Wahoo

RX is exceptional says top marine journalist

nick — Fri, 21 May 2010 09:01:48 +0000

Top marine journalist Paul Lemmer described the Barracuda RX as ” exceptional” when he took the wheeel in a media trial.

Paul, who was writing for RIB International, took the RX for a spin off Southampton and was very impressed by the performance and handling of the new race boat. His full report will appear in the magazine later this summer.

Paul Lemmer with Rob Hancocks

Wahoo race boat steals show at Ribex

nick — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:39:27 +0000

Wahoo revealed its awesome 750 HP Barracuda RX at this year’s RIBEX Powerboat Show at Cowes.

The boat has been especially commissioned by Team Cool Running who will be entering her in various powerboat races including The 2010 Great British RIB Rally – a challenging 12-day event that circumnavigates mainland Great Britain and Ireland in June 2010.

The Barracuda RX

The 2010 Great British RIB Rally will offer a genuine challenge, around a tortuous coast that will require good seamanship and rigorous boat preparation.

The timetable is demanding, yet planned, to allow time for exploration and fuel efficient travel between stopovers. The circumnavigation of this unique and stunning coastline will cover approximately 2000 nautical miles with several overnight stops in beautiful locations.

This adventure will help demonstrate the versatility of rigid hull inflatable boats (RIBs) as a long distance cruising vessel capable of the task in some of the most demanding coastal waters in the world, whilst raising monies for good and needy causes.

Although being run as a non-competitive event, one of the opportunities the rally throws up is for the raising of substantial funds for charity. Any excess funds raised by the rally from entrance fees or sponsorship will be given to Help the Hospices.

RIBEX May 7-9 Cowes Marina, Isle of Wight

RX takes to the water

nick — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:30:07 +0000

Wahoo’s new raceboat- the Barracuda RX – underwent successful sea trials in Southampton last week.

The 750 HP Rib will be taking part in a series of powerboat races around the UK this summer in the colours of Team Cool Running.

Team Cool Running will start by competing in The 2010 Great British RIB Rally – a 12-day event that circumnavigates mainland Great Britain and Ireland in June 2010.

The full details of the build are being kept under wraps, but the vessel is broadly based on our flagship Barracuda. She will share the same hull technology but has been lightened to meet the demands of serious powerboat racing. The vessel will be officially handed over to the race team this Spring when the story of this awesome machine will be revealed here on our website.

The Barracuda RX

The Wahoo Story

nick — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:16:32 +0000

Wahoo is the brain child of businessman Paul Holland and Julian Willmott who has more than 30 years experience in the marine industry. They were looking for an ocean going RIB with a Jekyll and Hyde personality.

They wanted awesome power and race performance but a little bit of style and comfort for those cross-channel adventures where they could be at the helm for several hours at a time. Then there was the family to think of. Their search for the ideal vessel proved fruitless, so they decided to build their own.

They acquired the rights to a proven racing hull designed by the world-reknown marine designer Lorne Campbell and constructed Maximus- the prototype Wahoo – in Julian’s boat yard in Southampton. Not quite the specification of the new Barracuda, but she outshone every RIB on the Solent. Public interest and a passion for power boats drove the pair on to put the Wahoo into commercial production with the first Barracuda making her debut at the London Boat Show in January 2008.

Julian Willmott, Technical Director
Julian has over 30 years experience in the marine industry and has spent the last 18 running his own successful boat repair business. A experienced helmsman on powerboats and larger motor vessels, Julian combines his love of the sea with a high level of technical expertise which is evidenced in all aspects of the Wahoo range. Julian lives with his family in Fareham, Hampshire.
Julian@wahooribs.com

Paul Holland, Managing Director
Paul has a string of successful business ventures behind him and is now applying his commercial talents to the running of Wahoo. Like everyone at Wahoo, Paul has a passion for boats and a consuming mission to create the world’s most respected RIB brand. Paul lives in Fareham with his family.
Paul@wahooribs.com

Nick Band, Marketing Director
Nick has spent nearly three decades in the world of marketing including 18 years building one of London’s most successful PR agencies. Nick is based in central London where he lives with his family.
nick@wahooribs.com

The Wahoo Barracuda RX

nick — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:42:50 +0000

The RX is the sports version of our flagship Barracuda. A lighter and more powerful vessel, the RX has been designed with one thing in mind – winning admiration and races!

She shares the same hull technology as the Barracuda , but the seating configuration has been changed to accommodate four individual racing seats as well as fore and aft seating arcs.

Around 500 KG of weight has shaved off by using lighter construction materials and power has been increased to 700 HP in form of two supercharged 350 HP Mercury Verados.

The first RX has already been sold, but production is being geared-up to meet expected demand when the vessel is officially launched this Spring. The RX has yet to undergo formal speed trials but performance is expected to be blistering with a top speed nearing 95 MPH.

The Wahoo Barracuda Gallery

nick — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:30:47 +0000

We’ve got some great shots of the Barracuda in action off the South of France, Monaco and the Isle of Wight. We add new pictures all the time and hold the entire library on Flickr.

The Wahoo Barracuda RX Gallery

nick — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:26:35 +0000

Wahoo’s new raceboat- the Barracuda RX – underwent successful sea trials in Southampton last week. The 750 HP Rib will be taking part in a series of powerboat races around the UK this summer in the colours of Team Cool Running.

Wahoo Barracuda races helicopter

nick — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:35:37 +0000

This unique footage of a Wahoo Barracuda in full flight was shot from a helicopter off the Cote D’Azur, France.

Wahoo builds 700HP raceboat

nick — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:35:24 +0000

Wahoo has been commissioned to build a 700HP race boat for a series of high-profile powerboat races around the UK.

Team Cool Running will start by competing in The 2010 Great British RIB Rally – a 12-day event that circumnavigates mainland Great Britain and Ireland in June 2010.

The full details of the build are being kept under wraps, but the vessel will be broadly based on our flagship Barracuda. She will share the same hull technology but has been lightened to meet the demands of serious powerboat racing. The vessel will be officially handed over to the race team this Spring when the story of this awesome machine will be revealed here on our website. Be prepared for something very special!

The Barracuda RX

The Wahoo Barracuda

nick — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:35:21 +0000

The Wahoo Barracuda is a breed apart. A thoroughbred race boat re-engineered for luxury. Twin 300 HP super-charged outboards will propel the 10 M RIB to speeds in excess of 70 knots in sublime comfort and style. From its twin racing seats, to its teak decking and sumptuously upholstered passenger seating the Barracuda oozes quality and performance. It’s a Grand Tourer of the oceans.

The key to Barracuda’s performance lies in its hull design which has been developed from a family of race-winning power boats. The deep “V” hull was designed by the world-acclaimed marine designer Lorne Campbell (www.lornecampbelldesign.com) – the name behind a host of incredible race machines including Bladerunner which broke the Round Britain World Record in 2005 (27 hours and 10 minutes).

Like all the best powerboats, it’s not just about straight line performance. The Barracuda handles the sea incredibly well without out the bow-up attitude so common on powerful RIBs.
She is powered by two super-charged Mercury Verados each producing 300 HP. It’s hard to imagine the jaw-dropping power and acceleration and harder still to believe how this can be achieved so quietly and smoothly. Top speed, for those brave enough to attempt, is around 80 MPH!

The Barracuda is not all beast- it has beauty too. The driver and his co-pilot are cosseted in a pair of racing seats straight from the cockpit of a super car, whilst passengers can recline in the comfort of highly padded U-shaped bench seats fore and aft.

In 2009, the superyacht broker Burgess chose Wahoo as its tender partner for the Monaco Yacht Show.