| The River Thames in London is an | | | | as a Princess V48 which can carry up to |
| exciting and vibrant highway meandering | | | | 8 passengers in absolute luxury and |
| through the very heart of the City. | | | | really is a sight to behold. |
| There are many sightseeing and party | | | | RIB's are very common both on inland |
| boats in London for hire, but until | | | | waterways and around the coastline. They |
| recently those people after a more | | | | are basically a speed boat deep 'V' hull |
| aggressive from of entertainment on the | | | | with tubes around the side to add |
| Thames simply had no options. | | | | stability and safety. They have been |
| Over the past 2-3 years speed boats, | | | | used commercially for tasks such as |
| RIB's (rigid inflatable speed boats) and | | | | support boats, dive boats, and high |
| even jet boats have started to appear on | | | | speed security applications for several |
| the river for passenger carrying rather | | | | decades and are now common as leisure |
| than just commercial and industrial use. | | | | craft. The Thames RIB's are huge 10m |
| These exotic and expensive passenger | | | | beasts with seating for 12 passengers |
| boat versions are often based on their | | | | offering a high-speed alternative to |
| commercial cousins which lends them to | | | | sightseeing on a traditional Thames |
| being strong, safe and hard wearing in | | | | passenger boat. |
| construction. The big difference is | | | | Jet boats are the most manoeuvrable of |
| really only in the pay load, as they are | | | | all the speed boats available for |
| fitted with comfortable seating rather | | | | charter on the Thames. They can stop and |
| than guns, dive tanks or cranes! | | | | spin on the spot and accelerate |
| Speed boats on the Thames come in all | | | | incredibly hard with powerful |
| shapes and sizes, but small boats | | | | mid-mounted engines and large jet |
| available to charter on the Thames are | | | | drives. There are several sizes on the |
| less common due to the cost per | | | | river catering from 2-4 passengers and |
| passenger and style of person usually | | | | then the larger SAS style high-power |
| wanting to charter them. There is a | | | | versions capable of catering for up to |
| Fletcher Arrowhawk ski style boat which | | | | 20 passengers. These high power jet |
| can carry up to 5 passengers. This was | | | | boats are similar in style to those |
| used in the filming of the 1st series | | | | found on river's and rapids in Australia |
| final of 'The Apprentice'. It has a | | | | and New Zealand so a real treat for |
| certain James Bond style feel to it. | | | | Londoners providing the ultimate in |
| There are also larger power boats such | | | | adrenaline rides right on the door step. |