Lifeboat speed record - this is a bit impressive!

[Firefly625]

http://www.maritimejournal.com/news...YNUVPSVcxeWhHVU5jN3RqVzZGRDAxbmpQQkNkZz0ifQ==

not surprising when you hear who the owner of FB design is, but impressive stuff.

 

[benjenbav]

Is Monte Carlo to Venice a useful yardstick by which to measure these things? By water would be the last way anyone would attempt that journey in the real world.

But fair play to the crews who clearly went like manure from a gardening implement.

I was a bit puzzled to read that the "FB 32’ ... set a new record in the under 9 metre class" both because there doesn't seem to have been a great deal of recorded class action in that category over that course and because I thought the scrutineers might struggle with a measurement of 9.75 metres being both greater than and, at the same time, less than 9 metres.

 

[MapisM]

Is Monte Carlo to Venice a useful yardstick by which to measure these things? By water would be the last way anyone would attempt that journey in the real world.

Non sequitur.
I wouldn't use a boat to reach London from Monte Carlo, either...
...Not to mention going Round Britain, just to eventually arrive in the very same spot!
Both of which are other examples of records smashed by FB and his vessels, btw.

Re. the FB 32, she's actually designed as a multi-purpose vessel, available in 3 different lengths - see this webpage.
I suppose they used the 8.50m version, in this case.

 

[benjenbav]

Non sequitur.
I wouldn't use a boat to reach London from Monte Carlo, either...
...Not to mention going Round Britain, just to eventually arrive in the very same spot!
Both of which are other examples of records smashed by FB and his vessels, btw.

Re. the FB 32, she's actually designed as a multi-purpose vessel, available in 3 different lengths - see this webpage.
I suppose they used the 8.50m version, in this case.

The point I was trying to illustrate by my yardstick reference was in relation to the heading of the article: "Lifeboats setting speed records". I am entirely happy with the idea of moving swiftly from arbitrary point A to arbitrary point B and even the claiming of a record for doing that. I shaved a couple of tenths off my time from my front door to the driver's seat of my car earlier today. It's not a terribly impressive record as I am the only person who has been in a position to attempt it and I suspect that Usain Bolt, were he round at my house with my car keys, would demolish it comprehensively.

So first there's the issue that not that many people have tried to record a time for Monte Carlo to Venice. Some have but whilst it's an epic journey by sea most people passing that way probably prefer to look at the views from time to time and sample life along the way. I believe the previous record-holder was another Fabio Buzzi boat taking an hour longer.

Then there's the issue that it matters not a jot that a lifeboat can go round the Italian coast quickly: as a lifeboat these sorts of craft will operate within a range of circa 30 NM from base and it would be more interesting to know that they could get to the scene of a nearby incident quickly.

Then again the sea conditions at least started as benign. It would be nicer to know that a rufty-tufty lifeboat could duke it out in some big waves.

Lastly there's the 9metre class for this journey. I did read the FB brochure and saw that there were three sizes of FB32, although it is actually named as FB 32' notation which - at least to an ENG eye - reads as "32 feet" which is a silly designation for a vessel that comes in three different sizes. Possibly 32' has another meaning to an IT reader?

Also, I couldn't find any other records for a 9metre class for the Monte Carlo to Venice journey (albeit a fairly cursory search via Google).

Yes, I know that I am pointlessly picking holes in a feel-good puff piece that lets people know that FB has built some jolly quick boats that'll stand up to a long journey at speed and my thoughts on the subject make me neither more nor less likely to buy one...

 

[MapisM]

Possibly 32' has another meaning to an IT reader?

LOL, you must be joking.
In the UK, you can helm 90+ footers with no license whatsoever because builders manage to register them as 24m LLL, and you are surprised if Buzzi gives one conventional name to a group of very similar multi-purpose vessels...?

And re. the capability to handle the rough stuff, don't be mistaken.
FB is a guy who designed and built some suspended seats, meant for accelerations in excess of 10G, because he realized that it was harder for the crew than for his boats to withstand big waves impact.
And just consider this SAR 60 thing: it ain't just incredibly fast - particularly considering its range. It's also self righting and unsinkable, go figure.

All that said, I am as likely as yourself to ever buy one.
But if you don't think that these boats deserve to be called impressive from a technical standpoint, then I don't know what else does, in this industry.
Maybe the latest 50' pleasure boat with a decent headroom in the full beam master cabin? :ambivalence:

 

[benjenbav]

LOL, you must be joking.
In the UK, you can helm 90+ footers with no license whatsoever because builders manage to register them as 24m LLL, and you are surprised if Buzzi gives one conventional name to a group of very similar multi-purpose vessels...?

And re. the capability to handle the rough stuff, don't be mistaken.
FB is a guy who designed and built some suspended seats, meant for accelerations in excess of 10G, because he realized that it was harder for the crew than for his boats to withstand big waves impact.
And just consider this SAR 60 thing: it ain't just incredibly fast - particularly considering its range. It's also self righting and unsinkable, go figure.

All that said, I am as likely as yourself to ever buy one.
But if you don't think that these boats deserve to be called impressive from a technical standpoint, then I don't know what else does, in this industry.
Maybe the latest 50' pleasure boat with a decent headroom in the full beam master cabin? :ambivalence:

Oh no. Please make no mistake that I was impressed by these boats and the background data which can be seen on FB's site. Just not by that particular article.