable of, which in some cases is a top speed in excess of 50 knots.

Food for thought

Trying out so many models on one day gave our readers lots to think about when it comes to buying their next boat.

Scorpion 8.1 owner Howard Green said: “We are considering something with a little more sheltered for when the weather turns. For us the XO range looks very interesting and seems a natural step up.

“The XO 270 is a real tool, I was amazed by the way it goes through the sea, it’s provided real food for thought.”

Meanwhile Brig owner Matthew Duce (pictured right) said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the opportunity to drive such a cool collection of boats.

“The Cobra really took me by surprise too; the performance was very impressive.”

James Sydenham of Salterns Brokerage brought along the Sealegs 7.7 and while he admits he is unlikely to sell one on the day, he says that the experience was unmissable.

“The quality of customers trying the boats has been really good for us and I am confident that boats will sell off the back of it.

“Giving people the opportunity to trial boats back-to-back is a great thing to be able offer and it’s not something that happens every day,” he added.

Thanks to all the MBY readers who came along and took part, all the manufacturers and dealers for supplying the boats, and to Dean & Reddyhoff Marinas for their superb hospitality.