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