Ben Ainslie’s new Scorpion RIB set to launch at London Boat Show

by Lucy Harwood on 4 Jan 2013 Scorpion RIBs are the official supplier of RIBs to the J.P.Morgan BAR America’s Cup World Series team. A new Scorpion Serket 98 is set to join the team for events in Naples in April and a yet to be announced American venue in May 2013. Ben Ainslie will unveil the new boat on Scorpion’s stand at the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show on 12th January 2013.

J.P. Morgan BAR team competed in San Francisco in September and October last year and already have the support of a Scorpion 8.8m. The speed of the America’s Cup World Series 45ft Multi hulls and the troubled waters of San Francisco Bay require a RIB which is sure footed, comfortable and dry in the demanding conditions. Scorpion’s are designed and built with these conditions in mind and are therefore perfectly suited for the job.

The Scorpion Serket 98 is built to match Ben Ainslie’s racing boat. It is fitted with four Ullman seats which are the world’s leading suspension seat and a pair of 300hp engines, capable of reaching almost 60 knots. It has steps forward of the console for easy transfer of guest to and from the race boat.

Ben Ainslie, who recently retired from Olympic Sailing as the most successful Olympic sailor, has now set his sights on winning the America’s Cup for Britain.

Patrick Byrne, owner of Scorpion commented: 'We are very pleased to be working with Ben, it is a natural fit, Scorpion’s are British; based in Lymington; considered to be one of the best RIBs in the world and hold more world endurance records than any other boat in its class, the best for the best.'

Please do join us for the showcase of these models and the launch of Ben Ainslie’s new chase boat, on Saturday 12th January 2013, on the Scorpion stand: F505 at 12:30pm.